Need some info. on purchasing a bar in Pattaya.?

Question

I'm a U.S. Citizen looking to buy a beer bar in Pattaya,Thailand. Any information on price and legal issues would be helpful. Thank You.

Answer 1

It is a quick way to lose money for sure speak to some of the local bar owner there for sure... www.teakdoor.com post it in the forum and watch the results

Answer 2

For price, check the real estate listing from the following, http://www.a2zpattaya.com/index.htm It's a listing of real estate agents in Pattaya with either email addresses or links to websites. You might be amazed how many beer bars, apartments, or condos are for sale.

Legal issues? Good question. The main one would be a Farang or foreigner cannot own land in Thailand. You can own the building but, not the land. You could own 49 percent of a thai corporation but, that means you would have to find I think 5 or 6 Thai proxies to start the corporation and then sign their shares over to you. The government is looking these kind of corp.s close since Taksin's sale of his company. Other clever scheme's is to sell you the building and lease the land from the owner for 10 years and I would assume with an automatic renewal every 10 years.

I listed a couple websites for sources. Thaiwebsites.com has a bunch of websites related to most anything you want to know about Thailand. Real estate, lawyers, etc.

Thailandguru.com is a good general info site and the site developer became a business consultant in Bangkok.

Many of the farang in Pattaya are german, norwegian, aussie or british. I don't know if that matters to you but, the consultant thailandguru.com is an american.

My opinion, competition is fierce and don't over pay for the place. With Suvarnabhumi airport maybe 30 minutes closer that may mean more business in Pattaya. And with the political unrest you might get a good deal. I was considering Pattaya as a place to retire or buy a place there. It's nice and close to the beach. Just do your research thoroughly. If you have a chance go meet some owners there and get their opinion, maybe you already have. And I am sure you realize how corrupt the officials are.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I am a retired businessman and have constantly resisted the temptation of going into business here.. I have heard that 90% of people who buy such beer bars will lose money... not to mention have endless headaches w/the girls.. What I have recommended to others is two things - -

If you go to a bar more than two nights in a row - that will feel like your bar - - everyone there will know you and love you and yell out your name like NORM!! at Cheers whenever you go in.. - as opposed to [ Oh **** - here comes the boss ] -

The money you save - you can spend on booze etc..

Hang out and watch for a long long time before buying.. I have seen bars for sale where they load the place up w/their friends and create a false crowd which looks like biz is great and fun.. then when you buy - everyone is gone..

would you be better off to find an available space and open your own bar w/o buying someone elses?

Please give this alot of careful thought - 90% did not.. But you should know as much as you can about the culture and people of Thailand before you attempt such a venture.. it will help -

Hey, sorry to be a stick in the mud - but when you throw $$ into fantasyland - reality can come from behind and kick you in the head!!

Answer 4

Better not buy a bar. You can't make money in a bar here. You will have lots of problems everyday/night with those "girls", you can't work in your own bar, because thai won't give a "falang" a workpermit when they are barowners.Better to just stay in the bar for fun, not for business.

Answer 5

there are countless bars in pattaya.but because of my age,i wasn't allowed to go into the bars when i was in thailand.but you must try your hand at it.i bet it will give you a refreshing feeling!!!!!