Dear Sir:
First I apologize that I do not have your proper name and only at this time have your email address for this communication. I was very glad that I did have the opportunity to meet you briefly while in Koh Tao and was very impressed meeting you in person.
I would like to help Thip with taking over the beauty shop but being completely unfamiliar with business practices in Thailand I would prefer to work through an Agent/Lawyer for both the rent and paying the fee to take over the shop. Since you are the landlord the rent portion is obviously fairly easy and would prefer to have a Thai represent me to the current shop occupants so there are no questions.
I would also like to treat the money for the shop as a loan to Thip so on a monthly basis would like her to pay into an account which you would hold the monthly rent and a portion of the loan. I know this is not usual business practice and that normally the rent is paid on a yearly basis but since this is the first time Thip has really run a business it would be better if the annual rent is protected and also if for some reason she is unable to stay with the shop it allows me to recover at least part of the loan and pay you for any period required to turn the shop over to a new occupant. I of course would pay you an agent fee for maintaining the account and collecting the rent and loan portion.
I also request your suggestions as to how to transfer money to your account for the rent. The US has recently made changes making it difficult to transfer any real sums of money. I actually would like to put it on a credit card if that is possible but will see if I can find a bank at this end who will do a transfer. If you have any suggestions they would be appreciated.
There is also the question about taxes. If my name is on the lease which is what I would actually prefer at least initially am I liable for Thai taxes? Does Thip have to pay taxes on her shop income?
What fees would you charge to act as my agent and maintain the rent/loan account?
What is the current rent balance and what is the best timing to take over the lease?
Thank you and was a pleasure to meet you and are very lucky to live in such a beautiful place!
Ray Villemarette