CHON BURI — A Swiss national and his Thai wife claim they were deceived in their attempt to purchase a villa, losing a significant down payment to a seller who allegedly failed to disclose a mortgage on the property. The couple now seeks legal recourse, believing they were unfairly treated after discovering that the house was not as advertised.
On 19 October 2024, Ms. Naruemon, 31, and her husband, Mr. Jean Peter, disclosed their ordeal to the press, explaining that they had already lodged a complaint with Nong Prue Police Station. The couple had entered into a direct purchase agreement with the property owner in May 2024, agreeing to an installment-based payment plan. However, their hopes of securing the property were dashed when they learned that the house was mortgaged, contradicting what had been represented to them.
Mr. Jean Peter paid a 1 million baht deposit upon signing the contract, with the first installment of 60,000 baht following shortly after. However, the couple decided to back out of the deal once they discovered the mortgage. Attempts to negotiate a resolution with the seller proved unsuccessful, as the seller initially offered to return only half the down payment, citing alleged damages to the property. According to the seller, the couple had promoted the villa as a pool villa and advertised it for sale, which the seller claimed devalued the property.
Frustrated by the lack of communication from both the seller and the agent, the couple agreed to accept 500,000 baht back from the original down payment, viewing the remaining 500,000 baht as a financial loss. Matters escalated when, on 3 September 2024, they received a legal notice terminating the contract, which outlined the terms they had agreed upon. The couple had committed to pay the remaining 6.49 million baht within 24 months, with a 6.5% annual interest on the outstanding balance. The letter also noted that Mr. Peter had defaulted on three scheduled payments between July and September, accruing arrears of 180,000 baht.
The seller demanded that the couple contact them within 15 days to settle the issue, warning that failure to do so would result in the contract’s cancellation and further claims for damages. In response, the couple engaged a lawyer to pursue legal action. They also filed a report at the police station to document their claims and move forward with the legal process.
Ms. Naruemon hopes their experience serves as a warning to others considering direct property purchases. She urged potential buyers to scrutinize all contracts, title deeds, and financial terms to ensure they align with what was initially promised.
Further developments in the case remain pending as the couple pursues justice through legal channels.
