Falang,
Since I know where you are, I suggest a Condo.
1) You can own a condo in YOUR name with ease.
2) Don't worry about the walls. Most proper built condos are built with Smart Blocks, Q-Con (or a variation of) that reduce noise. If you want more reduction, build another wall on the inside and leave about a 1 inch gap between the two. Very cheap to do and will make the noise pollution zero. You will lose a little room inside, around 6 inches total.
3) Security. In Thailand homes are always broken into. It's much harder to break into a higher floor condo. You CAN secure a house so they can not get in but if this is your first and you don't know anything about security, don't take that task on.
4) It's easer to resell a condo in Thailand vs a house.
5) You don't have to worry about taking care of a yard and all the crap that comes with it. Pay a small condo fee and don't worry about anything.
6) Location! You can get stunning sea view condos for somewhat cheap. Sea view homes are probably out of most peoples budget.
7) You can't toss a whore out of a 1 or 2 story house and kill her. If you live on say the 15th floor of a condo, she can have an "accident" and you will be clear, so long as she is piss drunk.

The downside is, this can happen in reverse.
8) Back to ownership. While you can rope-a-dope a house, the title (chanote) can be in your name. Also, with shop houses, if there are 8 or more units, they can be considered a condo and you can own one of those. Less than 8 and it's a shop house. You can build the inside of a shop house to be the most wicked condo ever AND have a business in the bottom to make money with. Just be sure to add the extra layer of Q-Con blocks (in the living areas) to make it sound proof.
9) Back to security. In a home, thieves like to break through the roof, ripping the tile off and coming in through the roof. This happens often. I can tell you how to defeat them should you get a house but it's not cheap. They can't do this in a condo. You're pretty safe in there.
10) In a condo, with a higher floor, get a telescope and peep all the other condos out. You can see some GREAT fucking with whores, lots of guys leave the windows open.
Good luck!
