Sorry, don't have the time to read and answer all questions.

1) A right of habitation and usufruct are NOT THE SAME.
2) A contract is a contract and unless it's forbidden by law, you can put anything in a contract, meaning some forms are not really good, some are appropriate, etc.
3) I work with Preben from FBI. I haven't had a serious legal conversation with him. Just some exchanges, emails, meetings about property. I can just tell you that I trust the guy and he knows about real estate.
4) I even seen contracts that had no legal value (like a prenup NOT registrated, or a 30 years lease on a title deed that can't be registered) written by Thai registered lawyers in BANGKOK...So, difficult to know what you have, your rights, etc.

All situations and clients are different. Your asset, protection, even relationship is different. You just need to know your options, which fits you and you go for it or not.

In Thailand, it's easy to transfer a house without a lawyer.
But most foreigner can't read Thai. Anyway, they can't own land!!!
You know all these stories about people losing money in Thailand, a house, etc.
This is why, sometimes, it's better to make a contract. SOMETIMES.
I wouldn't be afraid to lose a house if I buy one in my country. Here, under a Thai name...YES.

I resemble that remark

yes, you have way too much money. more coming every month. think i was in the wrong union/job.

unlike you, i can't write off a mill, then have plenty left. don't think you have any worries, seem to have a good one there. most of the regulars, passed WBU already, some in first semester, smart or very lucky, some , not mentioning anyone, took a bit longer. but greduated fairly good shape. others, well, they're retaking the courses over and over and over again. bummer.

Yep, there are ways to do things inexpensively on your own through the correct channels, and there are ways to do things in a hurry with property titles and such which will only leave you holding your own empty bag.

Preben at FBI is straight up, and as honest as they come, so before you accept paperwork and title from some good old boy Thai Family or friend, have Preben check it out.
You won't be sorry you did.

Then you won't be cry-babying around telling everyone the Thais stuck it to you fleecing you of millions of Baht because you didn't take the time to fully check things out yourself, just to save a couple Baht.
Up to you...

if you all have fears about getting dumped by the lady then play it safe buy a condo in your name and rest easy at night also why would you want to be with a lady who you do not trust
because it you are worried then you do not trust plain & simple / I said it on another thread and I will said it briefly here I am building a house in my wife village for HER I have no intentions of living in it I do not have any intentions of buying or building a house any were else I will rent my domain
it only money if you can not afford to lose it do not give it plain & simple and stop whining no body really cares we all have our problems mine is getting my jaw to heal so I can eat again with out slobbering over my self

I take the point that there are standard documents out there - lease and usufruct documents - and that they can be bought, completed and registered at the Land Dept at relatively nominal cost, but that isn't the whole situation.

Most people will also want to ensure they properly and adequately protect their interests with some sort of supporting contract or document covering situations like what happens at the end of the lease period, or upon earlier death of either party, or if they want to sell, move on, split with their partner, or whatever. And not everyone is buying the land in the name of their Thai wife.

my apologies to all for any misunderstanding, looking of my papers yesterday, i realized i have a 'userfuct', not 'gift of habitation', but all else is same, all of 75 baht to register by self at office, simply answer the questions asked by the man with the fill in the blanks computer screen. for life - free - use and or modifiy at will.

sorry for any confusion.