khunMato

Hi,

I am working as a manager for a property management company in a rural part in the Krabi province. All of the staff I have, except for a couple at the office, are without any education or experience.

My problem is that it feel impossible to make the company into one team. I mean, 95% of the staff is Muslim so the guys leave for lunch (they "cant" eat eat the girls).

Whatever I do they still find a way to do as little as possible. I offered higher salary´s, their response, "we wont more". They even say that they can see that I am working long hard days, but manage to twist that to a negative point as well by saying that I wont be able to do that for much longer ( 1 year + ! ).

advise anyone?

Ps.

I don´t wont to make this into a religious thing

Ds.

Hi all,

I have house here in Thailand in which I don´t stay very often, avr. 4 months per year. I have real problems with the humidity in the house. I have a maid that comes every week to clean the house, but when she airs the house it doen´t help very much.

I would like to purchase a dehumidifier that can be connected directly to the drain. Does anyone have any good tip on where I can find one like that. It wouldn´t hurt if it were easy on they eyes as well.

Thanks

Mato

BTW In thailand no one calls themself 'khun'. You'll sound like a <deleted> if you do.

Other than, that thank you all for educating me in the matter.

คุณมาโท

Foreigners cant own houses in Thailand (at least not the land that its build on) Condo's and such are possible car's too.

^ That is incorrect. Foreigners can own houses, but not the land it sits on.

Absolutely real estate sales contracts need to be in Thai language. Your native language isn't obligatory but you better be damned sure you know what you're signing.

<deleted>, Get a reliable and INDEPENDENT certified translation.

Any REPUTABLE, competent lawyer will tell you this.

If they have purchased a home, or a 30 year lease it should be registered with Land Department and received a stamp. That is proof of ownership along with a book they can apply for.

Thank you for your answers, I think both of you misunderstood my question.

I didn't want to know if a foreigner can own or buy a house.

What I would like to know is; if a contract is legally binding when it´s written in English only (or another foreign language) , i.e. not Thai. It could for example be an employment contract.

Mato

Is a contract written only in English legaly valid in Thailand or does the original have to be in Thai?

My consern is that I have noticed that many of my friends have bought houses and such, and the only proof of ownership they have is in English.

Thanks

Mato

Hi all!

Is there anyone that recommend a language school in or close to Krabi town?

Mato

Does anyone have an idea on how to fool the Xbox LIVE servers to think that you are playing in a country which is supported?

Mato

Hello all!

I received the wonderful news last week. I am going to Thailand, as I have been given the wonderful opportunity to work as a Managing Director for a company with close to 40 employees. The company offers services within the construction service sector.

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Here are some questions and thoughts I have.

As I have browsed through the web trying to find out more about the Thai business and working climate and how I should conduct myself.

I have gotten a bit confused. For example; Thais say "yes" when given a new task to perform, without really understanding how to do in order to complete the task. Although I have seen this behaviour as a tourist in the country, I have trouble seeing it work in a functioning business environment.

I am fairly young, in my early 30ies, will this be a problem with the older employees whom might think that they will play the "age card" on me and demand some extra respect (I know that I should show respect to all of the employees)?

If I see someone performing a task in a wrong (according to me ) manner or perhaps even in an unsafe manner . How do you go about explaining this and consequently how he should go about to perform the task in a correct and safe way?

Is it possible to have a (blue collar) working force that is as effective as in northern Europe? I.e can perform different tasks on his own and perhaps even take his own initiatives.

Have anyone of you managed to get your employees to trust you enough to come to you with a problem? If that is the case, how did you go about earning that trust?

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I will be most grateful for any answers and ideas from experienced (successful) managers in Thailand.

There must be many things that I have forgotten, please share.

Regards,

Mato

Ps

It is not my intention to talk down on the Thai population. This is only my asking questions that have come from me browsing the web. I am asking this because I want to be the best I can and as a consequence be the best for my employees. I do not have an ulterior motive so to speak.

Ds

NOT INSPIRING ENOUGH..... What? Pigs not inspiring? Mato, sorry, but I have to disagree.

I understand that being your "own" man Is inspiring, even more so when it is financial profitable.

It is all a misunderstanding, the environment I was referring to is the part of Isaan where our plot of land is at. This area is not inspiring or have not been for me the times I have been there as a visitor (with nothing to occupy my brain with), I was not referring to the pig industry...not at all, not your life nor anybody else´s.

Also, I really appreciate your benevolent attitude. Perhaps I have not made that clear in former posts, for that I am sorry.

So to those who advise others to risk only what they can afford to loose, I say this. Take what you can afford to loose and set it on fire, it would be a lot quicker and much easier!

:lol:

I hope that I havent given the impression that it has been easy because it hasn't, nor is it getting any easier.

It certainly does not give the impression of being an easy stroll through the park or should I say through the sty.

Maintaining my own drive and motivation in this environment has been, and remains my biggest challenge

That is where I feel my biggest worries lay and from where my future problems will come. I have been in that environment before, although for not as long but I still feel that it is not as inspiring as I would like.

Anyway..thank you again.

We (the Mrs and I) have a lot to think about.

Perhaps we will call for you again Isaan Aussie

I musty say that it is very admirable of you Isaan Aussie to share with us all of your information you have gathered up during all this years. It must have cost you a lot, money and sweat, to learn all.

To all my ramblings let me add the major startup costs. Feed. If you are going to grow finish then you will need to support 200 pigs for 5 months before getting a return. If you are going to build up a breeding herd then the time extends to 11 months minimum. If you buy the pigs then 2,000 baht per piglet is reasonable. Add around 250 kgs of feed per head at an average of say 15 baht per kg and you are looking at working capital of some 1.5 million baht.

The bottomline to establish a 200 pig operation to break even, I would allow 3 million baht.

3 million might sound like a lot of money, but the ROI is about a year and a half, (if I understood all and know my maths) after all is set up and finished for operation.. of cause.

Again..many thanks

Sincerely,

Mato

Do you have any ideas what you want to feed your pigs?.

Not sure yet. I think though that we will go with a premixed type, at least in the beginning. Any tips?

we have a large concrete drying area as far away as possible (due to smell) which is also where we grow chicken. The pig sh1t creates thousands of maggots and the chicken eat these getting them fat and stopping flies, we then sell the dry sh1t per bag.

Good idea. Do you pack the bags yourselves or do a company come to retrieve it?

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I´ve come across a more trivial issue though, water. As I understand it, one of the best ways to prevent decease among the pigs is to clean them regularly. I assume that the prevention of decease (by daily showers) along with the normal consumption of water adds up to a substantial amount. The plot of land we intend to use for our pig farm is a couple of kilometres from any communal water supply. Do all of you have communal water, or is there anyone who gets their water supply from a groundwater well? Would it be (to) risky to relay on a groundwater well?

Does anyone have an idea what it would cost to have communal water installed, per meter/km?

After a running-in period we intend to have 200+ pigs at our farm. This is the reason behind my "water worries". Also, as explained before, our land is just outside Maha Sarakham. I don't know is there is plentiful of groundwater in the area. I do know that rainfall is far between, which doesn't help with the ground water level..

Edit:

One more thing; could anyone give me an idea on how much it cost to build the holding pens?

Regards,

Mato

Hi!

First of all, is this a good way to invest your money?

I understand that since this thread was active the price per kg has gone up on the meet. This should mean that the all of you whom made an average of 1000 bht per pig, makes more money at present date than you did before. Is this the case or has the price of nutrient, medicine and so forth gone up as well? I.e. how much do you guys make at the moment per pig?

Regards,

Mato

I have been thinking about answering this question quite a lot lately as I seem to get asked every week. So here is a partial answer based on my current operation of farrow to finish. The costs are based on my feed usage and the sow costs are based on actuals. The price at sale is based on the current 73 baht rate for pigs above 60 kgs. Below 60 Kg prices are calculated based on standard industry norms. The percentages are gross margins so dont get too excited by the potential.

Current costing 2-5-11(litter size).pdf

Isaan Aussie

Thank you very much Isaan Aussie. It is much appreciated.

Mato

There are a few of us westerners that are breeding pigs in Isaan that can help you with stock of differing breeds.

Isaan Aussie

Always good to know that you are not alone..

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I have a friend whose family have been in the pig industry for many generations, he have given me many pointers. This is back home here in Europe.

What would you say that is the biggest difference in pig farming between Europe and Thailand. Other than the obvious; like the weather, the difference culture and so on.

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The most sustainable business you can do on the dry land of Isaan is to breed pigs, according to my wife that is. Does everyone agree? Or is there anyone out there with another opinion?

Thank you again.

Mato

Hi!

I am not sure if this is the standard here at Thai Visa, but I thought that I would try to start some new life into this thread.

I have a new questions regarding pig farming that I hoped someone could be so kind to answer.

First of all, is this a good way to invest your money? We are not hoping to become millionaires buy doing this, just creating a better life for ourselves. Get a way from the stress hand hassle we live under, here in Sweden.

I and the Mrs are planning to go ahead and invest in some pigs. The land, of 12 rai, that she possesses is in Mahasarakham Province. Does anyone know any good reliable breeder in that area?

I´ve read in former post in this thread that one good way to get rid of the manure is to feed it to the fishes. There is a smaller fish pond on her land now that I thought we could increase the size of. What would be a good size fish pond, for about 150 pigs and their manure? Do we have enough space to accommodate that amount of pigs and for the pond? Is there another good/better way of handling with the manure, to make biogas for example?

I understand that since this thread was active the price per kg has gone up on the meet. This should mean that the all of you whom made an average of 1000 bht per pig, makes more money at present date than you did before. Is this the case or has the price of nutrient, medicine and so forth gone up as well? I.e. how much do you guys make at the moment per pig?

Regards,

Mato