Silencer

My original plan was Qcon but I was not committed to it, he knew that, and he wanted to confirm with me before ordering. He said the labor was a bit lower for Qcon and they would be "about the same" overall cost when materials and time factored in, so either was ok for him from the financial side. He's not nickel and diming me, letting me make last minute adjustments (two staircases, window/door sizes, even a small extra interior space added) with no cost impacts so far. I need to stay on top of the work but no complaints. Most of the concrete work completed now.

Thanks for all the replies/experiences provided. I'll talk with the builder next week and see what he recommends, his crews experience level with each, hear him explain the installation process, and go from there. I don't use AC much (however, will have several installed) but maybe I'll get grumpy as I age and be happier with a cooler interior. ????

Has anyone found any problems with hanging heavy objects (kitchen cabinets, AC/units, stone wall murals, etc) or adhesion issues with AAC? I'll need to look up the correct fasteners for heavier loads but if they work well, that eliminates that concern.

Yes, it appears my builder is offering the WK-8/WK8-1 style or AAC.

The large cinderblocks are 39cm length, 19cm height and 19.cm width. Pic below. I have seen homes in the area using double block, these cinderblocks, and AAC blocks.

When I looked up the cost for each product (20cm think vs 19.5cm thick) it looks like QCON is at least 3 times more expensive. I have read many of the pros/cons of QCON (primarily insulation qualities and workability vs strength in hanging very heavy objects on it and render cracking). Regardless, all things being equal, wouldn't it be a no brainer to go with the upgraded QCON block or do the large concrete blocks offer some advantages I should consider. Looking for a sanity check before making the decision. Maybe some of you choose one over the other for non cost-related reasons I should consider.

Agree 100%. He's goofy AF, not someone I would want to watch, but has succeeded. Much different experience and outcome from many members here.

Divorce is expensive. Wonder how long she will let him play? Just another episode, like countless others, that have played out over the last decades.

Yes, on reflection a gas hob. Thank you very much for your rough calculations and recommendations. Much appreciated!

-Household size: 3 people -Large (5x11) pool and spa area (water jets), saltwater system. - Western kitchen (without dishwasher), so fridge, oven, microwave, toaster, hob. - A/C available in 4 rooms, 3 bedrooms and living room but expect very low usage. (We hardly ever use now) - Three TV's - Many recessed lights (60), outdoor lights (20) but again not used all at same time. - Indoor/outdoor ceiling fans (5) - Well/pump - Simple water heaters in 3 showers. - Motorized gate - 190sqm indoor space/320sqm roofed area No other major electrical usage items I can think of.

I have a new home construction starting soon and want to have the main power line connected to the house underground (about 15m from pole on street) and come up into an enclosed (ventilated) 3mx5m concrete floored room that will serve as the main electrical room, pool pump room, and for general storage. I will ofcourse discuss this with my contractor and everything may go smoothly. However, I would like to have some knowledge in understanding the correct way to bring, bury, protect, and insulate this main up into the room myself. The government electric pole is 1m from my perimeter wall and I assume the first step would be to bring the main over the wall to "my" electric pole, then down to the earth, where it can be buried, run to the new room, come up from the floor and into the main box. I am looking for what the proper materials (wiring type, conduit) should be used and what depth the main should be buried at as standard or best practice. Also any potential problems/issues with this type of arrangement. Again, maybe this is done routinely, so should be no worries, but I see so many installations where the wires are run above ground along several poles to the house connection. P.S. The land is not prone to flooding/sloped.

Thank you gentlemen. I had no considered Shera board but after looking over some of the products they offer, this might be the solution for me.

I want to have my builder install a wood, or wood-like, covering on the soffit of a large overhanging roof. I will try to attach a picture to be more clear. I have found a couple companies that supply a synthetic teak looking wood but the price seems prohibitive (800-1300 sqm). My builder is planning to hand make it all out of wood if I don't find a substitute. I'm thinking the synthetic approach will be better for a variety of reasons. Has anyone run across something like this that may be at a lower price point than what I have found so far?

Was the motorbike stationary? No mention if alcohol was involved, or excessive speed, and police still investigating. The one accident I had, where I scraped the car in front of me (on a motorbike) vs. going down a ravine, during a sudden and hard braking event caused by a car pulling onto the road unexpectedly, ended up with police saying I was not at fault and the car pulling out would pay for the damages to the car I hit. What a surprise that was (I think everyone was glad I did not go down the ravine). Not sure I would have gotten off free like that in my home country in the same situation. Not all is gloom and doom here just because we are foreigners and easy pickings.

He couldn't be bothered to take any of the many land transport options from Samui? Maybe he scored a great airfare discount or had an expiring ticket.... ????

Many of us have done the late night partying in Thailand, getting home near sunrise (when often the girl or I wanted to sleep more than romp), then wake up in the mid-afternoon and start it all over again the next night. Lots of drinking, girls, good and bad times. Although I rarely go out to party now, I have no issue with those that want to experience all that and although its available today, you need to search it out or be in the know. Most of Pattaya should be open late for clubs and people so inclined, that is what Pattaya is (some other areas too). Whilst I will be blissfully sleeping amongst the coconut groves, others can continue the tradition of partying til they drop, with all the fun and dangers that may follow.

After rain, so many dangerous curves on the roads of Samui (and the other islands) with dirt and sand deposits that last several days. Couple that with many inexperienced drivers and I see tourist crashes every week, sometimes every day. The standard motorbike rental helmets are a joke, colorful ornaments that barely reach the top of the ears. I hope she makes a full recovery.

I'm given a lot of different types of documents and presentations to review from my Japanese client. Some speak/write near perfect English, some don't. How I approach these reviews is providing "alternative wording" or "suggested edits", allowing them to pick and choose the ones they like. This way, they can take some of my suggestions, all of them, or edit my suggestions a bit, and everyone is happy and saves face. By the way, I was lost in Tokyo once near my clients office one morning and I could find not find one person (young students, university ages, or businessman) that could speak English and direct me to the right place. Some had a look of horror that I was about to approach them and speak English. So, it's not just Thailand with low proficiency and we can't call the Japanese lazy.

In a secret meeting of the illuminati, just after the US Revolutionary War, it was decided that the new nation of the United States should not become a world football superpower. Instead, it was to be gifted the sports of American football, Basketball, and Baseball, which would attract its best athletes thereby ensuring they could not compete at the international level. Along with the insistence that the US should use the term soccer when referring to world football, to further distanced itself, this decision has worked out well for the football world, despite a small hiccup in 1950. I thought this was well understood.

Split the money, one moves out. I would have never guessed an amicable solution would be forthcoming. Now, he just needs to grow a pair.

So 'Mountain B' club was ordered closed for 5 years, yet a club with a different name can open up in its place? While maybe meeting the the letter of the law certainly this seems to violate the spirit of the law.

China wants these operations shut down. They are mostly going after Chinese nationals, causing headaches for the government, and citizens there. Many operate from multiple countries. Big problem for the Chinese.

Meanwhile my wife got dragged into a local problem when her 19 y.o. nephew back in her village, who she was sort of a surrogate mother for, was seen going into the house of a 13 year old girl, after the kid called him to say she was alone. Although no sex had occurred apparently, both families are upset, the village chief involved, and then called my wife to get her to explain to him if something like this happens again, the police will get involved. My only comment was I'm not bailing anyone out. Wondering if her nephew was a rich man whether this would be such an issue....

Exactly. The Thai government LOVES for rich Chinese to come live here but many come with serious vices as well, or their children do. Do they continue this push for wealthy Chinese residents and hand out token fines from time to time, deporting/blacklisting, or jailing them?

Indeed. I personally know of 5 Thais on overstay. One, over 20 years. They work, live comfortably, travel around the US, send money home, then return home for their retirement. None will make the news when they leave.