joseph88

7 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

I beleive the roof is tiles although metal would be fine. Just ensure that the roof is well insulated and also put plenty of insulation on the suspended roof inside. Adding air vents on top of the roof may help further but not sure about keeping insects and bugs out of the roof space.

  

ok thanks eddie. the reason i ask is because it looks like it could be this product

1 hour ago, soi3eddie said:

I have a similar idea potentially for the future however the design would not be a perfect "A" frame. Friends of mine (Thai/Brit) built a "cabin" in their coconut farm in Nakhon Si Thammarat. It's built out of concrete and raised a metre or so off the ground to avoid flooding and allow airflow underneath - this also stops some insect or termite damage and makes it easier to eradicate bugs. The walls go straight up to about 3 metres with a suspended ceiling and the "A" roof above that. Their provincial builder thought it wasteful and crazy to use cavity walls (double bricks with space between). They insulated it completely and installed double glazed windows. With the overhang of the roof and nearby trees it keeps the walls quite shaded. The result is that it remains very cool and they didn't need to install air conditioning.

 

 

thanks for this.

i am also planning to be raised of the ground around half a meter or so.

and if i end up doing walls will use a double aac block wall.

what is this roof? it looks like the metal sheet that is designed to look like roof tiles, is that corect?

1 hour ago, canopy said:

Teak trees are deciduous. This fact will surely be noticed in the part of the year with no shade.

 

yes good point. i have other trees also. and i hope to plant some more next month in areas where will grow to create shade

thanks for all the input guys, much appreciated.

here are a few of these designs i've seen around Thailand.

one thing i've noticed is that they all seem to be located in cooler areas of the country, perhaps that's why they work out ok

also what what do you guys think if i simply used the same design but made it single story and created a separate ventilated roof space? 

anyways posting them here for anyone who wants to take a look.

1 hour ago, sometimewoodworker said:

Sure you will find examples of almost any style.

Does that prove that they are good designs? No

 

Does that prove that they are good designs for the tropics? Absolutely no.

 

It’s your money, your choice, but don’t ask questions if you don’t want the sensible answers.

no, but perhaps it shows that some people have found a way for it to work.

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

Does the land you want to build on have lots of shade trees (or space for them). Trees grow fast here so it wouldn't take too long to get a good shade cover going.

 

If you can reduce the heat gain from the sun your design could still work. 

yes i have some large teak trees that could provide a good amount of shade

38 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

OP, if you look at traditional Thai buildings, they often incorporate a high A frame roof "on top" of the structure. Its acts as insulation and ventilation to keep the structure below cool, a large space for hot air to rise into and be extracted via flow through gable ventilation, midday heat falls on the roof at an angle and is reflected away, copes with heavy rain etc.  

All the reasons they put an A frame structure on top of a structure, are the reasons you dont live in an A frame.

thanks peter. good info. makes alot of sense. 

6 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

Both types are "non-immigrant".  Non-O and Non-Ed are different types of "non-immigrant" visas.  Visas issued "Based on Thai Family" and "Based on Retirement" are both in the "Non-O" grouping ("O" = "other").

 

Tourist-Visas (TR) are an example of a visa-type which is not non-imm, so if changing to a non-imm reason for an extension of stay, you have to first do a "change of visa" process, which involves a 90-day "visa" stamp (done at immigration), then apply for the 1-year stay when that is ending.

 

When you enter the country, you receive a "permitted stay" based on your Visa (or "tourist-exempt" = "no visa").  You recieved a "non-imm" type of entry-stamp, with a Non-Ed visa, and were given a permitted-stay based on "non-immigrant category ed" (aka "non-ed").

 

So, in your case, you would be applying for a different reason for continuing a "non-imm" based permitted-stay.  This is perfectly do-able under the law.  The only question, is if your particular immigration office will do it, or will insist you "must go out for a new visa" to change the reason for a new permitted-stay.  That usually means, "We only do this with an agent/lawyer payoff." 

 

You should be able to get the 60-day "visit Thai wife" extension - especially if your non-ed permitted-stay is still running now (you are not using the amnesty - though some offices will also do it while on amnesty).  After receiving that stamp, they might be more inclined to let you apply for the 1-year Thai-family extension - or they might suggest you go straight to a 1-year w/o the 60-days first.

 

The reason for the guesswork, as each office is allowed to make up their own rules of what they will do w/o agent-money (which is shared up the chain) - and the per-office 'invented rules' change over time.  CM has a well-established ("infamous") agent-system, somewhat "less-bad" after the last Imm-Boss told them to stop being so blatant about it.  I would always try to do things w/o an agent, first - just keep your cool, and don't be shocked/surprised or show anger, if they lie straight to your face.

thanks for all the great info. 

the reason i ask this is because i will be officially married in October, and right now i have to choose what visa to use up until then, ideally it would be one that i can easily change to marriage.

one option is ed visa

second option is to get the non o visa that they are calling "volunteer visa" 

as this is already a non 0 is it easier to change to marriage after october?

thanks again for the help

2 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Take a look at how the locals used to build their homes, there's a nice collection at Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre. If you don't like the Thai style look at old homes in Malaysia or Singapore.

 

These designs developed over millenia of people living in the local climate. Adapt to modern materials and you end up with a place that is habitable with minimal aircon.

 

thanks crossy. i will check it out.

8 hours ago, scoupeo said:

I think if builders usually do not make this shape bungalow, there might be good reasons...

i've seen a few of them scattered around Thailand. they do exist here. ill send some photos over when i get time later

1 hour ago, Laza 45 said:

...nice oven.... 

lol

36 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You cannot change from a non-ed to a non-o visa while in the country. Immigration cannot change non immigrant visa categories.

It should though be possible to apply for a extension of stay based upon marriage with a non-ed visa or from a extension of stay based upon attending a school.

i see. but then would i have to eventually leave Thailand and re enter in order to change to non o?

or would it be allowed to continue extending non ed based upon marriage?

thanks

1 minute ago, Kwasaki said:

Will still be hot in Thailand without air-con.

If you can cope with fans alone at night goodluck with that.

of course it will still be hot, that's a given.

what i'm trying to avoid is it being an oven!

hey all ill keep this short and sweet.

Can an ED visa be changed/converted to marriage visa without leaving the country? from what i understand both types are on a non o visa

anyone done this?

i'm in Chiang Mai

cheers

7 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Mine was over a couple of weeks as was not in any rush.  But as none of the steps took more than half a day (mostly 2-3 hours) I can't see why 3-5 days is not very achievable.  Check for any public holidays.

i've heard that the translation of documents could take 1 or 2 days, don't know if its true but i read it on some forums.

hey everyone,

i'm getting ready to build a cabin/bungalow out in mae taeng.

i've got a couple of ideas but the one that i'm really keen on is a A-Frame style cabin with a loft. it looks awesome, allows for room on the ground level and sleeping space up in the loft above, and its pretty cheap to build. example pic below 

only concern i have is that because there is no roof space in these A-Frames the heat from the roof will make things inside pretty damn hot.

i want to try and avoid using air conditioning

roof will be 6 meter high and to reduce the heat i am thinking

 - use blue scope metal roof with attached insulation. (photo below)

- allow 2 upstairs windows on both sides of the loft area to allow lots of air flow

- an exhaust fan in the roof itself.

keep in mind the upstairs loft will only be used at night for sleeping. not during the day. so just needs to be able to cool down a bit in the evening

anyone got any advice for me with this? is there a better material i could use for the roof to help reduce heat beside tiles? or anything else that worth thinking about?

or should i just throw in the towel with this A-frame idea because its not suitable to the climate here? 

thanks guys

hmm ok ill double check perhaps 5 is not needed.

how many daysdid the process take you guys?

hey all.

who has gone through this process in Bangkok to obtain official marriage certificate

1. Obtain an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry. ...
2. Translate the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry document. ...
3. Take Your Affirmation document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ...
4. Register the marriage with the amphur. ...
5. Certify your marriage with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

i know what needs to be done, i'm interested how many days i should expect everything to take.

is 5 days more than enough? or is it all done in less than 5 days? affirmation of freedom to marry has already arranged to be picked up.

thanks ????

7 hours ago, northsouthdevide said:

Did you talk to the otop center in your nearest town or city? 

Not only they may have members with the skills to make the huts for you, but it would also be a good contact for promotional purposes. 

thanks thats a good idea i will look into it after the weekend

9 minutes ago, steven100 said:

These are near Koh Phi Phi and are about as cheap as your going to get.

The cost is in the bathroom / toilet wet area installation. 

Something like this .....

yes these are not bad. but where to get them?

i live on the land already. there's not that much to invest besides some 2 or 3 bungalows. 

hey all.

i am in the process of setting up a small style homestay out in mae taeng. nice plot of land at the base of the mountains.

i am on a budget so the plan is to set up a few bamboo houses/bungalows and possibly an adobe house (if costs permit) so people can come, stay and enjoy the area.

my question is where can i find the good quality bamboo bungalows? is there a builder or a shop around that i have not been able to find?

is there a good builder or company that deliver these around thailand?

the only shops i've found are making very low quality bamboo bungalows that can barely fit a bed and look like they wont last more than 6 months

i know they are out there because i've seen them at other retreat centers and guest houses.

so any advice on a shop or a builder to work with would be much appreciated.

a picture of what i'm talking about is attached

thanks

hey all.

i am in the process of setting up a small style homestay out in mae taeng. nice plot of land at the base of the mountains.

i am on a budget so the plan is to set up a few bamboo houses/bungalows and possibly an adobe house (if costs permit) so people can come, stay and enjoy the area.

my question is where can i find the good quality bamboo bungalows? is there a builder or a shop around that i have not been able to find?

the only shops i've found are making very low quality bamboo bungalows that can barely fit a bed.

i know they are out there because i've seen them at other retreat centers and guest houses.

so any advice on a shop or a builder to work with would be much appreciated.

a picture of what i'm talking about is attached

thanks