Nirvana

I live at Samui and has an old-fashioned well; close to beach, so not deep, about 8 meters. The water by the beach at Samui is often little orange or red-colored due to ocher or rust. Furthermore there are septic tanks and other drain tanks, from for example kitchens, in the neighborhood – including my own tanks, that I should know the condition of – so bacteria is a question for concern. Unfortunately we do not have public water available in my area.

If it can be any help for you, I will share what I use. I have penned a simple diagram to supplement the text.

Worst fear is the E-coli from septic tanks; however a real well working septic – that’s better not to empty but keep going with the bacteria culture – should not lead much out, said to clean 80+%, but you never know about Thai neighbors with ring-tanks only. I read that E-coli bacteria normally clump into larger clusters, and many aid organizations says that just a simple piece of cloth can clean water in disaster areas; so a mechanical filter should be able to reduce the majority, if not remove all.

I use a pressure sand-filer and two small pre- and post-filters. The sand filter is just filled with normal pool-filter sand, and that works fine. The post-filer is 0.3-micron ceramic filter that is supposed to remove the majority of bacteria (some manufacturers claims more than 99%). The pre-filter is supposed to remove larger particles than the sand, i.e. a 5 or 10 micron filter, but real-life-use has shown that also a 0.3-micron ceramic filter works better here, and keep the sand-filter in a condition, where backwash is not need every week or two, which saves water. The ceramic filters are in clear plastic filter houses, so easy to see when they get dirty, and they are very easy to clean and can last for long time, if taken care of. I normally clean ceramic pre-filter once a week, and something like ever two-month I backwash the sand filter and clean the post-filter, which is actually hardly dirty. The filters also remove most of the reddish color.

Remember that the well gets air; the local well-experts says either an open top, or just flush some water straight from the pump back into the well from the top, so it get mixed with air, some 10-15 minutes daily – otherwise the water can obtain bad smell. Experience may show what you need for your well.

Legionella bacteria can be a risk in water tanks where the temperature is between 20 and 45 degree Celsius (the bacteria die at temperatures over 50 centigrade). In my storage tank I have installed a small submerged pump, 80-120 watt, that circulate the water through a ceramic filter and an UV-lamp – timer-controlled, so the UV only burns some 4 hours a day – and at the exit hose/pipe I mounted an end-piece from a tiny aquarium pump to mix air into the water. Air both reduces bacteria and algae, and removes any bad smell; the principle with the water steps in waterworks. The cost of running an approximately 100W pump is about 12 baht a day, but the pump could be timer controlled.

The only real costly item in the set-up is the pressure sand filter, which comes in both stainless steel and fiber (I would today prefer the latter), a 50 liter steel-pressure-filter will cost in the area around 20,000 baht; however, you may not need a sand filter, if your water is otherwise clean. The house for a small filter costs about 800 baht (if my memory serves me right) and a ceramic filter is about 500 baht. A submerged 80W pump is around 2,000 baht and a UV-lamp (house & lamp) about 4,500 baht (maybe less, depending of the size of lamp).

If you wish to add anything to clean water and reduce bacteria, a very good alternative to chlorine is Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2); that has within the last decade been mandatory in a number of country’s waterworks (including some US states), instead of chlorine and/or pumping air into the water. Hydrogen Peroxide is just water with an extra Oxygen atom, which is released so just water and oxygen (2xH2O + O2); the method is used by NASA to clean water in space (urine can become drinking water). Hydrogen Peroxide is totally harmless when diluted in water, if not healthy. You will need to use 36% food grade Hydrogen Peroxide, which you can buy (or order) in some of the local pharmacies for some 225 baht per liter. I normally add between 0.5 to 1 DL (deciliter, or a small cup) when cleaning filter in the storage tank. However, when handling it undiluted, be aware that it’s very corrosive (also used as torpedo and rocket fuel). Hydrogen Peroxide can also be used instead of chlorine or salt in pools, there is an American company selling complete systems, based on NASA’s directives, for that purpose.

A very interesting topic overall and learned alot. Thanks for time and effort, maybe some time we need some consultation...

Hi

After quite a few years with one insurance company , placed a claim and have had one heck of a lot of trouble getting them to agree to pay anything out although covered originally.

Looking for recommendations / experiences with Insurance company's to cover house, storm damage etc within walled perimeter , break in etc in Samui.

Preferably some experience with company's that have actually paid out as they should do.

Its all fine insuring for 8 years on 3 houses until you make a single claim and its "avoid and no" way past the usual three "no's" before processing a valid claim.

From the customer service received would anyone recommend dealing with the BKK office direct rather than through a local broker in Samui

Thanks

Nirvana

Thanks Rooo

Please could any member help with following.

1) Koh Samui Tide Table 2013 (specifically for June 2013) ?

2) Details or recommendations of any decent company / individual to take two guys fishing (Safety equipment and boat essential). Preferably the two with boat owner etc . Is Live Bait (squid ) possible and a huge game changer, period estimated during first few weeks of June. Good spots for fishing and stories , more than welcome. ??

3) Still on water related but a different type, a plumber who does not cost the earth but is professional for a smallish job related to work carried out incorrectly. ??

Thanks in advance

Nirvana

Thank you very much for the info

i will check into it and revert

Thanks again

Nirvana

Hi All

I am looking for a supplier of teak wood furniture for wardrobes, chairs , ouside tables, consol tables, bed side cabinets etc etc

For a private house.

Pls if any one has any experiences or references kindly let me know,

Not looking for super expensive ..

As I udnerstand to order from north may be more cost effective solution.

Thanks

Nirvana

Hi Nirvana,

When are you planning to move? I ask because I'm planning to move the opposite direction (at a date yet to be determined).

Just over a week ago I sent an email to Chiang Mai Removals asking for a quote to collect my stuff from Samui and bring it to Chiang Mai. Despite their website boldly proclaiming that "We won't let you down" and stating that they will get back to us in 24 hours, I have still had no reply - maybe it just wasn't worth it to them...

However, if our dates match up, it may be that we could find a company that will take the job...

Hi Both

Pls note plans have changed, the company that we were going to purchase from has fallen through so now i am back to square one looking for a teak wood furniture manufacturer.

Wardrobe , outdoor tables , chairs, coffee tables , consol tables etc etc

If any ideas more than welcome.

Thanks

Nirvana

Hi

Please can anyone advise if they know a decent local trucking company that can give rates for trucking furniture down from Chiang Mai area to Koh Samui.

Any good or bad experiences / suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Nirvana

i have to cut my lawn once each week. i do make sure it gets watered at least every two or three days though because there isn't any topsoil to speak of. follow the general guidelines, raise the mower blade to its highest location, don't cut more than a third of the blade of grass etc.

if i was in the states i would give my lawn a real soaking very early in the morning but with no topsoil here, all that would do is exacerbate the problem. ten or fifteen minutes with a hose in the evening is enough. once each month i leave the bag off of the mower and cut very slowly so that the mower blade has a few extra chances to chop up leaves and grass which are then left on the lawn for improving the soil, since as jimmy mentioned ^^ there aren't any mulching blades around. if possible, i will do this "mulching" cut when i know it is going to rain soon.

i've got an awesome lawn to show for it, if i do say so myself haha. feels great to walk around my lawn barefoot, and it also makes for a great place for all of my kids to play soccer/badminton and just chase each other around.

Thanks . I will combine this advise and hopefully have some success, but its a large area indeed to get right..

Nirvana

Hello All

I have quite a few square meters of Malay Grass , that looked wonderful when it was laid as turf but on the recent pictures i have it was looking very sparse and can see gaps of up to a few cm between some patches. From what i can gather the grass has not been cut frequently enough and in order to maintain some thickness and to promote growth it should be cut frequently and given fertilizer. Pls can anyone give some suggestions as i do not want to have to go back to patches and have to re turf. Just general suggestions and type of fertilizer and how frequent would be a great help.

thanks

Nirvana

Hi Nirvana,

Good question....

I think you have realized part of the problem, in it not being cut, as that would help. Frequency of cutting can depend on weather, (amount of rain etc) .... I would say I cut mine about five times a year... closer together when rainy season here...

Part of the problem could also depend on the soil below, if very sandy, it's not going to be as strong if the soil has a but of "fibre" to it... If it is sandy it could help to top dress with some bags of the soil they sell here and rake it over evenly and then water it in.... perhaps 1/2" thick... more if very sandy...

If your bare patches are large and you want to fill in quickly, you could do two ways....

1. Dig out some plugs from the better areas .... and water in, fill in those holes with some soil!!!! and then keep moist for a week or two... (just sprinkle enough to damp down, a few times a day.... especially if it hot and dry...or windy ....)

2. Buy a piece or two of new grass (same type) from nursery, and then make the plugs... or just use a few pieces of turf if gaps large enough... but do as above and keep moist (not soaking wet!!!)

When I did my lawn I made about 5-6" plugs and planted about 9" apart in a staggered pattern. It filled in with a month or so...

You could add some 8 24 24 fertilizer (yellow colour prills) ...as a boost to start.... but quite honestly I don't think necessary to fertilize grass here.... just means you will have to cut it more often! ....

It seems to stay green enough usually, it might brown out in the really hot season, a little.... but seems to come back.. only watering when it's hot a dry until it is established .... I think depends on whether you have a good water supply....

This would apply to both types of grass they use here....

Hope that helps!

Thanks Jimmy

But am i right in understand correctly 5 times a year you cut ? My grass will grow pretty long within 3 weeks. As i understood it if you do not cut it , it grows taller and weaker and thinner and this creates more gaps as it does not knit together. Is this wrong understanding?. Noted on the patches but that would leave me ordering a lot as you knw what its like once you start. A bit like painting a dirty wall white.

Nirvana

Hello All

I have quite a few square meters of Malay Grass , that looked wonderful when it was laid as turf but on the recent pictures i have it was looking very sparse and can see gaps of up to a few cm between some patches. From what i can gather the grass has not been cut frequently enough and in order to maintain some thickness and to promote growth it should be cut frequently and given fertilizer. Pls can anyone give some suggestions as i do not want to have to go back to patches and have to re turf. Just general suggestions and type of fertilizer and how frequent would be a great help.

thanks

Nirvana

If you need a decent guy (thai from bkk originally) let me knw.

he is an engineer based in samui and i have used him a lot.

Not the normal types..

Nirvana

Turn off everything in your house and have a look and see if the meter is still turning.

Then throw the main switch if you have one and check again.

I once had a worker camp shack tap into my garden lights with nails and twisted wire !!

Hope this helps

Just tried this ..turned everything off and the meter stopped !! Maybe you know a good Farang electrician who could come and check out the wiring and maybe test the appliances to see whats eating so much power?

I always use Samui Home Foods (Big Joe's bless him) for meat pies, BBQ sausages, pork pies and pickled onions. Deserts are good too. Turkey and ham at Christmas are brilliant.

For beef and lamb on the BBQ I use Makro.

Pork steak, fish and chicken - any of them (Tesco/Big C/Makro)

Calibri Foods are good - but a bit far for me. The others are all nearer.

Happy BBQ'ing

Thanks for all your replies, this really helps. I think i will give each a bit of a shot as these carnivores are going to be here for a while.

Nirvana

Hi

Can anyone update where best place to buy meats is currently. sausages / burgers / ribs / steaks / pies s etc etc.

Have quite a few people coming who are big meat eaters.

Had a scan through Samui Home made foods and saw no price lists and site looked out of date.

thanks for info

Nirvana

Hi

Can anyone pls advise if you have heard of any new major plans for a beach side hotel in Klong Khong.

Thanks

Nirvana

As i see, your liner is lifted by the groundwather during the Monsunrain. If you want to solve the problem you need to have a drainage under the pool to keep away the Groundwather. Replace the liner and go on. Never keep a linerd pool without wather during rainsaison... Are im right?

Hi

No the pool was completely full all the time, in dec once since it lifted so badly we turned off the pumps and left it. The state it is in and water dropping is due to evaporation etc

Agree it has been lifted by water from underneath.

Now it is so old anyhow , believe best idea is to replace it. The water pressure underneath in a very bad year (say every 3 -4 years) is very strong and like a fountain.

Thanks

Nirvana

My view is that from experience the liners from australia are good.

I would not trust one direct out of china. cheap and maybe not so good.

Normally in between is a metal sheeting , at least thats what we have, pls see my other post.

They last for ages if you take care of them. the issue with my one was water pressure under neath, so now i will change to a tiled pool.

Nirvana

Hi.

Any Takers ?

Some advise would be appreciated in the open forum.

Cheers Nirvana

Quote

Yogya,

Thais are also being fined for not wearing helmets, not only the Westerners are being given this treatment.

The problem is in the fact that the Police force doesn't seem to have the man power to deal with all the problems that are blatant on Samui. Once they have the manpower, they will need proper training.............

Unquote

Quote

Now thats just not true is it. For a start you need to have the will and the want to do your job properly and they have neither. I do agree that there are not enough of them but if there were there is nothing to suggest anything would improve.

Unquote]

Agree , it starts from the top. More officers would help but does not lead me to believe it would alleviate the corruption. New clean officers in charge i fear would not last that long though, for a variety of reasons including succumbing to temptation..

Nirvana

Here with a few more pictures of current status

The current pump and filter system is sand and in separate outhouse and works fine.

Nirvana

Dear Fellow Members

I have a pool in Koh Samui that is now getting old.

Dimenions below and pictures attached.

Tropical 3815DE 11.76L,4.56W,DEEP 1.37-1.80M . IT WAS BUILT18 YRS AGO

It had the liner replaced about 2.5 years ago due to fact that in deep end the last very heavy monsoon season we had the liner lifted from below due to thye force of the water.

We have now had again a very heavy monsoon season and same has happened or maybe structural collapse.

It seems for a pool constructed as this and with liner the best idea would be to start again but I am open to suggestions as I do not want to spend a bomb.

Clearly I would deploy a contractor to do this. Till date we have worked with a company in bangkok called BLT. Now we are gathering quotes on the island but reputations are less than admirable some might say.

I would really welcome some advise / suggestions on what to do here without spending a packet.

Tile or Liner ?

The pool was obviously build maybe a little low and sits at deep end on water table in wet season hence the water underneath pushing up liner.

As of now I have not pumped out the pool and investigated whether it is structural collapse or water seepage.

Thanks

Nirvana

Hi

Pls Pm me and i give you a number of a guy, he has taken care of us for a few years and does ad hoc as well as contract.

Nirvana

Hello

Yes they are in Nam Muang nearly opposite gas station or opposite side as mummified monk temple.

I have used them around 3-4 times and reasonable.

Of course as anything here , check the welds.

Nirvana

Hello

I am not living in Koh Lanta but have a bit of land there that I need cleared up and some fences mended etc before putting it up for sale.

If anyone knows any guys that could do the job I would appreciate to hear.

Thanks in advance

Nirvana

i saw them as well, ii think there is a malaysian porche event on

Maybe I am just a bit strange but I cannot think of a worse place to have so many porsche's at an event.

I mean its hardly well known for its long straight open roads.

Nor the logistics of getting them on and off the Island

But then I may have missed something... again

Nirvana