Wildebeest

Any info on this site? It seems to have dropped off the net.

I was in Bangers for many years before my first trip to London. Stayed in a nice little Guest House Bed & Breakfast. Walked (novel concept) about two blocks to the office. Had to cross one major road (one lane each direction) There I came upon the dreaded Zebra lines, Living all those years along Sukhumvit I knew what these Zebra lines meet to one all (drivers: any body inside the lines are fair game , Pedestrian : know that they are fair game). It was quite obvious what was required to cross over the busy road, as I walked up to the intersection I eyed the traffic, more than enough room to dart across the road between traffic. Then the unexpected happened, the car on the right stopped, I knew this was a trick to get me in the crossing area. I stood my ground and waved him on. Then the car coming from the left stopped, Ha a conspiracy they were trying to get me in cross fire. After looking both ways a couple of times and the cars backing up in each direction I made a mad dash across the road, I should note I made it safely. Now I can only laugh thinking what those drivers must have thought

Whats your overall view of the builder?? I have ask this same mob for a quote on our house.

You say n your last post "added another layer of insulation", What was the original foam thickness as well as what is the "added layer".

Also you mentioned about a few problems at the end of the build??? Could you expand on this comment. Problem with builder, material design??

I like the pics, keep up the good work.

Also your electric bill is less than Mom's, she has a new Thai house, brick ( I swear you could cook an egg on the interior west walls in the afternoon) no windows just screens and wooden shutters, 2 aircons for the bedrooms , house size 60 sqmeter.

It started with the Holiday Inn and the paving of the beach road.

So whats new.

She is a women

You are a man

She views the relationship in one way

You view the relationship in another.

She is right

You are wrong

Its no different here than any where else.

You two need to define the relationship and get on the same page.

And another thing, don't practice your Thai in bars, where I did.

As they say now, you speak good Street Thai. So I have learned on some occasions not even to open my mouth.

Anyone have EXPERIENCE with steel building manufacturers in Thailand? I'm looking for references from anyone with first-hand experience getting one built (any type) in Thailand. Please post if you are able to recommend any who have BUILT FOR YOU. I've contacted a few via email and (surprise) have not received any response. Typical I suppose - just like how people have but never use voice mail.

I am trying to find some competent builders (stop laughing!). Thank you.

North East side the coolest, suggested day time living environment.

South West side the hottest, suggested bathroom, closet, nighttime living area.

I looked at the Web site for Patum Design after I posted yesterday. They seem to be a full service outfit from design to building. Looks interesting, let us know who you choice and how they work out. It will be at least 6 months before I get to the stage of sit down with designer, So I will keep on trolling the boards for more info

Using the Guide lines from the two web sites listed below you can have an Energy efficient house.

To build a house like this in the states can cost you 10-15% more than the regular way.

The savings or money back is two fold:

Heating/cooling bill can be 50-75% less than standard built house, in most cases you can recoup your investment in less than 10years..

And in the resale value which is higher, also banks love to loan money to people who buy these houses

as they know that the extra 300-500 $ they don’t spend on electricity can be spent on Mortgage.

Check the follow web sites out.

http://www.usgbc.org/

http://www.energystar.gov/

Seems to be a very rare species these ‘Architect’s” . I have been looking around myself on various forums with very little luck.

What I have found out is that prices vary considerably. Depends on what you want.

Just to buy an off the shelve blue print to summit to the powers that be can cost 10k to 50k.

Custom design or modified off the shelve will cost more.

If you want them to supply list of building materials that’s extra.

If they are to follow up and monitor the actual construction add more.

Find out what they offer at what price. I have heard anywhere from 3-10% of the building cost.

What area and what type of house you plan to build will ultimately decide on the Architect

This is a good one. I am looking at building a house next year. We have just laid down the fill so will be at least a year before building starts.

1) Enviro Friendly & Energy Efficient can be miles apart. What I am looking at is Comfort Zone that can be Energy efficient.

2) Traditionally building is fine if it is in your Comfort zone. But the bottom line is when its 30 outside its 30 inside. Not in my Comfort Zone.

3) Concrete Western Style, Well I have to disagree with this. Most “Western style” house built in Thailand have an R factor of 6 or less. Just a brick wall and a coat of paint. Now you would have to go back 50 years or more for a “Western style” house of this type.

4) Timber is a very Non-enviro friendly building material. If you want a full on Enviro Friendly house go with the Bamboo footing, Thatch siding and Palm Leave roof. All renewable resource’s. But here again my Comfort zone not fulfilled.

5) Renewable energy , you said it, Cost Effective, However the up side to this is they have a buy back policy for unused energy.

6) Water, There is ways to recapture grey water for garden/toilet use, You can capture rain water off a roof and into a cistern. However to store a years worth of water would be a big cistern as well as the gray water run off would require more land than your normal mooban lot.

7) Ideas: look at the cost of a comparable size house in your home country and use that as your budget here in Thailand (take out land price, Land here can be just as or more expense than at home). Western houses built in Western countries normally budget 5-6% for the HVAC. In your budget here or back home use 12-15% of the budget in HVAC. Then you may be able to start to use some of the high price Renewable energy features.

Conclusion: I can build a 1 million baht house here or a 35k dollar home in the states and you would be hard press to tell the difference. Ok the trim and doors here would be teak.

What about the USA immigration? What happens when you come back to the states with no chops in your passport? Stupid question but are USA citizens allowed dual citizianship? I always thought this was a no no???

The wife owns some land in Ban Phaeo (.5 rai) along with the family in the area (brother owns 2 rai next door. Both undeveloped, on city road with city water and electric.

Are there any Hospitals in the area? How’s the commute to Bangkok, train service etc.

I lived in Thailand from 85-00, actual meet the wife back here in the states, She has lived here since 90.

We are both in our 50’s and looking to retire in Thailand, or at least spend six months a year in Thailand six months in the states. Depending on the ever changing visa status???

tjo o tjim / chownah

Thanks for the input.

Yes the devils in the details. Require an air handler unit to control humidy and infuse fresh air from outside. And the average daily temp does control the sub surface temp, Maybe up north would be be

ter as the have an overall lower avg than say BKK.

Tjim , I wish you would not have used the "S" word in ur first line. That alone would scare anyone away. But you are obviously knowledgeable in the concept.

Cheers

When u check in at a US airport now adays, aleast the last few times I travel in or out of country. They ask if the bag is locked, and recommend you unlock it as security may what to open it and inspect it, if its locked they may damage the lock when they force it. Lately when I travel through the US, when I get to my destination I notice a small piece of paper in my bag from Home Land Security saying they have opened and inspected my bag. I can't for the life of me understand why my bag stands out and they have to search it.

I have been traveling world wide for over thirty years, never have I lock my bag, Never have I had anything stolen, on a few rare occasions I can tell someone has gone through the bag, But then again I dont put anything of value in my bag.

TIT LOS YGTLI (You got to love it)

Lofty goals and honorable objectives, all I can offer are some resources to sustainable building. Sustainable buildings are not cheap, but depending on your location can pay for them selves over time. Keep us posted on developments with ur Building project. We are looking forward to move back to Thailand upon retirement and would like to do the same sort of building.

Good luck on the rest.

http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/10/07/bangkok-bio-solar-house/

Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE). Thailand

http://www.usgbc.org/

cool house thai blog ?? something like that

Has any one heard of either one of these methods used in cooling a house in Thailand?

Its the same concept of radiant heating but using cool well water instead going through pipes embedded in the floor. 

Another method is used in Hospitals. 

Suppose to cut your electric bill by 25-75% from using the old aircon. 

Down side is the high initial cost of installation. Only cost after that is the electric to a small water pump.

Another down side, would the wife and family be comfortable sitting or walking on a cold floo

?

I lived out there ten years ago or so. Its a fine place.

Alot of collage students from ?Ramkanghen?

The boat was the best way to town, use to take day trips once a week to town.

By boat about noon, do the shopping, have dinner and grap a taxi after 8pm, no problem with traffic.

My question with the new airport isn't Bangkapi on the flight path??