teevee

In Bangkok the best place to go is Rengboon Auto Classics. The workshop/showroom is on Pattanakarn Soi 35 and is always worth a visit as typically there are 20+ classic cars undergoing restoration and 10+ classic cars stored there.

The owner is Khun Yo, an extremely nice guy who speaks fluent english and is both passionate and knowledgable about classic cars. He typically has and/or knows of a few cars for sale. Additionally, he is the best man in the kingdom to talk to if you want a classic car and are prepared to pay the THAI price for same (the cost of classic cars here is certainly well above that in the UK or the US).

I have a 1957 MGA which is 1/2 way through a bare shell body restoration at Rengboon after a full mechanical restoration a few years ago which included amongst other things, a new (restored) engine and new (restored) gearbox from the UK. What's it worth in Thailand ? (ask Khun Yo)

So much negativity like most responses on here!

In answer to your question, it seems to me that YOU are the only one that knows your wife and now she is carrying your child who is almost certainly going to become the most important part of your life.

Don't build your own unless you have a lot of time to keep checking and a lot of patience when things go wrong.

Maybe like me you are quite happy that after you pop your clogs your son and wife will benefit.

I AGREE 100% WITH THOSE COMMENTS !!

The new Ranger looks good to me and I'll probably buy one. The 5 speed auto gearbox is the key factor and I wont buy a Vigo simply because it does not (1) have the 5 speed auto and (2) you can't ordinarily get a white one - both available with Ford. Also to note, the +/- 80,000 baht less for the Ford 4 door / 4 x 4 / 3 ltr / auto vs the same Vigo. Its true that the resale value of the Ranger will be less than the Vigo but I can live with that. Also, my two four year old 3 ltr Ford Escapes have been great vehicles and the Ford service at Ford (Srinakarin Rd) service has also been great.

Personally, I would not be concerned at all with any dealings/interviews with the Consular section at the OZ embassy in BKK as, in my experience with them over the past 12 years, its always been a very well run place staffed by people who actually seem to care and they have always been extremely pleasant and helpful, particularly if you visit in person.

Finally, I would also mention the payment issue to them directly when you're there as I'm sure they will sort it out as it really is nonsense.

Luc,

You have the same "high calcium content in the water problem" as I do with my 14m x 4.5m x 1.6 m fully tiled pool with salt water chlorinator in Prachinburi. I treat the water with Soda Ash - which precipitates the calcium out of solution and the precipitate is then separated in the filter. I also use a liquid scale inhibitor which is pretty expensive but dont need much (1 ltr every few months). This all works well - before I had to clean the scale off the salt water chlorinator cells every 3 months - now there is no scale or very little scale (the scale is from the calcium).

Soda Ash is cheap if you buy it commercially in 25 kg sks, which is enough for a loooong time - also note the water will be cloudy for a few days after treating with the Soda Ash.

As for treatment, an initial treatment of 0.5 kg / 1 m³ would be a good start.