MoonRiverOasis

So all the cars for sale here in Thailand are going to be replaced before 2014' BLOODY hel_l'.

And rightfully so.. There's many examples of very aged platforms on the Thai market!

Surprised there is nothing on the Fortuner.......it is due for an update.

It would be reasonable to assume a new Fortuner model will also be forthcoming in 2014, with perhaps another minor or nano change along the way, but the fate of this model is hanging in the balance due to pressure from many angles to relieve Toyota of the tax holiday they've been enjoying with the model (removal of which would push it's price to the 2M Baht mark).

2011: VIGO extensive-yet-minor change.

I'd like to know what that means. I understand the VIGO update for this year to be a nano change (something very small like different badging or trim on the glovebox or something, but <deleted> IS an ' extensive yet minor change?

The VIGO will be getting more styling changes and a Euro IV compliant VN Turbo engine in 2011 (as req'd by all pickup manufacturers by Thai regulations in that year), but there won't be a new platform until 2014. No-one knows exactly what the cosmetic upgrades will entail, including Toyota - no doubt they will evaluate that as their competitors reveal their new plaforms during 2011.

Also, while on this subject, don't expect to see any 3.0L diesels in the light truck market come 2011 - at this stage it looks like all manufacturers will finally be shelving that capacity in favor of more effecient 2.5L variants.

Following is a reasonably complete list of new car models coming to the Thai market over the next few years. This list was compiled from various well-trusted sources (mostly Thai language), though no guarantee is given for the accuracy of the info here as much is based on speculation and/or is subject to change..

If you have further intel to contribute, please do so, and feel free to make corrections as release schedules change!

Chevrolet:

2010: All New Cruze (codename J300) - expected in November (delayed from an originally planned Nov '09 launch)

2011: New Aveo (codename T300) - June release planned.

2011: New Colorado (codename GMI700) - November release planned.

Ford:

2010: New Fiesta (codename B299) - Availability postponed until June 2010. Pricing announcements delayed until Nissan March pricing released. First B-segment car <2M baht with DSG transmission option.

2011: New Ranger (codename T6) - To be shown mid-year, but availability not expected until end of year.

2011: Last minor change for the Escape.

2012: New Focus

2012: New Everest

2012: Escape discontinued.

Honda:

2010: Jazz, City and Accord all get a minor change.

2011: Jazz Hybrid

2011: New Civic (codename 2HC) towards the end of the year.

2012: Eco car (codename 2CV)

Hyundai:

2010: New Tuscon - to be released in the first half.

2010: Hyundai i10 - unconfirmed model.

2010: Hyundai Genesis Coupe - unconfirmed model.

2010: New Hyundai Sonata - release date unconfirmed.

Isuzu:

2010: Isuzu D-Max - last nanochange for the existing model.

2011: New D-Max (codename RT-50) - delayed from an original 2010 launch.

2012: New RT-50 based SUV to replace the MU-7

Land Rover:

2010: Feelander - minor change.

Mazda:

2010: New Mazda 2 sedan - expected in the first half.

2010: Last minor change for the existing Mazda 3.

2011: New Mazda 3 - to be made in Thailand (previous generation sourced form the Philippines)

2011: New BT-50 (codename T6)

Mercedes-Benz:

2010: New Benz E-Class - CKD made in Thailand.

2010: S-Class - minor change

2010: New line-up of "Blue Effeciency" models

2010: SLS AMG

Mitsubishi:

2010: Lancer EX white pearl edition

2010: Special edition Triton models expected throughout the year.

2011: New B-segement model or Eco car expected in March.

Nissan:

2010: All New "March" eco-car - expected in the first half.

2010: Navara minor change.

2010: New Vanette NV200 and Urvan - expected in November

2011: March based sedan

2011: Qasana

2012: New TIIDA X12C

2013: New compact sedan (TIIDA Latio replacement)

Suzuki:

2010: Swift - expected in the first half.

2010: SX4 - unconfirmed.

2012: Eco-car project - to be release in March

Toyota:

2010: VIOS minor change.

2010: Yaris nano change.

2010: VIGO nano change.

2011: Prius and Prius plug-in.

2011: VIGO extensive-yet-minor change.

2012: New VIOS.

2012: New Yaris? - unconfirmed, but highly likely.

2012: New Camry.

2013: New ALTIS.

2014: New Hilux (codename IMV2)

2014: Eco-car project finally surfaces?

Please note that I seldom frequent these forums, so don't expect any speedy replies!

Just moved to Sisaket town and rented a house here.

heard a rumor that there were 2000 falangs in the province of Sisaket

I've been kicking around here for close to 8 years now.. 2000 actual expats living here is IMHO an impossibly bloated figure, 100's yes, 1000's no. 2000 farang tourists per year sounds about right though.

I recently re-tiled an entire house, and would just like to point out that labor costs can vary quite remarkably it seems!

The price we paid was 70Baht/m2 for new work, 90Baht/m2 for the areas where they had to remove the existing tiles/parquetry first. This was labor ONLY - sand and cement were extra.

Our total cost to re-tile that particular house worked out like this:

125m2 60x60cm granito tiles (270 Baht/m2): 33,750 Baht

91m2 of floor to be removed, then tiled: 8,190 Baht

34m2 of over-existing-floor tiling: 2,380 Baht

Cement and sand for the above: 840 Baht

Grand total: 45,160 Baht (361 Baht/m2 all done)

So roughly 7 Baht per m2 for the laying materials.

For mortgages SCB are curently offering 1.99% fixed for the first year, with MLR less 1% thereafter. Current MLR rate is 6.875%, which will be dropping by 0.10% tomorrow: http://www.scb.co.th/en/nws/abt_nws_090417-rate.shtml

Sounds like your friends got shafted nicely.

Missed the edit window

Anyway, I've found the Thai site (wish they wouldn't keep moving it) http://www.dpt.go.th/download/PW/house_model/framehome.html

Costings are behind the 3rd link from the left "สรุปราคาก่อสร้างโดยสังเขป / บัญชีแสดงประมาณงานและวัสดุก่อสร้าง" no idea how old they are, reckon 3 years at least

Thanks a bunch Crossy, the costings are actually 6 years old, but there's enough detail there to adjust the prices to current.

I can read Thai fluently, so no problems in understanding it all

Cheers!

I certainly have the Excel files that make up the BOQs (just have to find them). IIRC they have costs in but they will be well out of date now. Any particular design you're interested in?

Understood they will be out of date, but if itemised it shouldn't be too hard to get them close to a current actual I suppose - given the sometimes huge variances in material a labour costs around the country you'd need to massage it all in any case.

Out of the designs there, I'd be most interested in mash-up between #27 and #30.

How is yours progressing? (or not? )

Nice design too Crossy - this time around I'm heading for a more contemporary Thai resort-style, but I've often pondered going for a more classic design like this too. I'm sure you'll love it!

Yup we like it

It's actually one of the free designs that were produced by the Thai government under Taxin. There were about 30 designs available for free. Architect approved, signed off and ready to construct complete with BOQs and cost estimates.

Wow, great stuff Crossy! DOn't suppose you still have the cost estimates?

Our design has a 6.8m span using a 250 x 850 mm beam, like this:-

There are eight 25mm re-bars in there

The span is supported by 250mm square columns (although these will be circular in our final construction). We end up with a 10m x 7m space uncluttered by columns. Hmmm, space for a snooker table

Thanks for sharing!

That's really covered a lot for me in one go - essentially it means do it where it counts, and not where it doesn't so as to keep complexity and costs in check. Especially with those 1 inch re-bars

Nice design too Crossy - this time around I'm heading for a more contemporary Thai resort-style, but I've often pondered going for a more classic design like this too. I'm sure you'll love it!

Normal spans are 4 meters which is pretty much already at max load at 40 x 20cm.

3.5-4M spans are common, yes, but if you look at pretty much any reasonably sized Thai house 5M spans are also incredibly common - a good example being the ubiquitous two-car carport, which in more cases than not has a floor above it of course.

In any case, we're digressing a bit.. All I was really after was the basic guidelines for larger spans, which do exist, I just wish I had paid more attention last time I went through this with the architects! But alas it was only one of 70+ points of discussion when finalizing the last set of building plans, and was the easiest issue to solve

If anyone can help with the specifics on a 6M span that would be helpful. All I'm really trying to determine is how much impact the extra meter or so in a few places will make to the bottom line before I sit down with an architect with my mud-maps and start banging it out.

Four meters is normal, five meters is unusual and six! Well I believe you will need RSJs. Having said that I have asked the same question of engineers, architects and city hall, but no one seems to have one answer.

The architect I used for my first few houses couldn't tell me much either, so we settled on <= 4M spans everywhere. However the architect I used for my last house contruction had the answers - in that case I wanted an 8M span and we needed 300mm posts with 300x600mm beams. He worked for the project developer however and obviously had commercial building experience. I don't have his contact details though.. (It worked just fine BTW )

Nice picture of an 'overhang' that quit hanging from a private house construction site close to Pattaya,

The same construction had six meter spans across the garage with standard 40 x 20 cast beams. After a few weeks the beams started to sag in the middle.

OMG, a 6M x 2.5-3M unsupported overhang? - &lt;deleted&gt;! Anyone with an IQ above room temparature should've know that wasn't going to work

I was thinking of an overhang more along the lines of 1M (out) and 3M wide at most, with contiguous beams. Still, that image alone is enough to make me re-think the idea anyway, thanks! Looks like I'll just end up with some storage cupboards in the carport to hide the additional posts.. I can make that work

Can anyone help out with some of the basic rules/guidelines of "standard" Thai structures?

i.e. The standard post size used in residential construction is ~200mm^2 - what is the maximum span between these for both single storey and two storey construction? I have been told in the past that the max. span is 5M, however I've recently seen quite a few Thai house plans with 6M spans even on the lower level of a two storey structure..

Also, what is the maximum recommended floor overhang when using a regular Thai beam (400mm[h] x 200mm[w]?) - if you're not sure what I mean here, think about an L shaped staircase landing, or an unsupported (other than beams) overhanging upstairs balcony.

Cheers!