Calling All Farangs Who Have Built Houses Up Country

[Mobi]

An elderly friend of mine is planning to build a very large 4 bedroom house in a village in Sa Kaeo on land bought in his GF's name.

They have been having a huge row over whether the plans need to be signed off and approved by the local Or Bor Tor office. GF says it's not necessary in up country villages if she is building on her own land and refuses to do it. Even the architect says it is not necessary.

Farang says he will not proceed without the proper approvals - he has visions of the 'Spanish' situation where illegal houses have been demolished. he says the house is for her, but wants to be sure it will be safe and legal after he is gone.

I know that my house, here in Pong, has the local 'building permission' papers, and indeed the land office required all that paperwork when I transferred it to my wife's name.

So who is right?

Should he insist, or give up?

[jimmym40]

I would highly recommend getting approval from the "powers to be". We've built five houses in the past 12 years, located in a village not far from downtown Lamphun. It was my wife's land and built a house every few years for her brothers. The first two house, we just had built, but about 5 yrs ago when we were in the planning stages, we were told we had to get approval from the "head" of the village. No problem, just took the plans to him and was signed off immediately. Ever since, everyone in the village that wanted to build (apts or shops included) had to get his approval.

I would check personally with the "powers to be" whomever that is, and see if you need approval. Won't hurt to get approval even if it's not required.

[qualtrough]

The girlfriend's refusing to do as he suggests on this point despite the fact that he is footing the bill for a large house for her is a very poor sign, as I am sure you realize. If there is anything you can do to deter him from proceeding with this plan you should do it.

Edited June 23, 2007 by qualtrough

[cmsally]

Many years ago there was no Or Bor Tor and you could build pretty much anything you like, but now you have to get their approval.

Either you or the builder needs to take the plans in to get them signed and approved. Often in some areas there are local factions and her family might not get on with the Or Bor Tor.

But its not worth the hassle, do it the proper way, it will only cause you headaches down the line.

[Khutan]

The girlfriend's refusing to do as he suggests on this point despite the fact that he is footing the bill for a large house for her is a very poor sign, as I am sure you realize. If there is anything you can do to deter him from proceeding with this plan you should do it.

Agreed, its not a good sign.

We didn't have our plans registered, and my wife went up when the house was finished and got the Taibien Baan.

[kamalabob2]

In my wife's village you would go to the Or Bor Tor office building in a larger nearby village and a "regional" "boss man" would sign off on building plans. In the town of Satuk where I am building a 4 bedroom house our architect took the plans to the government office that also has "free house plan books". It cost me 860 baht for complete approval and in fact the house building permit is in my name. Lots of paperwork involved, but in fact I had found a translation from Phuket on exactly what papers we needed to have the house building permit in my name.

Only because of the source of funding for the house was the permit in my name. It seems to me when we obtained electric service and water service the building permit copies were necessary. To obtain the building permit in my name I had to produce my current yellow house book.

I would agree with JimmyM40 that it is best to obtain permission in writing from the "powers that be". The easiest way to explain to your wife or girlfriend is to use the motorcycle license, insurance and road tax example. It is not expensive or really difficult for a Thai or Farang to legally obtain a drivers license, insurance and to pay registration and annual road tax. If you neglect this you must pay the Police and it takes time and money when stopped. Our motor bike Insurance will NOT pay for any injuries or liability if the driver does not have a valid Thai drivers license.

Other Farang who have many more years and home building experience might reply regarding the hassle of home insurance claims if you did not have a building permit. I might add that the government official in Satuk instructed our licensed structural engineer to change one part of the plan, so I suspect they actually looked at the plans. Once I produced the my yellow house book it took 24 hours to obtain my building permit. The plans were in the government office for two weeks prior to me bringing in my yellow house book.

It in no way changes the annual property tax to have a "private home" as apposed to a shop house, hotel, factory, retail store or operating business in that home. We pay 22 baht a year for property tax on my wife's land, you do not pay a tax on the private house.

The motorbike license example might be the easiest way to explain to the girlfriend. Very little baht to do "correct" in the beginning, more baht and troubles if you try to do the "easy way".

[Mobi]

Thanks for the responses, I'll pass them on.

Just for the record, I have known the TG for quite a while and she is a very nice lady. He is one of these grumpy old bastards who treats her like a skivvy, and insists on everything being done his way, and has daily fights with all Thais he comes into contact with.

On this particular instance I think he is right, but because he is such a pain, the GF is getting stubborn with him, as she is fed up with all his BS.

A case of 'crying woolf' once too often.

God help them if they ever go ahead and build the house.

[Lite Beer]

My wife tells me that if the plans are not approved they could be in big trouble in the future.

The ops friends relationship does not sound like a match made in heaven.

[thaihome]

A village in Sa Kaeo is seriously upcountry and once the house gets started, if any sign-offs are needed, the word will get around and the GF will hear about them. Maybe Sanoh will show up himself...

I had to laugh at the thought of an "architect" in Sa Kaeo.

TH

Edited June 24, 2007 by thaihome

[Totster]

The only thing that was "signed off" when we built our house was the electrics. The electric company had to come and inspect before they would install the meter and supply.

According to my wife, if you are building a house to sell on then you would need to have it properly inspected, "signed off" etc.. if it's just for yourself then there seems to be no need.

There is one development of 3 houses on the main road into Kalasin from our village which are half built, and has been for the last 3-4 years, apparently they weren't built to the correct standards and they were told to stop or had no extra money to knock down and start again.

This is the way it seems to be out in the sticks where we are, like most things in Thailand it will probably all depend on how the local head honchos want to play it.

totster

[Mobi]

According to my wife, if you are building a house to sell on then you would need to have it properly inspected, "signed off" etc.. if it's just for yourself then there seems to be no need.

totster

That's exactly what my own wife said - and she's also from Sa Kaeo.

thaihome

A village in Sa Kaeo is seriously upcountry and once the house gets started, if any sign-offs are needed, the word will get around and the GF will hear about them. Maybe Sanoh will show up himself...

I had to laugh at the thought of an "architect" in Sa Kaeo.

Believe it or not, I think the guy is into his third architect, having spent in excess of 60K on architects' fees.

He brought the drawings round the other day - the place looks like a bloody palace - complete with huge swimming pool and snooker room. He wants 4 bedrooms, each with en suite facilities, as he has visions of turning it into an expat guest house!! And this village is about an hour's drive from the nearest town - in the middle of nowhere.

Not surprisingly, he told me that the local builder - who was going to take the contract - had pulled out as he was having sleepless nights worrying about it!

His poor GF just wants a modest Thai house for herself and family, but he insists on the grand gesture.

I'll bet money it never gets built - with or without 'sign off'.

[khunandy]

When we bought our land not only did the regional land office (sorry I don't know the Thai name) insist on the land being resurveyed and pegged but they made a point of telling us to have our plans OK'd before construction started.

This wasnt a hassle but I remember my wife was getting a bit shirty with the red tape at the time. I felt better though.

Khun Andy

[thaigene2]

The girlfriend's refusing to do as he suggests on this point despite the fact that he is footing the bill for a large house for her is a very poor sign, as I am sure you realize. If there is anything you can do to deter him from proceeding with this plan you should do it.

Yes that is my view too. Maybe she's just jai ron or maybe she's actually right! But you know as well as we do...what's the rush?

Is she worried he'll pop his clogs before the Tor Sor whatever is transferred to her name?

I hope it gets worked out to everyone's benefit (God - I'm sounding 'native'!)

Edited June 26, 2007 by thaigene2

[Mobi]

Trust me on this - the guy is an arse hole and the girl is as good as gold. He's one of these guys who complains about everything in Thailand and fights Thais every day of his life. He's complained so much at all the Hotels in Sa Kaeo town that none of them will let him stay there any more and they have to stay at Arun. It's a wonder someone hasn't shot him.

He's wrong 99% of the time, but in this instance i think he's right which is why I asked the question to make sure.

The land is already in the girl's name, so no problems there.

I and others have tried to dissuade him from building such a grand house - no one wants it except him - but he's so stubborn, that the more you try to dissuade him, the more he insists on building it.

As I have said, I doubt it'll ever get built - he's just too much.

Edited June 26, 2007 by Mobi