We need to fill approx 45 rai of rice paddies to level the ground & prepare for ucalyptus (sp) saplings to be planted & before we have the brother in law to go out looking for someone to do it wanted to get opinions on price so we can make an informed choice. The land is near to Muang Phol, Khon Kaen.

So any rough idea on cost would be appriciated. Is it charged per sqm (or sq wah) or is it normally per lorry load of earth?

Cheers

Boo

I don't think that filling in rice paddy for growing eucalyptus would be a cost effective endeavor.

Chownah

agree but it's a long term venture for my husband & not a way to earn income in the short term (plans later to subdivide for house builds but in 10+ years) and we (family) have 100+ rai for rice already which is rented out so no need for more, the trees are just a sideline for in laws to have as a hobby.

agree but it's a long term venture for my husband & not a way to earn income in the short term (plans later to subdivide for house builds but in 10+ years) and we (family) have 100+ rai for rice already which is rented out so no need for more, the trees are just a sideline for in laws to have as a hobby.

Normally if you just doze the dikes you will have no problem. If you have some really low paddies, put in a pond for irrigation and use that dirt. If you happen to be near Nong Hin, I have about a thousand cubic meters to give you.

As Gary says ,just level the bung walls,,, with ex-paddy you really need to deep rip along the planting lines then plant in hilled rows...

Good idea garyA. Will ask BIL to check that out.

Just to answer your original question, consider 100 baht per cubic metre as a ballpark estimate for the cost of buying the dirt (delivered, spread, and somewhat compacted)...1 rai raised 10 cm will take 160 cubic metres costing about 16000 baht...so if you want to raise 1 rai by 50 cm (a more reasonable amount to fill a rice paddy....10 cm won't really accomplish anything) will cost 80,000 baht and you've got 45 rai so that would be 3.6 million baht....ouch!...

Chownah

ouch indeed, considering the whole plot cost less than 1m bt then it really isn't worth it but thanks for the break down there chownah, think we will def go with the bulldozer instead.

Thanks ozzydom for the tip on planting too