I am working on a project to build a youth center/skate park/music venue in town and need quality supplies that will last. Specifically plywood that is weather proof, in the US they use polymer composite wood or even pressurized plywood. I have been very discouraged trying to find this stuff here. Does anyone know if it is available in Thailand, better yet Chiang Mai?

We have been using marine ply for years and paint it with polyurethane paint - have never built a skateboard ramp but is probably what I would try. In Thai: ไม้อัดกันน้ำ. If the local hardware store does not have it, they order it from Bangkok.

I was working with a guy on his electrics when he was totally remodeling his power boat,,he was using what looked like sheet wood/polymer totally mold-able and behaved/worked like wood...called something like "new wood" in white sheets . He bought it downtown Phuket someplace...

When i use to live in TX, me and my friends built about 6 halfpipe skateboard ramps. The weather is similar to Thailand but more harsh do to colder winters and a grass construction surface.

The plywood you seek will not be able to be bent for the curvatures for a half pipe or quarter pipe ramp- too thick, which is marine grade and very expensive around 4 k baht a sheet vs 500 baht a sheet.

We use to paint the ramps to seal them, which will also make it a faster ramp. Oil based enamel is the fastest surface with least friction and best water resistance. But for thailand you may want to use a couple of coats of 'Kilz' mildew resistant paint/primer instead.

The part of the ramp that you will have to worry about the most is the flat bottom part without transition, this is where the most moisture will be trapped do to lack of air flow and lead to rotting wood, but if its built over a concrete surface it probably wont be that bad compared to grass.. The actual transitional walls are not a problem since they have open backing to facilitate drying.

We have been using marine ply for years and paint it with polyurethane paint - have never built a skateboard ramp but is probably what I would try. In Thai: ไม้อัดกันน้ำ. If the local hardware store does not have it, they order it from Bangkok.

Yeah that's the stuff, has a white core and is very waterproof. Has a red elephant symbol stamped on it and I think they also refer to it as dta chang or something like that. It's not really marine ply though because there are relatively few laminations and it's relatively heavy.

Edited August 17, 201114 yr by cloudhopper

Thank you all very much for your informative replies. I'm getting on this right away. Awesome!

Try calling B&B boats, in Pats.

Chiang Mai, on the super hiway between Tesco & the road to Mae Rim there is a shop on the left called Mai Op Tiwi Pan (something like that).

Close to a BMW garage I think.

They specialise in plywood.

They have one that they call Mai At Pramaa, on it is printed the name Sealar (google it).

There might be interior & exterior versions.

I personaly dont think its that great, ive seen it delaminate completely when left in the weather for 2 years with no paint.

But give it lots of polyeurethane paint & it should be ok.

I prefer Ta Chang, but the shop refused to order it even tho they are supposed to be a dealer for it, TiT.

What is Pats?

Try calling B&B boats, in Pats.

What is Pats?

Try calling B&B boats, in Pats.

What I hear people calling Pattaya