I've got an awkward dip in the soi outside our front gate, too deep for a car to traverse easily. I need some sort of cover (metal grille?) I can lay down over it when we drive in and out. Any suggestions where I might locate something suitable? I live in Pakkred but visit Bangkok frequently.

We're not here long enough to merit building works such as cement infill. Also the dip includes a communal drain.

Thanks.

Go to a steel stockholders a quite large place - small factory unit type thing, not those selling out of a townhouse. And they usually fabricate stuff.

The question is will someone nick it though to sell as scrap.

If you know of a local welder you can trust not to rip you off it maybe cheaper, but if you don't know anyone you maybe be better off with the above suggestion.

Just pour some concrete on it, use some boards to keep it separated at the edges, use some pvc pipes to keep the holes and form drain groove while it's drying.

Go to a steel stockholders a quite large place - small factory unit type thing, not those selling out of a townhouse. And they usually fabricate stuff.

The question is will someone nick it though to sell as scrap.

Thanks. We would only lay the grille down while moving the car in and out, then return it to our front yard. I like your suggestion of a steel stockholders, next question is how to find one?

Just pour some concrete on it, use some boards to keep it separated at the edges, use some pvc pipes to keep the holes and form drain groove while it's drying.

I think concrete poured that thinly (looks like about 50mm at most) will break up without some reinforcing.

If you were in Chonburi City or near it I would reccomend City Steel on the Sukumvit road. Just look around a decent one will usually be on large road.

The problem will be, if a steel grille isn't fixed (or even if it is) it's likely to be stolen. They steal manhole covers for god's sake!

Just pour some concrete on it, use some boards to keep it separated at the edges, use some pvc pipes to keep the holes and form drain groove while it's drying.

I think concrete poured that thinly (looks like about 50mm at most) will break up without some reinforcing.

If in doubt stick a bit of chicken wire or thin rebar in there too. Doesn't need to last forever, the next time the jail crew comes to clean the drains they will probably smash it up anyways.

get a stack of 100 bricks. lay out a few to cover it up and level it out. when those are stolen, replace with reserve you have in your pile - continue and repeat as needed

Why not just drive slowly over the dip ?.

Looks very straightforward to me.

A thick piece of timber would do just as well.

Just pour some concrete on it, use some boards to keep it separated at the edges, use some pvc pipes to keep the holes and form drain groove while it's drying.

106 baht for a bag of cement, 40 baht for some steel rods cut to length and some sand from a local house build and you are set.

Just a thought but could you just lift the current cement covers up then chock them to be level with surrounding area?

Just a thought but could you just lift the current cement covers up then chock them to be level with surrounding area?

Hey, that's thinking. You could even flip them over to the flat side to get rid of the water channel.

A thick piece of timber would do just as well.

Or several thin pieces........

If you do go for the plate option, secure it with expanding bolts and round the edges of the bolts when tightened down. Not 100% fool-proof, but it will make them think if someone tries to half-inch it.

The only problem I can see here, is to many engineers. They can make a small problem into a major one.

Just a thought but could you just lift the current cement covers up then chock them to be level with surrounding area?

Aha! Never thought of that!

The only problem I can see here, is to many engineers. They can make a small problem into a major one.

Have to agree here. I'm not interested in the cement option as I tried to indicate in the OP. I said also that pilfering is not an issue as the covers would be relocated back in the yard out of sight after use.

Still, plenty of responses with real gold dust among them so thanks to all concerned.

Why don't you get a sexy maid to come out when you are due back to put some wood on it, then she can pick it up after you drive across it? Everything is cheap in Thailand. if she is a good maid she will be able to multi-task.

The only problem I can see here, is to many engineers. They can make a small problem into a major one.

Fill it in with concrete with a couple of holes for the drain. or do like they do here with the sidwalks, throw some sand down and put a tile over it lol