I thought I would post a couple of pics that I took in the last 24 hours as an example of what termite infestation can do , but first let me give you a brief outline. My neighbour who lives in Europe and comes to Thailand 3/4 times a year had a sala built on his property which was some 12 metres in height 3 levels the base was of concrete and all the posts and floors were made from coconut except for the fancy slats on the railings, the roof was constructed of tile. this work was carried some 4/5 years ago and was very costly by all accounts. 2 years ago during conversation I pointed out to him areas of investation whether he took it on board I do not know however it be came clear over the past couple of months that the sala was leaning and as each day /week went past it would lean a little more. At 02.15 this morning my mrs and I were awoken by a terrific crash and at that moment I knew that this once beautiful sala which looked out onto the ocean had finally succumbed to the dreaded TERMITE . The pictures tell the story, for those considering using cheap wood to build a house or a sala please consider other options thankfully at the time of the collapse there was no one sat on the sala, as for my neighbour all I can say he is in for a shock on his return !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before

After

Wow!

This comes down to lack of routine maintenance, if you ask me.... .... It's not that difficult to control termites, with paint on solutions available at hardware stores, or spray cans or even powders, which one can buy at Tesco and the like.

I generally go around my wood work twice a year..... and watch out for "tell tale" signs, fine wood "dust" around wood areas... I don't think they just attack "cheap wood" either.... (is any wood cheap these days? )

The alternative is you use a Pest Control company, with a regular program ...... if one is not into DIY.

Does a coat of that clear chemical you get in Thai hardware stores actually work. The stuff is banned in EU & Australia now as it interferes with people nervous systems and meant to cause cancer. But I wonder if you apply it and then paint it, if it is OK.

What a shame, fantastic looking thing, but could have made it just as good with steel posts.