Poor Workmanship

[swissie]

The subject of "poor workmanship" pop's up occasionally, especially concerning the building sector. Sounds scary!

I mentioned this to a trusted friend while indicating that in the future I will not sneeze, fart or burp while in a Bangkok Skyscraper out of fear it will collapse on me by doing things like this. He gently took my hand and whispered assuringly: "Not to worry son, the planning, engeneering, and static calculations are all done by foreign big-shot companies". This did not completely put me at ease, I mumbled something like: "Yes but the "poor-workmanship"- brigade is recruited in Thailand, Cambodia or Myanmar, isen't it?"

His reply was rather harsh: "Son, just empty half a bottle of Jack Daniels before entering any skyscraper in Bkk, your fear of collapsing thai-buildings over you head will be greatly reduced"!

Therefore, it may well be, that upon discovery of a farang, carrying a half full bottle of Jack Daniels under his arm while entering any high-rise building, chances are thai it will be me !

Cheers.

[FunFon]

True that greater care and oversight is exercised on larger projects, insurance companies have much more stringent oversight compliance inspection regimes than any government bodies, international contractors protect their reputation, so wouldnl't worry so much about the commercial structures except in the event of fire/earthquakes.

I am very cautious about electrical work near swimming pools and other wet areas, have been shocking incidents even at fancy resorts over the years.

[yourauntbob]

Whats amazing here is how old buildings look after a couple of years. There have been a number of times when I though buildings were 30-40 years old only to find out they were "constructed" a few years ago. When I took the missus back to my home town she was in shock that the buildings were all much older than in BKK but look much newer.

[nong38]

I have 2 doors that open outwards onto the garden, I stared to think about having a new aircon in that room bu this wouls mean new security doors to keep the cool in. Called in a "friend" who does this sort of thing and a price was agreed after he measured everything, came the other to fit it. When the new doors are closed and locked the 2 outer doors cannot close because the "friend" did not take into account the size of the closing door handle on the outer doors!!!! Thailand knows. Workmanship here falls far short of what we are used to, but then, it does cost a lot less.

[wayned]

I have 2 doors that open outwards onto the garden, I stared to think about having a new aircon in that room bu this wouls mean new security doors to keep the cool in. Called in a "friend" who does this sort of thing and a price was agreed after he measured everything, came the other to fit it. When the new doors are closed and locked the 2 outer doors cannot close because the "friend" did not take into account the size of the closing door handle on the outer doors!!!! Thailand knows. Workmanship here falls far short of what we are used to, but then, it does cost a lot less.

Exact same thing happened to me when I built my house. Ended up with a 1" spacer between the old door frame and the new door frame. The sad part is that I actually showed him the potential problem when he measured the door, but he didn't pay any attention.

Edited March 22, 2013 by wayned

[rijb]

Inspectors are supposed to keep everything honest and according to specs. You might want to see what they are drinking...

[cooked]

I like the way they 'earth' the electrics with a nail stuck into the earth under the roof overhang. Get a circuit breaker if you don't want a fizzy shower.

[Beetlejuice]

I like the way they 'earth' the electrics with a nail stuck into the earth under the roof overhang. Get a circuit breaker if you don't want a fizzy shower.

I have also noticed that most of Thailand’s electrical circuitry and wiring is held together by black adhesive insulating tape.

They seem to have never heard of junction boxes or connection strips. After the house was built and finished I went over all the electrics again, added grounded plugs, junction boxes and other safety devices. Prior to that, the house was like a time bomb, which could have gone off at any time.

[FunFon]

Inspectors are supposed to keep everything honest and according to specs. You might want to see what they are drinking...

The only proper inspectors working in Thailand are employed by foreign contractors and insurance companies. Most places you can do what you like without any plans drawn up at all.

Any done by a government agency would be inherently suspect, and nothing to do with drinking.

[robblok]

I like the way they 'earth' the electrics with a nail stuck into the earth under the roof overhang. Get a circuit breaker if you don't want a fizzy shower.

I have also noticed that most of Thailand’s electrical circuitry and wiring is held together by black adhesive insulating tape.

They seem to have never heard of junction boxes or connection strips. After the house was built and finished I went over all the electrics again, added grounded plugs, junction boxes and other safety devices. Prior to that, the house was like a time bomb, which could have gone off at any time.

Wow, never thought id live to see the day you would say a negative thing about Thailand.

[robblok]

Inspectors are supposed to keep everything honest and according to specs. You might want to see what they are drinking...

Corruption my friend, that is why in a corrupt country you can never be sure of anything. That is one of the major drawbacks of it.

[robblok]

I have 2 doors that open outwards onto the garden, I stared to think about having a new aircon in that room bu this wouls mean new security doors to keep the cool in. Called in a "friend" who does this sort of thing and a price was agreed after he measured everything, came the other to fit it. When the new doors are closed and locked the 2 outer doors cannot close because the "friend" did not take into account the size of the closing door handle on the outer doors!!!! Thailand knows. Workmanship here falls far short of what we are used to, but then, it does cost a lot less.

Exact same thing happened to me when I built my house. Ended up with a 1" spacer between the old door frame and the new door frame. The sad part is that I actually showed him the potential problem when he measured the door, but he didn't pay any attention.

The sad part is that its accepted and often covered up with a quick fix.

Id love to have someone do something in my home, but I can't seem to find skilled people. I would of course pay more but paying more here is not a garantee.

Guess ill have to get my dad over and put him back to work. He did a great job on my bathroom. It was slower as the Thais and he got crazy with all the low quality of previous instalments (that he could not all redo) and the problems of getting quality supplies here. But still in the end it was great.

[USNret]

Inspectors are supposed to keep everything honest and according to specs. You might want to see what they are drinking...

They had the other half of that bottle of Jack Daniels.

[trainman34014]

The only building work I trust in Thailand is DIY.

[giddyup]

I've just has 3 guys (don't ask me why 3) around to repair the aircon. They isolated the problem, a cracked pipe that was leaking gas, soldered the pipe, re-gassed it, cleaned the filter etc. Total time taken, 2 hours, total cost 1200 baht. It would cost you a minimum of 4000 baht just for the callout for an aircon technician in Australia, the labour an material costs on top of that. You'd be lucky to get away with 10,000 baht.

[Naam]

Whats amazing here is how old buildings look after a couple of years. There have been a number of times when I though buildings were 30-40 years old only to find out they were "constructed" a few years ago. When I took the missus back to my home town she was in shock that the buildings were all much older than in BKK but look much newer.

a little paint goes a long way.

[corkythecat]

could be worse..in africa I could not find the light switch in a. rooom after opening the door after some ''improvements''. it was concealed by the open door. the guys said they would fix it. next visit I still could not see it, it was on the wall above the door.

in hk ordered fitted carpet for an unfurnished room. during my absence a crate was delivered and placed on the floor, i'll leave u to guess the outcome.

nearer home a guy was having. new drainage pipes laid, aft;er completion and heavy rain the area was flooded as before, digging found that the new pipes were. not connected.

I had a one metre copper rod driven into the earth for my electrical ground. no prizes for guessing it's fate.

[rene123]

Too bad the government won't allow foreign tradesmen to work and do a proper job on something that they are paying for.

[Rancid]

Poor workmanship is the rule rather than the exception. The only unknown is how long before it come reallly apparent.

[rene123]

As I mentioned in another similar topic, it is too bad that there are not more affordable trade schools for young men who actually want a profitable career. I doubt if children WANT to be a layabout when they are growing up. But, if you come from a poor family (the great majority of Thais) then you don't have many options. If good trade schools were available then young men and women might have an option. I have seen dozens of tiny motorcycle shop mechanics around Chiang Mai. I'll bet that none of them have attended any school about mechanics. They have all learned by tinkering with motors on their own. The same is true of the building trades. In the wilder parts of British Columbia (Canada) I've seen many home built cabins and structures that are still standing, but very few would pass a building inspection. I see amazing suspension bridges crossing Thai rivers, but I'll hazard a guess that very few were built by anyone with a university degree.

I hear many similar complaints about the trades in Asia, and there MUST be a opening for a profitable business doing first class work. Somebody could make a fortune if they provided such a service.

[steve down under]

I've just has 3 guys (don't ask me why 3) around to repair the aircon. They isolated the problem, a cracked pipe that was leaking gas, soldered the pipe, re-gassed it, cleaned the filter etc. Total time taken, 2 hours, total cost 1200 baht. It would cost you a minimum of 4000 baht just for the callout for an aircon technician in Australia, the labour an material costs on top of that. You'd be lucky to get away with 10,000 baht.

yeah but at least in Australia the work would be carried out by a licenced technician unless of course you got Bodgit Fleecim and Run to do the job !

[cooked]

A bit beside the point maybe. I got married on Thursday and as part of the ceremony the people present tied yellow string on to my wrist and that of my wife. Every single knot was a granny knot, about 100 knots.

Oh well, never mind. As an ex-boy scout I was ... well as I say, never mind.

[weegee]

Therefore, it may well be, that upon discovery of a farang, carrying a half full bottle of Jack Daniels under his arm while entering any high-rise building, chances are thai it will be me !

No....that will be me, especially if it's friday night.