So we purchased a new bed a couple days ago and it was delivered today. After they hauled it upstairs and put it together the missus noticed that one leg under the box spring was a bit shorter than the others. She points it out to the two guys putting everything together and walks to check the other side. As she walks away i hear the one guy say to the other "gra-daud" and the second guy hands him a piece of cardboard. they proceed to wedge a small piece of it under the short leg. i call over the missus who with steam coming out of her ears kindly tells them this is not the fix we were looking for. after that they readjust the leg properly and all was fine. i would love to ask why they didnt just fix the leg properly in the first place but i am sure we all know the answer.

no real point to this story other than to to have a chuckle, hope it worked

I've never seen a Thai workman do anything properly unless he's forced to do so. Even then; they are likely to go off in a huff and vanish for several days until they need more money.

OP, could you please upload a picture of your wife with the steam coming out of her ears ?

Would love to see that.

Be thankful they assembled it for you and didnt leave you to DIY.

Be thankful these guys didnt have a saw with them, that way they could have sawed the other three legs to fit.

Edited July 31, 201312 yr by rgs2001uk

Be thankful they assembled it for you and didnt leave you to DIY.

Be thankful these guys didnt have a saw with them, that way they could have sawed the other three legs to fit.

Because it would result in 3 different long legs.

I've never seen a Thai workman do anything properly unless he's forced to do so. Even then; they are likely to go off in a huff and vanish for several days until they need more money.

On everything house-building, aircondition, electric etc I agree.

But on some engineering things, there are some top companies around.

Be thankful they assembled it for you and didnt leave you to DIY.

Be thankful these guys didnt have a saw with them, that way they could have sawed the other three legs to fit.

All is well that ends well. if this is the worst thing that happens today i am thankful for a good day.

I insist that the delivery chaps do NOT assemble furniture, I'll do that. Wifey just tells them I'm a mad farang and gives them a tip anyway.

None of our flat pack has fallen apart, some is now nearly 10 years old

I insist that the delivery chaps do NOT assemble furniture, I'll do that. Wifey just tells them I'm a mad farang and gives them a tip anyway.

None of our flat pack has fallen apart, some is now nearly 10 years old

I'm in agreement with your wife.

Volunteering to build flat pack.

Gawd you must be mad. Mad I say.

Be thankful they assembled it for you and didnt leave you to DIY.

Be thankful these guys didnt have a saw with them, that way they could have sawed the other three legs to fit.

All is well that ends well. if this is the worst thing that happens today i am thankful for a good day.

are you sure the floor is level in youre bedroom ?i would worry more about that then a few delivery guys from ikea meatball shop assembling my bed .

I insist that the delivery chaps do NOT assemble furniture, I'll do that. Wifey just tells them I'm a mad farang and gives them a tip anyway.

None of our flat pack has fallen apart, some is now nearly 10 years old

Me too. Policy as of about a year ago.... "even if I have no idea what I am doing, I am doing it. A Thai will not lay a hand on anything". Damn near shocked myself to death once, but that is done now and I am happier for it and don't even want to see a Thai man pull out a tool in my place again.

I insist that the delivery chaps do NOT assemble furniture, I'll do that. Wifey just tells them I'm a mad farang and gives them a tip anyway.

None of our flat pack has fallen apart, some is now nearly 10 years old as I am not a muscle

as I don't have big arms, I usually ask deliver guys do two more things : 1) move it to the location, and 2) unpack everything ! check before I sign those paper.

then I don't mind taking a day or two to setup the thing, I know what I do and just a peace of mind.

Usually, you have to have them re do it over and over to get it 80% correct.

Meatsacks.

If they had a brain, they would take it out and play with it.

This is why IKEA will succeed in Thailand.

I seem to be the only person on this forum that does not have any horror stories about Thai workman, for the last eight years I relied on local craftsman to make Teak furniture, lay tile, build a few rooms on my house, install my electrical system using a Square D US fuse breaker box properly ground or (earthed) as some call it. If you use the Thai breaker system, you have to install a (Safe T cut-off) I believe that is what it is called.

As we speak I have my Thai handy man putting in a suspended ceiling in my new added 2nd Kitchen, he has done great work for me over 5 years now. I just had a different workman put in a block divider wall in my carport for 1,500 baht what he charges his Thai customers. Thai's do all my electrical work, have had no problem in the last 8 years, when I had the US style breaker box install, by Thai's.

Cheers:

At least they didn't have to blame it on the floor.

Thai craftmanship? Sounds like textbook example of an oxymoron.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

indeed, rather like farang superiority

I seem to be the only person on this forum that does not have any horror stories about Thai workman, for the last eight years I relied on local craftsman to make Teak furniture, lay tile, build a few rooms on my house, install my electrical system using a Square D US fuse breaker box properly ground or (earthed) as some call it. If you use the Thai breaker system, you have to install a (Safe T cut-off) I believe that is what it is called.

As we speak I have my Thai handy man putting in a suspended ceiling in my new added 2nd Kitchen, he has done great work for me over 5 years now. I just had a different workman put in a block divider wall in my carport for 1,500 baht what he charges his Thai customers. Thai's do all my electrical work, have had no problem in the last 8 years, when I had the US style breaker box install, by Thai's.

Cheers:

Of course there are dedicated, hard working craftsmen in Thailand and with a sense of pride in their work. Unfortunately none of them are Thai

Of course there are dedicated, hard working craftsmen in Thailand and with a sense of pride in their work. Unfortunately none of them are Thai

That was tongue-in-cheek! If you have found good, dedicated, hard working craftsmen with sense of pride in their work, then keep a hold them, or at least their contact numbers.

Maybe someone should start region specific forums where recommendations can be passed on. Probably already been done, but perhaps needs regular updates

I experienced a flat tire today and pulled into a motorbike repair shop.

There was an Englishman screaming at the staff, reading the riot act.

Not sure why but it didn't faze them. (must be used to it)

After my repair I went home and noticed missing bodywork trim and 2 muffler bolts missing.

Birdbrains.

Of course there are dedicated, hard working craftsmen in Thailand and with a sense of pride in their work. Unfortunately none of them are Thai

That was tongue-in-cheek! If you have found good, dedicated, hard working craftsmen with sense of pride in their work, then keep a hold them, or at least their contact numbers.

Maybe someone should start region specific forums where recommendations can be passed on. Probably already been done, but perhaps needs regular updates

This is actually a very good idea. I've had numerous electricians who were rubbish up until a couple of months back and have a fantastic electrician. Just gets on with it, points out all the errors of former sparks AND charges a reasonable LOCAL rate for the job. My rule of thumb generally is if they charge too little, usually not so good (the 2-300 bahters), but here on Phuket if you're able to locate anyone to do any work (most recent was a bloody carpenter who I had to drag to my place by his ear, mumbled a lot, said he'd give me a call with a quote and haven't heard from since. Good), it soars up to 3k for half hour's work.

Another problem here on Phuket is that the majority of the farang haven't a clue how much a job's worth and will likely pass on a lazy arsed moneygrubber, or themselves. The two are not mutually exclusive here. Or their Thai wives will 'recommend' someone, and take a cut of the exorbitant price given for the work.

Ah, I've just noticed I've talked myself out of this idea

Ah, I've just noticed I've talked myself out of this idea

Brilliant! So true

My great furniture craftsman is my friend and neighbor from across the street, my electrician lives a block away, my number one builder also lives in the village about 4 blocks away, my motor bike mechanic also lives across the street and is the son of my furniture builder.

I do not know of the rests of the workers in our village, as the mentioned workers have done a great job for me over the last 8 years.

I do not have a need to look for any other workers.

Cheers:

My great furniture craftsman is my friend and neighbor from across the street, my electrician lives a block away, my number one builder also lives in the village about 4 blocks away, my motor bike mechanic also lives across the street and is the son of my furniture builder.

I do not know of the rests of the workers in our village, as the mentioned workers have done a great job for me over the last 8 years.

I do not have a need to look for any other workers.

Cheers:

So finally we know where the craftsmen in Thailand live. You lucky man.