Bangkok: Expat shocked by 'foam-filled' condominium wall

[webfact]

Expat Shocked By 'Foam-Filled' Condominium Wall
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- A foreign expat alleged that the walls inside his condominium room was filled with foams instead of cement.

Mr. Christopher George Houston, a resident of ′The Best′ condominium in Sukhumvit 77, made a complaint on Sansiri′s Facebook page that he was horrified to learn his wall was filled up with paper and foam.

He posted some photos to prove his claim, saying he discovered about the foam because rainwater kept leaking into his room so he hired a technician to investigate it.

The complaint was a topic of much discussion on Pantip.com, the famous online community in Thailand.

Mr. Uthai Uthaisaengsuk, Managing Director of the prestigious property group, insisted that his company had investigated the case and said that Mr. Houston′s room was the only room facing the problem.

According to Mr. Uthai, ′The Best′ project was built by construction company ′RTH′, a small contractor who was appointed for the group′s expansion.

Mr. Uthai said that if the investigation revealed that RTH was to responsible for the problem, Sansiri group will blacklist the company and take legal action against it.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNM09EQXpNVFl5Tnc9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-09-02

[laislica]

We used to Dream of living in a foam filled condo!

[clockman]

Nothing would surprise me about Thai building methods!

[JeezeLooeze]

Polystyrene can be used in wall cavities if constructed correctly. However in this case they probably should have used brick.

[Thai at Heart]

Nice job. Lucky he didn't lean on the windows too hard...

[Soutpeel]

Well at least the condo had good sound insulation...LOL

[Soutpeel]

"Mr. Houston′s room was the only room facing the problem"

<deleted>

[chooka]

Mr. Uthai Uthaisaengsuk, Managing Director of the prestigious property group, insisted that his company had investigated the case and said that Mr. Houston′s room was the only room facing the problem.

Did they check every single room or were they aware of where the building rubbish was being hidden to cut costs. I will make sure I blacklist this company who build foam and paper buildings.

[Ricardo]

Perhaps cardboard would have been too expensive ?

[Robby nz]

Rumor on facebook is saying the development is part of the Shin family business.

[noitom]

"Mr. Houston′s room was the only room facing the problem"

<deleted>

Yet he was able to state this immediately.

[retell]

"Mr. Houston′s room was the only room facing the problem"

<deleted>

think they referred to the leaking of water

[meatboy]

always the same excuse it was sub contracted out ,not us,and trying to find them it would be easyer to find a virgin in the bar.

[nachiket]

Great!!! Pay millions for foam.

[Pimay1]

If this "shocked" Mr. Houston he must have just arrived in Thailand.

[Soutpeel]

If this "shocked" Mr. Houston he must have just arrived in Thailand.

Suppose the dunny doest work properly either ?...

[Soutpeel]

it is a very well run company

Based on this story apparently not, irrespetive of who the subcontractor is...this company is accountable for the actions of their subby's, and obviouly there is no effective QC or QA by the development company, if there is foam in the wall, what other short cuts have been taken ?

[smutcakes]

it is a very well run company

Based on this story apparently not, irrespetive of who the subcontractor is...this company is accountable for the actions of their subby's, and obviouly there is no effective QC or QA by the development company, if there is foam in the wall, what other short cuts have been taken ?

One or a number incidents like this does not mean it is poorly run. Every company in the world has issues with service, but if they take the appropriate measures to remedy and the appropriate measures to reduce the instances of problems for me it is sign of a good company. It is physically impossible to oversee every second of work of every subby. The very fact that one of the most senior persons in the company is straight away facing up to the issue and not hiding again is a good sign. However i do note his comment regarding that unit being the only one was a bit stupid, but that is just corporate PR. Either way, they are a very successful company and very well thought of by the Thai buyers, so that in itself shows me that whatever they are doing they are doing successfully.

[chooka]

If this "shocked" Mr. Houston he must have just arrived in Thailand.

Suppose the dunny doest work properly either ?...

Funny you should mention that, anyone remember the story where some new condo's didn't even have running water?

[chooka]

it is a very well run company

Based on this story apparently not, irrespetive of who the subcontractor is...this company is accountable for the actions of their subby's, and obviouly there is no effective QC or QA by the development company, if there is foam in the wall, what other short cuts have been taken ?

One or a number incidents like this does not mean it is poorly run. Every company in the world has issues with service, but if they take the appropriate measures to remedy and the appropriate measures to reduce the instances of problems for me it is sign of a good company. It is physically impossible to oversee every second of work of every subby. The very fact that one of the most senior persons in the company is straight away facing up to the issue and not hiding again is a good sign. However i do note his comment regarding that unit being the only one was a bit stupid, but that is just corporate PR. Either way, they are a very successful company and very well thought of by the Thai buyers, so that in itself shows me that whatever they are doing they are doing successfully.

Yep he has reassured everyone this is an isolated incident and building rubbish is only packed behind one wall in the entire building, that unfortunately was the wall of a farang who has the audacity to complain.

[rametindallas]

Fifteen years ago, I worked as a lead foreman for a large Dallas construction company. We hired many sub-contractors and watched them like hawks. We tested every truckload of concrete for proper slump before a pour. No work was done unsupervised by the general contractor because we were the ones responsible if someone were hurt or something was constructed improperly.

I find it difficult to believe that Sansiri, a supposedly reputable builder, was unaware of the shoddy work being done. Possible their staff were corrupt in colluding with the sub-contractor in substandard building practices. I have stayed in apartments in Bangkok where the 'p' trap in the shower drain was left out and sewer gas would come up from the drain and stink up the room; all to save less than a hundred baht. Very large monetary fines and large compensation to the buyers would go a long way to curb this bad behavior.

[jalansanitwong]

Notice how the company immediately denies responsibilty and blames it on a sub contractor aka RTH but no actual name.

And the company directors name is not to be released although it has the letter' w' in it.

RTH is connected to a Thai man with great influence. But he's allegedly in HK.

But thats all i can tell you ! TIT

[rametindallas]

it is a very well run company

Based on this story apparently not, irrespetive of who the subcontractor is...this company is accountable for the actions of their subby's, and obviouly there is no effective QC or QA by the development company, if there is foam in the wall, what other short cuts have been taken ?

One or a number incidents like this does not mean it is poorly run. Every company in the world has issues with service, but if they take the appropriate measures to remedy and the appropriate measures to reduce the instances of problems for me it is sign of a good company. It is physically impossible to oversee every second of work of every subby. The very fact that one of the most senior persons in the company is straight away facing up to the issue and not hiding again is a good sign. However i do note his comment regarding that unit being the only one was a bit stupid, but that is just corporate PR. Either way, they are a very successful company and very well thought of by the Thai buyers, so that in itself shows me that whatever they are doing they are doing successfully.

"It is physically impossible to oversee every second of work of every subby"

This took more than a few seconds to foul up. I suspect collusion. A very common occurrence the world over but notorious in Thailand because it is relatively cheap to buy someone off. Hopefully this will motivate Sansiri to be more attentive as they have a reputation that could be damaged if this happens too often.

[chrisinth]

Sub contractor or not, where was the QA when the building was handed over?

For the owner to shift responsibility, blacklisting a company to make the problem disappear, to coin a phrase used earlier by Soutpeel, is <deleted>.

[StefanBBK]

We live in a Sansiri house now for 8 years. Superficially all looks very good, but beneath the surface we have problems that stem from substandard construction. One only finds them, when a little repair is needed, or something goes wrong.

I found wood used in parts of the roof where there should be steel, I found electric switches wrongly wired, plumbing issues, terraces going down, low quality materials as it turned out etc.etc.

Of course all that starts to surface after warranty period is over...

We have decided the next time we buy a house, we built it ourselfs.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[StefanBBK]

Oh, one thing, if any of you needs help to check a new house for basic quality, I now know what to look for and would help if time permits. However, I am not an architect. PM me if needed.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[123thaibourbon]

ok, never mind, good enough, up to you, have good day, bye-bye..

[cacruden]

Sort of funny, and it is not unique to Thailand (although not great for a prestigious company to have to admit). A friend of mine bought a house in Toronto, had the inspector in beforehand.... Then when he went to fix a few things, the contractor noticed that the back wall of the basement was constructed out of old Champaign Crates (won't mention that it turned out to be asbestus insulation in the house as well -- but that is more a known problem of that era).

[ikan]

I have stayed in apartments in Bangkok where the 'p' trap in the shower drain was left out and sewer gas would come up from the drain and stink up the room; all to save less than a hundred baht. Very large monetary fines and large compensation to the buyers would go a long way to curb this bad behavior.

you mean to say you have actually stayed in a building in thailand that DOESNT have this gas problem? i dont believe you.

[PoorSucker]

"Mr. Houston′s room was the only room facing the problem"

<deleted>

Houston, we have a problem.