A New Industry

[Gary A]

Now that we have been reminded that we CANNOT own land, mobile homes could be a great alternative. This would spawn another industry for Thai land owners to build mobile home parks and rent the spaces. Gated communities with nice homes that could be removed to another park if necessary. I have no idea why mobile homes are not built here. There is a good cheap labor market and these types of homes could be built very economically. Before you laugh at the idea of trailer trash take a look at some mobile home web sites. The double wides are beautiful and efficient with all the luxuries built in. Since Thailand has no freezing temperatures and no big storms to speak of, the disadvantages are pretty much eliminated.

[Phil Conners]

That's actually not a bad idea. The only thing I know about mobile homes is from TV and though you're right when you mention that "trailer trash" is the first thought that comes to mind I have to admit I have also seen some very nice ones.

I think mobile homes is a US-only thing, isn't it? I don't know of anywhere outside US where it's used (correct me if I'm wrong) but that's not to say it couldn't be used here. First hurdle would probably be to transport one over here for the locals to copy

[chuckd]

The mobile home concept is very much alive and well in Saudi Arabia.

Many double wide mobile homes are factory made, transported to a housing compound and bolted together. Some compounds then brick them up and, voila, they have some bricked 3 b/r, 2 bath homes on site and rentable. A very quick solution to a housing problem.

I have lived in them for some 10 years in the past and they are certainly livable. I just bought a little land up North in Thailand and would do this in a heart beat if they were available.

I would think an affordable mobile home could go over quite well in Thailand.

[Gary A]

I think it is mainly a US thing. If I were to pursue it (which I wouldn't) I think I would want to try to find one of the top US manufacturers to see if they would be interested in a joint venture or at least to license the process. It is actually a quite high tech manufacturing business. They now use a lot of rigid foam for structural panels rather than the old fashioned wooden boards and fiberglass. With walls, floor and ceilings being nearly 6 inches thick they would cool very easily. A mobile home is different from a modular home. They are complete and transported via road on wheels and sit on pre-poured concrete pads or runners. If you want to move them you put the axles back under them and take them wherever you like. The new double wide units are difficult to tell from a conventionally built house.

That's actually not a bad idea. The only thing I know about mobile homes is from TV and though you're right when you mention that "trailer trash" is the first thought that comes to mind I have to admit I have also seen some very nice ones.

I think mobile homes is a US-only thing, isn't it? I don't know of anywhere outside US where it's used (correct me if I'm wrong) but that's not to say it couldn't be used here. First hurdle would probably be to transport one over here for the locals to copy

[Rinrada]

In the 70s when every Tom,Dick and Elmer made their way over to Saudi I did a stint with ARAMCO to provide thousands of these Semi Perm Mobile Homes all over the Eastern Provinces from the Kuwait border down into the Rub al Khali (empty quarter).

Mostly made in the good old US of A but very well put together and had absolutely everything....

Some of the camps (GOSPs-OIL -Security)went from as little as 3-4 units up to real biggis with all living,feeding and rec accomodation and catering facilities for 15-20,000 men....US/UK/...TCNs ...

Thai-Turkish-Indian-Bangla-Phillis.......and Yemenies...Yala Yala.....

best known local guys were from Bin Ladens outfit.

Even got involved once with a project to install some gear in Mecca......and me an infidel...Blacked out buses...easy....Mr lawrence...sir....

[pepi1]

Isnt this where Gerry Springer finds all his sad victims! Trailer parks all over the USA. Oh, please dont even think about this for Thailand.

[Thaising]

If I recall, several year ago some returning oversea Thai did have this movable home idea and proposal, but some relevant authority rejected the idea downright, coz this entire project has some conflicts of interest on the political-business circus.

If you did drive pass somewhere near bangna, you were be able see this old movable trailer-home parking in the storage yard.

[ilyushin]

Wing 1 in Korat has some left by the USAF. They are still in good shape.

Materials are now available to build such units in Thailand. I think Siam Steel makes a type.

[Thaipwriter]

Be a great way to stick 2 fingers up to the farang bashing ownership laws here.

Some of them are quite luxurious too.

No more ST hotel expenses either ....if thats ur thing

[chownah]

There's actually two kinds of moveable homes....one is called a mobile home....which is usually very large and is not moved very often (maybe only once to get it to where it will stay for all of its useful life)......and......one is called an RV which stands for recreation vehicle. The RV is made for the express purpose of moving around and staying at RV campsites and parks etc. Some RV's have their own motors and steering...they are stand alone vehicles. Some RV's are big trailors and are usually towed by large pickup trucks. My sister and her husband who are retired spent about three years living in an RV exclusively and traveling around the US. It was a trailer that they pulled with a very big pickup. They spent as much every month on fuel as many people spent on their rent in the US.

Chownah

[Dragonman]

Good idea but see www.asiatradingonline.com/gianhomes.htm

Not just US, I have sold lots in UK. Mainly as retirement homes.

[wrestler7902002]

Mobile homes in Thailand? I think it's a great idea. Wonder why it hasn't caught on.....yet.

I think that I would get a nice trailer home on a trailer hitch, buy an Isuzu D-x to haul my home anywhere I want. Just take my Isuzu alone when I need to go shopping.

Two drawbacks though: Probably would be super hot inside the mobile home, unless having air con or situated under a large tree. Second.....do they have any tornadoes in Thailand. Seems like tornadoes just love mobile homes.

[pepi1]

The other thing to consider is will it still be there when you return! Lots of 4x4s driving around with tow bars on! . Must stop thinking negative thoughts. Positve aspect is no more termite problems.

[chownah]

The other thing to consider is will it still be there when you return! Lots of 4x4s driving around with tow bars on! . Must stop thinking negative thoughts. Positve aspect is no more termite problems.

Mobile homes and RV's (I think you are talking about an RV) have wood in their frames usually so termites could still be a problem.....back to negativity I guess!!!

[Gary A]

I was talking about movable homes. The doubles that look like a house are transported on wheels and bolted together. Not much chance of a 4 X 4 hooking up and pulling them away. They are often made from steel reinforced foam so no termite problems. Steel siding makes the walls even more rigid. the windows are all double pane. The inside is some kind of board similar to Masonite. Those interior panels are plain colors or offer a pattern. they are washable and hold up well. The roof is usually asphalt shingles so they may not hold up so well here. An upgraded roof to fiberglass shingles would be better for the hot sun here. I'd love to have one of those homes here.

[astral]

Good luck with the Royal Thai Customs Dept when you try to import these units.

[Gary A]

Import what ?? I'm talking about units that can be built in Thailand.

[Nignoy]

Good luck with the Royal Thai Customs Dept when you try to import these units.

Mobile homes are quite a big thing here in australia, often used as retirement homes , no trailer trash here, for 25,000 dollars australian you can get a new 90sq metre , 3 bedroom, airconditioned, fully fitted kitchen seperate bath room and toilet, wrap around veranda, steel framed termite proof house delivered anywhere within 50kms of brisbane ,after the tsunami,a company called trueline tried to donate 500 , 2and 3 bedroom prefabricated houses, as far as I know the containers are still at customs, I mentioned this in an earlier thread last year,but a thai built prefabricated housed , Way To Go!! Nignoy