Living near rice fields

[Dogberry]

Wasn't sure if this should be in the health forum or not but here goes. My wife has clear title to two pieces of property, one is a 74 sq. meter lot in a village near Mae Wong. It has a paved road, utilities overhead, surrounded by other houses but 74 sq is a bit small. She also owns a large rice farm outside of town. There are several issues with this property, power is at least a kilometer away, it is very isolated and It would take a huge amount of fill to establish a pad for a house. But there is a paved road and the 360 view is unbeatable with Doi Inthanon is the background. Before I consider using this property as our home I want to know first of all if there are any concerns about living surrounded by rice. I can imagine the mosquitos being bad, snakes and insects abundant, etc. My question is directly related to agricultural chemicals being used in rice fields. Air quality, well water and things like that. But please any other thoughts related to pros and cons are appreciated.

[MaeJoMTB]

I have rice fields on two sides of me,

Mosquitoes, no problem at all, plenty of fish around and in the rice paddy, don't even have screens on the windows or doors.

Snakes, big problem, cobras all around, have to cut the grass in the garden really short, and no ground cover or they're in.

The day they burn the stubble off isn't nice either, but bearable.

Internet, I have it but you may not, can't live without internet.

Never noticed smell from chemicals, but have seen them spraying.

Edited April 15, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[Dogberry]

Thank you for that input... I too am on the internet a lot and along with power, I have no idea if bringing phone or cable to the property is even possible or if it's so expensive I drop the issue and build on the small lot.

[villagefarang]

We are surrounded on three sides by rice and love it. We are close enough that access, water, power and internet are not a problem, however. Make sure you look at all the costs before you decide. It can work but the location has to be right and you need to do your homework.

[steven100]

We are surrounded on three sides by rice and love it. We are close enough that access, water, power and internet are not a problem, however. Make sure you look at all the costs before you decide. It can work but the location has to be right and you need to do your homework.

villagefarang, thats looks quite a nice view ... good to see

[villagefarang]

I don't want to give an overly rosy impression so here are a few shots taken at different times. I love it throughout the year, however.

No two days are ever the same. We have good days and bad days.

[T_Dog]

Regarding your main question about contaminants, check to see if there are orchards nearby as they have a reputation of putting massive amounts of pesticide in the ground water. (See the video link below.) Pesticide use in Thailand is not regulated much and many banned chemicals in the west are still used here with abandon. We lived on a rice field and absolutely loved it, but we cooked and consumed only bottled water. We also had active springs on our land which was two meters above the rice fields and the water was quite pure. You might be able to drill a bore hole and get to fairly good water, but make sure you get it tested.

Regarding your other points:

Mosquitoes: We had about 5% of the mosquitoes we experience in Chiang Mai or Mae Rim. Not sure of the reasons, but rice fields do not seem to promote them.

Snakes: Occasionally we would find them, but the mongoose population seemed to keep them in check just fine. In six years, never saw a Cobra.

Noise: Frogs and toads can make for deafening evenings. Leave shoes outside and they will use them!

Bugs: Termites and other bugs hatching at night will go to the nearest light they see. Ours was the only one for a kilometer so we were mobbed occasionally. Had to set up lights 50 meters from the house to abate them.

Commute: One of the things to consider is how often you have to go to the city as a long trip can be a deal breaker on remote property.

Electricity: We paid 61,000 baht to bring electricity in 750 meters. We averaged about a hundred regional power outages a year, with most an hour or so but a few up to ten hours. Emergency lights and fans are necessary.

Nights: Expect activity in the fields almost every night as locals hunt rats, snails, frogs, mongoose, and other creatures. Gun shots at night will be heard.

Fill Dirt: Allow a year of settling for each meter of fill dirt you bring in.

Septic Systems: You will need to use a large plastic tank followed by an open bottom tank and possibly a drainage field. Septic systems can be a problem with shallow water tables.

Birds: Starlings and Mynahs will build nest in any rain gutter or downspout you put in. That has to be a build consideration.

Burning: Locals will burn garbage and burn the fields whenever they choose.

Rat Poison: We lost a dog due to strychnine being used to poison rats. Walking the dikes between the rice fields, you can find a pile of poison every 30 meters or so. That stuff does not break down either.

http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/6626/Orange-Alert

[Dogberry]

Villagefarang and T_Dog, Thank you both. Informative and inspiring. My son is here visiting for Songkran (which BTW was very pleasant in Lamphun) and we are going to visit the in-laws in Mae Wong. As he wants to visit the property I'll take some photos and determine the distance for utilities.

[OOLEEBER]

Many years ago I paid for 850 meters of cable so I could have a phone and internet. They have since run phone lines along our road but I mention this just to show it's possible. Living in the rice fields is the best thing ever. https://www.flickr.com/photos/99821753@N05/10638332744/

[steven100]

We are surrounded on three sides by rice and love it. We are close enough that access, water, power and internet are not a problem, however. Make sure you look at all the costs before you decide. It can work but the location has to be right and you need to do your homework.

nope ... i'm sorry villagefarang, I don't like any of the others ... just this one ... please keep it like this all year round.

[1FinickyOne]

We also have a plot of land [2 rai] in the village, on the outskirts actually - in which we bult a family compound… the electric, water and speedy internet to the property are all a big plus. As you, we also own a fairly large plot of rice/corn fields - w/a pond.

There is no electric though we could run poles - but the lack of electricity in the area is a plus, the muted effect of being far from any noise, is incredibly peaceful. I also do not have a mosquito issue there, fish in the pond, plenty of birds or maybe just that I am not there at night. I bring a chair and sit under roof in a pavilion out there and it is so amazingly relaxing that I don't even bring a book, just to sit there is a meditation and after an hour or two, taking walks as well, it is every bit as refreshing as a good massage.

And yes, I have thought about building out there - the ease of internet would be missed. I think the larger issue might be one of safety. There are no other residential properties nearby and there could be a danger aspect to being removed as there are rumors of drug dealing and a lack of safety amongst migrant workers.

My solution has been to go out there during the day - bring a chair with me [the last one I left there was stolen] and enjoy the tranquility and then go home. It is not far but about 10 minutes by car as the roads can be pot holed. I am considering building a small, I guess you would call it platform or porch or balcony on stilts, possibly even extending upwards to a third story with a tower… all for more breeze and better view… just to add to the pleasure of going out there.

good luck - and continue thoughtfully.

[ray richards]

We have a house adjoining rice fields but not too isolated with local thai famalies,wildlife sometimes an issue but my advice is to be very friendly with the thai's & speak some of their language & they will in return look after you in any awkward situations & will take care your property if you are away as we go to Jomtien sometimes.Offer some food sometimes it will only cost you 50 baht & if you ever need a helping hand with jobs around your house or land the locals will offer to help you (for a small fee of course) if you go the other route & shut yourself away the locals will shun you also same as some farangs near me have done & that to me is a very lonely life.

[fredge45]

Why would you take a plot of productive agricultural land and modify it (permanently) for building a home? You have been given a litaney of problems doing so - sewage drainage, electrical/internet connections and then the time you need to let the fill settle.

Why not tradce the land for some piece on a hillside nearer the connections you need for utilities, rid yourself of the drainage problems and leave the land to feed the population?

If you have to put down a bore for water what kind of water will you find? Nicely polluted with chemicals unless you get really deep.

Give it a thought...

[neeray]

We also have a plot of land [2 rai] in the village, on the outskirts actually - in which we bult a family compound… the electric, water and speedy internet to the property are all a big plus. As you, we also own a fairly large plot of rice/corn fields - w/a pond.

There is no electric though we could run poles - but the lack of electricity in the area is a plus, the muted effect of being far from any noise, is incredibly peaceful. I also do not have a mosquito issue there, fish in the pond, plenty of birds or maybe just that I am not there at night. I bring a chair and sit under roof in a pavilion out there and it is so amazingly relaxing that I don't even bring a book, just to sit there is a meditation and after an hour or two, taking walks as well, it is every bit as refreshing as a good massage.

And yes, I have thought about building out there - the ease of internet would be missed. I think the larger issue might be one of safety. There are no other residential properties nearby and there could be a danger aspect to being removed as there are rumors of drug dealing and a lack of safety amongst migrant workers.

My solution has been to go out there during the day - bring a chair with me [the last one I left there was stolen] and enjoy the tranquility and then go home. It is not far but about 10 minutes by car as the roads can be pot holed. I am considering building a small, I guess you would call it platform or porch or balcony on stilts, possibly even extending upwards to a third story with a tower… all for more breeze and better view… just to add to the pleasure of going out there.

good luck - and continue thoughtfully.

Great idea to build viewing or meditation platform on stilts. Please make sure you include a lockup for your chair, ha ha.

And enjoy your view.

[Dogberry]

Why would you take a plot of productive agricultural land and modify it (permanently) for building a home? You have been given a litaney of problems doing so - sewage drainage, electrical/internet connections and then the time you need to let the fill settle.

Why not tradce the land for some piece on a hillside nearer the connections you need for utilities, rid yourself of the drainage problems and leave the land to feed the population?

If you have to put down a bore for water what kind of water will you find? Nicely polluted with chemicals unless you get really deep.

Give it a thought...

Excellent point. This issue was on my mind buy left it out of the original post in the interest of brevity... believe me this will be part of my decision process

[Nbarch]

With regards internet access to a remote location, a year ago, I enquired with TOT about the cost of running a special fibre-obtic cable about 15km to a remote house, which did have electricity poles outside and I was surprised the cost was only B40,000.

(Did not go ahead with it as moved to another house)

[T_Dog]

Why would you take a plot of productive agricultural land and modify it (permanently) for building a home? You have been given a litaney of problems doing so - sewage drainage, electrical/internet connections and then the time you need to let the fill settle.

Why not tradce the land for some piece on a hillside nearer the connections you need for utilities, rid yourself of the drainage problems and leave the land to feed the population?

If you have to put down a bore for water what kind of water will you find? Nicely polluted with chemicals unless you get really deep.

Give it a thought...

Some pertinent thoughts there Fredge. Our land was about 3 meters above the lowest rice fields, and solid ground to build on. First rice terrace, fed by spring water was right in front of the house but we did not need to bring in any fill for the house. We did pass up on one parcel of land that was right at the lowest level due to the concerns you mentioned. The electricity and internet problems were easy to solve with cash, but being right at the lowest level introduces problems that might become a bit more difficult.

Edited April 16, 2015 by T_Dog

[ExPratt]

I live in the Rice Bowl of Sena , a couple of K to the West to be exact. No problem at other than the occasional power cut but much better now they have re cabled. I did bump into a 6ft long Monitor lizard the other day , but the snakes are mainly in the Paddy

[sawadee1947]

if you are very brave you should not be afraid of anything. Everybody has to die once, but......Many foreigners like to stay at the rice fields. As a scientist I checked many shops here and found a lot of chemicals which are forbidden in EU,USA, AUS long time ago already (similar to antibiotics). And all overdosed sprayed by farmers not able to follow any instructions.

Well, with wind from the right side you'll inhale all that poison.

Good luck, or Good Health

(look around the farmers with lung- or skin cancer (or thyroid)). I want to live a bit longer without cancer. Rice field are nice lloking. Agreed. But not for living nearby.

[gazzzz]

We are surrounded on three sides by rice and love it. We are close enough that access, water, power and internet are not a problem, however. Make sure you look at all the costs before you decide. It can work but the location has to be right and you need to do your homework.

[gazzzz]

Nice photo, where is this? It looks very similar to where my wife is from, Wung Din near Uttaradit. I am aware Thailand has many rice growing areas!

[villagefarang]

Nice photo, where is this? It looks very similar to where my wife is from, Wung Din near Uttaradit. I am aware Thailand has many rice growing areas!

Phaya Mengrai, which is east of Chiang Rai. If you would like to see more of my photos, there is a link to my Google+ page at the bottom of my Profile Page here on TV.

[gazzzz]

Nice photo, where is this? It looks very similar to where my wife is from, Wung Din near Uttaradit. I am aware Thailand has many rice growing areas!

Phaya Mengrai, which is east of Chiang Rai. If you would like to see more of my photos, there is a link to my Google+ page at the bottom of my Profile Page here on TV.

Thanks, I will look at your photos's and try and find some of mine to post to show what I mean about the similarities, when I get home from work!

[GOLDBUGGY]

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Thank you for that input... I too am on the internet a lot and along with power, I have no idea if bringing phone or cable to the property is even possible or if it's so expensive I drop the issue and build on the small lot.

You don't need a Phone Cable or Internet Cable brought in.

Most people use Cell Phones which work well here and can be topped up at any 7-11.

True has Wireless Internet which also works as good as any in Thailand. I live in a small remote village but my True Wireless Internet works as good and as fast as I had in Pattaya.

True also will install Satellite TV for you which has good English Programs, Sports, and Movie Channels. For sure good enough for the average viewer. For the best package is Platinum, and that costs about 2,200 Baht per month, but you can drop 500 Baht and still get Gold, which is good enough and where most of your Movie Programs are on. Installation of the dish for me was free. Some promotion which they seem to have all the time. But not too expensive if you have to pay.

Internet is 900 Baht per month but also the best. So to have both of the best it is about 3,100 Baht a month. Local calls on Cell Phones are cheap. For Long Distance use Skype.

By moving to this isolate place you won't go without your luxuries as long as you have Power and....money.

[awill50]

Nice photo, where is this? It looks very similar to where my wife is from, Wung Din near Uttaradit. I am aware Thailand has many rice growing areas!

Phaya Mengrai, which is east of Chiang Rai. If you would like to see more of my photos, there is a link to my Google+ page at the bottom of my Profile Page here on TV.

I have this same view which overlooks a similar rice field. I am south of you near Ban New.

[Dogberry]

Thank you all for the input... regardless of where I decide I'm excited to build my third house... I'll be as hands on as possible. I'm pretty good with wood frame but have a lot to learn about concrete and block construction. That's another topic...

[MyFriend You]

Different Country Same Situation - I built a small house on our Rice paddy land "so I can look over a sea of rice' about 2 sq Kilometers - Its great during the growing season, green fields, turning yellow when ready to cut - my first cutting season was miserable, rice bugs!!! Gazillions of them, and they are pissed off because we are cutting down their homes - wouldn't we be as well??? Cutting season over, then the bagging - nd selling season dust, dust, dust, I sneezed constantly from the dust, I was a rice bug restuarant, after five years of that, we gave that house to her Mother & brothers, built another one on the Mekong River - so I say, make sure you go oit there during all seasons, especially the Cutting and Bagging season - the burning times?? I can handle that, gets over very quickly, but thise darn Rice Bugs....................................

[Chonburiram]

As this is posted in the health section... how far is it to the next useable hospital?

My advice would be: Let the wife sell all the upcountry properties as a token of love and get something with an ocean view...

Living in rice fields; do you realize how stupid this sounds?

[Sheryl]

My house is on a former rice paddy with current rice paddies near by.

Beautiful nature, though it is a struggle to keep it all on the other side of the doors and windows.

My water is from an artesian well and fine, run off from pesticides will be a possible issue if the water is from another type of well - key is to test and you may in any event want a whole house water filter (I have one, not because of pesticides but because the water is extremely hard).

Snakes yes, from time to time. Also scorpions and millipeds...I built a small "moat" (just 20-30 cm wide) around the house to keep them out and highly recommend you do the same. Put a wide concrete apron around the outside of the house, then the moat. It will also slow down the ants.

The other visitor you may have is the walking fish. In the rainy season they can find their way indoors via drains, has happened to me not in my current home but in a previous place that overlooked rice paddies.

Oh and of course, mice..but that is easily dealt with, just get a cat or two.