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hillbilly · 28-08-2006, 08:53 PM

This thread will show the good, bad and the ugly of building a Teak vacation home in Thailand with a hillbilly at the wheel. This home is my design with a long-term theme in mind.

You will be able to see my mistakes, the Thai builder/worker mistakes along with living with the Thai village surrounding my shack in the jungle.

Even though I have been away from http://teakdoor.com for 2 months does not mean this project only took 2 months. We bought this parcel of land bordering the Nan River about 3 years ago. We have had tractors dig, dirt shoved around,trees planted and snakes killed in anticipation of our guest home.

Please feel free to comment, critique, bitch, slam, make-fun-of or bow at my feet. What you will see and read actually happened.

First, because of work constraints I was not able to attend the initial setting of the posts.

Keep in mind the monks had already visited.

This is what I first saw...

Thetyim · 28-08-2006, 09:22 PM

Is that all we are getting

Rigger · 28-08-2006, 09:28 PM

Looks like what we built to keep our rice in

RandomChances · 29-08-2006, 09:24 AM

It looks like it will get a nice breeze through, much better than traditional houses with walls and roof's and things, might be a bit of a pain in rainy season though.

hillbilly · 29-08-2006, 05:34 PM

Before we even really begin to look at the house;the workers need a place to live and carry one with their lives. This is the temporary home of the carpenters.

Here is the original plan of the home. When the wife and I talked about this project the budget was set at about B300,000. However, keep in mind this project was funded by the wife and I, in other words we split the costs 50/50; she has her money, I have my money.

She had certain ideas that soon became apparent...

mrsquirrel · 29-08-2006, 05:42 PM

Quote:

She had certain ideas that soon became apparent...

What?

No walls, roof or doors?

Fucking hell mate put your foot down.

Robbie Dye · 25-10-2007, 05:52 PM

Nowhere to put his foot!

hillbilly · 29-08-2006, 05:44 PM

Here the workers begin to plane the wood.

Now let's talk money. The guy on the left is an 'ajarn' and the guy on the right is called 'chung'. Our contract deals with the 'ajarn'. Both of these individuals come from the province of Phrae which is known for Teak wood and skillled workers.

Notice their non-verbal communication. Wait to see how this changes...

hillbilly · 29-08-2006, 05:54 PM

In this shot you can see a worker begining to lay day the floor of the home. Notice the vise that is being used.

A Thai table saw...

man with no head · 29-08-2006, 05:59 PM

^ Bloody hell, that's an accident waiting to happen.

hillbilly · 29-08-2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surasak

^ Bloody hell, that's an accident waiting to happen.

That was my first thought also. I began to wonder about accidents, lawsuits, etc. However and surprisingly the only who ended up with cuts and scrapes was me. To highlight the safety aspect of this construction job lets take a look at the main electrical outlet.

hillbilly · 29-08-2006, 06:02 PM

The day's activity was brought to a standstill by the killing of a large lizard by a 12 guage shotgun (illlegal) next to my home. The locals said that the lizard was eating the chickens and trying to eat the dogs. BTW, this reptile is not good to eat so where did the carcass go? Dumped in the Nan River.

The roof is coming along...

Dougal · 29-08-2006, 06:28 PM

I like this sort of thread.

Are those posts sitting on top of the concrete pads Hilly or are they cemented into them?

Do you have to treat that wood at all with any chemicals?

hillbilly · 29-08-2006, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dougal

I like this sort of thread.

Are those posts sitting on top of the concrete pads Hilly or are they cemented into them?

Do you have to treat that wood at all with any chemicals?

First, the workers dig a hole and place cement along with rebar. The following day the pole is put in place and and then a woodframe is placed in order to pour the concrete. This is to keep the wood from actually ever being in touch with the soil.

Secondly, yes we did treat the wood with a chemical called Chandrite.

This is a point in building our home that almost got me divorced. To me the idea of taking a green tree and using it for a support post seemed stupid. I voiced my belief. The response? "Falangs don't know".

We had many Thai experts say never mind...

beware of the dog · 25-12-2006, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillbilly

The day's activity was brought to a standstill by the killing of a large lizard by a 12 guage shotgun (illlegal) next to my home. The locals said that the lizard was eating the chickens and trying to eat the dogs. BTW, this reptile is not good to eat so where did the carcass go? Dumped in the Nan River.

Anyone spotted those in Lumpini Park?

Loads of them

Whiteshiva · 27-12-2006, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beware of the dog

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillbilly

The day's activity was brought to a standstill by the killing of a large lizard by a 12 guage shotgun (illlegal) next to my home. The locals said that the lizard was eating the chickens and trying to eat the dogs. BTW, this reptile is not good to eat so where did the carcass go? Dumped in the Nan River.

Anyone spotted those in Lumpini Park?

Loads of them

And they are actually quite tasty - tried it a couple of times in Malaysia. Amazing - an animal that the Thai's won't eat!

hillbilly · 29-08-2006, 06:20 PM

One side of the roof is now complete.

The other side of the roof is coming along fine. What little did I know about hiring local people to complete the job...

hillbilly · 29-08-2006, 06:28 PM

This view shows the home from the back looking towards the main road and the Nan river.

Family members of the workers were everywhere. This little innocent young girl would steal any and everything, much like her father who was soon asked to leave the job site. But more on that later...

hillbilly · 29-08-2006, 07:05 PM

Would anyone like to guess what this pile of teak wood cost?

ChiangMai noon · 29-08-2006, 07:08 PM

3,000 baht?

28-08-2006, 08:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
hillbilly Still trailer trash Last Online: Yesterday 06:43 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: BKK & 'D&G Resort' Posts: 6,444	A hillbilly shack in the jungle... This thread will show the good, bad and the ugly of building a Teak vacation home in Thailand with a hillbilly at the wheel. This home is my design with a long-term theme in mind. You will be able to see my mistakes, the Thai builder/worker mistakes along with living with the Thai village surrounding my shack in the jungle. Even though I have been away from http://teakdoor.com for 2 months does not mean this project only took 2 months. We bought this parcel of land bordering the Nan River about 3 years ago. We have had tractors dig, dirt shoved around,trees planted and snakes killed in anticipation of our guest home. Please feel free to comment, critique, bitch, slam, make-fun-of or bow at my feet. What you will see and read actually happened. First, because of work constraints I was not able to attend the initial setting of the posts. Keep in mind the monks had already visited. This is what I first saw... __________________ Travelling in Northern Thailand To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by hillbilly : 28-08-2006 at 08:57 PM.

29-08-2006, 05:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
hillbilly Still trailer trash Last Online: Yesterday 06:43 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: BKK & 'D&G Resort' Posts: 6,444	Here the workers begin to plane the wood. Now let's talk money. The guy on the left is an 'ajarn' and the guy on the right is called 'chung'. Our contract deals with the 'ajarn'. Both of these individuals come from the province of Phrae which is known for Teak wood and skillled workers. Notice their non-verbal communication. Wait to see how this changes... Last edited by hillbilly : 29-08-2006 at 05:46 PM.

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28-08-2006, 09:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Thetyim ssshhhhh Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mousehole Posts: 14,632	Is that all we are getting

28-08-2006, 09:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rigger Thailand Forum Last Online: Yesterday 01:35 PM Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nongbualamphu/Khon Kaen Posts: 4,984	Looks like what we built to keep our rice in

29-08-2006, 09:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
RandomChances Elite Member Last Online: Yesterday 06:28 PM Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Riyadh Posts: 2,723	It looks like it will get a nice breeze through, much better than traditional houses with walls and roof's and things, might be a bit of a pain in rainy season though.

29-08-2006, 05:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
hillbilly Still trailer trash Last Online: Yesterday 06:43 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: BKK & 'D&G Resort' Posts: 6,444	Before we even really begin to look at the house;the workers need a place to live and carry one with their lives. This is the temporary home of the carpenters. Here is the original plan of the home. When the wife and I talked about this project the budget was set at about B300,000. However, keep in mind this project was funded by the wife and I, in other words we split the costs 50/50; she has her money, I have my money. She had certain ideas that soon became apparent...

25-10-2007, 05:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Robbie Dye Chiang Mai Last Online: 24-03-2009 12:00 PM Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Just outside Pattaya Posts: 11	Nowhere to put his foot!

29-08-2006, 05:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
hillbilly Still trailer trash Last Online: Yesterday 06:43 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: BKK & 'D&G Resort' Posts: 6,444	In this shot you can see a worker begining to lay day the floor of the home. Notice the vise that is being used. A Thai table saw...

29-08-2006, 05:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
man with no head Somewhere Travelling Last Online: 11-08-2007 07:39 PM Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 5,162	^ Bloody hell, that's an accident waiting to happen.

29-08-2006, 06:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
hillbilly Still trailer trash Last Online: Yesterday 06:43 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: BKK & 'D&G Resort' Posts: 6,444	The day's activity was brought to a standstill by the killing of a large lizard by a 12 guage shotgun (illlegal) next to my home. The locals said that the lizard was eating the chickens and trying to eat the dogs. BTW, this reptile is not good to eat so where did the carcass go? Dumped in the Nan River. The roof is coming along...

29-08-2006, 06:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
Dougal Dis-member Last Online: 09-11-2009 11:16 PM Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Head Rock Posts: 4,044	I like this sort of thread. Are those posts sitting on top of the concrete pads Hilly or are they cemented into them? Do you have to treat that wood at all with any chemicals?

29-08-2006, 06:20 PM	#17 (permalink)
hillbilly Still trailer trash Last Online: Yesterday 06:43 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: BKK & 'D&G Resort' Posts: 6,444	One side of the roof is now complete. The other side of the roof is coming along fine. What little did I know about hiring local people to complete the job...

29-08-2006, 06:28 PM	#18 (permalink)
hillbilly Still trailer trash Last Online: Yesterday 06:43 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: BKK & 'D&G Resort' Posts: 6,444	This view shows the home from the back looking towards the main road and the Nan river. Family members of the workers were everywhere. This little innocent young girl would steal any and everything, much like her father who was soon asked to leave the job site. But more on that later...

29-08-2006, 07:05 PM	#19 (permalink)
hillbilly Still trailer trash Last Online: Yesterday 06:43 PM Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: BKK & 'D&G Resort' Posts: 6,444	Would anyone like to guess what this pile of teak wood cost?

29-08-2006, 07:08 PM	#20 (permalink)
ChiangMai noon punk douche bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: o dan y bryn Posts: 28,059	3,000 baht?

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