Thread: Thai Dhupp and Princess Joy's Thai House Build

In other news...

The reason he did not immediately start on the roof was... he was still prepping the steel-work, which was delivered late...



They also had quite a bit of rain at the Chonburi Hilton, which slowed things up generally


Not sure what he's doing here with the liquid nail gun. I want to see a real nail gun...


oh...they made a start on the inside staircase too.

As Norton says, moving along....

Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp

The reason he did not immediately start on the roof was... he was still prepping the steel-work, which was delivered late...

That's what I figured. Always hard to get just in time materials delivered just in time to keep work flow going,

Fixtures and Fittings - its Question-time!!

So, now that the builder is starting on the walls, I suppose I need to give some thought to fixtures and fittings because the clock is ticking and we have
been so focused on the 'big' stuff that the fixtures took a back seat. I don't want the situation where, for example, he calls us one week saying he's ready
to wire up and he's bought a bunch of tiny plain white sockets that only take the Thai 2-pin plug!!

I'm talking about light fittings, light units, even doors or at least door furniture, etc. I have some idea about the style but I don't know a lot about good brands in Thailand, what is good value, which brands to avoid (this is very important) and such like.

I bet a few on the forum have some experience though...!!!

I am looking for continuity of design for the switches and sockets, I saw some multi-plug wall sockets (the type that can probably take just about all plug types) which looked useful. I am not against a modern style, just not a crazy style. yeah... I know I know... style is in the eye of the beholder!!

...and, since the house is 'Thai trad' but bang up to date for the materials, and in the case of lighting I want to utilise energy saving wherever possible, I guess at this stage I am considering all suggestions.

So... who makes good stuff in Thailand? Which stores stock same? Who are the villains who should be avoided? So many different types of lighting , honestly I don't know where to start.

The good thing is.... I will be back there from the 24th and we will already be shopping for toilets, basins, baths and showers. so we will be heading for the HomePro's, Bunthavorn's and Globals of this world BUT...where else?

Anyone got a secret store that always comes though? Or can recommend some amazing deals on light switches? or an amazing selection? or the dont buy this socket brand or this light fitting....

any guidance gratefully received. Thanks

Your approaching the part of the build that I don't enjoy and that is finding "quality" fittings, for sure it has got easier since my first build 15 years ago, back then there was little choice. Unfortunately there isn't a one stop shop!
Hafele do good quality products (https://www.hafele.com/th/en/info/product/2619/) though most of it obviously comes down to personal taste, one thing I never installed was "night" lighting, wish I had put in more. LED lighting very popular now though the spectrum of light is nowhere near as good as the old incandescent bulbs - progress! We put the usual "array" of lighting in, truth be known 90% of it is never used as we prefer the lighting from side/stand lamps.

Originally Posted by David48atTD

Ah ... back to something I know something about

If you are going for 'dimable' lights, make sure that both the light fitting and the globe/led are/is dimable.

If you do have any ceiling fans, don't place a light behind them.
When the fans turning and the light is on the moving shadow pattern is really annoying.


... I have no idea about plumbing (apart from rain water harvesting)

I definitely want to dim some of the lighting, though not all. I always thought thaT the led or low voltage lighting could not be dimmed but clearly i am out of touch with this. i will have a choice of room and task lighting e.g. kitchen - roof down lighters and under cabinet worktop lighting, and some side lighting and a central lighting over the table in the dining room. as i am only just looking at this now, I suppose... I do not really know what i want!!! (i guess we have all been there, right!?)

for the main rooms - kitchen living room dining room, i wan a combination of side and down lighting ie 2 circuits. bedrooms in general will have down lighting and any aqddition illumination will come from stand lights - we have enough sockets.

jeez i really need to think this through properly..

OK so far, Panasonic, american standard and HAFELE

Originally Posted by Norton

Panasonic light switches and plugs is what I have and recommend. Home Pro or Global House have wide selection of sizes. I have dimmers from Panasonic in living and bedrooms as well. Lighting is all led. Eve is brand I use and recommend. Although heard Panasonic also good.

Fixtures are all sunken light fittings. All sorts of shapes, sizes and colors avaiailable at HomePro et al.

All my bathroom fixtures are American Standard. Again from HomePro.

Your builder may know cheaper local suppliers of those brands.

Panasonic Eco Solutions Sales (Thailand)

https://www.americanstandard.co.th/th/

Yeah, I too want those down-lighters set into the ceiling, apart from the dining room where maybe there will be a feature lighting arrangement over the table...

I spent a long time checking out that Panasonic website last night

Originally Posted by Airportwo

Your approaching the part of the build that I don't enjoy and that is finding "quality" fittings, for sure it has got easier since my first build 15 years ago, back then there was little choice. Unfortunately there isn't a one stop shop!
Hafele do good quality products (https://www.hafele.com/th/en/info/product/2619/) though most of it obviously comes down to personal taste, one thing I never installed was "night" lighting, wish I had put in more. LED lighting very popular now though the spectrum of light is nowhere near as good as the old incandescent bulbs - progress! We put the usual "array" of lighting in, truth be known 90% of it is never used as we prefer the lighting from side/stand lamps.

Like you I am not looking forward to this bit either.. i dont know enough and hats off to those that do...

I am checking Hafele now...

Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp

I do not really know what i want!!! (i guess we have all been there, right!?)

Most don't at this stage of the build. Unlike several years ago, a good selection of just about anything is available here.

Only one thing you can do to decide. Go shopping! 4 or 5 days of intense shopping should do it. Have fun.

Just had a quick walk through the house, we have ~72 downlights that we never use! Just saying! The bathrooms and kitchen are the places they get used daily.
For shower fittings etc found these to be very good for a reasonable price. https://www.grohe.co.th/th_th/

Yes, Grohe are also good.

Use our downlighting every night. Kitchen and bathrooms day white. All other warm white.

My only suggestion is do NOT have any of those fancy chandeliers that are in so many Thai houses I have seen (unless you have a maid to dust them regularly !)
Another website for your reading list :

PRODUCT | LAMPTAN

Originally Posted by mikenot

My only suggestion is do NOT have any of those fancy chandeliers that are in so many Thai houses I have seen (unless you have a maid to dust them regularly !)
Another website for your reading list :

PRODUCT | LAMPTAN

No chandaliers planned Mike, lol although as I said, I do want some sort of feature lighting over the dining table. That will be the only location tho. I cant afford a maid but i probably dont need one because I have Princess Joy and she will soon learn...

Its ok she's not readiing this thread....

Heres an idea for the dining room, a big lump of plastic, easy to clean Turn your screen 90° to view, no idea why I can't rotate it!

Internal Staircase formation


First flight...


...and second flight too.


Shutters off


General finished view looking down from what will be the Buddha room (when the wall is in place)

so now...we have 2 access routes to the upper floor.

Hi T D , how often do they use the ties , is it every block ? or, every other block ??

Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp

Only 3 weeks 'til I am there in person so I am really looking forward to see 'our 'lil place' for real.

Should be good timing for shopping and selection of electrics and bathroom stuff. I was serious about shopping stint. Best if builder goes with you. He no doubt has average costs in place for this stuff as part of his price.

Unless you go silly high end stuff sure he will agree to what you select.

Don't know how long you intend to stay on site but use it all selecting what you want for final finished house. As you are well aware a long list of things. Everything from flooring, cabinetry, counter tops, et al.

Originally Posted by Norton

Should be good timing for shopping and selection of electrics and bathroom stuff. I was serious about shopping stint. Best if builder goes with you. He no doubt has average costs in place for this stuff as part of his price.

Unless you go silly high end stuff sure he will agree to what you select.

Don't know how long you intend to stay on site but use it all selecting what you want for final finished house. As you are well aware a long list of things. Everything from flooring, cabinetry, counter tops, et al.

I am with you all the way on that one, Norton. Actually...we HAVE to because the next time I will be able to get back, due to a recent workload increase, will be September, and thats just about when he plans to finish!!

The way the contract works, he is fit only for kitchen and bathroom - we have cost control for our choices. His contract price came down accordingly. I was happier with that. We can spend without having to haggle over what his 'budget' was etc etc.

I already told PJ to get he best walking shoes ready for the marathon ahead. its now or never time, and I will not be passing the chance!!

Shes accepted the fact that there will be insufficient time to go buying crab 3x a week (like normal).

I will be back for 16 days so...should be enough time to sort the majority of it out.

Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp

I will be back for 16 days so...should be enough time to sort the majority of it out.

Should be plenty but busy. If he is planning on being finished by the time you return next, even paint/colors need selecting. You should be able to find 99% of what you want at one of the big home stores. I prefer Global House but not sure there is one in your area.

A few things to consider when shopping:

Lightbulbs: One thing about LED lighting is that the bulbs quite often do not match the packaging... I ordered all bulbs soft/warm white and received a bunch which are harsh blue light in the wrong packaging, best double-check.

Plug sockets and light switches: Panasonic (as others have said), but if you want metal (as opposed to plastic/ plastic painted to look like metal, which wears off over time), then fill your suitcase and bring with you, as I have yet to see them in any shop over here. One handy thing I have found with my Panasonic light switches is that they have a small luminescent strip on the switch end so you can see it in the dark.

I think that PEA have also changed the law about electrical installation of combined sockets and light switches, even though these units are still for sale, they advise against using them, as lights and sockets should be on separate circuits.

Sinks and Toilets: lots about, went with Cotto, as they had the best designs to suit my needs (toilets have side-mounted flush handles, not top-mounted push buttons which I found have failed many times in the past). Additionally, If buying units from different manufacturers, there is often a difference in the colours and finish of the glazes which may be noticeable, so probably best to stick with a single manufacturer. If sinks are wall-mounted, the waste and feed pipes are set at a different height to those that are pedestal-mounted. If the toilet style is a sealed-side design (ie flat-sided without the s-bend shape visible), they are super tricky to install, as the only space to access the seal when fitting is from the back).

Door furniture either Yale or Hafele (although their website sucks, so best to download their catalogue and send in an order by email).

Gas hobs and electric ovens: Smeg (if you don't mind paying 3 times the price of any other manufacturer, but style and quality are great), I went with Italian-made Tecno (good reviews, good price and clean design although they have a crappy name) and the cooker vent hood has a very strong motor with 2 robust charcoal filters, plus removable stainless steel vents for cleaning rather than the usual flimsy expensive aluminium, plastic and charcoal filters that clog up quickly and need replacing regularly... but I was initially looking at Hafele (but read that one of their gas hobs had a seriously dangerous design flaw and was recalled, allegedly!)

Kitchen sink: If you don't want a reversible unit (which have a visible metal plug that snaps into the unused hole for the tap, you have to hunt about for a design that is either left-handed or right-handed according to your requirement, has the right style and is deep enough. Again Hafele are good, although the bags of assorted plastic plumbing that they supply with the units are just a complete mind-bender, they just didn't fit... it took 3 of us (plumber included) to try and fit the components somehow ...MC Escher and W Heath Robinson would have been proud. We had to resort to ditching half of them in favour of the old favourite blue plastic and tin of solvent to get things to work!

You'll find that you have to hunt about a fair bit, as prices vary wildly from place to place and, although they might have what you want on show, they often don't carry the stock, (I found Global House to be the most useless place in regard to this, they also have lots of very shoddy goods in stock for door and window furniture, but they are good for pumps and fans though). Have fun!

Originally Posted by jonnyenglish

I found Global House to be the most useless place

See. We all have our opinions.