Thread: Building our Retirement Home in Nan Province

On both levels we have put in emergency lighting that will activate if there is a loss of mains power. On level 1 it is above the entry door and pointed towards the stairs and dining room. On level 2 it is at the top of the stairs and pointed towards the living room. Next to these systems are power points that will be used for security cameras with battery backups.

The bathroom counter tops have been tiled and the washbasins positioned but not yet set in place. Behind each toilet is a still about 10cm wide using the same tile. If you look closely at the counter top you will see the front edge of the tile is overhanging the bench. A piece of teak about 15cm wide will be inserted under the tile and cover the bench. The same arrangement will be used for the kitchenette counter top.

Separately I'm starting to like the look and texture of the decorative cement in the bathrooms. It will only get better once cleaned and waxed.

The kitchenette has progressed. The counter top is now tiled and the small metal basin with drainer installed. Next major step is a teak shelf across the whole kitchenette and a teak beam under the front edge of the tile and hiding the bench. There are three power points. The top point will be for a microwave sitting on the shelf, the middle point for an electric jug and the point under the counter top for a small refrigerator. There will also be some metal shelving attached to the wall under the teak shelf and wine glass holders attached to the underside of the same shelf. Once it is built we'll review whether we also want to put in a tile splash-back.

The teak internal doors have arrived on site. Additionally the three ceiling mounted fans have arrived. One will be in the dining room above the dining table and the other two at each end of the level 2 living room.

Some more views from the level 2 covered deck.

Two views from the level 1 master bedroom 1.

And this is the last photo for today. It shows the teak trees along the eastern boundary. There are ten of them and the majority encroach on our (the wife's) land at the base and prevent a decent fence being erected. They were prepared for felling a few months ago and as we were leaving today a guy turned up to fell them. Apparently the Bangkok based owner of the land is in Pua and was taking the opportunity to cut them down while he was there. Fingers crossed they all fall the right way and leave the house and builders shed undamaged.

BiP
Starting to look very nice. I see the answer to my question from a while back about the rail at the top of the stairs along the living room i.e. fixed through the tiles.
If you are planning on building a decent fence/wall once the teak trees are felled who is going to get the stumps out of the way?
I hate the way Thai's plant trees on their side of a fence but which nearly always grow too big and interfere with the adjoining land. I have several places where I can't build the fence because there are stumps in the way. In my case they eucalyptus stumps which are very difficult to dig out due to their tap root. Not sure about teak stumps.

Anyway good luck with the rest of the build and keep posting.

Cheers

BiP

I don't know about Teak stumps but if they were eucalyptus stumps regrow suckers so are a pain in the butt.
I don't know if you read my thread 'What's in your Garden" but I posted the picture below in there, this is the best way to deal with the stumps.
I don't think you will have anything this size to deal with.
If you do leave them in there but the top below ground drill some holes (1inch diameter) in the stump and pour diesel into the holes to kill the stump.

Your place is looking great. You must be getting excited to see it come along.

Morning!!

wow.. lots of action.... really racing to the finish now. those upstairs wide top-rails look fab.

I think you are well on course for mid-January.

I just removed 2 mango trees ready for the boundary wall, same as you are planning.

K.Pot told be it is always best to remove the stumps - he dug out the entire tree, including the stump, in one go (of course, he has a makro (excavator) so this was easier for him

Originally Posted by BoganInParasite

The teak internal doors have arrived on site. Additionally the three ceiling mounted fans have arrived. One will be in the dining room above the dining table and the other two at each end of the level 2 living room.

good choice of fans HATARI,we have 9 in total around the house,with 2 power wind outside perminant,them 2 were bought 2009 and still going strong.

Mart our builder selected them HH. By coincidence we purchased four standing fans of the same brand when we arrived in Nan in May and the wife tells me we are getting four more as gifts from the shop we purchased the aircons from once we pay the remaining balance. Regards, -BiP

Originally Posted by headhunter

good choice of fans HATARI,we have 9 in total around the house,with 2 power wind outside perminant,them 2 were bought 2009 and still going strong.

Think I'll look at a combination of my intent and ootai's suggestion first TD. Cut them off at ground or below level and poison them in a number of ways. Disappointed to not see any comments to a couple of fine looking gents and ladies on your thread...tough crowd to please on this site. Regards, -BiP

Originally Posted by Thai Dhupp

Morning!!

wow.. lots of action.... really racing to the finish now. those upstairs wide top-rails look fab.

I think you are well on course for mid-January.

I just removed 2 mango trees ready for the boundary wall, same as you are planning.

K.Pot told be it is always best to remove the stumps - he dug out the entire tree, including the stump, in one go (of course, he has a makro (excavator) so this was easier for him

Have not seen that thread ootai but now we are close to moving in I'll be exploring the gardening threads more closely. Likely pop into yours today. Regards, BiP

Originally Posted by ootai

BiP

I don't know about Teak stumps but if they were eucalyptus stumps regrow suckers so are a pain in the butt.
I don't know if you read my thread 'What's in your Garden" but I posted the picture below in there, this is the best way to deal with the stumps.
I don't think you will have anything this size to deal with.
If you do leave them in there but the top below ground drill some holes (1inch diameter) in the stump and pour diesel into the holes to kill the stump.

Your deck is looking really nice with that wood railing. That top rail is nice and wide to set things on but make sure you have something soft down below for the things that accidentally get knocked off.

Originally Posted by BoganInParasite

....Disappointed to not see any comments to a couple of fine looking gents and ladies on your thread...tough crowd to please on this site. Regards, -BiP

lol I thought there would be some comment too, but I guess meet-ups and lunch is no longer news!!

We still had a good day though and definitely more to come.

Just let me get my place finished ....

Originally Posted by BoganInParasite

Disappointed to not see any comments to a couple of fine looking gents and ladies

So, I am announcing myself voluntarily: usually , the golden teak (mai sak) will come out from the stump (not always every one) with lively fresh pair of large leaves every week, pity to poison it. You can entertain yourself with sharp machete. However, I understand your point...

Good morning Klondyke and happy new year. Looking forward to catching up with you and Mrs Klondyke again this year. Periodically weilding a machette is definitely an option for the front five stumps but would have difficulties on the back five. Either got to kill or remove them as I want a solid fence on the side boundaries from the front of the house and enclosing the side/back yard. Dogs and grandkiddies in, snakes out. Regards, -BiP

Originally Posted by Klondyke

So, I am announcing myself voluntarily: usually , the golden teak (mai sak) will come out from the stump (not always every one) with lively fresh pair of large leaves every week, pity to poison it. You can entertain yourself with sharp machete. However, I understand your point...

Thanks dennis, might just be easier banning accidents I think. Happy new year. Regards, BiP

Originally Posted by dennis4558

Your deck is looking really nice with that wood railing. That top rail is nice and wide to set things on but make sure you have something soft down below for the things that accidentally get knocked off.

Thanks Norton and happy new year. We will be using True. What I intend is for bedroom 1 on level 1 to have the True Gold package including wifi, bedroom 2 on level 1 to have the Thai free-to-air cr*p channels and the living room on level 2 to have Gold channels. I'm also thinking that a wifi router is going to be needed on level 2 as I just can't see a wifi point in bedroom 1 will work for level 2. I really want strong wifi on level 2. Regards, -BiP

Originally Posted by Norton

Great progress. Regarding the 3 TV outlets, depending on your cable TV provider, you may not need fibre at all 3 points. I use True. Fibre comes only to one and coaxial cable goes to a small decoder box from True at each TV. Have wifi unit next to the TV point with fibre so fibre also feeds the wifi unit.