Renovation

[buad hai]

Is this house worth more now than when they started?

Only if you like pink....

I suppose so, but I question the wisdom of spending so much in a marginal neighborhood. However, this is an older moo baan in a very good location, so maybe the investment in the renovation will pay off.

[buad hai]

Well, today is the big day for the Tamboon Baan (merit-making for the new house).


The front yard is newly paved, the gilt lions are in place, the new gate is open for visitors and the stage is ready!


The caterers took over another neighbor's driveway.


Seven monks came to chant to join the one who stayed overnight.


Not much parking space left in the moo baan this morning.


The tables are all set.




The monk who stayed overnight does some Pali scripture over the front door.


He also passed out some sort of paper money(?) and string.

[buad hai]

This is where the monks sat to chant. Note the nice curtains.


The indoor shrine.


Spirit houses


I didn't see who pasted this money above the car port entrance.


Poo Yai table.


What's he doing there drinking whiskey at 9 AM?

And now, for the entertainment!

[Thetyim]

^ ah, now those curtains are much nicer

[buad hai]

[buad hai]

[Thetyim]

^ Oh yes.
I re-grouted the downstairs bathroom least week
Can I have a Tamboon ?

[buad hai]

Can I have a Tamboon ?

Depends on how you feel about pink.

I think the pink in that photo above is the first place where its use is appropriate....

[Marmite the Dog]

I always thought these ceremonies were a crock of shit, but they're beginning to look quite appealing for some reason.

[Spin]

Tamboon Baan (merit-making for the new house).

But its a second hand house!

Can I have a Tamboon ?

I reckon so, I'm having one for my condo, BH, get the number of those dancers

[buad hai]

BH, get the number of those dancers

Good idea. I find I was quite entranced by the effect of the hot pink hot pants with the black knickers peaking out over the top.

Keep in mind, though, that this was a solemn Buddhist ceremony.

[Spin]

^ hehehe. Bet you wish you were this guy

[buad hai]

^Yeah. My crappy little Canon can't get nearly close enough. I want to know the brand of those knickers and I want it now.

[Spin]

I want to know the brand of those knickers and I want it now.

not interested in the brand, but i wouldnt mind a quick sniff

[buad hai]

Of course, the Tamboon Baan must be held on an auspicious day. Unfortunately, the 14th was one of the last auspicious days before "The Rains" (Khao Phansa) the three month period during which you cannot do stuff like a Tamboon Baan. So, our neighbor was in a big hurry to get enough of the renovation done to hold the Tamboon Baan as scheduled. The last day there was a flurry of activity, including painting the wall between our house and his. Here's the result:



Paint all over our orchids, the orchid boxes and dripping down the wall on our side. They even managed to paint palm fronds.

Hooray for being in a mad rush to mollify superstition.

[a. boozer]

And of course, if you should say anything, the stock reply will be, 'mai bpen rai'.

[jizzybloke]

I really thought those pink curtains were too obvious, expected a tasteful lime green!

[WhiteLotusLane]

Your side needed paint anyway. >

[a. boozer]

Your side needed paint anyway. >

Buad Hai,
Suppose, that if you were to paint your side a tasteful shade of pink, in would blend in well!

[buad hai]

Suppose, that if you were to paint your side a tasteful shade of pink, in would blend in well!

And let it drip to the other side a bit? Great idea....

[buad hai]

Two houses now up for sale on this soi. Both un-renovated. They are on 50 square wa plots of land. Two and a half bedrooms, two bathrooms, small living room. Asking price is 800K for each.

Three hundred meters from here you can get a brand new, three bedroom house on a similarly sized log (pictured somewhere in this thread) for 900K.

Why buy an old fixer-upper for 800K when you can get a brand new nice one for just a hundred K more?

[buad hai]

I previously reported that my neighbor said that he wanted his newly renovated house to look "like a hotel lobby".

I now realize that I didn't understand correctly. After several weeks of observation I now realize that he really wants his house to look "like a hotel laundry". [Thanks to Ms. B for assisting with the clarification.]

I regret the error and apologize for it.