A hillbilly shack in the jungle...

[hillbilly]

All the villagers call him 'superman'. You can see why, not bad for a 51 year old Thai guy.


Just about done. 'superman' is also known for charging alot. Well worth the B1,000 I gave him. The wife thought it was way to high of a price. I told her next time climb up the damn tree yourself.

[hillbilly]

Now let's see what the landscapers have brought us.


And even more palms...

[Sanuk Canuk]

1,000 Baht wow! A neighbor of my folks just had a similar job done on a much smaller tree (albeit by a power line). It cost them about $3,000 can or ~ 100,000 baht.

[Eliminator]

All the villagers call him 'superman'. You can see why, not bad for a 51 year old Thai guy.


Just about done. 'superman' is also known for charging alot. Well worth the B1,000 I gave him. The wife thought it was way to high of a price. I told her next time climb up the damn tree yourself.

Sorry I can't give you green again but I agree with you, "tell her to climb". I would have given him 2000 baht TIP and been very happy. I also wouldn't have waited though an chopped the bloody thing "BEFORE" the construction. You would be looking at hundreds of dollars anywhere else.

[Propagator]

Did he use an axe all the time for the felling of the tree? Can't see any sign of a bow saw which I would have thought to be easier.

[hillbilly]

^ He didn't use anything other than the axe you can see in a few of the photos!

[hillbilly]

Some of the smaller trees are now being placed in the ground.


Now can you see what this old man is building? Not bad for B200 per piece. Hopefully, our visitors will place trash in these and not on the ground.

[hillbilly]

Now if we go back to the very end of hillbilly's resort you can see the septic tank for the bathroom. Since the shower will probably not be used very much, the water will just drain out onto the ground.


Can you see the Thai old-style bathroom from this view?

[hillbilly]

Here you can see some of the larger trees and bushes now in place. I have no idea who the little kid is. Seems like there is always one running around somewhere.


We have spent alot of baht and too much time on this house! So what does the wife do? Tries to turn it into a hillbilly shack with the laundry!

[hillbilly]

Eventually, the sun goes down.





And what does a hillbilly do to relax in the middle of the jungle?

[buadhai]

Too damn good. Well done. Well done.

And, it looks lovely, even with the laundry....

[Marmite the Dog]

Superb stuff, HB. GoW's already got the car loaded up; when can we come a'visiting?

[klongmaster]

Great ending to a great story...you could have just posted the pics but then we would have felt cheated over our TD subscription(!)...

really though...the commentary has been most enjoyable...a thread well done..

[Dean]

Having come back to the U.S. with a house in progress since the end of May (and probably not done until January), I can understand your feelings of accomplishment and frustrations. I'm spending only my money on my house, so I don't have to make any compromises on design. However, I speak little Thai and while my business partner, who is Thai and speaks decent English, translates for me to the contractor or worker, things sometime get lost in translation. Like when I said I wanted a urinal in the bathroom. I got one in all three bathrooms. My project stated out at 2-2,200,000 bath (excluding land) and now is up to 3.2 million baht (excluding the wall around the land and the carport/garage that I added later). It probably would have been fairly close to cost if I had understood how much teak wood cost. I am using teak taken from older houses or from small family lumber yards and all of it is used and then planed. They are just finishing up the teak ceilings on the second floor (the first floor shows the teak beams and supports that are exposed), so I don't think that I'll have to buy any more and can stay within a budget for the rest of the project. I'll spend 1,600,000 baht so far on teak. If I knew then what I know now about the cost, I would have stuck with concrete. But the house is the nicest wood house that I've ever seen. I just hope that I'll have some money left when its done and enjoy it. Pictures to come in February-March. Thanks, Hillbilly!

[hillbilly]

I really appreciate all of the comments and suggestions. But this thread ain't over yet. Now we have to put the cherry on the top.

Dean, we would love to see some photos!

As I had said earlier the budget for the landscaping was around B150,000. Let's add anothe B50,000 and I think we will be there. Here are a few photos of the recent progress. Will get an update this weekend.

Here is a view from my front porch. One big problem that I see now. I forget to have undergrounding wire laid for lights along the walkway.



A closer look. The plan is to have the monks come this weekend so we can finish installing the spirit house.

[friscofrankie]

WOW! Absolutely beautiful place you got there HB.
Great man, just great.
Good to see someone gettng it so right.

[hillbilly]

Even more dirt is being brought in. Actually another 12 loads.


With all of the dirt, the tractor guy has been brought back in. Wonder what is going on? Tee off, is still the key word...

[buadhai]

But this thread ain't over yet.

I think you fooled us with the night time fade out and the Beverly Hillbillies screen shot....

Keep on.

[hillbilly]

This is what the Thai traditional bathroom is going to look like on the inside.

Well almost, a light coat of protective covering will go over the walls and the floor. Plus a coat of paint for the rest of the walls.Notice, that skeeters are allowed.


The foremost front yard is coming along nicely. BTW, with all this 'massive' yard we also purchased a Honda lawnmower. Details later this weekend. I insisted on a grass catcher attachment. What is the old saying about men and their toys?

[meepho]

this is one of the best and well documented posts i've had the pleasure to read from start to finish. i'm sure the home will be well worth the odd setback or two.
congratulations.

one question for you hillbilly

i've been building our house for a while now and the gardens around our little piece of heaven do not have the nice greenery that you are trying to achieve on your grand estate, i've been told its to do with too much salt in the earth ,and the water supply??
what is the cost for good top soil, and how deep a layer to put on the build up soil we have laid [ a very hard composition ] if you don't mind me asking,
we are building in the korat area.

[hillbilly]

one question for you hillbilly

i've been building our house for a while now and the gardens around our little piece of heaven do not have the nice greenery that you are trying to achieve on your grand estate, i've been told its to do with too much salt in the earth ,and the water supply??
what is the cost for good top soil, and how deep a layer to put on the build up soil we have laid [ a very hard composition ] if you don't mind me asking,
we are building in the korat area.

Here at TeakDoor we do not believe in BSing or being the expert in everything Thai. So my answer is I do not know!

However, I am certain someone will be around shortly to answer your question. BTW, we buy good topsoil for B380 per truck. In your area I have no idea...

"Kolat" guys. Help me out!

[buadhai]

what is the cost for good top soil, and how deep a layer to put on the build up soil we have laid

A bit OT here, but....

I live in a very inexpensive moo baan about 10 K west of Korat. This is typical low lying land that used to be rice fields. The builder here put a layer of really crappy fill down before building. When I dig a hole I come up with big rocks, broken roof tiles, hunks of concrete, etc. That said, I've still been able to come up with pretty good "green" results:

The Garden

I haven't noticed any problems that I would relate to salinity; either in the soil or in the water. But, things may be totally different where you are.

The price HB gave for a load of topsoil is about the same as a quote Ms. B got for a piece of land she owns in Korat.

But, unless you really need the additional height, I'd make sure the problem is really being caused by the soil and will be solved by adding more.

[hillbilly]

Going around the bend...


About 70% done with the front yard. Wait till you see what hillbilly has in store for the rest of the estate...


Here is a hint...


Don't forget to swing towards the river!

[buadhai]

Q's:

What do the neighbors (are there any) think of the estate?

Who designed the landscaping?

[hillbilly]

Q's:

What do the neighbors (are there any) think of the estate?

Who designed the landscaping?

The few people that live around our house are my wife's family and lifelong friends. While at first reluctant about our site, they now seem to be rather proud of the 'baan falang'. Only time will tell.

The landscaping? A combination of the landscape boss (mobile 08-693-33397) and me. He won most arguments...

Well worth the money!