The construction of Ms. Buad hai's house

[sledge]

[buad hai]

We heard yesterday that the underground power lines have not been installed because the Provincial Electrical Authority has a rule which says that underground power mains can be installed only in a development with 200 or more houses. There will never be 200 houses in this subdivision. We also heard that the builder may put in temporary power lines "until the situation gets sorted out" (read: "until sufficient tea money is collected and paid up").

[Thetyim]

^ are we supposed to believe that the developer didn't know this ?
He is either incompetent or a liar.

Does your contract state that you will get underground power lines ?

[buad hai]

^ are we supposed to believe that the developer didn't know this ?
He is either incompetent or a liar.

Based on observation and experience to date I'd have to agree on both counts.

I honestly think that they just didn't bother to check in advance. They seem to have selected a subcontractor, bought the materials, and heavily advertised the feature all without finding out in advance what the rules were.

Does your contract state that you will get underground power lines ?

Yes.

[WhiteLotusLane]

The main issue seems to be with a backward policy by the electricity company. Good luck getting that turned around..

Oh well, [everyone, say with me.. 1.. 2... 3...:] This is Thailand..!!!

Seriously though, a compound is basically a private property isn't it.. At my company we have underground power lines between the buildings; it's our land, we can stick anything in the ground we want.

[Thetyim]

Yes.

Well no more payments until you get what you signed up for then.

[WhiteLotusLane]

Then again, perhaps Thais just love to look at nice modern cabling.

[Thetyim]

At my company we have underground power lines between the buildings; it's our land, we can stick anything in the ground we want.

Those cables are after the meter and your responsibility.
This is pre-meter and the responsibility of the Leccy company.

[buad hai]

Seriously though, a compound is basically a private property isn't it.. At my company we have underground power lines between the buildings; it's our land, we can stick anything in the ground we want.

Which may just mean that they're lying about this as well....

Well no more payments until you get what you signed up for then.

We haven't made a payment since January.

[buad hai]

This is pre-meter and the responsibility of the Leccy company.

Yep, I think you're right.

Why would the PEA care where the lines are if the developer is paying and doing the work? The 200 house limit doesn't make much sense to me.

[klongmaster]

why is this?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index....=post&id=24632

Thaivisa: Sorry, but you do not have permission to use this feature.

[dirtydog]

That was cos of mad dog nicking all there pictures and making up stories about them.

[William]

This is pre-meter and the responsibility of the Leccy company.

Yep, I think you're right.

Why would the PEA care where the lines are if the developer is paying and doing the work? The 200 house limit doesn't make much sense to me.

A 200 house project would likely need an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment). Anything less would likely not. That said, I always thought the EIA requirement was based on number of Rai of the development and not units constructed.

[lom]

Those cables are after the meter and your responsibility. This is pre-meter and the responsibility of the Leccy company.

Exactly, and electric company usually demands that the meter is placed so it is no doubt to which house it belongs.

Furthermore, a cement pole based cable feed can easily be extended to a nearby area while an underground feed is a closed system.

[buad hai]

Exactly, and electric company usually demands that the meter is placed so it is no doubt to which house it belongs.

I understand that the meters are to be installed on the perimeter wall. It looks like there is conduit in place to accomplish this.

Furthermore, a cement pole based cable feed can easily be extended to a nearby area while an underground feed is a closed system.

This makes sense. In this case, though, the moo baan has elevated power mains on the roads that run on either side of it. So, running power to other areas wouldn't involve extending lines from within the moo baan.

[DrAndy]

I suppose the number of houses is important because of the high cost of putting the lines underground. if you have enough houses, then that investment is worthwhile

[ceburat]

A/C I just updated myself by reading the rest of this thread. Your house is looking good.

I have one question. Air turbins are great and so are attic fans for cooling down the house. Has any of the builders in your sub-division installed or mentioned attic fans? Have you seen any in the Khorat area?

Sorry, that was two questions.

[buad hai]

I have not seen any attic fans or turbine fans installed yet. But, only a few houses are at that stage. Have a look at this thread over on Korat Farang:

Roof Insulation. The guy "Dutch" mentions that he has attic fans but offers no other detail. He's a very helpful guy so you might write and ask.

Update on my house: Still no word on the underground power cables. So, the house is done, but we still can't occupy. Very frustrating.

Any suggestions?

[klongmaster]

So, the house is done, but we still can't occupy. Very frustrating. Any suggestions?

only that you need to be there every day BH to keep the squatters out!..

you are more patient that I would be...once the house is finished you really want to move in...sorry but I have no suggestions as to how you can get them to speed the process up...I'm only empathising with you...



.

[buad hai]

only that you need to be there every day BH to keep the squatters out!..

We have a key now and I'm there twice a day to water the garden, mist the orchids and keep the place clean.

In fact, I'm on my way now...

[Marmite the Dog]

Any suggestions?

Get a long extension cable.

Get a generator.

[buad hai]

^Don't think I haven't though seriously about this.

After a huge typhoon hit Saipan I lived quite nicely for six months on a small generator while they repaired the power distribution system.

[Thetyim]

[ChiangMai noon]

After a huge typhoon hit Saipan I lived quite nicely for six months on a small generator while they repaired the power distribution system.

Did you have any sort of penalty clause written into your contract?
I think mine was 1000 baht a day for late completion.

They moved us in way before anyone else in the village and gave us a temporary water and electric supply, even a private security guard.
I loved it back in those days.
The only people in the village for 3 months.

Used to entertain myself by looking at the bathroom designs in all the other houses.
I wish I'd taken pics, some of them were priceless.

[buad hai]

Did you have any sort of penalty clause written into your contract?

Nope. Turns out to have been a major f*ck up on my part.

One of the other buyers told us that the developer is thinking of putting in "temporary" power for the houses that are done. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'd like to move in, but I'm loathe to make any more payment until the house is completed as advertised and as agreed to.