Thread: Building our Retirement Home in Nan Province

The floor tilers are now on level 1 and starting with the dining room.

Bathroom 2 is the first to have floor tiles.




Ever been having a shower and needed to wash your feet but difficult to reach and/or balance when there is nowhere to rest them on? My solution is a small hob in the bathroom 1 shower, just for the wife and I. Folks in bathrooms 2-4 can make their own arrangements.

The cement rendering 'fine detail guy' from the original build team has done a great job finishing up the stairs and surrounds.

And last photos for today some extra external shots. We're now sourcing the best deal for a stainless steel 2,000 litre water tank and purchasing that (and possibly self delivering it) is our weekend chore. Next site visit will be Monday or Tuesday.

BiP
Not my fault that you chose to poke the sleeping bear!

Anyway I just thought I would add that when you initially posted the tiles you have on your shower walls I was not all that impressed (but who gives a toss what I think) but now with the floor tiles in and the contrasting black concrete walls it has all come together very nicely.





Did you realise the effect the sun shining through the window would have in this photo below.
I had to look at it several times to be able to see that the ledge on the dividing shower wall is in fact horizontal.


Although your stated aim was to keep the build simple and straight forward for the Thai builders I think you have ended up with a very nice place and you and Mrs BiP should be very happy.

Cheers

Kind words ootai, thank you. I actually pay quite a bit of attention to what folks say in the thread although being a shy introvert I don't always acknowledge. I don't always agree or comment, but am swayed from time to time.

I'm really hoping the decorative cement finish in the bathrooms does come up when waxed. We are liking what we're seeing to date but would be a little disappointed if it stayed the way it is. We are hoping the waxing makes is darker, slightly translucent and gives a depth to the finish. The selection of the tiles you've seen to date was pretty quick and if they work, a miracle. To be honest we'd roamed tile shops and departments endlessly and decided on a selection. But we decided to purchase at a branch closer to Pua. On the purchase day we rocked up to find none of the tiles we wanted were there. But there was a range of tiles that were close so we went with them. If it all comes together then high fives and I'll personally acknowledge it was amateur luck. We purchased from Dynasty Tiles, something I might not do again and wouldn't recommend. Too many broken tiles straight out of the box and quality/consistently issues with both the main floor and bathroom wall tiles. We knew we were not purchasing first quality tiles and the price reflects that, but were expecting a slightly better quality than we got. The covered deck/external steps tiles seem to be okay. The large counter top tiles come from Global, no pics of those posted yet, probably towards the end of next week.

No, wasn't aware of the sunlight impact on the photo. I'm largely a point and click guy. It's hard enough to remember to take in landscape mode because I haven't mastered how to stop portrait mode photos rotating 90 degrees when posted on the site. I take some solace that a few others are in the same boat.

Regards, BiP

Originally Posted by ootai

BiP
Not my fault that you chose to poke the sleeping bear!

Anyway I just thought I would add that when you initially posted the tiles you have on your shower walls I was not all that impressed (but who gives a toss what I think) but now with the floor tiles in and the contrasting black concrete walls it has all come together very nicely.

Did you realise the effect the sun shining through the window would have in this photo below.
I had to look at it several times to be able to see that the ledge on the dividing shower wall is in fact horizontal.


Although your stated aim was to keep the build simple and straight forward for the Thai builders I think you have ended up with a very nice place and you and Mrs BiP should be very happy.

Cheers

Originally Posted by BoganInParasite

We stayed in Lamphun overnight then decided to drive back to Nan via the Chiang Rai road, then Phayao. Had lunch in Phayao in a Thai restaurant overlooking the lake and mountains. Saw some really nice mountain scenery yesterday and a ton of winding corners.

Great part of Thailand, ive been through this area many times on bikes or in the car, The CM to CR road is Highway 118, you would of turned right onto the 120 at Mae Khachan , then followed Highway 120 through Wang Nuea (My partners parents live here) then through the mountains (there is a nice waterfall called Tan Tong waterfall here) halfway up one of the mountains, then onto the lookout where they have the dinosaurs on the side of the road (they now have a coffee shop at the lookout - opened a few years ago - Rajamangalaphisek Rest Area) and then down the mountain to Highway 1 where you would of turned left to head to Phayao, there is some nice scenery around Phayao.


Im enjoying your build thread BiP and it wont be long before you are calling it home, ill be up you're way end of Jan or early Feb, let me know if you are keen for a beer

Hi Rivo, spot on the route. That part of 118 that goes over the mountains is a bit tedious, must be 20-30 kilometers of road works. It was wet so mercifully no dust but the mighty white Hilux was looking less pristine afterwards. (The wife spent a couple of hours washing it today. I'm doing the mats and inside tomorrow morning.) We stopped for coffee before switching to the 120, a route we'd never done before. Really enjoyed the first climb then descending into the Wang River valley. The Hilux was in full hill climbing mode when we came across that waterfall but got a glimpse of it as we went past. I offered to stop but as there were a ton of cars parked on the road I suspect the car park was full. We did stop at the dinosaur lookout; what a great view to the north and around to east/south east. The picture below for those that don't know is Phayao Lake with Phayao on the far shore. We didn't take any photos of the dinosaurs, I've been in Thailand long enough over the years to be immune to photographing large Buddha, revered monks and dinosaurs statues. (Honestly, is there a province north or east of Bangkok that doesn't have a roadside dinosaur display.)

Please do PM me when your Jan/Feb trip firms up. I've given up beer for a bit but I'm sure we can find a way to relax and enjoy a chat. Regards, -BiP

Originally Posted by Rivo

Great part of Thailand, ive been through this area many times on bikes or in the car, The CM to CR road is Highway 118, you would of turned right onto the 120 at Mae Khachan , then followed Highway 120 through Wang Nuea (My partners parents live here) then through the mountains (there is a nice waterfall called Tan Tong waterfall here) halfway up one of the mountains, then onto the lookout where they have the dinosaurs on the side of the road (they now have a coffee shop at the lookout - opened a few years ago - Rajamangalaphisek Rest Area) and then down the mountain to Highway 1 where you would of turned left to head to Phayao, there is some nice scenery around Phayao.


Im enjoying your build thread BiP and it wont be long before you are calling it home, ill be up you're way end of Jan or early Feb, let me know if you are keen for a beer

While in Phrae last Wednesday we purchased this water filter and two additional cartridges. They had to do an expedited order, we will collect them next Wednesday. We have a good strong supply of clean village water that is sourced from the Yo River not long after it exits the national park. However I'm concerned that during the wet season there may be cloudy water if not some sediment delivered. The sediment can settle in the water tank and so to can some of the cloudiness, the filter is to reduce the cloudiness. We don't intend to drink this water so I steered clear of the two/three physical filter systems with UV light treatment.

And this is the water tank to store and let the village water settle before entering the house. Intend to position it, the filter and pump so that I can add another tank one day if it is needed. Want to be able to connect the two tanks so they act as a single 4,000 litre storage.

BIP, what do you expect from the stainless steel material to be better (once placing it with the top up ) than from a plastic one?

When I have bought my 2 plastics each 1.500 L they give a guarantee 15 years, I have asked them for a discount with a lower guarantee time frame, in my age I do not expect to live so long - they laugh only.

Anyway, the plastic is easy to handle when needed to flush it out, it can be turned over once the dirt does not go easily out from the emptying outlet - not really in the lowest position. However, you will not use it for a rain water (like myself), then perhaps not collecting such dirt.

Then, when you will have quite a good filtering equipment, why not to use it for drinking?

Originally Posted by BoganInParasite

And this is the water tank to store and let the village water settle before entering the house. Intend to position it, the filter and pump so that I can add another tank one day if it is needed. Want to be able to connect the two tanks so they act as a single 4,000 litre storage.

I had a bad experience with this type of «stainless» tanks. They tend to rust. We had to replace such a tank after only 7 years. I think, that the thick plastic tanks (not the blue ones) are better.

Yeah we have one of the plastic ones. We also found that the filter BIP has was not up to the job at our place, but it sounds like his source water is much better than ours.

Originally Posted by cyrille

Yeah we have one of the plastic ones. We also found that the filter BIP has was not up to the job at our place, but it sounds like his source water is much better than ours.

How are you getting on with that plastic one, Cyrille?

We will have to think about tankage soon - metal or plastic. I was looking t the large plastic ones, but those stainless ones look ok too. any pros and cons with them.

i.e. what made you go for the plastic option!?

thanks...

Hi Klondyke, stainless steel has a stand to keep it off the ground and I was keen on that. Apart from that I'd pretty much considered the two options to be equivalent in looks and storage suitability whether it be for general household use and/or drinking. And of course most if not all of the plastic models are cheaper than stainless steel equivalents. In the end this morning we made a switch to a taller and thinner 1,600 litre tank. Thanks for the head-ups on periodic cleaning though. I checked to see if there was a bottom drainage outlet and there was. May well have switched to the lighter plastic if there hadn't been.

In regards to drinking the water the first factor for me is that I am ultra careful and conservative on what I eat and drink from a hygiene perspective. I'd be happy to drink it and rainwater provided it goes through a two/three physical filter and UV light treatment. Indeed I looked for quite a while at such systems in Global House and HomePro. A modest investment will provide what looks like a pretty effective and reliable system. But contrasting that I'm only paying 36 baht a week for filtered drinking/kitchen prep water delivered in plastic bottles to my front foyer. It is filtered down to an impressive level and the same company that delivers to me in Nan also already delivers to the build team at the house site. Ultimately what may well determine what I do in the medium term is the current slight hassle of carting the bottles into the house, decanting them into the dispenser and asking the wife to place the weekly order may begin to annoy. Now that I've reached a respectable age I may well decide I'd just like to turn the kitchen tap on. Picture below is what we delivered to site today.

Originally Posted by Klondyke

BIP, what do you expect from the stainless steel material to be better (once placing it with the top up ) than from a plastic one?

When I have bought my 2 plastics each 1.500 L they give a guarantee 15 years, I have asked them for a discount with a lower guarantee time frame, in my age I do not expect to live so long - they laugh only.

Anyway, the plastic is easy to handle when needed to flush it out, it can be turned over once the dirt does not go easily out from the emptying outlet - not really in the lowest position. However, you will not use it for a rain water (like myself), then perhaps not collecting such dirt.

Then, when you will have quite a good filtering equipment, why not to use it for drinking?

We are using also a tesabaan water, having a sophisticated filter connected, that however, hasn't been checked for quite a long time. Anyway, I was thinking about to have the water analysed and compared with the available plastic bottles suppliers, sometimes buying also and/or getting free at the gas pump. There have been analysis of various water brands checked and publicised in newspapers (also in Europe), not always a good reading.

Wondering how in Thailand it's reliable.

On the other hand, there are studies prooving that an overly fear of bacterias around us reduces our natural defence...

Originally Posted by Klondyke

they give a guarantee 15 years, I have asked them for a discount with a lower guarantee time frame, in my age I do not expect to live so long - they laugh only.

Here is one of my numerous tanks (plastic and concrete ones), this one for rainwater, easy to move and install (and turn upside down as well), 4 years into a guarantee, another 11 to live on....

Site Visit 17 December 2018

First off today we went to Global House and purchased a 1,600 litre stainless steel water tank for the village water supply. The guys there loaded it on the Hilux and tied it down. (Some impressive knot work in the tie-down.) Then a slower drive than usual to Pua. On the way stopped to buy some extra grouting from the tile supplier at Mart our builders request. Got some bakery and headed out to site. Unloaded the tank and distributed the bakery items and grout, then started the walk-around.

Had Mart, the supervisor, the general duties gent, four floor tilers and the bathroom decorative cement guy onsite. Big floor tile progress on level 1, probably at 80%+, suspect they will finish it and the covered deck on level 1 in the next day or so. That will trigger another 10% payment to Mart. Because of the floor tiling we couldn't get into bathrooms 1 or 2. Upstairs on level 2 we could see most of the fine detail painting outside was complete. The covered deck had been grouted and bathrooms 3 and 4 were in the process of getting the decorative cement rendering applied. Floor tiles now in the level 2 bathrooms as well.

Mart, the supervisor, my wife and I then had another long discussion and walk-around on concrete aprons around the house and the small retaining wall I want in the north west corner. I had a different opinion to the others on the levels of the concrete aprons/paths for the western and northern walls. I was happy for them to follow the lay of the ground which meant they would fall to a low point on the north west corner of the house, maybe a 35cm fall over 10m on the western wall and 13m on the northern wall. The others were adamant a better solution was for everything to be at the same level. I compromised and agreed but as I pointed out to the wife on the drive home, more fill is going to be required. And it will likely create a greater height difference between the edge of the western apron and the boundary only 80cm away. Felt quite annoyed as I drove back to Nan.

On the retaining wall we couldn't find a solution where all of us were comfortable that all of the requirements and challenges had been addressed. So in the end we've agreed we'll spread the back-fill hillocks when the temporary toilet is removed and let the whole thing settle. I'll likely then proceed the way I want early in the new year.

Before leaving Pua we went to the PEA and placed an order for the electricity meter/house connection. The extension of the mains power up the hill 80 meters was done on Saturday. We were expecting the order to be processed immediately and to pay however he told my wife he needs to go to the house to determine how much power we need.