Constuction Methods

**Issan Man** · 09-08-2010, 02:43 AM

next year when we go back to Thailand we are planning to build a small 1-2 bedroom place for the inlaws .Having been a Bricklayer here in the UK for all of my working life, I want to be able to put my skills to good use.

After looking at most if not all of the threads with regard to the construstion of memebers house, i notice that in Thailand all of the foundation work is done in the same way i.e with a reinforced concrete frame work, infilled with masonary.

My question is, would it be okay for me to build a property employing the same methods of construction I would use here in the UK, that being a strip or trench fill foundation depending on the condition of the ground. Then bring the building up to DPC in concrete block work,and the on up to plate level in Q-con blockwork.

The proposed building will only be single story.

**Fondles** · 09-08-2010, 04:02 AM

Originally Posted by Issan Man

My question is, would it be okay for me to build a property

Sure, just make sure your work permit is in order.

**Issan Man** · 09-08-2010, 04:34 AM

do you need a work permit if you are working on your own place then

**Top Cat** · 09-08-2010, 05:57 AM

Being an ex-brickie myself I have always thought that strip founds and cavity blockwork would be a good alternative to a concrete frame with single skin infilled panels. To me the concrete structural framework is way over the top.

However I don't reside in Issan and have built nowt in Thailand, so cant offer any real practical advice.

If I was doing the same job I would, initially, have soil samples taken from the site and analysed by an Engineer to assess their loadbearing capabilities to ascertain required foundation depth etc. Actually I would do the same thing in the UK.

Doubt if you are legally entitled to wield the Marshaltown but maybe you could pull some bullshit and be classified as a "teacher" of sorts. Specialising in "spreading/buttering, mortar/muck/compo/darbo/mud and the laying of manmade artefacts".

They would probably think your David Attenborough.

Would love to see you do it and pull it off. Lots of photos though please.

**Issan Man** · 09-08-2010, 06:30 AM

Cheers Topcat, yes had thought about soil samples, but have a pretty good idea thought the ground would bear a single storey buildings, as when we dug the lake was able to see that at about 3 foot down soil turns into a good hard clay/shingle and at 6 foot is solid clay.

And really like the idea about classing myself as some sort of teacher, maybe i could say that i had been trained in the ancient art of Rubble stacking, I suppose though in Thailand you would have to call it Lubble Stacking

**splitlid** · 09-08-2010, 06:41 AM

clay is highly reactive and strip footings are not the best for this type of soil, i believe.

**S Landreth** · 09-08-2010, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by Issan Man

when we dug the lake

About that lake,…..have any pictures with water in it yet? It would be nice to see how it worked out.

**Issan Man** · 09-08-2010, 06:47 AM

yes i will put some pics of the lake in all it's splendor asap

Cheers

**Issan Man** · 09-08-2010, 06:49 AM

Originally Posted by splitlid

clay is highly reactive and strip footings are not the best for this type of soil, i believe

how about Trench fill?

**splitlid** · 09-08-2010, 07:08 AM

i would get a geotech report and let them tell you what you can use.they would be the guys to help.

http://www.sts.co.th/survey/index.htm

**S Landreth** · 09-08-2010, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by Issan Man

yes i will put some pics of the lake in all it's splendor asap

Cheers

That's good news, but you might want to consider posting the pictures on the lake thread so we (and anyone who visits your lake thread) can see the end result.

**Simon43** · 09-08-2010, 07:58 PM

I'm sure that you can instruct your Issan workmen to construct it UK-style with a trench foundation.

But at the end of the day, they will all smile at you, ignore you, and build it their way

Simon

**dirtydog** · 09-08-2010, 08:16 PM

It's not even worth the hassle trying to get the plans drawn up like that let alone getting planning permission for it.

**BarnacleBill** · 09-08-2010, 08:58 PM

If you can get ANY Thai builder to go along with ANY of your plans, you're a better man than most of us! I forget the number of plans I've drawn up - like Simon says - they all smiled, and did it there way!

**BarnacleBill** · 09-08-2010, 09:02 PM

I suspect that Subsidence is the real problem in Thailand and accounts for the general use of concrete bases. Take a stroll around any of the "new estates" and see how nearly all the structures are taking on a list! If these footing had been strip footings I imagine it would be disastrous!

**Issan Man** · 10-08-2010, 01:30 AM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

It's not even worth the hassle trying to get the plans drawn up like that let alone getting planning permission for it.

Thanks DD thats the sort of answer I wanted, a practicle one. I did have my suspisions that planning might be an issue. I think it will be difficult for me to stand back and just watch other people doing what i have spent my whole working life at, but i am sure that at some time i will be able to get my marshalltown out

**LocalYokul** · 10-08-2010, 02:34 PM

the law says ANY work done in LOS requires a W/P

**Simon43** · 10-08-2010, 06:59 PM

When I built my resort in Phuket around 2005, I had plans drawn up in Thai and sat with the Issan builders (who were family members of my ex).

They all agreed with the plans, nodding furiously and then started work. Very rapidly, I realised that they were not following the plans.

Ah, I thought, it's like Thai women who can't read maps. These builders can't read plans. Yep, that was the problem.

So I carefully wrote down instructions in Thai, explaining the room layout and dimensions that they had to follow.

Still they were screwing it all up. 'I thought your family were builders' I asked the ex.

'Yes they are' was her reply. 'But they can't read and write...'

So never make any assumptions about Thai builders

Simon

**dirtydog** · 10-08-2010, 07:06 PM

Easiest test for Thai builders is to hand them the English plans upside down, you got a 50 50 chance of them realising the plans are upside down, cuts down on your choice of builders quite quickly though.

**ted** · 12-08-2010, 02:01 PM

You could dig your own set piles,then do the trench work or infill,but it gets so wet I'd go for a concrete base,thicken the edges up to take the weight

**Tubtaywun** · 18-08-2010, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by Fondles

Originally Posted by Issan Man

My question is, would it be okay for me to build a property

Sure, just make sure your work permit is in order.

What about upkeep of your own property...a lick of paint or wood preserve...Still need a work permit?

**Thaigerwan** · 05-09-2010, 05:10 PM

I guess I may be in the mire then cos I have done loads of work( small jobs) like refittinf hinges,locks,bolts, windows,doors,elecrical work,
that was done by builders origianally.
From what I can gather the term "Builder" means the same as "My Sister/Aunt/Uncle" who are related in some form or other very slighly or have been friends for a long time.
Hence "Builder" may mean Uncle's mates sister bloke that worked on a site in Udon 20 years ago for 2 weeks...(This will be the Foreman)
I have seen some horrific work done by these "Builders" but to be fair I have seen some excellent work from some guys who are obvious Pro's

**DrAndy** · 05-09-2010, 07:16 PM

true, Tg

just be careful who you use, and never relatives

**tsicar** · 06-09-2010, 02:17 AM

Originally Posted by DrAndy

true, Tg

just be careful who you use, and never relatives

agreed.
if you want the job done properly, NEVER use anybody who is related to a thai.

**VocalNeal** · 06-09-2010, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by ted

You could dig your own set piles,then do the trench work or infill,but it gets so wet I'd go for a concrete base,thicken the edges up to take the weight

Why not let them do it their way except get the supports twice as thick then you have room for a cavity wall. Haasip/haasip

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