Buying & Refurbishing a House on the Darkside

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

@Petesie Your Samsung TV is an absolute cracker...can’t believe you got it for 69k Thb, these have really dropped in price. Outstanding value. I think this is the same/similar TV as Phil has in Le Pub.

Edited June 4, 2020 by LOTTELLEE WINNA

[Petesie]

42 minutes ago, LOTTELLEE WINNA said:

@Petesie Your Samsung TV is an absolute cracker...can’t believe you got it for 69k Thb, these have really dropped in price. Outstanding value. I think this is the same/similar TV as Phil has in Le Pub.

It has now dropped to 65k...

The prices are dictated by the suppliers, not the stockists. If they want to titivate the market & potential customer, move the old range etc then they tell the stores to discount the price. Technology is fantastic but are we ready for an 8k TV? Broadcasting hasn't caught up yet so 4k is more than enough. Future proofing is bullshit as it makes more sense to buy a 2019 model at a great discounted price which will serve you well for at least the next 5 years. Ye canna beat sitting on yer comfy couch, feet up with a large glass of Scotlands finest product watching your favourite show...or falling asleep & waking up to find Doris is watching the latest Thai  'Pee' movie on Netflix.

Tip: pretend you're still asleep, wait till she goes to the Hong Nam, as she gets back into the scary bits, suddenly sit up, arms outstretched, eyes rolled back in your head, moaning. Guaranteed to get you bombarded with cushions. "I hate you'...sharrup & get me another whisky. 

Soundbars, really important, can't recommend them enough. I've had good high end hi fi over the years, spent a fortune on Naim & Sonos Faber & the like...I was working in a Jet & Turboprop engine environment in the '90's so when I came home the last thing I wanted was more noise. Sold it all & I went the AV route. Had a brilliant set up, in my last year I moved location, couldn't be asked to unpack it so moved it on; Yamaha AV amps are the best around, period. They are leaps & bounds ahead of the game. They are also the leaders in Digital Sound Projection (DSP) in Soundbars. I used a YSP 2700 which was fantastic. Settled here & went for the top Samsung model which had great reviews, I'm well happy with it. It adds to & makes your viewing experience so much more worthwhile.

The guys at Powerbuy are good salesmen but the installation guys are really good & will hook everything up for you, get it all wired in, Bluetoothed, internet, hooked to your phone, the lot...for free.

The result...great personal satisfaction. You're here in the place you wanted to be with/without a teerak on a comfy couch with complete oversight over life's remote control. 

Edited June 4, 2020 by Petesie

[Jebb]

Yes, the installation guys from Powerbuy are cool. After they set me up I gave them a couple of beers and put on some porn for them. They were very appreciative.

[onehunglo]

10 minutes ago, Jebb said:

Yes, the installation guys from Powerbuy are cool. After they set me up I gave them a couple of beers and put on some porn for them. They were very appreciative.

that would be right 5555

[Petesie]

Update: 

Had the lads back in to replace all the electrical switches & sockets throughout the house. They were all aged, yellowing and looked out of place with the new look...same went for the switches & sockets. 

They also moved the external fishpond electrical points to a safer place. They did a grand job until I pointed out they were all upside down. Their gaffer gave them the look.

Total cost was 4k for the bits & 2k for labour.

Fishes...mistakes were made as I did not know what the fuck I was doing...like yer dad on Xmas day after he'd had a few throwing away the instruction leaflet & asking for a claw hammer.

I initially stocked the small pond with around 30 small Koi with the intention of moving them to the bigger unit when they grew. At 20b each it didn't seem a bad idea. I stocked the larger pond with around 40 7-8 inchers costing 80b each. This I did without checking the price of larger fish which I assumed would be outrageous.

I now had a fast moving pond with the numerous adolescent fish setting an olympic rate pace. I decided to buy a few big fuckers to lead the herd & slow it down, total of 1500b for 3. If I had known that I wouldn't have bothered with the rowdy teenagers. In saying that I wasn't bothered about starting a hobby & just went for the colours. Took a while to get Doris interested as previously fish were considered as food. Now she is delighted showing her friends & family how she hand feeds them.

I'm not sure if having fish of mixed ages in a pond works, they seem ok though. The wee 500 litre pond is mainly ornamental buggers now, they seem ok too, a wee bit better off than a crowded tank in a market.

Fish prices...shop around, it varies. Like everything else here the stock will mainly come from China. The local shops will be reasonable but some do try it on...as they do.

For the condo dwellers a wee Siamese fighter is a good wee pal, ye can set him up with a nice wee des res for less than 2k. It sure beats the dingy jam jar he had in his previous address.

[stickyfingers]

Excellent and informative OP and great to see you refurbished the house to a nice high standard and modern style. Must have costa packet but well done in shopping around as a buyers market for most things nowadays.

Great for the guys looking to do similar...some good tips and recommendations and you can get a lot more house for your baht than other beach side places up on the dark side there.

I’ve moved in the opposite direction...started with buying houses off plan on the dark side on Khao talo 17y ago....built kitchens, extensions and canopies and added furniture etc...all to rent out. Fully understand dealing with the local handymen/ tradesman..can test the most patient of us. Sold them yrs ago and got an old corner condo at Jomtien that have been refurbishing over the years. 
 

Jomtien suits me as not far from the beach, quieter and more laid back and away from the madness and noise of central Patts but only a 10bt bahtbus into it when I want to go there. Condo is in farang name and has great onsite facilities with a huge communal swimming pool. Just didn’t want the hassle of having a thai company formed and annual audit etc...in case the Thai govt move the goalposts etc...plus the traffic going to and from the dark side was a pain but not too bad if on a mbike.

Anyway great reporting and info and keep yer pecker up wee man in these trying times!!

 

 

 

 

 

[Petesie]

 

11 hours ago, stickyfingers said:

Anyway great reporting and info and keep yer pecker up wee man in these trying times!!

One of the things I held off on was laminate flooring...and I'm glad I did. I was chatting about it with an Irish bud and he gave a sharp intake of breath when I mentioned it.

I did price it up and it varied from astronomical to not too bad. The distinct lack of local knowledge additionally gave me cause to hesitate. The tiles retain a coolness, they also reflect the image of the layout of the rooms...brilliant when yer pissed.

Looking forward to visiting & reporting on the local hostelries. 

 

[stickyfingers]

A mate of mine tried laminate flooring ( as looks nice back in UK) on his town house there and spent a fortune on it. Wasn’t long before it started to warp and come up as the adhesive wasn’t good or strong enough to cope with the constant heat there. He eventually sold the house and the first thing the new Thai  owners did was rip up the laminate flooring to be replaced with nice big floor tiles!!  

[Petesie]

We were lucky in the fact that the tiles were a neutral colour and were done throughout the house. The outside tiling was a different matter.

It was horrendous, not only a shoddy job but a blight on the eye. Oddly enough the Thai's couldn't see it. It was a fight.

'Teerak no need' got on me tits. I ignored it and drove to Boontavorn & put my order in. The work fellas turned up & shook their collective heads, you want what?

Eventually as the tiles went down the Satang dropped and collective heads started nodding. Velly good! 

The neighbours who had so far kept quiet even nodded...

[Edge]

Sticking my head up to get it chopped off............

The pond looks a bit shallow for Koi (2 blocks?).
Only answer now would be to add blocks on.....no OK.
Temperature could get a bit high encouraging jumping (retained oxygen) increased aeration may help.
Carp pretty tolerant of nitrates but still might be worth a test kit because you've loaded the filtration system up rather quick.
Not in direct sunlight (?) but still may get an algae 'attack' due to high nitrates - may need to consider an ultra violet filter some time.
Herons can get brave in the early hours esp as the water is shallow....had to put an electric cable round once.....

Ok I'll shut up.

[Petesie]

I thought a bit shallow at first but looking around Thailand it seems to be the norm. Big pond 5m long, good filtration and aeration flow, UV lights in the bins, fountains and skimmer, if the teerak spots a heron she'll probably eat it. 

Edited June 22, 2020 by Petesie

[stickyfingers]

On 21/06/2020 at 11:20, Petesie said:

Update: 

Had the lads back in to replace all the electrical switches & sockets throughout the house. They were all aged, yellowing and looked out of place with the new look...same went for the switches & sockets. 

They also moved the external fishpond electrical points to a safer place. They did a grand job until I pointed out they were all upside down. Their gaffer gave them the look.

Total cost was 4k for the bits & 2k for labour.

Fishes...mistakes were made as I did not know what the fuck I was doing...like yer dad on Xmas day after he'd had a few throwing away the instruction leaflet & asking for a claw hammer.

I initially stocked the small pond with around 30 small Koi with the intention of moving them to the bigger unit when they grew. At 20b each it didn't seem a bad idea. I stocked the larger pond with around 40 7-8 inchers costing 80b each. This I did without checking the price of larger fish which I assumed would be outrageous.

I now had a fast moving pond with the numerous adolescent fish setting an olympic rate pace. I decided to buy a few big fuckers to lead the herd & slow it down, total of 1500b for 3. If I had known that I wouldn't have bothered with the rowdy teenagers. In saying that I wasn't bothered about starting a hobby & just went for the colours. Took a while to get Doris interested as previously fish were considered as food. Now she is delighted showing her friends & family how she hand feeds them.

I'm not sure if having fish of mixed ages in a pond works, they seem ok though. The wee 500 litre pond is mainly ornamental buggers now, they seem ok too, a wee bit better off than a crowded tank in a market.

Fish prices...shop around, it varies. Like everything else here the stock will mainly come from China. The local shops will be reasonable but some do try it on...as they do.

For the condo dwellers a wee Siamese fighter is a good wee pal, ye can set him up with a nice wee des res for less than 2k. It sure beats the dingy jam jar he had in his previous address.

A small ish tropical fish tank and Siamese fighters etc looks good for the condo once I settle down there. Any recommendations as to where to get the tank etc and the fish in Patts?? 
or is it WS in the wee hours telling the ggs/ LBs they’re all skanks ....be plenty Siamese fighters then....as I run away....

[insearchofxxx]

On 25/05/2020 at 19:36, Edge said:

I would guess not.....only a guess though never tried.

I think the first heater, having got temp to a reasonable level, albeit having slowed the flow rate way below power shower level, would cause the 'stat on the second to cut out.

The secret of a (hot) power/rain shower is flow rate (at the required temperature) and for that you need a dedicated pump.
I think the way instantaneous heaters work they would restrict the flow, thus defeating the pump.
That's why you need a buffer/reservoir of water already at eg 60 degrees.

Caveat - I am not a Doctor....or a Plumber.

Late reply ...

In the Philippines we had the same problem: the water pressure was at certain times so low, the electric heater did not "fire up".

Finally, I solved the problem by buying a Stiebel Eltron heater, which had it's own little pressure pump built in. 50% more expensive, but at least, I could take a hot shower !

  ( I don't know, if they sell those in Thailand. Afaik I know, you are not allowed here to put a pump directly in the mains pipe, but only behind a buffer tank).

[Edge]

3 minutes ago, insearchofxxx said:

Late reply ...

In the Philippines we had the same problem: the water pressure was at certain times so low, the electric heater did not "fire up".

Finally, I solved the problem by buying a Stiebel Eltron heater, which had it's own little pressure pump built in. 50% more expensive, but at least, I could take a hot shower !

  ( I don't know, if they sell those in Thailand. Afaik I know, you are not allowed here to put a pump directly in the mains pipe, but only behind a buffer tank).

Steibel Eltron pretty strong here but can't think how a built in pump would help (certainly not a Power Shower) or whether I've seen that model.

TiT you can put a pump where you like.....but if you fit one to pull the company water when pressure is low and the neighbours find out.......

I guess you mean the risk of eColi travelling back up the system?
Anyway, best method here is to have enough storage capacity so you don't run out and put any pumps your side of the tanks.

[insearchofxxx]

On 27/05/2020 at 11:11, Harry Brown said:

A few years back ( here in the west) I had water from a shower permeating through a wall, the tiler suggested the tiles be removed and a waterproof membrane applied , that had to dry and then it was tiled over, It worked well.

They don't...

2 years ago, I had a rented apartment in CM. Something leaked in the bathroom from the penthouse above down to my ensuite. The "HiSo" Bangkok lady was in Bangkok, giving a shit and not allowing entry - and with a "HiSo", they were afraid to break in.

I also gave a shit - not my condo - reduced the rent by 30% and used only the second bathroom. - After 2 weeks, my ensuite looked like a dripstone Cave... Later, I heard, the repair cost them 200k +++.

[insearchofxxx]

33 minutes ago, Edge said:

Steibel Eltron pretty strong here but can't think how a built in pump would help (certainly not a Power Shower) or whether I've seen that model.

TiT you can put a pump where you like.....but if you fit one to pull the company water when pressure is low and the neighbours find out.......

I guess you mean the risk of eColi travelling back up the system?
Anyway, best method here is to have enough storage capacity so you don't run out and put any pumps your side of the tanks.

You're right, just a normal shower head. But even for that, the pressure was often not enough before.

Edited June 22, 2020 by insearchofxxx

[Petesie]

On 22/06/2020 at 19:22, stickyfingers said:

A small ish tropical fish tank and Siamese fighters etc looks good for the condo once I settle down there. Any recommendations as to where to get the tank etc and the fish in Patts?? 
or is it WS in the wee hours telling the ggs/ LBs they’re all skanks ....be plenty Siamese fighters then....as I run away....

I used a place on the Country Club Road; they were thinly ones I noticed had a variety of Nano cubes rather than locally produced variants. The tank, plants gravel, filter & light came to 2k; the stand I bought later from the Baan & Beyond Garden area which was an exact fit for Gaylords 30cm Cube. It cost 750b.

Siamese fish are available in every pet shop; I feel sorry for them in their jam jar existence so he's not doing bad in his penthouse suite. 

[Petesie]

Got up yesterday morning to find my garden wall had partially collapsed; the neighbour told the GF that it must have been waterlogged due to the heavy rain, bollocks I thought, I've got a 3000 litre fish pond in there & that's alright. 

My bahts on the bin lorry that comes in every morning and the bastard was too close & nudged me wall. No too worry, been replaced with concrete planters, I'll post a pic as soon as she's painted them...

Edited June 26, 2020 by Petesie

[tossof]

Great read Petesie !

[talung66]

?? maybe another CCTV camera or  can you move position of one you have 

[petemoss]

12 hours ago, Petesie said:

My bahts on the bin lorry that comes in every morning and the bastard was too close & nudged me wall. No too worry, been replaced with concrete planters, I'll post a pic as soon as she's painted them.

The street is covered by CCTV. If you ask at the gatehouse they'll show you footage of the relevant period.

[Petesie]

8 hours ago, petemoss said:

The street is covered by CCTV. If you ask at the gatehouse they'll show you footage of the relevant period.

Hadn't thought of that...

We'll pop in tomorrow to enquire...

[LOTTELLEE WINNA]

On 22/06/2020 at 21:18, Petesie said:

We were lucky in the fact that the tiles were a neutral colour and were done throughout the house. The outside tiling was a different matter.

It was horrendous, not only a shoddy job but a blight on the eye. Oddly enough the Thai's couldn't see it. It was a fight.

'Teerak no need' got on me tits. I ignored it and drove to Boontavorn & put my order in. The work fellas turned up & shook their collective heads, you want what?

Eventually as the tiles went down the Satang dropped and collective heads started nodding. Velly good! 

The neighbours who had so far kept quiet even nodded...

Your comments about ‘teerak not need’ resonates with me. Thai people value function over form, they mostly just don’t get falang style when it comes to home decor. Garish tiles, colors which clash and furniture which doesn’t match in any way, that’s the way to go 

[Petesie]

7 hours ago, LOTTELLEE WINNA said:

Your comments about ‘teerak not need’ resonates with me. Thai people value function over form, they mostly just don’t get falang style when it comes to home decor. Garish tiles, colors which clash and furniture which doesn’t match in any way, that’s the way to go...

Oh she's got it now...very proud of showing her home off to friends & family online. She mentioned the other day that it would be nice if we had a dining table to match the others we have...floored me as she'd been previously adamant the one we'd inherited with the house was ok. 

In Bangers going to the weekend market today we came out of the lift to see a furniture display in the foyer, look I said, there it is! I pointed straight away at the one that was 50% off...not because of that but because of the 20 tables on display that one was the exact size...

[likeaking]

1 hour ago, Petesie said:

In Bangers going to the weekend market today we came out of the lift to see a furniture display in the foyer, look I said, there it is! I pointed straight away at the one that was 50% off...not because of that but because of the 20 tables on display that one was the exact size...

Beautiful table, Petesie, the colors, grains and natural edges make it a one of.