Finally the first part of the road to our place under construction

It was years of waiting, many lockdowns during the rainy seasons because it was impossible to use the mud road to our land. Actually only agricultural vehicles could use the road through the years and, let's face it, we are the only ones having our house (so far) connected. 

Our Mazda hatchback could not drive to our land. We had and still have to park it at Phatsamon's mother's house in the village and take the truck to drive the last part home.

Many, many times we were told: "The road will come soon". 

Unexpectedly the local government started June 6th, nearly two months ago, with leveling and we were very happy they started (we thought...). 

The day after all workers were gone again and till the afternoon of the day before yesterday nothing happened. 

That afternoon a truck brought formwork. Yesterday wire mesh. Two ladies and four men working to create the first part. 

Till this morning, coming back from the church, I did not believe it but then... the first concrete truck started to poor concrete.  Writing this blog now already truck number four is unloading and pouring. 

Great we had a lot of rain last night. The soil/underground is saturated so will not take the water out of the fresh concrete. This supports to make the concrete stronger. Just for now hoping no rain will come within a couple of hours not to damage the top layer. 

So, the road is finally under construction now and... we are in lockdown because the road is closed. 

We offer the workers some refreshments and snacks. It's hard working. 34 degrees Celsius and over 90% humidity. They appreciate it a lot. Cupid and Singto are playing with them but are on the leash now. We do not want to have 'Buddha Cupid and Buddha Singto" footprints of them in the fresh poured concrete. 

For now, this year, we get the first 240 meters (4 meters wide) and 15 cm thick concrete. Next year another 180 meters (5 meters wide) 15 cm thick. Every year they just can offer for max. 500.000 THB (around 12.500 Euro's). A story we understand now. 

So, after next year there is only another about 30 meters to go to the entrance of our land but we can live with that and maybe the year after there will be concrete there as well. We will manage. 

Some pictures of today around lunchtime. 

5 PM today after 8 trucks of concrete

Frans & Phatsamon

email:   pyramidhousethailand@gmail.com

Highest point reached and top roof installed by ourself with the help of my son

Sunday July 28 2024 / 2567, birthday of the Thai king, 2.44 PM Thai time, we finally succeeded to reach the highest point of our main house and to finish the installation of the top roof by ourselves. No construction firm wanted us to help us out with this hard job. We are very happy my son helped us during his holidays at our place with it. 

Although rainy season we got lots of help from 'above' so we could do the installation. Most dry during our activities. 

First we had to hire, build up and stabilize scaffoldings to install the front side and front gutters. My son was a strong helping hand with this and we succeeded to do it as safe as possible but still not in a 'Dutch Arbo' way. The dogs, as always, very excited to go up but... they have to wait for a couple of months till we have installed the staircase. 

Yesterday early morning we installed the outside ceilings and temple bells. After that we took the scaffoldings down, brought them back to the rental place and had a great lunch, the three of us, together in the city. Something to celebrate. 

A bit sad my son is leaving to The Netherlands this afternoon again. Thanks for your help and the great time together again (steph)son! Safe trip home and good luck in your new job. We hope to welcome you in your Elephant pyramid and your sister in her Peacock Pyramid soon again.  

Frans & Phatsamon

email:   pyramidhousethailand@gmail.com

Middle roof closed

After a long period of time and lots of disturbances finally this morning we succeeded closing the middle roof. The top roof now is 60% ready.

We needed to change the scaffolding to the other side of the house and, as told before, nearly only work/worked from the inside out. 

So far we could still use around 50% of the broken rooftiles after the huge storm and actually now we have a lot spares for the future and to make a new entrance gate to the labyrinth. 

Frans & Phatsamon

email:   pyramidhousethailand@gmail.com

Electricity upgrade, maintenance, glass blocks, roof work, land-office and... still no road

Due to changeable weather conditions we have to deal with many work breaks. The temperatures are much better than a month ago (between 32 and 35 degrees Celsius during the day) but, because of several rain showers during the days and nights, humidity is extreme. Causing lots of sweating. 

No complaints. We are in the rainy season and the rice famers need the rain. So far, for them, it's much to dry.  

At the beginning of March we got our new 50 mm2 electricity lines installed. 

Last week check of PEA showed we needed to change the main switch to our project into a stronger (100 Amp.) switch first to get the upgrade and replacement of the electricity meter. We installed that switch ourselves. A bit a tricky job without main power switch off, but we succeeded. 

Yesterday they changed that meter into a digital (max 100 Amp.) one. 

So, if needed, we have the ability to use all together max. 22.000 Watt together in one time. Something, in practice, that never will happen but still. 

If the main PEA lines serving our living area have the power, we can use our five air conditioners, induction cooking, the hot water boiler and electric showers, water pumps, fridges, washing machine, inside and outside (garden) lights, and all outlets together. We have even place to install some more things in the future if we want. 

It's all very over-dimensioned but for the future in one time we are prepared and finished. 

To close the wall and protect to heavy storms we finished the glass block masonry. 

Our master bedroom and living room both got a glass block light strip. 

Also at the back of the house, for the walk in closet, bathroom, guest restroom, and kitchen storage, got the blocks in. 

We had some maintenance to do as well. 

The outside kitchen syphon had to be repaired because of damage of the sun. Soon I will change it by a new one. 

Also we needed to clean and renew the inner basket of this kitchen's grease trap. 

At the 'control' room (water and electricity inlet) we needed to change a couple of taps because we could not clean the basic water filter anymore. The basic Thai plastic valves did not shut anymore because of the amount of chalk in the water. 

Bye the way, we checked (tested) the water quality of our well water (our well is 60 meters deep). We found it is potable without any problem and can deal easily with the drinking water quality standards. The only thing is a very high amount of chalk due to the soil composition in our area.   

In the meantime we make slow progress with the roof. We did another request to companies to install the top roof but nobody is interested. So we decided to install that roof 'from the inside' as far as possible. Gutters around are in the process of installing. They all get a leaf protecting cover. 

Slowly we also close the middle roof now. 

Because we married, we went to the land-office to change the official document of the land paper. There is no need for Frans to keep a 30 year lease agreement any more on the land. Now it is changed in a life long free usufruct of the land. By Thai laws the land always stays family property of Phatsamon but I can live there till I pass away and use it for whatever reason until I pass away without any further problems.  

And about the road...???

6 June they started with leveling. 7th June everybody was gone again. Still no road! It's getting more and more a kind of slapstick with the title: "The road to your house will come 'soon'." 

Typical again a "Best friends first" matter because they are working elsewhere. Phatsamon called again and the answer: "The road to your house will come soon" came again. Possibly only 80 meters. The rain several times brought us in a temporary lockdown. Soon will be there when it's there...

New digital 100 Amp. electricity meter

Former electricity meter

New 100 Amp. main electric switch

Glass block light strip

Outside kitchen siphon

Outside kitchen grease trap

Old plastic valve damaged by Chalk 

New installed valve

Basic water filter installation 

Preparing the gutter of the top roof

Installing the top roof inside out

Leaf protecting cover of gutters

Part of the changed backside of the official land paper
for life long usufruct

Frans & Phatsamon

email:   pyramidhousethailand@gmail.com