It will be our attempt to show as much of the building process as we are able to capture on photos.

We began the process by hauling in 55 loads of fill dirt to raise the level of one of the two lots that we purchased.   We actually planted quite a few trees the spring of 2000, but lost them all to the high water and are trying to prevent it from happening again.  The property has a Thai house on it already and we are currently used that cottage as our home while the construction was in progress.

Initially we purchased an existing shell including the vertical posts that form the framework.  This was dismantled and hauled by a small utility tractor fondly called an Iron Buffalo (and I do mean small) to our site and reconstructed there.  From that beginning we have slowly started the process of making it complete. 

The photos are thumbnails and clicking on them will bring you a larger version of the picture.

In the beginning there was blank land.

Then we started building.

Then the wood is prepared.

Water Storage

There will be more photos as we continue to work on our home.  

Progress report on our return to Naithai 3/20/2001

Front and rear additions are ready for windows, doors and roof to be added.  Behind the blue and white tarp were all of our possessions, protected from the rain until the windows are glazed on the top floor.  Work continues while we live in a terrible mess for the time being.  Roofing arrived today along with the windows and the glaziers are busy with their task on the second floor.  We are hoping to have the house completely enclosed and rain proofed by the time the weekend goes by.  It is typical here that a 7 day week is the standard but can be interrupted at a moments notice by a nearby death  (cannot pound nails while someone lies in state at their home lest they be disturbed by the noise) or any number of occasions and holidays.

3/25/2001 Progress report

Roof has been added to front and rear (should be finished today.

Ceremony was held on the 23rd, with family and friends gathering to wish Good Luck to new home.  Ended up with about 50 or so family members in a procession around the house that was lead by Wayne as head of house.  We proceeded to circle the house 3 times and then enter the home with each of the people carrying something that belonged in the house.  These goods were carried up to the second floor (where we had previously removed most of what was now being carried by friends and family).  This gesture was the signal for us to be able to move in with everyone's blessing and wish for a happy home.

The ceremony was concluded with the traditional string on the wrist from each person that wished to participate as a further gesture of personal good luck to both Pha and me.

We all then proceeded to eat a traditional Thai feast that consisted of much spicy hot food and chicken and of course the traditional sticky rice.  Some beer and Thai whisky also found it's way into the festivities.

After a couple house of chit chat the gathering started to disperse for home with a couple exceptions.  Some gathered under the cottage next door and continued to celebrate with more Thai Whiskey and beer.  This reveling went into the night and I think concluded somewhere around 2 am.  I don't know because Pha, Golf and I went to bed around 10 pm.

In addition to what we are able to show a substantial number of trees have been planted that include many varieties of native Thai origin as well as some standards such as Mango, Banana, Coconut and Lemon.  We will make every effort to include some photos of these plantings with our next trip.

August 13, 2001

About time for me to get busy with more updated status since much progress has been made on the home since the above reports.  Part of the reluctance to do more regular updates to the site is caused by the outlandish costs associated with uploading files.  Much to our dismay the regular telephone that we expected to be installed on our arrival is nowhere in site.  We are on a waiting list and have been since March with no idea of when we will see our phone.  So to make temporary connections with the net I must use cell phone with rates that are highway robbery and don't even comfortably let me do email every day.  As a result I now log on to get email a couple times a week and very rarely do site upgrade work.

Progress on the house has been slow but steady and we are now living in a home that has beautiful tile floors throughout.  In addition we have added an open air kitchen area to the rear of the house and a bathroom with a regular toilet and a hot water shower.  What a blessing those additions have been.

In addition to the bath/kitchen addition we have added a garage to the side of the house and the cement for the area between the garage and the front wall is being cemented today.  Next week the Ironwork and gates will arrive.  This will give us gates to two walkways for entrance to each home and a large gate for entrance of car to garage.  I will include some photos as well.

Additionally the fishpond has been stocked and Pha enjoys taking care of her fish and catching them for food.  Our fruit trees are starting to bear fruit and we now have a bunch of bananas almost ready to eat.

Much remains to be done as we continue to work hard each month to the extent of our resources to make our home special but remain in mostly Thai tradition.  We will eventually add grass to the dirt areas.

Painting and false ceilings are still on the to do list and expect that it is a couple months away before we paint.  The doors are painted but walls remain just cement.  Most of the electrical wiring is done and serves us very well.

In addition we have installed an automatic water pump that goes to the shallow well for now.  It is also coupled into the water supply from the King but we are able to turn that supply off most of the year.  In the early spring we will have to use water from the King unless our deep water well is finished before that.  I am hoping that well to be done in the next couple weeks.  This well will supply us with uninterrupted supply of water even during the dry season so will be a real blessing.

Much work is in progress under the cottage next door with Pha's sisters working at weaving some Thai silk that will be sold to the Queen for her dresses.  Noi, Pha's younger sister has been busy weaving reed mats that serve many purposes in our lifestyle. They are used for virtually every meeting of people whether it is two or fifty people gathering.  They cover the ground or floor and are used to sit on or to serve food to a group gathered on a mat or two.  Both the silk and the mats are done with a love and passion for perfection that reflects the pride of the people in their work.

Click Image for larger view.

September 2001

Some new photos to reflect the last month of work. 

March1, 2002

Just a couple photos added for now.  We are making progress and will soon have an office to house computer and teach English and Computer classes to the local kids.

November 2003 Update

We have been working on the interior in particular adding a large kitchen to the rear of the house.  In addition we have raised the cottage building by about 3 feet and have cemented the area under the cottage.  It is used for entertaining and in general when people drop by we use it for seating and conversation.  Thai people prefer to be outside and this area is a much used addition.