So, You Fancy a House in Paradise?

There's a cynical saying in the UK regarding marriage.

'Find someone you don't like and buy them a house'!

In Thailand it's the same, same but different,

'Find someone you think you like,

but in fact you know absolutely nothing about,

and out sheer stubbornness and contempt

for the obstacles before you,

buy a house and put it in his/her name'.

No-one in the 'land of smiles'

would ever let you down!'.

The subject of 'relationships' here in Thailand

is not just a 'blog'

but a full scale novel,

so I will stick to the subject in hand

and save the meaty 'relationship'

subject for another time.

My particular scenario takes place in Phuket,

where, having visited for holidays for a number of years,

I decided, in view of my more frequent

visits and extended stays,

it was a good idea to buy a property.

A detached three bedroom bungalow,

with two bathrooms, a corner situation

and most importantly, great potential,

caught my eye.

Built around 22 years it was of solid construction,

a good size and not a termite to be seen.

When I think back, this will be only the third property

I have ever bought

and the previous two ( in the UK )

were also bought on total impulse.

So, here we go again,

I have 5 days remaining of my stay in Phuket

and have made a commitment to buy a property.

Never say die, I arranged the money

to be transferred from the UK and one week later,

I was, I thought,

the proud owner of a property in Thailand.

A neat and tidy property,

but build 20+ years ago and in need of renovation.

However, the price was right at 2m Baht,

the exchange rate at the time being

69.8 Baht to the UK Pound,

working out at approx. 30,000 Pounds.

Solid construction, with a sizable, overgrown garden, So what could go wrong!

Carport by the front door (it's a Thai thing) and my first thought was 'that will have to go!' Around the corner actually, where the overgrown garden currently features.

Not too crowded with neighbouring properties,

but for sure,
it needed a 'face lift'.
Upon showing interest in the property,
the seller promptly
had the over-grown garden cleared.

The five days remaining of my stay,

before heading back to the UK and
back to work,
was spent legging it around various
'Home Renovation Stores' for tiles,
air-con units, doors, windows, etc etc.

Thankfully, a good friend, living in the same area

volunteered to oversee the project.

The rear of the property,

currently an outdoor passageway,
became an extension to the kitchen
and a utility room.

Not part of the original renovation,

but some two years later,
not satisfied with a neat driveway,
now positioned at the rear of the property,
I saw an opportunity to install a pool.

This part of the project was now under new management.

A different builder
(attached to whom is a long story, coming later.......)
and an adventurous project.
The object of the exercise,
to incorporate a car-port,
with a pool and terrace above.

This required reinforced concrete 'pilings'

going down to solid ground 27 meters below!
Unfortunately, I was so shocked at the noise
that an innocent looking wooden tripod
could make,
I didn't get a photograph of the contraption,
but, the noise
was so horrendous I took cover indoors
(actually at the beach)
until the week-long operation was finished.
Conscious of the disturbance
I was causing the neighbours,
I went to the fruit and vegetable market
and filled the
trolley with goodies which I then 'bagged'
and distributed to the neighbours,
as a token apology.
(In reality, the neighbours were more than understanding
and looked at me in amazement
as I distributed the goods, door to door)

The end result can be seen later in the 'blog'.

This is the original site

of what became a kitchen,
with car-port, subsequently demolished
and replace by another car-port and pool & terrace.

The driveway being carefully laid above, had

to be demolished to make way for the pilings and
foundations for the pool.

Going back to the original renovation, above is,

what became the kitchen,
but which was a totally empty room.
The area visible outside the kitchen
was covered and became an extension to the kitchen,
incorporating a utility room.
This picture is in the wrong place, but replacing it
would mean starting the blog from 'scratch',
so you need to use your imagination.

The third project, was actually the second,

as I completed this the year before the
pool - terrace. epic.

The end result of phase 1 of 3 after planting.

Please note the NV pickup as thereby hangs

another story.
Before the original car-port construction...

And after......

The completed 'water-wall' and pond at the

front of the property.

And the newly completed car-port, pool & terrace.

The pool, 4.5 meters x 2.5 with infinity end.

Including Sala, for shade and comfort.

Giving an idea of the height from the road.

And the spectacular mountain and Buddha views

to enjoy from the terrace.

Access by iron spiral staircase.

No more projects! this is the end result.

The front of the property showing the now well

established plants and shrubs, along with a single
pedestrian gate for access.

Looking the opposite way, the planting,

now established,
offers privacy and shade.

And finally, the now well established 'water-wall',

as the dominant feature of the front terrace
(formerly a driveway)
resplendent with orchids and other air plants
and a well stocked pond.
Having set the scene, there is much more to come
on the subject, which will be added soon.

The beachbum

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