Coins in the Foundation

Other rituals took place that i can only guess the meaning.

Flowers Raised

Pouring Water on Rice

Afterward, food and drink.

Food and Drink

The main thing is that the construction of the house has begun!

According to my wife, pounding in the foundation poles doesn’t count.  Only when the “beam’ is added does it officially count as groundbreaking.

Here are some pictures of the poles.  They will have to be trimmed down to make them even.  These were pounded into the ground in one day.

Foundation Pilings

Foundation Support

They also started to erect the temporary quarters for the day laborers.

Temporary Quarters

Now, if we could just get the Khon Kaen Electric Company off their asses and put up the poles and wires.  My wife went to their office today to find out why we paid 63,000 Thai baht 3 weeks ago and nothing has been done.  She talked to the surveyor who got into an argument with the engineer over how many poles should be erected.

After the argument, it was suggested that my wife cancel the order and re-submit.  My wife almost killed the guy.  Hopefully they will be out tomorrow to get it right.

Nee removed my wife’s name from the approved plans/drawings and the two of them got together to discuss prices.  Having Ae’s foreign (Farang) surname on the drawings may result in a substantial increase in cost quotations.

Armed with the house drawings and the BOQ (Bill of Quantities), the two ladies discussed his proposed “Grade A” and “Grade B” prices.  Initially it was 1,600,000 Thai Baht (approximately $50,000) for Grade A and 1,300,000 Thai Baht (approximately $40,0000 for Grade B.

I am sure much haggling negotiating went on and when the dust settled Ae got the price to 1,200,000 Thai Baht.  She also took out some of the prices in the BOQ for items such as floor tiles, light fixtures, bathroom design, and kitchen appliances and cabinets.

They also convinced him to throw in a few freebies – burglar bars, some outdoor plumbing and water tanks and few other things.

A contract was drawn up with financial incentives to get work done.  He will get 10% when all the beams are in the ground.  Another 10% when the outside framing is completed.  The list goes on and he only gets paid when work is accomplished – so the faster things get done, the faster my bank balance decreases and he gets his money.

Today, August 12th, the construction guy will meet my wife and give the land the once over in preparation for groundbreaking on the 18th.  He will also start to deliver some of the materials tomorrow – beams – for the ceremony and to start work.  I am quite surprised and impress as today and tomorrow are holidays for Thailand to honor Her Majesty Queen Sirikit on her 78th Birthday.  It is also Mother’s Day in Thailand.

So, we are on track to get things going on the 18th.  Now, if only the electric company would run the poles and wires.  Supposed to happen next week.  But, “next week” seems to be the catch-all phrase for “I don’t have a friggin clue as to when we can start.’

Aug 12th is a National Holiday as the Thai people celebrate H.M.The Queen’s Birthday.   Celebrations will be held around the kingdom and will be televised from Bangkok.

Here is a picture of a poster from the entrance to where I am living:

Queen Sirikit

Happy 78th Birthday to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.

Richard Barrow’s Paknam Web Network – One of the leading experts on Thailand.

Isaan Live – One of about 4 blogs by “Tom Thai” – a buddy of mine.  Great photos and maps.

Thai Photo Blog – New photos daily.

Thai Prison Life – Guaranteed to keep you on the straight and narrow path.

Thai Travel Blogs – Part of the Paknam Network also with up-to-date information on Thailand for travelers.

Thailand Iphone Blog – Another Richard Barrow Thailand blog done solely from his Iphone

Thai Girl – The exotic adventures of a literary sexagenerian

Thailand Voice – Promotes Blogs from Thailand and has a Thai blog of the month.  Here is the August 2010 winner.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.