Where To Find The Truth - Quality Of Housing Developments

[STEVE G]

Pete wrote:

If a developer is complaining and has a farang name, treat him like a paper tiger and say what you want until he shows proof of whom he's speaking for. The farang only speaks for 49% or less, and he's powerless to file any complaints or do more than blow his nose on any forum.

Yes Pete, that’s actually a very good point, seeing as how any Farang developer only technically controls a maximum of 49% of any company, it’s difficult to see how they are going to proceed with any kind of legal action.

[lomuamart]

Photos are so important, particularly if taken by a qualified person.
I appreciate I'm talking about the UK here, but I had some some trouble with my property in London a while ago with maintenance work carried out by the freeholders.
Admittedly, it was my brother, who's a qualified civil engineer and now Contracts Manager, who volunteered to go down there and document the situation.
He's got over 200 photos on file. Some show good work, whilst others show shoddy workmanship.
The long and short of it is that the freeholders are not pressing me for any more money until the defects are remedied.
I can't see that the situation should be too different here.

[DawnHRD]

Dawn say people were posting negative comments about the health of the dogs in your dog shelter and the condition of the shelter. Sure if you posted photos it would not prove that there were no problems, but from the photos people who don’t know of your good work would be able to get a sense of your general credibility, and the onus would be on those who complain to substantiate their complaints with more than just a general bagging.

This has happened before to me. I don't really bother arguing. It won't change anybody's view. I always just say that I welcome anyone who is interested & wants to find out for themselves, rather than having a preconceived idea, to come & see for themselves. I've always found that to be the right path. Sometimes, the more you argue, the more you make yourself look bad.

[Lev]

A quick situation update ...

We have been informed via an intermediary body that the parties involved in this matter have held meetings over the weekend to discuss and arrange amicable solutions.

We are aware that certain agreements have been made by both parties in a effort to resolve the situation between the developer and the client. However we are unable to comment further as we do not have the full details at hand and are not in any way shape or form affiliated with either side.

[splitlid]

In my first post I referred to experts in the filed of building disputes. From a quick internet search the following firm would appear to be a good starting point –
Managing Director
Mr Peter Carlisle, MRICS ACIarb,
Quantity Surveying Consultants Ltd.
123/300 Moo Ban Chaiyapruek,
Moo 3, Bangpla, Bangplee,
Samutprakarn 10540, Thailand.
Tel. / Fax: +66 (0)2 7524538.
Mobile: +66 (0)1 4838552.
Email: info@qscthailand.com

Peters a great guy,
any builders or people in the construction industry should email to him and ask to subscribe to his free newsletter Thailand Construction News.

lots of good info and jobs available.

[huahinsimon]

It appears that in this thread one may paraphrase Oscar Wilde's "the love that dare not speak its name." as "the truth may not speak its name." that is, the inconvenient "negative" truth In a free society nazis, kkks and others with an unpopular "truth" are allowed to speak it because in the free market place of ideas it is recognized that "the truth will out." A developer 'justly" taken to the woodshed by a client of course does not wish to try and defend his failings. He would rather cry "defamation!! I'll sue you." and go on building peoples "dreams"

It appears to be quite effective. I have never seen a negative article in any property mag. If I have missed something, please advise.

May one without threat of suit say something like. Developer X, Y, and/or Z are not business I was/am impressed with?
Or could we have a poll that asks: rate your preferred developer on a scale of 1 to 10.

some how it must be possible to, if not dare to speak the truth, at least hint at it.

[Wanderlust]

huahinsimon,
Possibly a little too highbrow and philisophical for both this board and the subject matter, but I agree with you. However, the truth is the first thing to get discarded when money and corruption are involved, as is the case all too often in Thailand. It is a pity that the decent builders and developers get tarred with the same brush though, and although understandable I am still a little disappointed that HHAD caved in so easily because of the threat of legal action, when it is clear to me that the developer involved had had as many favourable mentions as unfavourable ones. I will certainly never want to do business with him and would not hesitate to warn others away over this issue. I hope the other readers of this forum will do the same.

[gaijin]

Huahinsimon I agree with you. With my suggestions, I was trying to provide a way by which these issues can be aired publicly whilst not being shut down for fear of legal process. It is a question of properly presenting facts and not simply making bald assertions. Since my suggestions, no one has come froward with any photographic example of what is being complained about.

By building up a bank of experts such as Peter Carlisle, perhaps we can get to a point where when problems develop, Hua Hinians will not be left floundering but have easy recourse to the right people to help.

[huahinsimon]

A little too highbrow and philosophical eh, Wanderlust, I'm sure you are speaking only for yourself. Perhaps raising the bar of eloquence a bit will make these posts more enjoyable to read. What was it Winston Churchill said about .... oh never mind.

I have often wondered why the "descent" developers dont form a HH Developers Association and establish certain building requirements for membership. Those developers who cut corners could be denied membership. Members could adveretize they are members of the association and publish their minimum requirements. Like: all steel framing protected by a coat of oxide primer and two coats of rust inhibiting enamel, real teak, ma dang or other wood used, not cheap wood painted to look like it. all wood kiln dired with a moisture content not to exceed xxx. This would differentiate the sheep from the goats, or the lions from the wolves. It would take some time and effort but I believe it would be a great benefit to the "descent" developers and help lift the quality of build, the reputation of this area, and protect the buyer to a certain degree. IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED, that is.
An enginer representing the association could periodically visit member builds and file a report.

Yeh, I know TIT, but most developers are farang, who use that as an excuse to build poorly (and blame the Thai workers) to increase their bottom line. And if, as has been suggested, the indigenous officials are available to the highest bidder, perhaps a farang not born into this culture would have a different set of values. If wishes were horses.....???

[Norseman]

most developers are farang,

Is this true?
I must admit I have no idea how many farang developers there are in HH, nor do I know how many different building contractors, both Thai and farang, working here.
Anybody?

[huahinsimon]

I accompanied a Thai engineer to a friends home that has about a dozen leaks as evidenced by stained ceiling and walls. The development can't be named for fear of threatened law suit. The main problem is that there is not tile overhang on all sides of the roof and waterproof cement was not used when 'sealing' the tile runs that abutted a wooden stringer. ()

What results is as the rain runs down the channel created where the cement meets the tile, it seeps through and under the cement and drips down onto the gypsum board. I didnt go up into the crawl space but the engineer said there was insulation installed. They are awaiting the repair bill as the developer has declined to fix it. As soon as they fix it and get the land and house registered, its been a long while since they made their final payment, they will be fleeing HH and Thailand with a bag full of bad memories.

[huahinsimon]

Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:13 am Post subject: Update

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A quick situation update ...

We have been informed via an intermediary body that the parties involved in this matter have held meetings over the weekend to discuss and arrange amicable solutions.

We are aware that certain agreements have been made by both parties in a effort to resolve the situation between the developer and the client. However we are unable to comment further as we do not have the full details at hand and are not in any way shape or form affiliated with either side.
_________________

And what was resolved between the developer and client? Is everybody happy in paradise city??

[JimmyGreaves]

Yes, it would be nice to get an update on this one. Did David and Goliath come to an agreement?

[turnip]

Please give us the result

Was it a points decision or a clear knock out

You can never forecast how the judges score in these competitions

Has anyone fled the country yet ?

[turnip]

It all seems to have gone a little quiet over the decision

So why haven't we heard from the aggrieved party ???????

Is there something we haven't been told ????????