MOVING HOUSE THE ISAAN WAY
Early in 2006 I was asked by the boyfriend to help the family move house.  They owned several large pieces of rice farm land near Sisaket and I knew from previous visits since 2004 that the need for a rebuilt house was urgent.  The roof leaked and the rainy season was just misery for all in the mud.  It was an estimated cost of 7000 baht to physically move the large, two storey old house of some 95 sq mtrs to a new site some 60 mtrs. down and across the plot into a new position.   All this so eventually a new house could be built at the front of the plot.  This I had to see, so agreed and we set off for Isaan.   Feb 2006
 
Front and Rear views of the original house and land

The family set up camp in the grounds and soil is brought in to raise the new foundation for the house.  The house is made ready for move but
all the furniture upstairs was just left in place beds cupboards even a mirror was just laid on the wooden floor.  The family made offerings to their
ancestors ghosts past and gone as we waited the move.

The next morning the moving gang of 20 men arrived.  First all the ground floor walls are knocked out and strengthening wood attached, hand
jacks are placed at every supporting timber, all 12 of them and over a short time the house is jacked out of the ground up two feet. 
Then scaffolding rails and rollers are used to move the house around.  Each post has a team of men watching for any problems or to make
the many adjustments, then at a foot a time the foreman calls and the easy push starts. We are on the move! Quite amazing!

The house had to be turned 90 degrees from its original position, then slowly the track was levelled and off it moved across a rough
patch of land like an upside down barge.  I just stood back and watched in amazement.

It was touch and go at the narrow gap as it entered the new site but it was soon moved back into the new position, left a bit, right a bit, back a bit!
It was then lunch time....

The afternoon consisted of holes been dug at each support going down about 3 feet then gravel and cement was put into the hole. 
The house is levelled and lowered about two feet into the cement and left on jacks overnight.  The gang of men stayed on site sleeping under the house
full of confidence with much merriment over dinner when more than a few beers were shared.  We slept upstairs as if nothing had happened!
Early the next day the jacks were taken out and the gang left.  House moved, 7000 baht thank you! 
Later in the morning family and friends arrived to start the rebuilding work and before the end of day three a basic concrete floor was in.

Over the next few days we did lots of runs to the building supply yard as the walls were replaced with new blocks and doors
but the old Windows were re-used.

At this point I could see the benefits of the move and with just a little funding the house could be enlarged and made a very comfortable Isaan home.
We designed a shower and new toilet block and had an outside kitchen area set up under cover for cooking and living out back.

Stairs were a problem, after a visit by the Head Monk we had to move them across the room and into a place that is right for Buddha. 
This was one of those many occasions when controversial family decisions had to be made.... so I went for a walk across the fields.....!!


Then the old Water Pump backed up so a new one was brought in for 3500 baht and fitted to serve many outlets. 
I was given the family title of 'Ting Tong farang ' over this until they all saw how my new design worked to give running water!  Ohhhh!
Work was needed on the upper part of the house and before I could say stop half of the house had been stripped of wood ready for planning
and re-fixing with additional timbers.  Most of these were cut from trees by one of the brothers and only a few bought in along with window frames,
which the old house did not have.  Electrics were installed and a large concrete floored veranda encircled the house to finish it off.

More soil was later put down on the front land ready for the new house to come and there was still a new Buffalo House and Grain Store to build
by the family.  I kept a book over the several visits we made during building works for on the spot drawings, to get across my ideas for the house
and costs.   Most ideas were accepted and the final bill was just over 300000 baht or 4500 pounds.  For that we have gone from a falling down
dirt floor home to one that is looked up to in the village and one that will last the family there a long time to come. 
For me it was yet another good Isaan experience I will never forget!  
Following this we had a House and Car blessing which was yet another big party, story and pictures to come!

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