Architecture, Construction, Krabi Villas Rent, Thailand

Planning for retirement

Your �rainy day� savings can be put to work in the sunny climes of Krabi

Retirement in a warm climate is a dream for many: with so much leisure time, it makes sense to choose a place where much of the day can be spent outdoors on activities such as gardening or golf. Even reading a book is more pleasurable when lounging on a sunny, flower-filled terrace.

Krabi is a growing retirement destination, as fast developing infrastructure makes this already incredibly beautiful and friendly area a viable option for those seeking the benefits of the climate and culture without sacrificing comfort and convenience.

Mission Statement and Design Philosophy

DESIGN PROCESS: A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY, CLIENT INCLUSIVE APPROACH

Every design project is a collaboration between architect and client, though every firm is different in how they handle this relationship. Here at Ton Company, we see clients as contributing members of the design team. Their needs are foremost throughout the process, which is an open dialogue of creation, analysis and modification.

A multi-disciplinary team, including in-house draughtsmen, engineers and landscape architects, offers the benefits of a smooth, integrated experience. It also allows clients to be involved at every stage, and receive expert advice and guidance on the legal, aesthetic and structural practicalities of their project.

Ten for Ton

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the founding of Ton Company Ltd, we talk to the managing director, Pierre-Yves Loriers, a.k.a. Ton, about the company�s origins and vision

�I arrived in Krabi in January 2000. Previously, I had only visited Thailand on a 10 day trip to Bangkok and Phuket. My preference at the time was for Vietnam, where I had plans to start a villa operation (Ton has a business school and service industry background, working for 12 years in The Peninsula Beverley Hills, a luxury hotel in Los Angeles), but after a month there I decided to explore other areas in the region.

�At the time Krabi was definitely not ready for such a business � I remember how my friends laughed at me when I told them I wanted to buy a pineapple field on a dirt road 3km from the beach - but I saw the potential and believed development would eventually come. So I bought the land and settled down, first opening a restaurant, Café 154, which allowed me to meet people and become integrated into the local community.

Tropical Living at its best

Ton Company is proud to introduce the latest villa in their rental portfolio, Baan Zoe

Vacation rentals are increasing in popularity all the time; and Krabi Villas by Ton Company Ltd is pioneering the trend towards serviced homes in the Krabi region.

As well as designing and building pool villas, Ton Company also markets and manages six luxury properties, all offering their well-known brand of service. In addition to the high level facilities already in each villa, all guests benefit from a complimentary transport service around the local area, as well as to and from the airport; and an on-call personal assistant who can arrange anything from a Thai chef to in-house massages, as well as day trips and excursions.

From rocky hillside to 5 star luxury

The design and construction of Baan Kantiang See, a unique villa-only family resort in Koh Lanta, is Ton Company�s biggest project to date. Here, Pierre-Yves Loriers (Ton), the managing director, explains some of the challenges involved and how they were overcome to create this beautiful new holiday complex.

�Our clients approached us in April 2007. After two years of searching for the perfect piece of land, they had finally found their ideal spot: nearly 6.5 rai on a steep hillside overlooking the breathtaking Kantiang Bay in the south of Koh Lanta. They wanted to create a family-friendly, villa-only resort, with large individual units and a central pool � all with panoramic sea views. They had a clear concept of what was required: it was then up to us to transform that into reality.�

Husqvarna comes to Krabi

Husqvarna is the global leader in outdoor power products fo forestry, park maintenance and lawn and garden care. Their range is designed for consumers as well as professional users and includes lawnmowers, garden tractors, trimmers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers and chainsaws as well as products for irrigation and gardening equipment such as pruning shears, rakes and shovels. UK and US readers may know their equipment better under brand names Flymo and Gardena.

"We are very excited to be associated with the Husqvarna brand family," says Pierre-Yves Loriers (Ton), the managing director. "Its ideals and strategy fit perfectly with out own philosophy of cost-efficiency, environmental awareness and high levels of customer care."

Building on solid foundations

Sittporn Chouypasit (Sit) is Ton Company’s in-house structural engineer, providing expertise in the design of concrete, wood and steel structures. After graduating in Civil Engineering from Technology Mahanakorn University in Bangkok in 2002, he returned to Krabi to do sub-contracting work. He has been full-time with Ton Company for more than 4 years.

Why does Ton Company have an in-house engineer? What is your role?
“My job as a structural engineer is to create the basic frame for any building, the beams and columns – so you could argue it’s a pretty fundamental role. It’s a mix of technical know-how, safety considerations and knowledge of available materials. Many pure design firms simply outsource a completed plan to an engineer for the structural analysis. But by working with the architects and clients during the planning itself, I can help the team achieve the design goals in a way that is both cost efficient and makes the building as comfortable as possible.”

On the move

We are very proud to introduce Miss Thitima Boonserm as our new "Senior Project Manager."

She comes with 14 years of professional work experience in architecture and construction. Originally from Krabi she received a Bachelor Degree in Landscape Architecture from the prestigious Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok in 1992 and started her career with top rated firm Architects 49 in Bangkok.

In 1999, she joined Orlando, Florida-based Edward D. Stone Junior & Associates as member of the design staff and was promoted to Associate in 2001. She practiced at EDSA for about 4 years then returned back to Thailand and joined Landscape Architects 49 as an Associate from 2006 to 2009.

At Architects 49 , she was responsible for all overseas projects from Abu Dhabi-UAE to Kuala Lumpur. She also worked on residential, commercial and government projects throughout Thailand. Her comprehensive work experience in project management, architecture and construction will make her an extremely valuable addition to our team.

Land Measurement Charts

Land in Thailand is measured in units of wah, ngan and rai and pricing can often be reflected in these terms. For ease of reference the table below provides an indication of approximate metric values for comparative purposes:

Thai	Metric
1 Talang Wah	4 sqm
1 Ngan (100 Talang Wah)	400 sqm
1 Rai (400 Talang Wah)	1,600 sqm
1 Acre (2.5 Rai)	40,000 sq ft
1 Hectare (6.25 Rai)	10,000 sqm

Protect your home from termites

In Thailand all sorts of unwanted visitors such as termites try to vacation in your home. Although there are many different types of termites they all have one thing in common: a voracious appetite for the cellulose found in lumber. Termites especially like to eat moist wood so it is very important to keep the house dry. Once termites are inside your home they're harder to get rid of. The last thing you want to do is make their job easier.