Building in Thailand - 2020 Edition: is this $20 stack worth it for Writing & Publishing?
Quick answer
| Best for | Homeowners planning a residential build in Thailand who want a realistic, day-by-day roadmap of the process rather than a dry technical manual. |
| Skip if | You are looking for a certified architectural engineering guide, specific structural engineering calculations, or a step-by-step DIY construction textbook for professional builders. |
| Price | $20 |
| Format | 884-page e-book (97.1 MB) with extensive photo documentation |
| One-line take | A $20 e-book that reads like a personal diary of a successful build, offering rare insight into the human and logistical side of Thai construction. |
What you’re actually buying
Most construction guides in Thailand fall into two camps: dry legal summaries or high-level architectural theory. Neither helps you when you’re standing on a dusty plot of land, trying to figure out why the concrete mix is off or how to manage a local contractor who speaks a different dialect. Building in Thailand - 2020 Edition takes a different approach. It is an 884-page, 120,000-word chronicle written by Tony Eastmead, a retired government employee who built his own home in Thailand. It is not a “how-to” manual in the traditional sense; it is a survival guide wrapped in a personal narrative.
The value here lies in the specificity of the daily reporting. Eastmead documents the build day by day, capturing the small frustrations and unexpected milestones that rarely make it into post-project retrospectives. You get to see the progression of the work through a large collection of photos, many of which show the same views at different stages of completion. This visual continuity helps you understand what “week three” actually looks like on the ground, which is far more useful than a generic timeline. (Building in Thailand - 2020 Edition)
Beyond the construction narrative, the book includes a substantial section on the background logistics that often trip up foreign buyers. This covers land titles, Usufruct contracts, and utility expenses. It also details the daily cost of the project, giving you a realistic benchmark for budgeting. For $20, you are getting a comprehensive resource that blends practical financial data with the emotional and logistical reality of managing a build in a foreign country. (Building in Thailand - 2020 Edition)
Why it’s on our radar
This product stands out because it addresses the “unknown unknowns” of building in Thailand. While there are many resources on how to design a house, there are very few that document the process of building one from the perspective of a non-professional. The sheer volume—884 pages—signals a depth of detail that is rare in this niche.
It is particularly interesting for buyers who are at the planning stage and feeling overwhelmed by the gap between their vision and the local reality. The casual, conversational writing style makes the dense subject matter accessible, turning a potentially stressful project into a readable story. The inclusion of post-move-in updates adds another layer of value, allowing you to see how the house performs in daily life, which is a crucial consideration for anyone thinking about long-term livability. (Building in Thailand - 2020 Edition)
What actually matters
Before you buy, consider your specific role in the project. If you are the primary decision-maker and you want to understand the daily rhythm of a build, this book is a strong fit. If you are hiring a full-service builder and plan to have zero involvement in the day-to-day management, you may find the level of detail excessive. (Building in Thailand - 2020 Edition)
Check your device compatibility. The file is 97.1 MB, which is a standard size for a photo-heavy e-book, but ensure your reader or computer can handle the image quality. The photos are central to the narrative, so you want to view them in high resolution. (Building in Thailand - 2020 Edition)
Finally, review the legal sections carefully. While the book provides valuable context on land titles and Usufruct contracts, it is a personal account, not legal advice. Use it as a research tool to understand the terminology and common pitfalls, but always verify specific legal requirements with a qualified local attorney. (Building in Thailand - 2020 Edition)
Mid-check
FAQ
Is this a technical engineering manual? No, it is a personal account of a build. It covers the logistical and human aspects of construction, including costs and daily progress, but it does not provide deep technical engineering specifications or structural calculations. (Building in Thailand - 2020 Edition)
How detailed are the cost breakdowns? The book includes a section on the daily cost of the project, which helps provide a realistic benchmark for budgeting. It is based on the author’s specific experience, so you should use it as a guide rather than a fixed standard for your own project. (Building in Thailand - 2020 Edition)
Will the photos be useful for my project? Yes, the extensive photo documentation shows the same views at different stages of construction. This is particularly useful for understanding the physical progression of a build and what to expect at various milestones, even if your final design is different. (Building in Thailand - 2020 Edition)
Bottom line
If you are planning to build a home in Thailand, Building in Thailand - 2020 Edition is a compelling resource. It offers a rare, detailed look at the reality of the process, from the initial planning stages to the final move-in. The combination of daily reporting, cost data, and legal background makes it a valuable addition to your research. For $20, it provides a level of insight that is hard to find elsewhere, helping you navigate the challenges of building in a new country with greater confidence.