Thai Laundromats

Usually found at residential places where there are many students or workers, Thai laundromats are usually simple, spartan setups designed to get the most returns for minimal investment. Steel bars enclose the washing machines to prevent burglars from carting them off while CCTV cameras watch over the premises to prevent thieves from getting at the coin boxes. 

Thai Ingenuity - DIY Electric Car

Came across this vehicle while walking along the street one day. It was in a motorcycle shop that was full of self-built choppers - all were reasonably priced too! Anyway, this car was kind of like a hobby project for them - it runs on electricity, comes with automatic gears, seats two, and is fully air-conditioned as well! Although it was for sale, it cannot be driven on the main roads. From the looks of it, it does not look like it can withstand much of a collision as well. 

However, if you want a small, compact car that will turn heads around the neighbourhood, this is the one for you!

Thai Ingenuity: Portable Outdoor Battery

What do you do when you need some electricity outside but standard batteries do not have enough power? Just hook up a car or motorcycle battery and you are good to go!

Thai Ingenuity: Maximising Cargo Space on Goods Vehicles

Shipping goods by road via pickups and lorries is an inexpensive and efficient way of transporting many types of goods in Thailand. And since the drivers are often paid by how much cargo they move rather than a flat rate per trip, it makes sense for the drivers to load as much cargo as they can per trip so that they will maximise their earnings.

The platform on the back of the vehicle is lowered to create more space. 

The goods are often stacked high up on the backs of these pickups and lorries and metal cages are usually used to create more storage space as well as to keep the cargo in place. Ropes and other implements are often used to hold the cargo down for added stability. 

Thai Ingenuity: Tyre Crash Barriers

Here is an easy and inexpensive way of making vehicle crash barriers – just get some old tyres, paint them in bright colours, and then hang them up!  

Thai Ingenuity: Multi-Purpose Weight

This home-made weight is commonly seen in Chiangmai. It is made by pouring cement into a section of PVC pipe and then sticking a metal stud into the middle. 

This can be used for various purposes, for example, as a:

• Door stop. This is especially effective when there are strong winds. 
• Weight to hold items and sheets of plastic or cloth down. 
• Base for attaching thin poles to. Hawkers use the poles to display their products or to hang their banners from. 
• Anchor. The bottom ends of PVC banners are usually tied to the weight to keep the banner in place and to prevent it from flapping around. 
• Any other use that you can think of. 

Thai Ingenuity: Table & Chair Ideas

Thai Ingenuity: Tyre Rubbish Bin

I happened to come across something interesting during a trip to a temple in a rural area. A rubbish bin made of recycled tyres of different sizes. 

I have never seen this on sale before anywhere. Pity I did not see anyone around, otherwise I would have made him an offer for it.