Nakhon Ratchasima: A group of villagers in Rang Ka Yai Subdistrict, Phimai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, are experimenting with building earthen houses, aiming to develop the community into an agricultural learning and tourism resource. Mr. Rueangsin Wongbunthiva, 72, initiated this project after researching and learning about the construction of earthen houses from the internet and observing various decorating ideas from hotels and resorts.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Rueangsin began constructing the earthen house within the Rang Ka Yai Subdistrict Community Enterprise Center. The house measures 5 meters in width and includes a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. The construction primarily uses a mixture of earth and rice husks, with the exception of the roof, which required hiring a technician to create a steel frame.
The process of making clay bricks involves soaking hard clay soil in water overnight, trampling it into a liquefied state, and mixing it with rice husks until it reaches a thick consistency. The mixture is then pressed into molds to form blocks, which are sun-dried for about seven days. Once dry, these clay bricks can be used like traditional bricks, laid horizontally to create thick walls capable of supporting weight. The bricks are bound together with a mixture of trampled clay and rice husks and then plastered with a colored mixture of soil, sand, and sticky boiled flour to prevent peeling. Cement is used in water-sensitive areas like bathrooms to ensure durability and cost-effectiveness.
Mr. Rueangsin's goal is to encourage the community to adopt environmentally and nature-friendly construction methods. He envisions developing the area into a community of earthen houses, transforming it into a center for learning about rural lifestyles and promoting future tourism.