It’s something you’ve been meaning to do for a while - start a compost heap, buy recycled paper, trade in that gas guzzler for a fuel-efficient vehicle - but you never get round to it. Now could be the time to turn your green ideas into reality before its too late. Below are 7 easy steps to you get started.

1. Cut down your driving miles

Every gallon of fuel in your car releases about 24 pounds of carbon dioxide. Reducing your driving by a few miles a day will help prevent tons of carbon dioxide entering the air. Push for traffic-calming techniques like speed bumps in your community. More pedestrian and bike-friendly areas mean less congestion, less energy consumption, less pollution.

2. Buy energy-efficient products

This is the first marina project in Krabi, on land of almost 60 rai in area, with superb facilities and one of the most luxurious resort settings. With beautiful residences, condominiums and a premium clubhouse with yacht marina moorings and berths, Krabi Marina is set to become the most desirable location in the area.

3. Switch to compact fluorescent lamps

Change the three lamps you use most in your house to compact fluorescents. Again, compact fluorescents are initially more expensive than incandescent lamps, but they last ten times as long and can save a lot of money on electricity bills. You should also turn off lights and other electrical appliances such as televisions and radios when you’re not using them.

4. Participate fully in recycling

On Phuket, you can drop your waste at the sorting plant located behind the Phuket Town Municipal Incinerator, on Rattanakosin Road in Phuket Town. Before being separated, waste products must first be weighed. The charge is 200 baht a ton. If the waste weighs less than a ton, you will be charged less. You can leave your waste at the plant, and the officers will sort it for you. This service is open to everyone, 24 hours a day.

5. Start Composting

This reduces the burden on landfill sites and also produces a great natural fertilizer for plants and gardens. Buy a composting bin at a garden supplier or make your own from an old bucket or bin. Start with lawn trimmings, fruit and vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds. You can add EM solution to prevent smells.

6. Take smarter showers

Washing our bodies can account for up to 16.8 percent of home water use. Installing a low-flow shower head saves two gallons for every minute of showering. A typical shower lasts about eight minutes and uses about 17 gallons, while an efficient shower lasts three or four minutes and uses 7.5 gallons.

7. Repair leaks

Fix leaking and dripping taps to save water and lower your water bill. A dripping tap can waste up to 20 gallons of water per day. A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons every day. Not all leaks are visible but you can diagnose leaks in your toilet by placing some food coloring in the tank, waiting 30 minutes, and then checking if it appears in the bowl. If it does, you’ve got a leak.

This article is provided courtesy of Phuket Villas & Homes as part of the company’s corporate responsibility programme.

Posted under Health, Lifestyle

We reported last year that the Cabinet of Thailand had resolved to reduce the registration fees payable upon the transfer of certain interests in real estate, as a measure to stimulate the real estate sector of the Thai economy. The reduced registration fees came into effect on 29th March 2008 and were initially frozen at the lower rate for a period of one year ending on 28th March 2009.
Many buyers who stand to benefit from the reduced fees and whose property is near completion, have been applying pressure upon developers to ensure that completion of their property has taken place and the registration process has been concluded prior to 28th March 2009, thus allowing them to benefit from the considerable reduction in government registration and transfer fees.
The Ministry of Finance recently reported that the reduced registration fees had stimulated the real estate sector of the Thai economy. Consequently, on 2nd December 2008 the Cabinet of Thailand resolved to approve a one year extension of the reduced fees payable on the registration of immoveable property, ending on 28th March 2010.
The reduced registration fees are applicable to land and building transfers, condominium unit transfers, the registration of buildings as condominiums and the registration of mortgages. The registration fees in relation to these transactions have been reduced from 2 percent to 0.01 percent (except mortgage registrations which have been reduced from 1.1 percent to 0.01 percent). In addition to the reduced registration fees, certain taxes payable upon the transfer of real estate have also been reduced. It is important to note that the reduced registration fees do not apply to the registration of leases or the transfer of land which has no buildings or structures built upon it.
The reduced registration fees and taxes, which may (depending upon the value of the interest transferred) amount to a saving of several thousand U.S dollars, provide prospective buyers with a valuable incentive to invest in their dream home in Thailand now rather risk considerable additional costs post 28th March 2010.

Posted under Property News