patongphil

Our daughter (4yrs old) is going to Mataneedol. We found KKVS isn't setup as well for younger children. It is the same pay as KKVS for the age group and Mataneedol is better on all fronts than KKVS. That said, Mataneedol only goes up to Grade 6 and then we will have to look for another school. We really liked the fact that it has CCTV to see what is happening in the classroom. Also like the parent fingerprint scanning for child pickup, staff nurses that will administer your medicine of choice (even homeopathics), forehead temperature fever scanning on drop off and positively promoted hand washing basins at the entrance/exit to the school.

KKIS is apparently teaching the Australian curriculum with Aussie teachers but it is (hear say) 140K baht per term (2 terms) as opposed to Mateendol and KKVS at 60K baht per term (2 terms).

If I had to guess I would say 15% of the students are from mixed racial marriages.

Every school will tell you that their teachers are authentic with previous work experience in their home country. It's bunk (maybe KKIS will be the exception?). They're TEFL teachers. Doesn't concern me much as I don't believe you need a teaching degree to teach youngsters. I'll take a fun, intelligent and energetic TEFL teacher over a teacher with a teaching degree and previous experience who can't speak English properly any year.

I see that KKIS is actually not even open yet. From their web site fees per annum are around 70,000 baht with a few extras on first registration etc which bring it up to 150,000 PA for first time registrations.

Cannot see how they will be able to employ only authentic teachers at such low fees but only time will tell.

Why do the Griswalds come to mind?

I have 3 all about 18 months old and no problems.

I've been asking myself what is a "boutique" hotel ?

I know a boutique is a small shop so is a boutique hotel a small hotel ?

It's a fancy description to justify charging more money ...

the prices look reasonable for the patong terrace boutique hotel. when i booked it in april i got the deluxe room for 1,300 baht a night

Great ! About the same price as a guesthouse room. Looks nice.

Not sure whether the OP booked for April or October as he mentions both. Anyways neither are in peak season and most guesthouse are charging around the 600 to 700 range at those times with even lower rates in the wetter months. Prices at present along Nanai, Banzaan, San Sabai extension etc are all around 500 with some even quoting 450.

Near enough dead every time I go past.

Sounds like Rawai to me.

My little 2 year old daughter and the next little one on the way. What could be more satisfying?

Anyone have any personal information regarding suitability/ standard of education regarding the various schools in KKC for a soon to be 3 year old Luke Krueng? Interested in feedback on KKVS, KKIS, Mataneedol, Patanadek, NEBS and any others I am unaware of?

Thanks in advance.

I've never had a problem with the caddies here. They aren't the most knowledgeable bunch but the ones that I have experienced in the last 12 years of playing golf here have all been willing and friendly.

Not to mention that a lot of them will let you go for the 19th.

55555 very good!!

Ha Ha. Honda Wave fully kitted out with flashing lights and sirens - I would love to see that.

Here in Sarakham the going rate is 500 baht per rai. All depends on availability of water. We rent our land out at 40% and just sit back and drink beer.

We are in Southern Sarakham and planted about a week ago. Most farms either planted or planting. Not much rain as yet though so yet again we hope, pray and maybe bury a pigs head on the farm!!!

Just hand yourself in and get arrested the same as the French couple in Phuket a month or so ago.

PM asserts peace talks with BRN will be conducted under Thai law

Whatever that means.

He with the most money wins!

2 Years, Ha

We had a seven year overstay up here in Chiang Mai.

Same thing went to airport with 20,000 in cash and sorted no problem.

He came back couple of months later with no problem

R

Chang or Leo no doubt.

Overstay 2 years, ha....

Do you think it is funny that you can pay 20,000 Baht and then bullshit your way around the rules???

You should have been Blacklisted....Deported....and not allowed to return.!!!

You obviously have nothing substantial to offer to this country or its people....

Those of us who choose to live here and live by the rules are absolutely disgusted by your kind, with your total lack of respect for the Thai Immigration laws

( however crazy they may be )

Wow aren't we angry! I wonder how you get through a day in Thailand?

Chang or Leo no doubt

I think there is a very small farm - Patong Nanai Soi 2, the sign for a Pranwn farm is still there at least

is this somewhere near the tempel on the way out of patong?

No, that place near the temple closed a few years ago. Nanai 2 is half way along Nanai Rd. Not sure it's still in operation. Not really a prawn farm, just a restaurant with prawn fishing.

thats what i'm looking for, good fun and you can kill a afternoon with your buddys.

This place is also closed.

OP, how do you find your energy levels with the baby? It might be too young to be an issue.

Id be interested in how guys over 50 deal with the demands of young energetic children

They are called nannies

Best advice I got from a kipper went we went on fishing trips in The North Sea. Stand under a tree.

A kipper spoke to you - too much of the amber stuff I reckon.

So what is the point of this topic ?

You are happy being old with your young family and want to know if others are happy too ?

No need to post everyone KNOWS there are loads of happy people having young family ... So what ?

I guess if he had posted he was unhappy with his Thai wife and family it would have been more acceptable to many on this forum

Well done OP, pleased things are going well for you, I also never really thought about starting a family, but it was the best thing that has happened in my life, gives me a great shared interest with my wife (along with those we hold already) Helped me control my drinking, provided wonderful rewarding alternative entertainment, yes a good thing all round. I often wonder why I spent those days, months, viewing the world through the bottom of a glass....but at the time I thought my life was good......little did I know it could be so much better.

Your post could very well have been written by me. Have a 2 year old daughter who has completely turned my life around and now another on the way too. I certainly feel blessed by the new direction my life has taken over the last few years.

Hay man send the dog to me as I have the opposite problem with the neighbours chickens "invading" our place. Our dog seems to think they are his friends and just plays with them.

Come on down to Phuket and see if they can "detect any signs of speculation" here!! Wow

Another duck for Shaggy

I think too much of any one thing is not healthy for us, but as long as you are not flat broke it's easy to eat a somewhat balanced diet in Thailand. Fruit and vegetables are good for most of us and most can be peeled and eaten raw if you are worried about sprayed on chemicals. I don't think the chickens or pigs in Thailand are any worse than those in North America or Europe. I don't eat fish in Asia because I am spoiled from living in Canada. I don't think every Thai café uses MSG, or at least the place I eat all the time in Chiang Mai doesn't use it.

Not only the MSG straight from the container but a lot of the seasoning are loaded with MSG too. Look at the amount of MSG in Rot D etc which are used for flavouring.

Bangla road has plenty of loose cannons