.png.3b3332cc2256ad0edbc2fe9404feeef0.png)
andreww
-
Posts
217 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Downloads
Posts posted by andreww
-
-
BIS was just used by the Thai national football team for training....both schools have world class facilities.
PIA if you are interested in your kids doing more sport and eating food - BIS if you want them to go to a decent university when they graduate and make some money.
PIA offers more extensive IB program + DP, and Dulwich orphaned BIS exactly for reasons of low quality of teaching. What makes you think BIS is better than PIA in regards to academic performance?
-
-
Dunno about intl. teams training in BIS, but always heard (and seen it myself last week) European olympic athletes training in PIA pools.
Of course, it's the same company and certain facilities are shared (like large oval or olympic pools), but PIADS itself has little things like skate park, rockclimbing wall, 40cm pool (pre-k kids actually have swimming "classes" weekly! My son just turned 2, and he's a confident swimmer already regardless of depth, but he defo will enjoy safe pool time with 10 other kids), separate kids club (small scale of Patong kids club), etc. Gazillion of such small things make big difference to larger picture.
Another benefit — parents get complimentary Tanyapura membership... i mean, we live in phuket, pretty much everyone's got a gym and pool access, but it's nice to have access to tennis courts, larger pools etc. Short school days will encourage your own gym time (instead of driving home for couple hrs and back).
We'll give another fresh look to BIS next week, but BIS overall looks rather aged and somewhat conservative comparing to PIA.
-
1
-
-
<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>
PIA preschool 315,000 vs BIS 310,000
How is that more reasonable?
there're some other fees&charges&levies involved, which make BIS more expensive (at least in the first year). But for those, who ready to pay 300-500k p.a. for school, such difference is rather minor anyway.
In the long-term, I'm certain that PIA's fees will surpass BIS' ones, as they (PIA) really seem to have vision for XXI century schooling, and that vision takes enormous resources to realize.
Spent last 8 hours on PIADS' website, reading all sorts of handbooks, another good thing about PIADS — they're extremely open and elaborate about whole education process, probably way too open in some areas. Just look at their welcome pdf for people who moved to Phuket: http://phuketinternationalacademy.com/files/PSG/Welcome_guide_for_new_PIA_families.pdf
it's probably the most extensive Phuket intro I've ever seen. I wish I had it 3 years ago when we moved here.
-
2
-
-
yep, PIA's fees structure is more reasonable, especially that buildings and grounds fee (which is government imposed capital levy): half of it is waived in PIA if a child is enrolled starting from nursery years. Not 100% certain how they do it, but that's what happens afaik.
-
Folks,
We're choosing a pre-school for our boy (with prospects to attend same institution till K-12), and living in Bangtao, we have only 3 viable options: KIS, BIS and PIADS.
Kajonkiet's educaitonal methods are offputting to say the least (they make 2 y.o. to sit through 2x45 mins language classes! Actual classes, with desks and blackboard, not some modern type of learn-thru-play curriculum), and their facilities in Cherngtalay are rather poor, so KIS is out of the equation.
BIS is apparently most well-established, and PIADS is its direct competitor.
We visited both schools, and were genuinely impressed by PIA facilities: fantastic quiet location, far from roads and with constant breeze from Khao Phra Theo, full-on sports equipment (even with rockclimbing walls and a skate-park), fresh healthy local organic food, good teacher:students ratio, everything is new etc.
Their mindfullness approach is appealing as well. And we like the location (as most other families will be from North Phuket, so easier to organize playdates, birthdays etc).
So basically, can someone say anything bad about PIADS that can render BIS as a better school for a child? I realize very few people have practical experience with both schools, but any reasonable argument is appreciated.
Thanks!
-
There is a petition on Change.org, calling to amend laws to make local authorities directly responsible for inappropriate warning signs, insufficient lighting etc. It's all in Thai, but everyone can sign (on the right handside):
-
2
-
-
<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>
Have a nice meal... alt=bah.gif>
http://www.thephuketforum.net/detail.asp?id=39603&toptype=news
what a trashy little article. Scary sensationalism and almost no useful info. Skip freshwater fish altogether and you'll be fine.
-
I think that the eggs of the sea urchin are used in sushi - not the meat.
gonads to be precise.
-
You want fresh or frozen?
whatever can be eaten as sashimi. We used to buy NZ sea urchins back in Australia, they were chilled in the shop. Have no idea if there'd been frozen before.
-
Folks,
Anyone knows where to buy sea urchin meat to be eaten raw sashimi-style? Choice foods does not have one.
-
is Maan Tawan affected as well?
Here's Tawan's sales pitch btw:
http://www.tawanproperties.com/download/pdf/Chom_Tawan_ebrochure.pdf
-
Gents,
I just broke my washing machine door handle.. It's an out of warranty case I'm sure, and damage is very simple to fix myself, but I need a spare part. Is there a well-stocked service shop in Phuket? It's EWF860 model.
-
That sounds fantastic, thanks a lot!
I mostly dig on mixcloud (just search "thai" and plenty of mixes, then it's up to your personal taste), and of course I came accross ZudRangMa compilations, they're amazing too!
-
Gents,
We've been successfully growing thyme, basil, tarragon, rosemary and mint on our rooftop/balcony. Now willing to expand (and we're total newbies in gardening).
Can please somebody experienced point which of the following herbs can be easily grown in Phuket climate? We use soil + drip irrigation (can engage hydroponics later):
Dilllemon thymeartichokeItalian basilFlat leaf ParsleyCurl parsleyfennelsagebay leafcelerycurry leafshisokaleradishspinachAnother question: which fertilizer is appropriate for this type of gardening and how often?Thanks a lot for your advice! -
Thanks so much for info about Music Matter! Will give it a go tonight (if missy permits, hehe)
Andreww
I have attended a couple of them in Phuket. No fees, just roam around. They had seating at the last one held at Central. It was called the Saxophone summit I think...over 3 nights. Had some pretty good internat players.
A place you might visit.....
Every Wednesday. Many visiting and resident jazz players simply come and play. No entry fee, but u should support them by buying drinks. Food is available around the corner. Suggest you either go about 9pm and have some refreshments and wait or go at about 11pm when they start. No known closing time.
The place is called Music Matter. Owner/jazz pianist is Jeffrey Sevilla.
Its located in a little soi near Robinsons in Phuket Town.
Will try giving u directions....
Going North from the T junction at Robinson's.
Go past the first soi on the left. Pass a series of little souvenir shops on the left. At the 4 way junction facing you...turn left (its one way in the opposite direction) into the soi. MM is 2 shops on the left. Seating is mostly on the street.
Jeffrey has held an annual jazz evening at the premises. Quite enjoyable.
-
Folks,
I long for some good live jazz, and Jazz Summit looks promising.
Has anyone attended this event in previous years? Is it seated-dinner only or there's some standing/roaming section too? How much is the entry fee?
Very excited to finally hear good live music in Phuket!
-
wow. tops online grocery section looks very sad, even worse than Tesco's.. , but they have so much stuff in brick&mortar shop at Festival??!
-
Folks,
Is there any other option apart from Tesco, to get fresh groceries delivered? I'm talking about fruit/veggies/fish mostly, as Tesco's selection is mediocre in this respect.. Big C offers deilvery, but not for fresh items.
-
So, is there currently a way to get a metered taxi TO the airport from home? Our taxi-lady in Bangtao charges 700 baht one way, how much is metered?
-
Folks,
My 90 day report is due on Oct 6th, but I'm leaving to Australia on Oct 8th, should I still report? It says somewhere that I need to report ±7 days from the due date...
Thanks!
-
Folks,
Recently (last 2 years or so) I've been digging through "digital crates" in search of truly amazing Thai music from 60-70 era, and I keep discovering gems, like couple examples below:
My luk-thung/thai-funk playlist is like 10 hours long already, but I just can't get enough of this grass.
I know it's a slim chance, but has anyone heard such music performed live anywhere in Phuket or Thailand in general? I would make a trip anywhere just to see such performance.
Thanks!
-
1
-
-
Okay, could not make it yesterday, the white party is all over the island, traffic is horrible.
Went today, fantastic service, all took 5 minutes or so! And free of charge.
Michelle authorized my signature on the stat decl as a lawyer (there's a huge list of people who can do authorizations).
Having said that, she is still NOT officially in the HC position, i.e. she can't authorize stat declarations to confirm income. So keep following the news and see when new government approves her in this position. It'll make everyone's life easier, no need to go to BKK anymore.
-
1
-
-
Apparently, Ms. Hawryluk can help, going to visit her now, will post later.
http://www.thephuketnews.com/canadian-is-new-australian-honorary-consul-in-phuket-46305.php
beware about pools in Jungle Splash
in Phuket
Posted · Edited by andreww
Today we had much fun at Jungle Splash (got a good discount during Kids Day), until my wifey spot a nice chunk of POOP in the pool. I mean, screw parents, who bring their non-toilet trained kids w/o swim-diapers, but also screw slowpokes from JS staff, who said "yeah, a cleaner will come soon". Go figure what "soon" means in Thailand, but that was quite a shitty ending.
So just beware.
JS should start selling swim-diapers and force kids < 3y.o. to wear them. Could be a decent stream of income, as noone else sells swim-diapers in this country, I assume.