BobbyL

Fair play if that is what he wants. Has he been able to keep his US citizenship?

The only sad thing about this is the photo of him prostrating on the floor. That action should really be abolished. 

2 hours ago, Pravda said:

 

 

I do Japanese porn kissing

Is that reciprocated by the female? 

Seems completely sensationalist journalism by the DM as usual.

Probably more chance he has 'the long cold'. 

35 minutes ago, stament said:

You must have long school breaks to make up 15 weeks. Christmas, Songkran, Easter and 2 half terms I presume.

They're similar holidays dates to the UK, just slightly longer at Christmas and in the summer (July and August) holidays. I think it works out at 14.5 weeks this academic year.

• October and February half terms are 1 week each
• Christmas is 3 weeks
• Easter is 2.5 weeks
• Summer is 7 weeks

There is an optional summer school for two weeks that staff can volunteer to do that is paid extra. Therefore, if you do that then your summer holidays are 5 weeks, but you earn more. 

All in all, the holidays are the best thing about teaching IMO. 

4 minutes ago, stament said:

Do they also stipulate the number of school days in a year as there seems to be sooo many national holidays which I understand but there are also a lot of non public holidays such as teachers day, teacher training, etc, etc. 

Good point. Yes, ISAT do I believe. 

We do 180 days teaching plus 5 days INSET. It should work out approx 37 weeks at school and then 15 weeks holiday.

We hardly get any of the Thai national holidays as that would mean we don't fulfill enough teaching days. We were open this Monday as usual and have only had one national holiday so far this academic school year for the King's Birthday in December. We have one more off in May. Songkran falls in our Easter break. We obviously don't get any of the non - public holidays apart the scheduled school ones. 

Interesting question.

I work in a British international school, but I am not fully clued up on all of the governing side of things.

OPEC (Office of Private Education Commission) seem to be referred as the company who control international / private schools in Thailand. In my experience, I have never known them to visit the school in any capacity with regards to teaching and learning. As I assume all the staff at OPEC are Thai, I very much doubt what they can do that is beneficial to a western managed international school and most likely have their name there just for the sake of it. 

ISAT (International Schools Association of Thailand) is who most international schools are members of. In theory, they don't 'govern' the school, but promote certain standards, guidelines etc that schools adhere to and they do make key decisions such as recently with the pollution and the coronavirus.

We are a member of CIS (Council of International Schools) who act like an OFSTED body that come to monitor and inspect the school every 4 or 5 years (I think). A thorough report has to be submitted to CIS every so often to outline strengths and weaknesses and what new policies are being put in place. However, a CIS visit is absolutely nothing like an OFSTED visit in the UK. 

The Thai Ministry of Education probably have to stamp a piece of paper somewhere along the line for international schools, but as far as I am aware, have no control over what actually goes on day to day. I believe the only thing they do stipulate is how many hours a week that the students must learn Thai (2 hours for non - Thai students and 3 hours for Thai students is usually the norm per week). 

Seems utterly bizarre to decline a visa with all that clear evidence. 

10 hours ago, Iron Tongue said:

Nobody here seems to have the slightest clue that this ship,the MS Westerdam, was never supposed to visit Thailand.

This ship was only meant to visit China, S. Korea, Taiwan, and then Japan. 

After the coronavirus hit, no country on their itinerary would let them dock as last port of call was in China.

This ship has been sailing the seas like a proverbial plague ship, looking for anywhere that would let them dock.

 

In this instance, I think the Thai govt. doesn't owe them anything, and has done the right thing.

Absolutely. I will criticise things that need mentioning, but this does not warrant it.

You just know had Thailand allowed the ship to dock, a lot of the posters would be saying how dangerous it is and why Thailand wasn't following other country's decision in denying it. 

3 hours ago, Thian said:

They could have ordered holland to send an empty plane, let the cruise dock, all guests in the bus, drive it straight to the plane, push them in the plane and wave goodbye....

They would need to send more than one plane for all the guests. I doubt Holland will be covering the costs of 10 or more planes flying here and back. 

2 hours ago, BRUFC said:

Any ex. bookies on the forum? Who's the ante post favourite in the 'sack' race? Anutin or Army Chief?

Considering the army chief is best buddies with the TOP boss in Thailand he isn't going anywhere, and many people's favourite to replace Prayut at some point. 

1 hour ago, Coremouse said:

It's not like us Chinese would appreciate this guy - he adamantly suggests ban Chinese tourists while other Thai officials & WHO & Chinese gov all adwise not to

 

Any link to that? I don't recall seeing him saying that. 

Seems like a 'microsleep' is totally fine and is a perfect excuse here for any form of accident. 

According to Barrow today's update is 1 new person confirmed (33).

From where you might ask? You guessed it ....... Wuhan and came here on holiday ????. 

5 minutes ago, Berkshire said:

Hmmm...wonder why Japan refused this ship.

 

I would guess it might be to do with the fact Japan has another ship stuck there with 3000 people on. They would be mad to even entertain the idea. 

Just now, Jane Dough said:

So you think that pandering to hysteria and reneging on a deal is a good thing?

 

Rooster

 

 

I think Thailand should look after itself and the people who live here. It only takes one infected person on there to spread it way further. Absolutely not worth the risk. 

2 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

Maybe Thailand will become known as South China...

 

China announced publicly its plans to remove western influence in this area of the world several years ago.  They are patiently working their plan.  Sometimes I wonder if the trips to China by Thai officials and the attitude at most Thai Immigration offices are connected.  

 

Slowly tightening the screws to make living in SE Asia by westerners uncomfortable...

I think you're definitely correct. Far too many coincidences. 

Good to hear some truth. However, whether or not this will result in positive change remains to be seen. 

He also has an incredibly impressive amount of medals for a man who has never actually fought in a war. 

2 hours ago, isnakebite said:

I'm in the middle of preparing my wife's first settlement visa for her to live with me in the UK. I've estimated that her passport will probably be valid for 25 of the allowed 33 months before it expires.

 

I was concerned that her passport runs out before the full length of the visa. Are you stating that UK visas are always valid for the full allowed period regardless of when the passport expires?

 

Obviously with her pasport expiring during the 2.5 years I know that at some point she would need to get a new passport via the Thai Embassy in London. Are you claiming that she won't need to get the visa transfered to the new passport?

 

Thanks in advance

The settlement visa I am not sure about. My only experience is with the 10 year UK and 10 year USA tourists visa.

As the poster above reminded me, when my wife obtained her new passport last year (old passport with the visas in) she did pay for a signed stamp to confirm that her visas are still valid even though she has a new passport. 

Is that charlatan stood to his left ....... The health minister? Without a mask? 
 

????