GrahamR

What's the question? Mangoes and coconuts seems to be OK. Better than rice or rubber. Do you have a certain reason why you want to change the current planting?

Fatfather

Hi

I was wondering how economic the crops are. My mother in law said you can buy coconuts for 3 baht each. It would hardly cover the transport.

My only change would be adding in a few mixed trees for my own use.

Also I have to find some sort of government primary school fr my kids.

Thanks

Graham

Greetings

My wife has land in Chachoengsao we care considering farming. Is there anyone else in the province I could ask advice from please?

It is about 37 rai currently planted with mangoes and coconuts.

Many thanks.

Graham

I am considering moving to Chachoengsao. Could anyone give me some advice about primary schools please.

You're right my wife and family refused to go with me and dropped me off inside the temple compound - that said they were staggered at the immensity of the structures inside. As to the followers they appear disciplined, meditative,well presented and the businesses which display Dhammakaya symbols look prosperous,well maintained and popular with customers. I have no doubt that folk who follow this path either already are or develop further these attributes which contribute to greater success in life. It is some sort of Buddhist inspired almost American evangelist type of think rich and grow prosperous.

I have less problem with them than I do with a host of temples that are brimful with amulet sellers,lottery tickets, clairvoyants and monks exhibiting less than appropriate behaviour as befits their position. Adherents once they are 'in' are expected to and no doubt willingly choose to make life changing behavioural choices and show great affinity with their temple and movement.

As to whether this is Buddhist or not I'll leave that judgement to better informed people than me but I have no doubt if the Buddha was to return he would be aghast at many of the perverse ways that are associated with his name (though being beyond such attachments that is my spin being projected ineptly onto his thoughts).

There is a power vaccuum opening up in Thailand as we see the sunset of a dynasty and I have no doubt that there are many highly placed Dhammakaya followers over a huge range of powerful positions that they will be a force to be reckoned with in this country in the years to come.

Hi

I think the comparison to Christian Evangelicals is particularly valid.

Having watched their TV channel, I found there was a lot of emphasis on heaven and hell, becoming an angel (if you pay enough) etc. It seemed to have the same carrot and stick aspect of Christian sects and Islamic fundamentalist groups which I reject for the same reason. I don't like the threats. Do what you're told or burn in hell. No thanks, good bye to that.

Graham

As said information is post above is false. Thai wife extensions of stay have nothing to do with long stay visas and require either 400k in bank account two months or 40k income and the savings or income can only be of the foreign male.

I think the 800 000 comes from here:

For the purpose of long-stay retirement (an eligible person must be over 50 years of age), documents required are;

1. Curriculum Vitae

2. Official letter from the concerned Embassy/Consulate certifying the monthly income of at least 65,000 Baht

or Official letter from the Bank in Thailand certifying a valid account of at least 800,000 Baht, and is being held

not less than 3 months

3. Recent Police clearance or equivalent reference of no criminal conviction

4. Medical certificate

http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/

This is for retirement and not marriage visa.

Graham

It means that she signs the copy

Sent from my IdeaTabA1000-G using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

ok thank you

Graham

You will only need to have the 400k in your bank for 2 months prior to renewing your extension, so you can use the money for the rest of the 10 months.

Is this the case if you apply for a visa overseas?

The RTE Website doesn't mention a sum.

For the purpose of accompanying spouse/family members, documents required are;

1. Copy of marriage certificate

2. Certified Copy of spouse’s ID card (in Thai)

3. Copy of house registration book (in Thailand)

4. Copy of bank statement (in Thailand)

5. Other relevant document, for example, copy of child’s birth certificate / ID card

http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/

Graham

How do you get an ID certified please?

Graham

A visa normally doesn't require that you have seasoned the money, or that the money is in a bank account in Thailand.

The required amount of money in the bank can vary, from 0 to 400,000.

thanks

Graham

You will only need to have the 400k in your bank for 2 months prior to renewing your extension, so you can use the money for the rest of the 10 months.

Is this the case if you apply for a visa overseas?

The RTE Website doesn't mention a sum.

For the purpose of accompanying spouse/family members, documents required are;

1. Copy of marriage certificate

2. Certified Copy of spouse’s ID card (in Thai)

3. Copy of house registration book (in Thailand)

4. Copy of bank statement (in Thailand)

5. Other relevant document, for example, copy of child’s birth certificate / ID card

http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/

Graham

No one found any plans then?

If I can find a boat to measure up I can make plans from it.

I was thinking of ply wood with a wooden frame.

Graham

There is a current trend throughout thailand to reduce smoking in public areas. Temples have often taken up this and along with encouraging people to give up booze. Some make it a no smoking zone so perhaps a monk might be surreptitious about a quick drag.

It is not considered to break the fifth precept as it is not intoxicating leading to loss of control or mindfulness. It is an addiction ,however, and any good Buddhist should be trying to reduce attachments, especially to sensual pleasures, and since smoking is wasteful and harmful....

Many old monks still chew betel as older people still do...again....a habit... but not a sin...since it harms only the user.

Isn't self harm a sin?

Graham

In southern England I know Chithurst near Petersfield

http://www.cittaviveka.org/

Amaravati near Hemel Hempstead

http://www.amaravati.org/

And the one in Wimbledon

Graham

Dear all

I noticed that some youtube videos don't play in Thailand as studio channel and other content is blocked.

Does anyone know why and if the is any way around it - eg proxy servers?

Thanks

Graham

This video contains content from WMG and Studio Canal, one or more of whom have blocked it in your country on copyright grounds.

Sorry about that.

http://www.iwmcf.org/IWMC.html

Women are not normally ordained in Thailand with saffron robes, but in China or Vietnam they are.

Some now practice in Thailand. I don't know why it causes such a stir.

I believe they wear brown robes in Sri Lanka.

Graham

Thanks Graham

My wife has since confirmed to me that it is normal out here in Isaan for children to be buried. It seems the Mother who lost her son was advised at the time by the wat and Monks to bury, but ignored this advice.

I am told that the last Wat of 7 is being visited today!

Ok thanks for the update, different customs across Thailand!

Graham

My wife has only heard of unborn foetuses being buried.

Why did it take years to tell the family this, why did a Temple agree to the cremation originally?

Sounds strange.

I can talk to a monk on Monday.

Graham

There is a kids 'Life of Buddha' on youtube

Not much else I know.. Lots of good Hindu cartoons though

Graham

Dear All

Lots of info about the festival here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Emperor_Gods_Festival

Graham

I taught M1- M5 math in a government school for 6 years. I had to follow the same curriculum as the Thai curriculum and teach in the same order and methodology as contained in the Thai textbooks since the students had the opportunity of Thai tutoring on Saturday by the Thai math teachers. I obtained the detailed foundation topics for each semester from the table of contents in the Thai math books for each semester that I translated from Thai and developed all lesson plans and handouts based on that. In all, when I retired 3 years ago I had 18 2" binders, 1 for each semester that contained the syllabus, lesson plans, teaching materials and tests. Unfortunately when I retired I donated the binders to the school for new teachers to use as a guideline. I was never able to find any data in English that directly supported the Thai syllabus, so it was hit and miss research and massive plagiarism to come up with the teaching materials. If I remember right the second semester of M4 was Statistics and Probability. Good luck!

I am supposed to teach the same as the Thai syllabus students as they take the same exams.

Term 1 a Thai teacher translated enough of the syllabus for me to follow the Thai books.

Now I have 4 books not 2 and we don't teach all the topics. The translation I have isn't good, ellipse was translated as 'Oval' for example, rather difficult for conic sections .....

I think I have the Supplementary course sorted with a lot of hassles, but the foundation course is still to be done.

Thanks everyone.

Graham

but I'm waiting to get the foundation topics.

Do you mean the Basic Education Core Curriculum BE 2551 (AD 2008)?

If so, here's the link.

http://www.act.ac.th/document/1741.pdf

Thanks, I have this, but I was really after a more detailed maths syllabus, topics/ hours etc. I have prepared one in a fashion for term 1, now I have to sort out what to actually teach in term 2

Thanks

Graham

I am trying to get my EP to match the normal Thai programme with their maths topics.

I have a copy of the Thai Supplementary maths programme, which I think I have translated adequately, but I'm waiting to get the foundation topics.

Does any one have a version I they could send me that they have used please?

I need to prepare lesson and time is running out ...............

Thanks

Graham

Walking mindfully to the guillotine? Is mindfulness about divorcing ourselves from the reality of our actions?

Graham

Greetings

Not all religions promise(d) heaven, for example it is quite ambiguous in Greek and Roman religion whether everyone would go to another world, I believe evidence from memorial stones is that most people would simply pass into non existence.

Also in Judaism the concept of heaven and hell is quite debatable.

Graham