Laulen

One or other of the pachyderms must have made a trunk call to the authorities!

We will just have to see if the temptation for corruption by officials and others with "power" slowly recedes.

As another poster here has already mentioned, enforcement of finely crafted anti-corruption laws and regulations is ESSENTIAL if business confidence in Thailand is to be restored to a higher level than it currently is.

Any chance that the Buddhist ethics of the 'middle way' might play a greater role in business dealings rather than the all too familiar Chinese habit of 'grengai'?

If is easy for Thailand to get its assets back. Since all profits are derived from Thailand, all they have to do is tax all monies from telecom businesses that leave Thailand at a 50% or higher rate. Singapore would be more than willing to sell the assets back without taking a loss because if they don't, Thailand could tighten the rules more until Thailand gets all the profits and is unwilling to buy the assets at the original price.

Oh thats intelligent!....Should Singapore tax all Thailands investments in Singapore too?

It strikes me that this is a saga that will run and run. Thailand, or rather those in power, of whatever political leanings, have much to learn about transparent government, corporate governance and the rule of law.

They should take a trip to Finland; perhaps there they will understand the reason why this country regularly tops the poll in corporate governance. It is small enough and outside the 'Western/American/Chinese/Russian' sphere of influence that so many in Thailand dislike (although Thais everywhere are always quick to take any 'buck' that they can get).

Acting to a Thai stereotype ??

"Amazing Thailand" is not dead, yet!

Thailand has much to do in the way of transparency of government - just visit Transparency International's website.

They should really take a leaf out of fellow ASEAN member Vietnam's books (yes, really!) and ensure that all security forces are paid properly and that all links with commercial businesses or government positions are severed permanently, as long as they are 'in service'.

I can't see that ever happening in LOS, sadly.

If it ever did happen, then perhaps Thailand will be able to restore some pride in itself, from an international viewpoint.

It cannot be said that there is 'no conflict of interest' where a policeman drives taxis in their off-duty time, for example.

It is good to hear of two ASEAN countries getting together and resolving issues in a bilateral way and putting the interests of people living in this troubled area at the top of each countries' political agenda.

It is a beautiful part of the world, and would no doubt attract a lot of tourists, if it weren't for the aspirations of a number of extremist 'hotheads'! I am always amazed at Islam, meaning 'Peace', and Islamists or so-called Islamists importing and using terrorism to achieve their political aims.

With my limited understanding of basic economics, it would seem that the self-sufficiency economic idea is attractive on the small scale. It may even be attractive at a national level because of its 'green' credentials; something that this world is crying out for.

As with most economic models, the results will probably be a cobbling together of a variety of techniques. In all this experimentation I just hope that those most disadvantaged really do get a stake in all of this, and feel as though they can improve their living and lifestyles, if they choose to!

This topic would be hilariously funny if it wasn't so sad that the reason behind it all, unwanted pregnancy, sexual assaults, rape, and the life-changing experiences that these bring to women are not so prevalent in Thailand.

Come to think of it; it is pretty high amongst a certain social grouping in Britain.

It is certainly an interesting time in Thailand.

This is an excellent article about the current state of affairs in Thailand, although naturally not everyone will agree. The need for greater transparency in government dealings is key here, but I doubt that the cultural stranglehold of 'grengai' will ever be broken here.

As long as 'grengai' exists, as it does in so many Southeast Asian nations, along with China, good governance will be difficult to achieve. However, it is amazing how the ordinary Thai citizen, despite being 'tired' and 'frustrated' with all these political goings-on still retains that ready enigmatic smile along with 'mai pen rai'!

Human trafficking of whatever kind is an absolute abomination. Those who do this are not worthy to be called human themselves, even if they believe that they are offering these people a better life.

Just think what that Bt10 million could have been spent on in Burma itself. Medical supplies, shelter and other basic necessities are almost non-existent in eastern Burma.

It is such a sad thing for these long-necked Karens.

corrupt is spelled with 2 "r"s. Perhaps, that is why we need more professional teachers?

Unfortunalty Thailand is a corupt country, so with a corupt country come corupt rules, peolpe, teachers corupt anything for that matter! but thats everywhere in the world, the only thing that i can see to make things better is beefing up the TEFL ,and making new recruits pass a test, exam, and training course all in one in order to satisfy everyone.

Ouch! Well spotted! Probably 'ffatt finngerr syndrome!' And, some teachers I know deliberately put in mistakes, as a 'motivating' factor for their lessons!

Exactly Brahm!

If you look at what China is doing to build up for example their military power in the region as well as closing energy contracts throughout the world, the only conclusion is that China is working on to become the next nr1 superpower within 10 years.

Assymetric warfare it is called and I have a few documents where their strategy to become the worlds superpower is clearly described as well as for India.

China is aggressively looking for more energy resources as well as raw materials for building.

Remember they try to take over Unacoal?

Now India has taken over the Dutch steelmaker Corus making it the 5th largest steelproducer.

That for sure was a pain in the ass for the Chinese.

Now the whole idea is to have as much people as posible to speak Chinese so that doing bizz with China becomes more easy.

Think about it, most likely if you are able to speak Chinese you will be more likely to do bizz with a Chinese company instead of a Swahili speakin bizz partner/company where you have to rely on a translator.

The Chinese have brilliant strategist and the recent move to bring in 250 teachers of Chinese language (for free) is just one step in the process to make China the world dominating power.

Alex

A perceptive post, and without doubt it will be the Chinese 'Empire' come 2050! The United States will still be important, but definitely no longer in the Premier Division, especially if the US of Europe (one constitution, one foreign policy, a centralised police force and army) gets its act together (not likely on present showing).

The Chinese political elite, unlike almost any other nation on earth, think long-term and are prepared to bide their time for generations if necessary in order to achieve their goals. One reason is that they do not have any pesky elections to worry about, where a whole political ideology is overturned overnight. Another is their cultural beliefs in honouring their ancestors by building on what has been achieved in the past; a belief that finds a certain resonance throughout East Asia.

The 'test-bed' for many of these ideas is the city nation state of Singapore; its ideas even now are being adopted and implemented in Vietnam, while we all know the links with business in Thailand and certain politicians!

The challenge for the rest of the world is: does it want to be dominated by yet another superpower? Will democracy give way to one-party nation states?

Along with English and Spanish, there is no doubt that Chinese will be the third global language.

Together, these languages will put anyone with these skills into a most fortunate linguistic situation for business, travel, and life experience.

There are lots of people that can be competent English teachers without a degree and there are those with degrees that are not competent. I could see beefing up the TEFL requirements so that the courses actually screen people out who can't teach.

very few competent teachers without a degree I would think...go home and get one!

those with degrees not nec competent...yep...

TEFL quals: mostly junk quals from rip-off colleges.....you get what you pay for....

Be careful what you say about TEFL qualifications. It depends on the organisation delivering them, the competence of tutors, and the commitment of participants as to the successful outcome and aim of producing teachers capable of using and applying teaching techniques.

After that, the real 'acid test' is in the classroom itself, with regular peer-group feedback and occasional outside evaluation. TEFL qualifications start at the Certificate level and go on to the Diploma level. There is a world of difference between the two.

If these qualifications are acceptable within a country like the United Kingdom and some other European countries, backed up by professional experience, with or without a degree, then I do not see why Thailand feels it should act differently.

The world is over-regulated as it is already, and it will not stop these nasty individuals who wish to exploit the system to pursue their own perverted interests!

Well, you should expect to be able to get into any high school, "international" or not, in the country that you want to- if they have a place. Your answer about hiring teachers in pairs is "yes."

"Steven"

Thanks for the answer. Much appreciated. So...my wife is considering getting certification of some sort... TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA...

Within Thailand, are there any significant differences between these three? (Or others...maybe I'm missing some...) What are your experiences with these certificates and how meaningful they are (or aren't)?

Many thanks!

Lowell

Huskychemist: -

TESOL stands for Teaching English as a Second or Other Language. This usually relates to the teaching of immigrants coming into an English-speaking country, as they have to cope with communicating with the indigenous English-speaking community (well, in the UK, most of them anyway).

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. This is usually aimed at teaching Adults and teenagers. Younger people and children require a different teaching technique to maintain their motivation. This qualification has largely been replaced by the next nemomic...

CELTA stands for Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. Offered by Cambridge University, England, and Trinity College, Dublin (where I believe it is still called 'TEFL'). This is by far the most common English Language Teaching qualification worldwide, but not the only one. It is delivered in Thailand by ECC (Thailand) at Siam Square, Bangkok, and I believe that another provider offers a similar, but not the same type of course down in Rayong.

If you intend teaching young children, the CELTA will not be a 'waste of time', but you might like to take up any opportunity to attend Young Learner Workshops that are sometimes offered by some of the private language schools in Bangkok.

From my own experience I used my Cert. TEFLA (1993) in 1997 and my first teaching post was a summer school for 11 and 12 year-olds. It was a 'baptism of fire' but I survived and the qualification gave me just the right amount of confidence and competence to get started.

I now have a DELTA qualification (2002). Unfortunately, despite my experience, I do not have a degree of any kind. I am working slowly on this, as well as holding down a full-time job and a young family.

Best of luck.

Laulen

I cannot see this stopping the trade entirely. Other, more imaginitive routes will be found to traffic conterfeit goods.

As usual, demand will always lead to a supply, whatever the price on the streets! Just take a look at the drugs trade!

Human trafficking of whatever kind, especially where it dupes the unfortunate victim, often looking for a better life is just plain evil.

Let us hope this cautious change leads to changes in other areas of Thai life; like a more transparent, but nevertheless accountable press; both print and broadcast media!

In Europe there is the bidet of course to replace the 'bum gun'!

I don't think even after four years my Thai wife has completely dispensed with the 'water-wipe'. She follows up with a baby wipe to stay dry.

Carpeted bathrooms are no place for a 'bum gun'.

I wonder, sometimes, just how 'in touch' world leaders and governments really are with 'young people'.

Certainly by this latest pronouncement, however well-intentioned, it appears that at least one person may be clear in what they want 'young people' to do, but they haven't a clue in how to deliver that message in a way that it might just be heard, welcomed, and acted upon.

I'm all for equality where 'matters of the heart' are concerned. Passing a wise judgement may well be another thing, though!

All this talk of 'freedom' and 'democracy' is somewhat relative I believe. As the saying goes, especially in respect of the previous post from HAMMERED... 'People in glasshouses...'

Well, it is not before time! Anything that goes some way to reducing the horrific carnage on Thailand's roads must be a good thing; if not for the deceased person, then certainly for their surviving family and friends!

Let us just hope that the fines imposed are paid promptly, and the monies are put to good use in improved road safety or some other public service.

The issue of whether it is absolutely required or not to have a degree to work as any kind of a teacher (including basic TEFL teaching) in Thailand is unresolvable at the moment. The government has (probably deliberately) unclear regulations and is rewriting them more or less constantly, as far as anyone can tell. There are different rules for public and private schools, for TEFL and for subject degrees, and probably for the days when Khun Wannacuppa at the MOE or the MOI or the MOL has a stomachache and when she doesn't. In the past there have been, and at the present there are indeed teachers working legally, even with work permits, who do not have degrees and have not lied about it. In the future, who knows? It's my personal opinion that mere TEFL teaching doesn't require a 4 year degree- it's not rocket science- but I'm not the one writing the rules. You can discuss whether or not this should be true until you're blue in the face, but no one in Thailand can predict with 100% accuracy whether or not this will be true in any particular individual's case and reading the law won't help you- too many exceptions, loopholes, and vague exclusions.

It IS possible to verify degrees and probably even to handle police checks- I've seen in done in Japan- but not the way things are done in Thailand. To do so requires transparency, efficiency, and organisation- these are not qualities for which the Thai bureaucracy is well-known. The opacity of the current system serves many well-entrenched interests.

"Steven"

Great post! It highlights the current confusion, which allows certain 'teachers' to pursue their 'lusts' with impunity.

This thread is all rather sad for genuine teachers (of whatever subject) in Thailand. I just hope that there is some counter-balance to this by the establishment of some kind of 'Award' to teachers, other than Thai (so this includes other nationalities, not just English-speaking), recognising some of the first-class work, dedication, and success they are having with the nation's young people and professional people as well.

If anyone at the Education Ministry is reading this, please carefully consider this proposal for a National Award, like you already have for existing Thai teachers.

Horrible! Thank goodness I am a vegetarian!