brimacthai

The Farang Connections WiFi is back on line and as before it's fast and it's free!

To be honest, I find the level of corruption in Thailand a little easier to live with than the level of corruption in Australia! At least here everybody knows it goes on and makes adjustments to allow for it. In Australia we have a rotten to the core Prime Minister who has been implicated in nefarious dealings throughout her adult life surrounded by a team of ex union leaders who are in it for everything they can get out of it.

The difference is that the people involved in daily corruption here are poorly paid police officers and the ones running the corruption in Australia are (very) overpaid politicians. Julia Gillard is better paid than Barack Obama for gods sake and still she taints everything she touches.

Give me the "honest" corruption here over the type found in Australia and a lot of other supposedly clean countries.

As a victim of Aussie corruption I agree with you 100%. I fell much saver here in Thailand that I do in Australia!

Sure. And after all, that's all that matters, right? How you feel?

Who cares what it does to the country and it's people...

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa ap

What can we do about corruption? I have never been asked to pay an on the spot fine here for something I didn't do so I don't know how some of the others feel when it happens to them. But apparently by reading some of the posts, they don't feel too good about it... sometimes ones opinion is all about how they "feel" about something.

And yes, sometimes it's all about how I feel about things... just stating to me what is a fact... I feel safer here than in Oz, especially when it comes to the police!

You are one of the people I referred to in my first post: you simply don't very much at all about the topic at hand (and apparently haven't bothered to read some of the excellent posts by a couple posters that have explicated what it is and the effects it has); corruption isn't just down to paying an "on the spot fine here for something (you) didn't do"! Even if you did something wrong, paying a bribe ("on the spot fine" is such a wimpy and dishonest euphemism; if you are OK with paying bribes - I've done it myself - then call it what it is) to avoid punishment is STILL corruption; the sort of corruption that destroys any chance for Rule of Law or a just society.

On the ThaiVisa iPad app that I am using, directly below this topic is the thread about the law lecturer who assaulted a woman because she inconvenienced her. Watch the video and try to imagine how you'd feel if it was your wife or sister getting punched and kicked. Then consider that the guy felt he could do such a thing because there is no Rule of Law or accountability. Why? Corruption.

That, by the way is not even close to the only example or even the best one - it just happens to be right there...

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa ap

It's like I said, I have not experienced corruption here beyond what I posted before. I have heard lots about other people. And even blind Freddy can see that it is rife here at all levels... as it is in most (all?) other countries. Maybe what I'm feel safe about is here you can see it where in Oz it's well hidden... that is until you become a part of it.

Yes it does hurt the country and the people... and I don't support that at all... so how do we fix it?

To be honest, I find the level of corruption in Thailand a little easier to live with than the level of corruption in Australia! At least here everybody knows it goes on and makes adjustments to allow for it. In Australia we have a rotten to the core Prime Minister who has been implicated in nefarious dealings throughout her adult life surrounded by a team of ex union leaders who are in it for everything they can get out of it.

The difference is that the people involved in daily corruption here are poorly paid police officers and the ones running the corruption in Australia are (very) overpaid politicians. Julia Gillard is better paid than Barack Obama for gods sake and still she taints everything she touches.

Give me the "honest" corruption here over the type found in Australia and a lot of other supposedly clean countries.

As a victim of Aussie corruption I agree with you 100%. I fell much saver here in Thailand that I do in Australia!

Sure. And after all, that's all that matters, right? How you feel?

Who cares what it does to the country and it's people...

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa ap

What can we do about corruption? I have never been asked to pay an on the spot fine here for something I didn't do so I don't know how some of the others feel when it happens to them. But apparently by reading some of the posts, they don't feel too good about it... sometimes ones opinion is all about how they "feel" about something.

And yes, sometimes it's all about how I feel about things... just stating to me what is a fact... I feel safer here than in Oz, especially when it comes to the police!

To be honest, I find the level of corruption in Thailand a little easier to live with than the level of corruption in Australia! At least here everybody knows it goes on and makes adjustments to allow for it. In Australia we have a rotten to the core Prime Minister who has been implicated in nefarious dealings throughout her adult life surrounded by a team of ex union leaders who are in it for everything they can get out of it.

The difference is that the people involved in daily corruption here are poorly paid police officers and the ones running the corruption in Australia are (very) overpaid politicians. Julia Gillard is better paid than Barack Obama for gods sake and still she taints everything she touches.

Give me the "honest" corruption here over the type found in Australia and a lot of other supposedly clean countries.

As a victim of Aussie corruption I agree with you 100%. I fell much saver here in Thailand that I do in Australia!

A lot of this has to do with the wages. I know a guy that teaches at Uni level and get less than 30K a month. But a lot of it has to do with location... we have an ELS and we're offering 60K a month... but when you say it's in Surin they're not interested. Still needing two TESOL teachers...

You're school is offering 60,000 baht a month in Surin and no one is interested? I would love to stay in contact with you if you are still offering that salary when I get my degree next May. I will graduate with an education degree and would like to have that position. Surin is actually a neat city in my opinion.

Thanks for the interest and I agree that Surin is a neat place. Just remember we're talking about Surin in Isaan. If you are interested then PM me with your contact details.

A lot of this has to do with the wages. I know a guy that teaches at Uni level and get less than 30K a month. But a lot of it has to do with location... we have an ELS and we're offering 60K a month... but when you say it's in Surin they're not interested. Still needing two TESOL teachers...

Hi, I'm a highly qualified teacher, currently working at Singapore American School, and looking to transfer to Thailand. I'm interested in hearing more about this position..

Send me a PM with your contact details

A lot of this has to do with the wages. I know a guy that teaches at Uni level and get less than 30K a month. But a lot of it has to do with location... we have an ELS and we're offering 60K a month... but when you say it's in Surin they're not interested. Still needing two TESOL teachers...

do you have the contact details of the school as im in thailand and have a diploma and tesol certificate...and like surin?

Sent you a PM...

A lot of this has to do with the wages. I know a guy that teaches at Uni level and get less than 30K a month. But a lot of it has to do with location... we have an ELS and we're offering 60K a month... but when you say it's in Surin they're not interested. Still needing two TESOL teachers...

Where in Surin the only one I have seen is 30K

The correct answer would have been ...

Where in Surin? The only position, that I have seen, offered B30,000.

I'm guessing that you eliminated yourself from the candidature?

ROF LOL...

A lot of this has to do with the wages. I know a guy that teaches at Uni level and get less than 30K a month. But a lot of it has to do with location... we have an ELS and we're offering 60K a month... but when you say it's in Surin they're not interested. Still needing two TESOL teachers...

The prime minister stressed that all residents should move their belongings to higher ground in preparation for a worst case scenario if flood barriers collapse.

Under such circumstances, the government will do its best to protect electricity and water distribution systems to make sure service is not disrupted.

However, if residents feel they would like to return to their home provinces or would like to leave Bangkok, the Transport and Interior ministries will facilitate flood victims who would like to relocate, either home or to provincial evacuation centers

Is this her way of saying get out before it's too late?

Might already be too late for some!

yeah my trip to Korat cost an extra 100B

Surin has a couple of Thai language schools but none of them offer Ed Visas.

Our thoughts and prayers to him, his friend (what a terrible way to lose a mate, not that there's a good way either), and his family.

maybe time to close this post... troll or not it's giving the big Don some free advertising... and I believe that's against policy...

try D.K. Today book store, they are just across from Tops RCA. I think their website is: dktoday.net

Cheers

Try CAT. I use this when my ADSL2 is down, works fine for me and I have the slower option, CAT has two packages for you to consider.

CAT is a USB drive system using the CDMA network, works fine in Isaan but doesn't work in the big smoke... (BKK).

Best of luck...

Great input and suggestions, will forward to Sunny. The other day when I was there most of the dishes ordered that day were European in Flair. The only issue with buffet style is knowing if you're going to have sufficient clients or not to warrant to risk of the amount of foods to be pre-cooked. Maybe having a buffet Friday or something like that to start would work to "test the waters".

Any ideas on that technique?

Well first you must decide on your market, my thought would be to aim at the Thai market alongside the existing Farang market

Ask your current customers if they would like to give a buffet a try, get their input on preferred dishes introduce some of the huge variety of fruits currently available......the 'farang salad bar' perhaps, the farang fruit is currently available plus, those pink fruit, the red hairy things,water melon, durian, grapes,banana, pineapple a whole list of fruit to try for foreigners and loved by most Thai....I don't know the names of many but I tried at least 3 new ones on my recent family visit and enjoyed them all.... give small samples to try encourage participation especially with the one off visitors......make eating at farang connection an experience.......but a relatively healthy experience......

Perhaps think about recruiting a soup noodle stall operate out front for a while to attract Thai local workers.....just a suggestion, make up snack packs of in season fruit for them to take back to work......

Tom yum is cheap and easy to make, rice, and some greens, barbecued chichen legs and thighs, perhaps a pork dish, maybe a green curry, possibly a fish dish,offer a buffet or individualy priced dishes, the buffet would allow eat 'til full and a cross section of tastes, individual should be one off dish no seconds, but cheap to support the buffet.

Most of the above is relatively cheap to supply easily cooked quickly to refresh a favourite dish that is disappearing, also allowing the dishes to be fresh and not standing around too long

perhaps pick out one popular european dish per buffet

And yes you would have to go gently regarding cost and waste but you cannot afford to pinch on quality or run out unless there is a particular favourite that goes extraordinary well

But there are more capable people here to advise you guys ......Just a few thoughts .......good luck

Thanks for taking the time to write a wonderful detailed posting, some great idea here too!

For me, as I have curtailed my drinking now to desert wandering proportions, combined with the fact that my wife is excellent at cooking my favourite dishes, and I enjoy thai food, I find FC carries no draw for me.....I dine out at the soup noodle stalls.... .

,

Ah yes, another convert.

Has it's moments, doesn't it?

Everything in moderation.

Agreed, but you must admit there is the major benefit of having your food in front of you before most restaurants would have arrived with the menu................also I cannot envisage chewing my way through a pork chop when there is the alternative of bite size chunks fried in a garlic suace.......same with a steak.....why?.....you can make lovely beef strips fried in garlic and honey.......why chew through a steak?.......just my preference of course.......and as for bread.....it is a well known fact that it can give you heartburn.......most probably thought it was the beer......

I do understand the craving for some foods, but I got fed up with not enjoying the food as much as my memory thought I would

And yes before you ask I still have all my own teeth.......

So what would entice me to Farang connection above anywhere else...................a buffet mix of Thai dishes, European food (Minimal),fresh salad and fruit.........eat all you can for 200 baht.....and free water....

Great input and suggestions, will forward to Sunny. The other day when I was there most of the dishes ordered that day were European in Flair. The only issue with buffet style is knowing if you're going to have sufficient clients or not to warrant to risk of the amount of foods to be pre-cooked. Maybe having a buffet Friday or something like that to start would work to "test the waters".

Any ideas on that technique?

to start with MH there's nothing "hostile" in my response. I just simply pointed out that maybe you should have tried saying hello first. And your second story doesn't match your first... however not one of them has ever raised a smile to me or said ''hello'' on any occasion.

Now that you have changed your story one is left wondering what your true motives are.

You have no right to use mine or anyone else's true name without authority... so again... what's your real motive here?

Brian, looks like you spent too much time in the Company of Lawyers....''changed my story''...''what your true motives are''...maybe I should have chosen my words more carefully...had I known I was going to be put before the Judge and Jury on this one.

You obviously read more into my reply to the OP than most...so what is the Question regarding ...'''My motives'' as all I did was answer with a few reasonable points on my personal view of the FC, however I now find myself in an argument with you.

Reading back through the thread and also other Forums on the same subject, I find I am not the first person you have started an argument with on matter, there are many...so we have to ask...what is your motive?

In the first instance I was referring to the group activity, meaning none of them said Hello etc. The one guy alone at first did acknowledge me, but that is about it. There is no story and no motive.

The bottom line is, arguments with you and bullsh*t aside...The majority of former Customers of FC have already voted with their feet...the place is not somewhere we would choose to go anymore.

Now if you ask the question, yet are unable to accept the answers as they are given, what is the point?

Cheers, MH

ok you win!

Good points made regarding the improvement of Food, Service, and Ambiance at the FC. IMO, the biggest problem is that Sunni and her boyfriend/new husband basically don't like Farangs. They know they have a built in hard core group who will frequent the FC regardless so what's the incentive to make needed changes? Their only real competition is Starbeams here in Surin. The demise of the FC started even before the late Martin passed away, Sunni and Martin had basically divorced but due to financial constraints they were forced to try and work together to keep the FC afloat. As Martin's cancer rapidly progressed and Sunni's overall attitude to us Farangs it was simply a matter of time before a lot of regular customers said enough is enough.

Yes, the FC is very much like a clique, especially in the afternoon when the hard core group of regulars take over a few of the tables. A lot of them look like they just rolled out of bed, forgot to brush their teeth or even gave a single though about their dress. These guys don't like change and as long as they get their "locals price" for their beers they are well satisfied. They might acknowledge a stranger, especially if he is a Brit or simply a guy with a stunner on his arm. But as far as going out of their way to make a newcomer welcome, that's a pipe dream. How do I know this you might ask? I have sat with these guys over the past five years on and off and I have seen it for myself, yes I have been guilty of standoffish behavior myself. For me it just to the point of always hearing these guys bitch and moan, get pissed daily and quite frankly that became a real bore.

Now I just pop in for breakfast one or twice a week with my wife. For the guy who is trying to make significant changes to the staff, the owners, the food, the service and the ambiance all I can say is bleddy good luck to you. IMO, you might as well be trying to piss into a hurricane.

Interesting observation... funny thing is several times a week I see some of the same great mates at Star Beams.. so does that mean the SB is the same as FC?

YES.

Thanks... i think this is the first time I have actually understood what you've said (LOL)

At least some people are trying to do something other than bitch about what's wrong. And from what I've been told almost none of you have actually complained to S. about the place, the food or the service.

Vote with your voice, tell S. what's wrong and what's right if there's something you do like about the food, the service and the place it's self.

I happen to agree with most about what's right and what's wrong... the breakfast is the strong point. The old cook is back so the food all around is getting better and because most old customers know her (the cook) the overall feeling is improving too!

So for now things are moving in the right direction.

For those that feel it necessary to drag the past into the discussion I only have this to say to you: breath in - breath out and move on, get over it.

Many people have gone through bad times, isn't that why some people are here in Thailand in the first place, looking for a fresh new start on life?

Sure things got pretty ugly (what's your past look like?) and S. was left with a lot of hospital bills to pay and no insurance and other than the FC, no way to pay the bills either, a lot of stress on anyone's shoulders...

Is S. not entitled to have a relationship with someone (her BF)? Is your partner Gods gift to the world?

I've been told the new menu is almost finished. Just doing the translations into other languages including Thai, maybe taking a little longer than one would hope but then translations do take time and finding the right people can be difficult at the best of times.

If there's anyone who has access to painters out there... you input is needed! PM me or better yet go talk with Sunny I'm sure she would appreciate your help.

Good points made regarding the improvement of Food, Service, and Ambiance at the FC. IMO, the biggest problem is that Sunni and her boyfriend/new husband basically don't like Farangs. They know they have a built in hard core group who will frequent the FC regardless so what's the incentive to make needed changes? Their only real competition is Starbeams here in Surin. The demise of the FC started even before the late Martin passed away, Sunni and Martin had basically divorced but due to financial constraints they were forced to try and work together to keep the FC afloat. As Martin's cancer rapidly progressed and Sunni's overall attitude to us Farangs it was simply a matter of time before a lot of regular customers said enough is enough.

Yes, the FC is very much like a clique, especially in the afternoon when the hard core group of regulars take over a few of the tables. A lot of them look like they just rolled out of bed, forgot to brush their teeth or even gave a single though about their dress. These guys don't like change and as long as they get their "locals price" for their beers they are well satisfied. They might acknowledge a stranger, especially if he is a Brit or simply a guy with a stunner on his arm. But as far as going out of their way to make a newcomer welcome, that's a pipe dream. How do I know this you might ask? I have sat with these guys over the past five years on and off and I have seen it for myself, yes I have been guilty of standoffish behavior myself. For me it just to the point of always hearing these guys bitch and moan, get pissed daily and quite frankly that became a real bore.

Now I just pop in for breakfast one or twice a week with my wife. For the guy who is trying to make significant changes to the staff, the owners, the food, the service and the ambiance all I can say is bleddy good luck to you. IMO, you might as well be trying to piss into a hurricane.

Interesting observation... funny thing is several times a week I see some of the same great mates at Star Beams.. so does that mean the SB is the same as FC?

to start with MH there's nothing "hostile" in my response. I just simply pointed out that maybe you should have tried saying hello first. And your second story doesn't match your first... however not one of them has ever raised a smile to me or said ''hello'' on any occasion.

Now that you have changed your story one is left wondering what your true motives are.

You have no right to use mine or anyone else's true name without authority... so again... what's your real motive here?

If you want to see an example of a well presented Farang establishment with decent food, and reasonable service, take a trip to Prakhon Chai and have a look at Coffee Corner.

Yes I have heard the same and plan to make the trip to meet the owners and experience their restaurant soon.

I'm sure the great people at the Coffee Corner have earned this praise!

Brimacthai - it was probably easier for me because I started with a blank canvas - literally!, I took over an empty noodle shop.

I had a project in mind and I wanted to create a particular standard. My start point was that I loved Thai food but if I wanted Western food, I could get any authentic locally.

I set the format and taught the Thais how to cook and present Falang food - as best as an ex-bank manager could manage ! I emphasised a couple of basics:-

1. Acknowledge the customer at the first opportunity.

2. Smile if possible and make the customer welcome.

3. Falang food must be hot.

4. Toast must be dark brown not white.

5. Eggs must not resemble the soles of your flip flops

6. Shortly after serving food ask the customer if everything is OK/they have all they need. (tough this, the Thais are scared to ask but it is the first chance to put right any cock-ups).

7. Get a decent toilet - it only costs a few thousand Baht more to have a decent Western standard bog.

Beyond this it is mainly common sense and sourcing/cooking quality product.

I could not control the business in the way Martin was able to at FC because of my return trips to the UK. I was very fortunate that my missus was a Thai who was able to show a decent degree of responsibility. She is the boss and, as the customers know, she wears the trousers.

i still look to improve and re-set the direction. The Thais generally cannot do this.

Sunni is fortunate that she has a group of friends who can help her re-set the direction of FC. however, after that, she must take the responsibility for achieving some of the service standards that some posters have recommended.

Good luck.

Ya won me at 4 and 5... the number of arguments I have had in Thai restaurants and hotels because I actually wanted my toast... well to look like toast I could write a book on! (if the smoke alarm isn't going off it's not done!)

And I've been lookin for the way to describe the eggs... now i have it! ta!

From what I've heard you've done more and better than this... as soon as I get a chance I'll be around to give you place a try.

Off to Bkk for a four week contract, will try to stop by on one of the weekends home as we drive through town.

Cheers...

BMT

If you want to see an example of a well presented Farang establishment with decent food, and reasonable service, take a trip to Prakhon Chai and have a look at Coffee Corner.

Yes I have heard the same and plan to make the trip to meet the owners and experience their restaurant soon.

I'm sure the great people at the Coffee Corner have earned this praise!