MAJIC

At least nobody will be able to tell you to "leave, go home" you will be home.

And no more "Farang" "Falang"

Good Luck for the Future.

The freedom to generalise is the only constant we have. It keeps us safe from the zealots or thieves. We must resist insidious, sinister attempts to impose ideology onto us by others. The thugs that administer the beatings do so to maintain their own importance, their own profit. Those that cite "aggression", or "civility" or "lack of manners or respect" or no end of other bland catch-alls do so because it suits them. Prison camp guards have undergone a makeover and have mutated into The Big Nurses. Don't let them bully you into submission. Don't let them divide and rule.

To stereotype is to be free.

Actually not,Phychologists correct name for stereotyping is a: "Schema"

Which describes a fixed idea or view of something by appearance and/or previous experience,and not necessarily relevant or true.

Some examples are:

1.A man and his dog are walking down the street,he has a very short haircut (skinhead),wears a denim jacket and jeans,has tattoos on his knuckles and neck, and is thick set,the dog is a Pitbull Terrier or a Rottwieler.

Is he and the dog potential trouble? or could he be just a successful company Director on a day off? taking his wouldn't hurt a fly,dog for a walk?

2.A Female Topless Sunbather is in view to everyone,does it necessarily mean she's easy? of course not.

3.Males are more aggressive than Females is a common belief,and in itself a stereotype,research and studies do not support this stereotype,its fairly even in reality.

4.French Cooking and Chefs are the best in the World? not necessarily so,but because their commonly stereotyped and talked about as such.

I could go on.

But Finally how many of us believe men are the stronger sex?

Having seen many men fall to pieces after a relationship ends,in IMO this is also yet another outdated stereotype.

Stereotyping is also a form of instinctive self protection inborn in all of us,but thats another story.

Bizarre examples...

not necessarily relevant or true

So, we're back to this old chestnut, eh? This is the last line of defence for the scoundrel - an easy and cheap way of crushing debate.

When I was a civil servant, we used to deploy a similar trick in order to bulldoze through whatever policy WE wanted. All you say when someone comes up with an unpalatable proposition or objection is "name me six examples". That is virtually impossible to do. It is perfectly possible to get whatever answer you're looking for by being deliberately obstructive or obtuse, and mealy-mouthed PC types use this device to get what THEY want, and hang the rest of us.

Enough already. Live and let stereotype.

Stereotype if you choose, but that is not in any way open minded or free thinking.

Civil Servants are not known for their individuality or personal views, or is that another Stereotype?

This might be slightly off topic but here goes,

Thai FIL has never addressed me by name,or indeed ever spoken a word of English.

However having paid to renovate his and the MILs house,they went over budget for the Roller up and over Front Door (20,000 plus)next time we went to the Village,he had suddenly learnt 2 words of English... "Door"... "Door" while raising both hands upwards in a pushing/raising motion.

At that point I thought of the perfect non confrontational answer in Thai, "Mai Ko Jai" and that has been used again and again by me many times over the years.

Seven years later the local Thai Teacher must still be wondering where his English Tuition went wrong with the FIL.

IMO Three of the best words to learn in Thai,

try it sometime,when you dont want to yet again, pay for something!

Footnote:..................... Im still the nameless Farang.Falang.

The freedom to generalise is the only constant we have. It keeps us safe from the zealots or thieves. We must resist insidious, sinister attempts to impose ideology onto us by others. The thugs that administer the beatings do so to maintain their own importance, their own profit. Those that cite "aggression", or "civility" or "lack of manners or respect" or no end of other bland catch-alls do so because it suits them. Prison camp guards have undergone a makeover and have mutated into The Big Nurses. Don't let them bully you into submission. Don't let them divide and rule.

To stereotype is to be free.

Actually not,Phychologists correct name for stereotyping is a: "Schema"

Which describes a fixed idea or view of something by appearance and/or previous experience,and not necessarily relevant or true.

Some examples are:

1.A man and his dog are walking down the street,he has a very short haircut (skinhead),wears a denim jacket and jeans,has tattoos on his knuckles and neck, and is thick set,the dog is a Pitbull Terrier or a Rottwieler.

Is he and the dog potential trouble? or could he be just a successful company Director on a day off? taking his wouldn't hurt a fly,dog for a walk?

2.A Female Topless Sunbather is in view to everyone,does it necessarily mean she's easy? of course not.

3.Males are more aggressive than Females is a common belief,and in itself a stereotype,research and studies do not support this stereotype,its fairly even in reality.

4.French Cooking and Chefs are the best in the World? not necessarily so,but because their commonly stereotyped and talked about as such.

I could go on.

But Finally how many of us believe men are the stronger sex?

Having seen many men fall to pieces after a relationship ends,in IMO this is also yet another outdated stereotype.

Stereotyping is also a form of instinctive self protection inborn in all of us,but thats another story.

Police General Somkid gets a new Post!

I dont foresee any Diplomatic Reunions between Thais and Saudis in the near future.

You couldn't make up this double dealing C**p up,in your worst nightmare.

Story translation:

Please step this way to the interrogation room.

Do you have a way to get this much more? If you can get this much more, we will not arrest you.

What? Yes, we have an ATM in the hallway, next to the captain's office.

I do not think there are that many cases that fit into the category, but as a former poster said, "I think this is a neat little earner."

Absolutely correct.

For those that have been here many years,they will recall around 5 years ago? the overstay fine went up from 200 baht per day to 500 baht per day (150% increase)some of the newbie born again Pseudo Thais here will no doubt find a reason to justify that as well.

Thailand is not so Amazing,Mysterious,or Mystical, as is usually glossily portrayed in the forefront,simply put:

Just think MONEY! its the basic answer to every one of the problems in this fair Country.

But one will be seduced,by the Carnival,Charade for a long time before the truth eventually dawns on you, and then you will see the light.

Reminds me of the song by ABBA "Money Money Money"

My Favourite Sit Com was"Auf Weidersein Pet" and the rest of the Series.

So true to life,of Men working together on Building Sites.

My understanding is that the fundamental rules regarding the ESOL route have not altered, except for the following, course must now be run by an accredited institution, progress has now to be demonstrated (move from entry level 1 to entry level 2), and the course provider now has to provide a letter in support of the application in terms of the ESOL course.

The bit that I am not sure about is the ukba state that a relevant course is the speaking and listening unit of the ESOL ,

if the foreign national's speaking and listening ability is assesed above entry level 1 , but their reading and writing is below entry level 1 , then they would start the Esol cours at entry level1. Now on passing the reading and writing , they would receive a certificate with only the reading and writing units.

On passing the reading, writing units on entry level1 , and progressing onto entry 2 reading and writing , would this be acceptable to apply for ilr ,

As I understand it Yes,Achieving ESOL entry Levels 1 & 2 with Citizenship Attachment would entitle the applicant to apply for ILR,and the Course provider would need to give the necessary supporting paperwork.

I think that 42 days is over the top before they stick you in the slammer, it should be more like 10 days without a very good reason.

maybe the upright n proper U.K.

can learn a few lessons , from this third world country .

jail/ fines , for overstays ,and taken out of their benefits .

what a frrkng mess . :jap:

Or teach them a lesson or two:

Thais with long Visas to the UK,such as Settlement,Fiance etc,do not have to Report to Immigration for the Duration of their Visas.

Here we go again,yet more greed,

20,000 baht is not enough to be milked,from Foreigners?

No doubt there will be more stories of outrageous extra charges to keep out of Jail.

We hope you enjoyed your stay in Thailand,and spent all your money,

now get your Credit Cards out!

A member with NO POSTS just joined in the last few minutes to give me two reds. I reckon this "new" poster which is most likely an alias of my most dedicated stalker joined just to do this and will probably do it everyday, so I am well on my way to 1000 reds. Sorry, this red thing is all about ABUSE. I am a high volume controversial poster, so I am seeing these things early in the game.

A green a day keeps the stalker at Bay.

BS. Someone could sign up with 5 aliases and give you 2 reds a day x 5 equals 10 a day. Just one enemy could do that or more.

You missed my point JT,I just gave you a Green.

Even so you are correct.

:jap:hi wife is in her 1st year of 2year settlement visa. i looked at the life in the UK test and i couldnt even answer alot of the questions so i knew she would have no chance. the other route is the ESOL.

there are 3 pre entry/intermediate levels and 3 further levels that are same level as GCSE english.id heard that to qualify for ILR level 3 must be passed.

my wife has just started an ESOL course. after an assessment of her current english skills.she has been put on the level 2 pre-entry course.

i asked her teacher about the ESOL requirements for ILR and was relieved to hear that to get that she only has to pass preentry level3, NOT the normal level 3 which is near enough A level standard! the teacher even showed me the letter she sends to home office. and said my wife should pass that now (level3) as she is quite competant at talking with people but her reading and especially writing needs work. that is what level 2 is.

level 1 preentry is learning the alphabet and other basics.

level 2 reading and writing

level 3 pre-entry ESOL is speaking and listening.

response to original post is to simply try and get a resit,

my friends wife simply sat the test without doing the course.

:jap:

Hi Josh,I know 2 Thai Ladies that have only done ESOL entry level 1&2 and have now got ILR.

In my belief the rules have now changed and all that is required for ILR is to demonstrate that the Student on ESOL Courses has risen 1 level. i.e from level 1 to 2,and gained the relevant certificate (City & Guilds in my wifes level 1 case)on each level.

Perhaps a PM to.... 7 by 7 to confirm this would be advisable,he's always genned up on this sort of thing.

A member with NO POSTS just joined in the last few minutes to give me two reds. I reckon this "new" poster which is most likely an alias of my most dedicated stalker joined just to do this and will probably do it everyday, so I am well on my way to 1000 reds. Sorry, this red thing is all about ABUSE. I am a high volume controversial poster, so I am seeing these things early in the game.

A green a day keeps the stalker at Bay.

I suppose the red/green rep system has some merit,albeit for your own peace of mind.

Nobody would like to think their views on life,lack of judgment,on subjects in general, are completely out of keeping with the majority of their average fellow human beings,or be a member of the tiniest of minority groups.

Someone that gets more than their fair share of - reds should seriously start looking for attitude problems,and lack of understanding in themselves.

Which is not to say that their views are always wrong,in fact we should all expect some -reds,unless you are one of the gifted few that believe they are always right!

Why am I getting the feeling there is a double kidnap scam in operation here?

"UP 2 Me Bar and Restaurant" ?

UP 2 U.

Your people in Thailand have the expertise to go forward,and the skill necessary to achieve the goal,sort out the problems yourselves.

UP2U

With best wishes!

I'd feel pretty fawking stupid singing songs myself....................

So what else is new? which we didnt know already?

Sillyman probably wouldn't sing his own Country National Anthem!

Just another day,and another Sillyman wind up Post. (sigh) dont bite.

Morrison UK,are now importing Chillies from Spain (3 times bigger and 3 times more for the same price),I guess its more cost effective,with the strength of the Baht.

Can still buy Thai Coconut Milk though,perhaps old stock.

One thing Thailand seems to have a monopoly on is Crab Sticks,which is a huge market,never seen them come from anywhere else,considering the Japanese invented them.

Mangoes are still available,small ones at £1 each (wince)

I haven't got another product to add at this stage but just want to go with the potato chips theme.The bags look soooo fuulll and pluuump-but when you finally get them open theres about 10 chips inside.To follow along the same lines a friend of mine picked up a bag of afore mentioned potato chips, hurriedly looked at the flavour and thought she was buying "onion flavoured" However on closer inspection the picture turned out to be a potato. So in fact what she bought was "potato flavoured" chips. I'm sure I'll think of more...

Its a bag of air,can't figure out how they get so much air in though.

IMO,A members Avatar,is a

personal issue/statement,that obviously means something to them,even if others do not get the message or indeed understand it.

Critisism of such is a bit regimental,is'nt it?

What appeals to one person,may not another,thats lifes personal choices.

I dont believe Members are being deceptive in any way,just bacause they like a certain style of graphics, or animation!

Only a week or two ago TAT was forcasting 19.5 Million Tourists expected this year.

With no problems on the horizen adversely effecting Tourism,

Now its down to 15 Million,up 500,000 on last year.

When are these people going to realise their forcasts are not worth a light?

I would be surprised if figures are even up at all on last year.

Tourists decide where to spend their money and whether to come to Thailand,not them.

How to rewrite Thai History in 3 easy steps.

1.So, nobody accepts any blame?

2.Then,allocate blame to everybody.

3.Say goodbye to the problem,

Simple Thai Logic.