Baerboxer

I think that 90% of Thai women have a relationship with a Tom at some stage in their life, and then move on to a boyfriend/husband, but it is very difficult to convince the Tom that the relationship is over. Too many male hormones I think.

Based on what research do you make this proposition?

I faced the same obligation, for my Thai, Dutch daughter. I asked this huge school on Phuket to organize a way to get on one or two hours weekly base Father-tongue languages. Duth for the Dutch mixed born. French for the French, Italian for the Italian and so on. They are not interested. So now it become Obligated! Chinese. No mercy, but yes the Thai owner has Chinese roots himself and quiet some fellow students off my daughter also.

I believe Chinese is less needed because the Chinese more and more can communicate in English. "Father" tongue should get More attention.

Where would you see the international opportunities for Dutch and Italian compared to Putonghua? It's nice if schools offered the mother tongue for children of mixed parentage but not at the expense of Thai and English and Putonghua. And, they would need numbers to justify the costs or have to charge extra.

Being a "native" speaker of Norwegian, it is true there are "tones" in these languages. But it's not used the same way as in Asian languages.

In Norwegian for example, tones waries according to dialect and where in the sentence the word is located. But a word said with different tone won't mean something completely different.

Thai and Chinese, even though is considered to be different language families are still more similar than Thai and any European language. Both doesn't have the complex grammar with tenses for example.

As no European language uses tones, Chinese have a big advantage when learning Thai and vice-versa.

Norwegian, Swedish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Serbo-Croatian, Limburgish?

Agree that Chinese may have advantages when learning another tonal language over Europeans. But, Thai and Chinese are not related languages. They are from different origns and language familes, not just considered to be.

I think many expats are either too lazy or too stupid to learn Thai, so they prefer to mock the Thai people because their English isn't good enough for the expats. You are in Thailand and the language spoken here is Thai, so why not quit complaining and make some effort to learn the language. It seem like some expats are now even more upset because Thais are deciding to learn Chinese. What's wrong? Are you insulted because they don't want to learn English? Get used to. This is Asia. If you want to speak English then move to an English-speaking country. Or hang around with expats and you can all complain together.

You are right that anyone wishing to live in Thailand should make the effort to learn Thia to the best of their capabilities.

Learning Chinese is not represented in the article as replacing the need to learn English. Infact, English is the language of business, science and academia. The Chinese recognise this which is why they put so much effort into learning it. For someone linguistically skilled having Putonghua as an additional language is a great benefit, should they want to do business or work in China, Taiwan, and much of South East Asia where business is dominated by ehtnic Chinese. (My expereinces is that all the business people speak English and use Putonghua as the "common" Chinese language between themselves). Anyone chosing not to learn English will be fine, providing they don't want to achieve an international academic qualifiaction or work in an international business.

The link shows you the HSK test levels for mainland Chinese (simplified Chinese) , Taiwanese (classic Mandarin) is at a higher level.

12 levels, the basic levels correspond with the TOEFL Test.

http://www.china.org...RIAL/105441.htm

How many Thais survive the TOEFL Test? For Sino-Thais the HSK Test would be a little bit easier, but it is a Mandarin Test.

Most Sino-Thais speak a Chinese dialect, the reading of simplified Chinese is limited.

Most Mandarin speakers in Thailand have connections to Taiwan (descendants of Kuomintang refugees.)

My wife is Sino-Thai, she speaks Mandarin (working 2 years in Taiwan), but she cannot read.

The global languages will be English, simplified Mandarin and Spanish.

I would say English and Spanish.

Because Chinese will learn English so there will be less need for the others to learn Mandarin.

While English and Spanish speaker don't often learn other languages.

International economic contracts at a high level need 3 languages, French and Arab for example...and English.

If contract problems emerge, English is the language for international courts.

Except mainland China. For international courts China accepts only Chinese as contract language.

HSK level 12, for everyone, Chinese or Farang is a good start to work as civil law notary in this way.

Information from my son, MA University of Leiden (Sinology) where he made the HSK Test (level 9),

PhD University Bristol, research fellow University Cambridge.

French and Arabic world languages?

The article means (but doesn't say outright) is that Chinese is the most popular elective language class. English is not an elective subject, it is part of the national curriculum.

Thai and Chinese are much more similar to each other than they are to any European language. For a Chinese to learn Thai or vice-versa is like an English speaker learning Spanish. There is already some shared vocabulary and pronunciation and grammar are not too dissimilar.

Language experts say that it takes someone who speaks one European language about 500 hours of instruction and practice to become fluent in another (related) European language. However, it takes most European language speakers about 1,500 hours to become reasonably proficient in a totally non-related language like Chinese or Thai. I would think that the same is true for Thai and Chinese speakers.

Where did you get this information from? Chinese and Thai are not related languages, they are in different language families. They have different orgins, evulotions and use a completely different form of writing. Chinese pronunciation is not like Thai, the grammar is different and how many words do you think are shared? The only commonality is that both languages are tonal - but the tones and emaphasis are not the same. I found learning Chinese, including writing much easier than my current efforts to learn Thai, as have several friends.

Thailand should get all her English teacher requirements from mainland China.

Other than teaching English on-the-cheap, they can also teach Chinese during the same class.

Kill 2 bird with 1 stones.

Attempt at humour ............ no one could seriously believe China would be the place to look for large numbers of proficient English language teachers could they??

10,000 teachers to teach the Chinese language to Thai students

Flagrant error there is no such thing as the Chinese Language..... Which language will the be teaching?

Putonghua --- the 'language of the people', Cantonese, Tibetan, Yghur.......... and so on and so forth.

Good point my fellow bear! Putonghua or "regular language" is used as a common language by the Chinese ethnic business people in Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, etc; rather than the dialects of Cantonese, Hokkien, etc.. It's also the used extensively in Taiwan. Ergo that should be the one............ so they'll probably go for something else!!

Seriously, it is a good initiative. English and Putonghua are the 2 most important languages to learn. Bringing in native Chinese teachers is the correct way to do this for Putonghua. Do you think anyone will be bright enough to twig that bringing in native English speaking teachers might be a good way to teach English?

Drugs should be made legal.

Any sound logical reason for this?

Is anyone really surprised by this, lets face it the majority of the Brit teachers here aren,t qualified to teach anything and couldn,t hold down a job back home. The reason they are here is its the only place that will take them.Many off them to fond off the bottle aswell. I think we need more stringent checks on these people after all they are being left in charge of children. Does anyone know what school this unsavoury character passed himself off as a teacher at.

The article mentions the school he was teaching at. I believe the qualification requirement for foreign teachers in Thailand has been increased. Several people have posted comments recently that their teaching contracts have not been renewed due to not having a university degree.

Anyone dealing drugs deserves the full weight of the law. But a teacher, who has influence over large numbers of young impressionable people should really be severely dealt with - especially if there is any evidence for selling in the school or to pupils.

I agree that the checks on qualifications, experience and academic, on teachers is something that should be stringent. However, your comment the " the majority of the Brit teachers here aren,t qualified to teach anything and couldn,t hold down a job back home. The reason they are here is its the only place that will take them.Many off them to fond off the bottle aswell" is based on what research and methodology? And, presumably you carried out similar detailed research on other non-British foreign teachers that support your hypothesis?

Wow, this family is right up there with..................?????????????? Sorry but I cannot think of another family to compare to this one. Any suggestions ?

Gambino or Genovese families spring to mind!

Can teachers be transferred to inactive posts?

Most are already in one......

Wow - another example of extensive research being carried out. Can you let us know the reserach methodolgy and associated statistical analysis tools you used to investigate this prior to making your assertive comment please?

so the world can see the quality of the teachers here... the best one is nothing more than a IP thief

make him pay the NZ trip + donation for the students, but hey... same same no problem, mai pen rai

Sadly, this type of activity is not unique to Thailand.

Copying other students work is the standard procedure in Thailand, but usually it isn't the teachers doing the copying.

You have carried out extensive research in Thailand to confirm this? And, presumably carried out similar extensive research in all other countries to prove it's uniqueness to Thailand?

Bad things happen when savages get a hold of the drink.

Yes - go into any UK city or town centre on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night and you'll see drink induced savages! Far worse than in anywhere else I've lived in Europe, Middle East and Asia.

Hi Deb,

I would advise your son to check carefully. I know of cases of experienced English teachers, who have taught here successfully for several years whose contracts are not being renewed becasue they don't have a degree. Language schools always promise jobs - but they don't issue the work permits. It's also worth checking with the Ministry of Education to see what their requirements are. I'd certainly check all this before spending money, time and effort on a course. Hope this helps - and good luck to your son.

It's a sort of unwritten law here in Phitsanulok (as it used to be in CM, but not sure about now) that water throwing stopped at dusk, which for me moving up from Pattaya and the mayhem, I thought it was brilliant. Works great, enjoy the water during the day and enjoy the evening/night/next morning socialising.

If that was me in the same situation, two days before Songkran officially starts, I think at a minimum "a serious mouthful of slightly uncouth language" would indeed be in order.

Would also have to say that these guys would have to be tourists, probably up there just for Songkran, the sooner that it is explained to them that they shouldn't be throwing water at motorbikes, in the dark during a normal day the better.

Such an ambassador Mr. Blether.....................

I felt a little bit sorry for them...........they go on holiday to CM and get bletherated.

Can you imagine the look on their faces when theblether started firing out Glasgwegian expletives at them, shocking

They probably didn’t understand a word you said.

There was a particular four letter word which was used liberally, it has a certain international appeal.

Unfortunately Thaepae Gate is a Ladyboy hot-spot and when they heard me shouting the F word a few times a queue formed, with them saying "Okay I can do ".

Unintended consequences

Ah, you see, every cloud as a silver lining!

ps - the certifcates and warranties for the watches must have got lost in the post,lo!

Fake goods are just that, fake. They don't seem to last very long, that's for sure. They are usually very inferior quality I have found. Inthe past, I have bought some things just for a laugh. Like that saddle bags for my Harley that had the Harley Shield but said "Harley-Davison". I got a good laugh from that and so did my riding buddies. Same with the Converse "Chuck Tailors" with the plastic soles, not rubber, but plastic. THe fake Rolex that stopped working after about a week but, hey, it's still right twice a day. My wifes Louis Vuitton hand bag made of plastic that started to peal in a few weeks. The most recent laugh was a copy of the new movie "Battleship" I got on the street in BKK. got home and it was some cheesy Japanese movie named "Battleship" that was Star-Warsesque.

But, what's really amusing is the farang tourists that buy a suitcase full of these inferior products. a dozen shirts, etc. I wonder how much will end up in the trash inside of 6 months. But, on the other hand, the no name brands you get here seem to wear pretty well. People that buy the fakes, get what they pay for.

Not always. Many years ago I bought a Rolex and two Gucci watches for the equivalent of about US$30. These all lasted 10 years plus and a jeweller friend said the watches were actually good quality. Also, bought some nice polo shirts in Malaysia (which also seems to have a thriving but somewhat understated copy industry). Again, these were well made and outlasted originals bought in Europe. Buying originals or fakes, you get what you look closely at.

What is Isaan food?

At least a typical noodle soup is not.

It is of Chinese origin and commonplace all over Thailand.

Isaan food is usually not cooked for hours but often very basic, vegetables eaten raw without any sauce, dryed fish, fish paste.

Its sticky rice, its grilled chicken (gai yang).

Its also bugs and ant eggs etc.

And of course it is "somtam Lao" (the Lao type of pappaya salad with fermented fish and crab).

The fish and crab is usually described by westerners as "rotten" and that is what it smells like.

And if you believe the noodle soup was spice then try to eat from this somtam.

It is usually prepared so burning hot(spicy) that you can not even get it close to your nose.

As I can not eat that spicy, I can not tell whether it is "good".

There are indications that it is not (Isaan has highest rate of liver and duct cancer in the world).

I do eat somtam very regularly - somtam thai, somtam poo and somtam lao. They are all delcious. Larb, tap van, tripe, frilled meats, sticky rice, raw vegtables with nam prik, all excellent. I really love Isaan food, and have found many exptats who also like it.

a 'half time' pie? are there special pies available for consumption during football matches in the UK? in the US we got 'chicken pot pies' which are a favorite of low income folks like the USD0.50 package of Kraft macaroni and cheese and here is tutsi with disreputable associates in 1974: 'say, man...let's go get some more shit while it's still there...'...'after I've had my chicken pot pie...'...'heh, heh, heh...tutsi is gonna fix the pot pie...'

disgraceful drug addicts with misguided priorities...'gotta have' a chicken pot pie...

Ah yes - a "meat" pie - steak and kidney or beef and onion, washed down with a mug of hot bovril! Half time delicacy during a football match. You've missed out! Try the "Pukka" brand if you're in the UK.

Your probably not going to get anyone better so I recommend you marry her and start a family...

This thread is like a scene out of a movie where the naive guy gets advice from a bunch of clueless morons.

Ah, you're the popcorn seller!

Do online dating - in bars and discos 90% will be working girls or gold diggers - respectable Thai girls either don't go to such places or only in groups and are not easily approachable.

On some occasions, girls are out to "get a falang", just to try. Can be the case in Bangkok with university girls going in herds to discos. Happened to me one time, memorable night. Just after the highest moment of the night, the girl laughed loud and exclaimed "Po farang!!!"

LOL.

That being said, p4p in Thailand is not the same as back home. Some of the working girls make very sweet and good companions, Just remember to keep your wits.

Or forget any advice and just use every occasion to go out, and you shall find what you seek.

<flame removed> 100% of the girls in bars are working girls thats where they work for christ sake

where do you get the 90% from are the other 10% there to study religion

You are flat out wrong. It shows how little you know about Thailand. I know at least 15 women who work in bars in the supposed raunchy part of Chiang Mai that DO NOT go with customers. And, it is men like you that give Thailand a bad name for treating all women like hookers.

You are flat out wrong. Thai females who actively looking to approach foreigners, do it with one intention in mind, get connected with a man who has money.

Some of them do it more explicitly, the ones you call prostitutes, others do it less explicitly, but still, for the same reason.

And of course there are shades of gray in between, but love and money is a VERY strong reason for the thai female to look for a foreign male.

Everyone who believes otherwise, are disillusioned.

You think ladies in any other country are different?? The moderating influence here, and in other Asian countires, is "foreign".

Thanks Ian. Will do some research on Ao Nang in Krabi.

Am not planning on falling in Love... but who knows!!

I hope you have a good time here. Check out the internet sites, bars, discos etc. Just remember that things are different here, so be careful. Similarly, for retirement - have a good luck around, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, the Islands etc. Make sure you pick the one that will suit you - we're all different so depends on what you like. There are lots of scams in Asia, far more than in the West so do take the trouble to check things out carefully. Good luck - fellow Midlander.