Ajarn

over and over and over again

I tend to "side" with Chonabot.  I know and regularly have beers with quite a few farong teachers in Korat (and previously Bangkok) and I do not find them to have have the "smugness" that Ajarn portrays in his postings.  In fact great "drinking friends".

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Like all advice or suggestions, it's your choice as to take it or leave it...

Your opinion about any smugness is still simply that- your opinion. And I choose to ignore such un-insightfull journeys into my psyche as an expression of your own ignorance or lack of experience with me. I express my experiences here honestly and openly without any agenda except to be supportive of others learning about life here. I've never professed to have all the answers- far from it- but I have lived here successfully for almost twenty years, so I believe I do have some experience that might be usefull to someone else. By the same vein, I'm also here to learn from those with more or different experiences than me. Lots of very inteligent people here for me to learn from.

But anyone can choose to twist my motives/agenda around any way they want without any need to be reality-based in your assumptions or even ask me directly. That's too hard for some, especially those without a pot to piss in, but with tons of anger/jealousy/resentment/whatever eating away at them inside. Been there, done that, too. Narrow/closed-minded thinkers are welcome to join in, as is usual here. It doesn't change my world a bit. I will continue to truck on, nonetheless. That's my style, like it or not

Got some issue with me? Think I'm wrong? Then try to be reasonable and provide some evidence to support your assertions like I consistently do here. If not, then shut up, like I also do at those times

As I've said, ad nauseam, I'm always open to reasonable discussion. Nobody here can show otherwise, I'm sure. But closed-minded folks don't get much of my good side

And chill out more, too. We all need to do more of that!

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Drinking and writing don't seem to mix to well for you 

If you have anything sensible and literate to discuss, I'm always happy to listen. Otherwise, barking is just tuned out.

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Smugness personified yet again

I'm working right now , please don't tell the Boss or I'll get the push.

Hang on , I am the Boss!

I'll be Barking here long after your smugness oversteps the bounds of reason Mr Kru...

Your problem (IMO) is that you assume that people are actually asking for your advice , guess what? They ain't!

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Oh, another fragile ego, striking out like an insulting child. Now that's really banal !

Sweet dreams

Good idea. Sounds like some of these guys are reaping what they're sowing anyway, and a little knowledge might be too dangerous for them. It's a very stupid game to trade insults with Thais.

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my riposte was just in the flavour of the original post.

It's a very stupid game to assume banal generalisations Ajarn....

Your smugness paints a vivid picture of your bottomless fountain of Thai knowledge. Many "teachers" , too many ###### "Teachers"

Drinking and writing don't seem to mix to well for you

If you have anything sensible and literate to discuss, I'm always happy to listen. Otherwise, barking is just tuned out.

Ajarn/Neeranram,

Why the aversion to people learning offensive Thai words? If they don't know the circumstances in which to use a particular insult then they'll soon find out solely through empiricism. It's rather holier-than-thou to imply that you know them all but that's fine because you know where and when to use them but lesser mortals should not have access to this select knowledge because they can't be trusted.

Scouse.

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Please don't misunderstand me. I am a true believer in education. How can people know their world without learning? I encourage broad-thinking in every aspect of everyone's life, pro and con, plus and minus. Everything in my life involves open minded and well- reasoned thinking...- whenever humanly possible. I ain't no angel, either

I even used to teach all the American swear words I knew to my refugee students heading to America. A safety issue, mostly. Hearing these words being spoken at you or around is an indicator that one should be cautious, that this is a type of danger signal... Farangs should learn the same, I believe.

Most important is accuracy in learning. For example, that long list of gibberish is just ridiculous, and there's likely only one person in a hundred that would be able to pronounce anything clear enough to be easily understood by a Thai, not to mention the likeliness that most newbies here would never realize when they are insulted unless it's spelled out to them... No tones, mostly wrong definitions = Innacurate and useless information. Why spread nonsense around? Who is that going to benefit?

I'm also so sick of hearing rude farangs talk trash, and making every other farang look like the same type of idiot to many Thais. That's a 'farang kii nok'. Yes, Thais to tend to group farangs together... This is my home, too. And anyone who acts like a fool or an idiot annoys me. I'm only human, but I surely don't suffer fools lightly. I'm happy to learn and discuss Thai insults, but in a proper way as I illustrated in other postings, as a window on Thai culture and farang survival skills.

Thais do show great patience most of the time, but, unlike most westerners, they tend to not show their feelings, choosing to 'stuff' them- to keep face, or whatever the individual reason... But, like a balloon with too much air, Thais will blow up too... And I've seen many many farangs get in serious trouble because they assumed it was 'no big deal'.....

Some of the people here seem to need someone to protect them from themselves...

And my personal favorite Thai insult is 'Hua Maphraw' (coconut head) I'm sure you can figure the conotations... And that one has been aimed at me in the past

Just too many mistakes. Not written by a native speaker, I'd say. Or maybe an American.

Hey! Joking, na'?    

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Actually a possibly correct assumption about it being from an American. It may have been written by a Brazilian, Mexican, Peruvian, or someone from any number of countries in the Americas which are not predominately English speaking.

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All Americans, too, na'?

But this student said they wrote this, and I'm guessing (again) that he/she is Thai.

I would change a lot if I had the energy.... Not really serious mistakes, though. The points all are easily understood, I think.

i get far more enjoyment using my local english slang to insult some of the ignorant folk that you bump into in thailand. you can't beat a slurrred "take your face for a sh*t ya waste of spunk" 

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I actually have done the same thing a few times, usually when driving.. A quick ###### You very much!, said with a smile, has always helped to relieve my immediate tension, and the other party thought I was thanking them-or maybe being sarcastic- but at least not insulting them. Letting off my steam in a safe way. The smile (and lack of too-clear enunciation) is the key, of course.

Many years ago, a songthaew driver made a u turn in front of me and forced me to a screeching halt on my bike. I yelled, Ai Hia! at him... Mistake. He got out of his car with a tire iron and started running towards me. I took off like a rocket, my lesson well-learned.

Yes we are getting the red box, Not sure how much but they will be patrolling at least ten times a day.

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I'd appreciate a figure when you know it, and I'd also like to hear your experience with them, like if they actually sign the book as often as promised....

Thanks

The police are coming to my house tomorrow to put the box up (as well as police visits throughout the day and night)

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Dave, you're referring to the 'red box', right? I've considered getting one myself. How much will you pay for the service? I've heard a figure of 500 baht per month, but when I pointedly ask the local cops for an 'average; figure, I only get 'Leew Tae' (up to you) as a response. They did say that they make 2 drive-bys per day, once in the mid-morning, once around 3 pm.. I assume the burglars know their schedule, too... What kind of schedule were you told?

Over and over and over again, ad nauseam 

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Well, what else would you expect someone calling themselves 'boom boom' to come up with? Trollala, trollali....

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Mai pen Rai. Sometimes Ajarn likes to play, too

Over and over and over again, ad nauseam

yawn....

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We are in total agreement on that!

Over and over and over again, ad nauseam

That posting is the perfect illustration of the correct definition of Farang Kii Nok

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Does that mean something unpleasant from a bird ? and is is usually spoken when they poke out their tongue ???

My wife's mother says that a fair bit, fortunately not to me

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From the times I've heard it used, they were using it to refer to 'dirty' (Sokaprok) farangs, which could refer to their appearance or actions. Some Thais generalize the term to include all backpackers, too, but I've only run across this kind of language a couple of times in twenty years. It isn't an often-used expression, in my experience. More often said by farangs, it seems.

And, like you, I've never heard a Thai use it in reference to me

if u mean my post, I make more than u do in a year in a single month dim wit     And conditions providing, more than u make in a month in a single day 

How a teacher can call anyone that is beyond me..

Thais tell me that Ajarn is the correct definition of lower class farang, they always seem to laugh when u point out someone is a teacher? 

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#1. You don't know me or anything about me or my money. And only a complete Neolithic idiot would make such a stupid remark about money.. (realise than I am calling you an idiot, but I'm not calling you stupid-just your statements.)

#2 I didn't call you anything earlier. I merely pointed out your incorrect definition, and pointed at your much clearer illustration of its use by Thais.

And you continue to keep illustrating it, and a few more, over and over again

By the way, my name here is not 'teacher', it's 'Ajarn'.

That posting is the perfect illustration of the correct definition of Farang Kii Nok

I'll bet she wasn't caught in a raid. Sounds like dealing, to me.

Hey Guys...Can you help me out on this? I made a dialog about the hotel and I need some help to make it formal and correct. Could you help me pls?

Here it is":

S. Good morning, the Peninsula hotel. May I help you?

T. Good morning. I’d like to make a reservation for Mr. Marat Safin while he comes to Thailand in the Thailand Open tournament. Could you recommend the best suite for me?

S. Excuse me, ma’am. May I know when he will arrive here?

T. He’ll arrive there on Nov 20 and he will stay for a week.

S. During that time, we‘d recommend the Peninsula suite as it sits high on the top of the hotel. Its features include both formal and private dining rooms, a full-equipped fitness centre, private study room, 2 sumptuous bedrooms and lavish bathrooms.

T. What would you offer in the private study room?

S. We provide a color TV and multi-laser disc player.

T. Alright, he also needs a few bodyguards and a police car to lead his way too. Do you also have these kinds of services?

S. Of course. We can offer those kinds of services and would you like us to offer the chaurffer-driven Mercedes Benz S class while he attends in Thailand?

T. That sounds nice. How much do you charge per day?

S. We charge $100 per day, ma’am.

T. Do you have a tennis court?

S. Certainly, we provide two floodlit tennis courts. It opens everyday at 6Am-11PM.

Would you interested in the Thai traditional massage in our hotel? Because there is service available in the privacy of his own room?

T. Great. I’d like to have that room then.

S. May I have your name?

T. I’m Tattaya but my boss names Mr. Marat Safin.

S. Could you please spell his name?

T. M-A-R-A-T  S-A-F-I-N

S. may I have his credit card no. and your telephone no?

T. Ok. His credit card is 456789. My number is ( 520) 6667789

S. Thank you for calling. I’m looking forward to seeing him in Thailand. Goodbye.

T. Goodbye.

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Just too many mistakes. Not written by a native speaker, I'd say. Or maybe an American.

Hey! Joking, na'?

Living since more than two years in Thailand, I have come along most of them. Those insults are, in my experience, less frequent in Bangkok as they are 'upcountry' (esp. in the South), and less frequent in places which rely on tourism of Westerners.

Also, it seems to have gotten worse over the years. I can remember that I hardly heard an insult seven years ago when I was for the first time in Thailand.

I've got to disagree the only places I've heared these used are in the tourist areas, then only in bars. Falang or farang is'nt meant as an insult at all as far as i'm concerned.

Is'nt the south "downcountry"??

By definition, 'upcountry' means 'inlland', but the usage here seems to mean 'anywhere outside the Bangkok area'

I usually reply with Yed Mae or something similar.....

Telling someone to do that to their mother could get you into trouble

Yeah, you could also be telling him to ###### your mother.

I was going to post some real thai insults but thought better of it!!

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Good idea. Sounds like some of these guys are reaping what they're sowing anyway, and a little knowledge might be too dangerous for them. It's a very stupid game to trade insults with Thais.

I doubt very much that Thai teachers have much sympathy for their farang counterparts who make upwards of 100% more than they do.

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Yes, you're right. I've heard lots of resentment...

But, there are lots of basic differences between Karachakan teachers and farangs...

As example...

Fewer teaching hours at the university level. 9 hours max per week, with a government-mandated 300 baht per hour minimum after that... Farangs teach up to 20 hours in some universities with no extra pay...That in itself can sometimes make up the difference in salary.

Health care benefits for Karachkans is much better than even the SS system, and includes dental, too.

Karachkans get access to special low-interest loans

Karachkans get better rates at hotels and with some airlines. Not sure about trains and buses, but I seem to remember discounts there, too.

Karachkans can get govt housing (I always wanted one of those beautiful 'country homes' for Thai Ajarns on the CMU campus )

Karachkans get unemployment benefits and a better pension

Karachkans don't have to go to immigration or pay farang prices

Karachkans also get to be in the thick of all the office politics with no chance to hide...

As for Karachkans teaching in the Prathom/Mathayom schools, they all work MUCH harder and longer than the farangs, and though they do get most of the other benefits, I'd still rather be a farang teacher in those schools...

I agree with Paully...

The reason why a Master's (in any field) is often required is because you'll likely be teaching grad students, too. The Master's at this level of teaching is a government requirement. I've had contracts in three universities and each one had a few farangs with only a BA/BS, but they were limited to teaching only undergrads- and mostly first year students at that. The teachers with higher degrees had, generally, more choices in their classes and higher-level students, as well as more chances of getting extra teaching hours or other assignments at a considerably higher pay level. The higher degree puts you in a higher social status in the academic world, too.

Mahidol has an International Program out on Buddhamonthon sai 4, just past Taling Chan. They paid a LOT more for qualified farangs, even as part time. Thammasat Rangsit also pays PT'ers quite well. In fact, part-time teaching at some universities can be better than the contract positions in terms of money, freedom- and escaping office politics. Some will still offer WP's and a one year visa to part-timers, too.

Friom my view, checking degrees will weed out most of the General Bullshitters among teachers, which in itself is a positive advancement in the profession, in my book. People who've invested the years and time getting a tertiary degree signal, to me, a person with the drive and willingness to follow through with things in life, and they might offer me a more honest employee who is maybe more capable and willing in an academic setting.

Weeding out the B.S. folks will also serve to make more work available when applicants are more even... I really don't agree that the salaries here are so low, especially when you compare the cost of living and quality of life here. There are plenty of worse places to teach, like China, Japan, Korea, in my experience.

The only way to save money in most entry-level English teaching gigs is to live as cheaply as possible. With an average salary of 250,000 yen per month in Japan for newbies (govt minimum salary), they'll be eating mostly warm noodles anyway, and forget about saving any real money at that level... Living costs in Korea are also quite high, and the governments and societies in Japan, Korea, and China are much less 'free' than Thailand's, in my experience.

For the career teacher, there will continue to be growing opportunities in Thailand, I believe, with considerably higher salaries than is the common starting point here now.

I feel the only negative effect for students will be likely increases in study fees in response to the introduction of better-qualified teachers.. But, this is the nature of all education as costs increase across the board...

Overall, I believe it will be a boom for teachers and students, but lets not forget that all this talk is still strictly in the rumour stage, TiT

I also like Ken's idea of a 'tier' system of sorts for teachers. Different qualifications for different teaching needs....

Bit late response from me, but I'd also like to thank you for the excellent post!!

(Aren't Ee-tan engines diesel though?  Like the really basic generic farm diesel engines as made by Kubota and all?  (See www.siamkubota.co.th and specifically http://www.siamkubota.co.th/menu/group_e.asp?roomid=1)

Cheers,

Chanchao

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Yep, you're right. My mistake....

I called a friend who has a couple of different models on his farm, and he said that they can use either diesel or gas engines for these various configurations, but diesel engines are the most popular because he said the diesel has more power torque at the lower rpm's than the gas engine does. And the diesel requires less maintenance.

Learn something new everyday. Thanks for today's lesson

California is known far and wide for it's Community Property laws- maybe why so many go to Vegas to get married...

Anyway, I hope you do the right thing by your wife, too, whatever that is...

Is this a Thailand Annual Event?? Or are the paying respects for Veteran's Day Which is on the same date in the states.

Veterans' Day in the States used to be known as Armistice Day, until after WW II, when the name was changed to honor all war veterans.

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Same in Canada, where it changed Armistice Day to become Remembrance Day

Same with Australia, too...

It would go a long way to stopping a lot of kids getting English lessons as well, which is the sad thing!

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Ken, why do you think that?