Ajarn

What the ###### is the point of this?

No point

I was scrapping more of the shit off my winshield today...So far, that seems to be the point.

Just can't imagine the thrill at all...I was surprised at the force. They weren't kidding when they said, "Drop the bag beside the object."

Oh well, another TiT story...

And, as Chanchao pointed out, I've still got my kid's curiousity, it seems. Glad for that

Thanks, SM. Any details would be appreciated, especially the new rates for employee, employer, and government...

I did some searches, but I couldn't find anything recent about it...I remember there was an argument about the govt. contribution, and they ended up agreeing to the lowest percentage of the options presented...

Darth, you sound really burned-out. Not just from this post, either.

From a glance, it seems that getting out of Bkk would be a good start, but the main point is to do something to get your head together. Obviously, you're not a happy camper, so do something abut it. Whinging here might provide some partial relief momentarily, but it ain't enough is it? Find what works to help you feel better, then do it. Get out of your rut.

Good luck

And soon, unemployment insurance!... 

Ajarn: FYI this became effective as from 01.01.2004.

That's great! Got any details?

Oh, he was a 'rouge' officer.

And, what? like 600,000 baht on local prostitutes? What bullshit...

I was out cruising around Phraw today, and I stopped to get some chips... Taped to the outside of the chips bag as a promotion was a fairly flat foil envelope..

I thought maybe it was something like 'pop rocks', those little things that pop in your mouth....So I tried to tear open the package- not easy

So I read the directions..

1. Do not tear this package...

2. Find the object. Break the small water bag inside the package which will be full of air immediately. Drop the bag beside the object.

3. When the bag pop and the fragrance will fill the air

4. Eating prohibited.

Okay, so I feel for the 'small water bag' and squeeze it...I start to hear a hissing sound as the bag fills with air..

From the directions, I surmised that there are some sort of built-in vents that will open and expel the fruity fragrance out and into the air...From #4, I know not to open my mouth.

The bag is gettng bigger and bigger.... Boom! The bag blows up (see jagged burst line on the right side), spraying some very sticky viscous liquid all over the inside of my car! No smell whatsoever!

What the ###### is the point of this?

im thinking of buying an old motorbike the problem is it doesnt have paperwork so i cant get tax for it,and it doesnt at the moment have tax. the thai just rides it and pays his roadside fines, is there any way i can re-register the bike so i can get tax?

And if it's Stolen??

...You'll also see ads for female teachers only, which I also generally preferred, though there were plenty of duds, too...I also liked hiring couples, and every one of them did a great job. If I was still hiring, I'd sure try to go for couples as much as possible.

In schools with Thais doing the hiring, my experience is that they either have a very narrow range for hiring criteria, or they'll hire most anyone coming through the door.

...

This is an interesting point. My wife(Thai) a product of the Assumption School System through hichchool, seems to think that most schools are looking for female teachers, at least in English. Aren't most Thai teachers women?

Do the Thais think male teachers are off in one way or another?

P.S.:

She also thinks my prospects are quite good for getting a good teaching job in BKK.

Yes, that's true, mostly k-12....The reason is that most hirers are women, and woman tend to hire woman whenever possble. One of the 'in-house' hiring criteria in ANY school is how that Thai teacher will fit into the 'clique' there...

Also, there aren't many males choosing the Education faculty as any of their choices, but many women will add the Education Faculty to their list of (usually) 4 choices, 1-4....If they do poorly on the entrance exam and can't get into one of the more popular faculties like Liberal Arts, at least the Education faculty will almost for sure have plenty of openings. Of teachers I've asked in the Ed. Faculty, not one said it was their first choice...

Some years ago, there was an opening in the English dept at Rajabhat College (university now) Kanchanaburi for a Farang English teacher. Mentioned in the add was the proud fact that it's an all-male dept. I called about it, and he presented that as the job's 'Major Plus'...The job went quite fast, to be sure. I've never seen male Thai teachers get involved much in the petty office politics, but I've rarely seen a Thai female Ajarn not involved, especially if they're relatively new...Trying to play it as an Independent is like signing your death warrant. I've seen more than one example of pressure being brought to bear on that teacher, either directly, or hassling anyone seen as being her friend... In one example at CMU, a farang, seen as the friend of one unpopular Ajarn, was refused a contract renewal.

Though I was invited, it's not my cup of tea to be a part of a group that looks, sounds, and acts elitist and non-transparent, at least in my view...

Strange! I keep seeing ads on Ajarn which specify age criteria with an upper age limit, sometimes as low as 30/35.  I presume it's because they're more interested in what their teachers look like than whether or not they can teach. Mind you, they do have some wierd stuff in some of the ads.  Like this one the other day....

Applicants need not be married but qualified and experience is a must

Yeah, I think many DoS's have their own predjudices for hiring, based on experience, or maybe... rumour...

You'll also see ads for female teachers only, which I also generally preferred, though there were plenty of duds, too...I also liked hiring couples, and every one of them did a great job. If I was still hiring, I'd sure try to go for couples as much as possible.

In schools with Thais doing the hiring, my experience is that they either have a very narrow range for hiring criteria, or they'll hire most anyone coming through the door.

I'm assuming the ads for age limits in the 30's are for kids teachers....Those kinds of limits should send up red flags, I think. Cold be that they have some serious classroom management issues, and kids run wild in the English classes because the teacher can't get any support or backup, or sometimes they're told not to do any discipline... Most older folks simply don't tolerate those kinds of issues well, I think. Another reason why I like them.

If they don't deduct taxes for you, that's great. But if your taxes don't get paid, you'll have a problem at immigration when go back for a new extension. Tax records for your employer, and you, are among the required documents

Not necessarily, Ajarn. It depends on what your salary is and if your school is very helpful in completing and submitting your tax return for you! You can get a yellow tax receipt saying '0.00 baht' to pay even if no deductions have been made for tax (welfare contributions are deducted though).

My omly point was to make sure the taxes are filed on, by you or your employer....Immigration will ask for a tax receipt before giving you a one-year extension

As in another thread, knife/book - "lem",

Whenever I use the laksananaam (classifier) 'fong', I can't help but picture Charlie Chan. Just one of those weird brain things, I guess..

If in doubt, I usually use 'aan'. 'nung aan' (1 thing). Never had any blank looks.

Also, what do you say for 4pm.

I was taught "Bai see mong", and have heard natives use it, but on many occasions some have told me it is wrong and it is "see mong yen"

The time thing takes awhile to get used to.....sii mong can be 4 in the afternoon(actually, first hour of Thai evening), or 10 in the morning....Sometimes you don't get the whole phrase, 'sii mong yen, or sii mong chaw, so you work from (hopefully) common sense. I ofen ask a confirmation question, like 'tawn chaw, chay mai?' 4am would be 'tii sii', or sii nalika (04:00 hrs) military time...Just the 1-24 number, followed by nalika, 3:15 pm would be 'siphaa nalika siphaa nathii'. Miltary time is always used by the government

We are reading about the "Vai-roon's". (Thai) Youths making problems, I understand.

What is the correct definition?

I take it George is interested in the connotations of the word "wai roon" in Thai...?

Anyway, thank you Snowleopard for further enriching my glossary. Keep em comin'!

I think a fair English equivalent for the word "wai roon" might be "youngsters". The Thai word in itself has no explicit negative connotations per se, but it is less formal than 'yawachon'.

I'd say 'teenager' would be the closest meaning...Under 12, and I still hear 'dek', never 'Wairoon'

From my experience, I'd say forget the chiripractor, and go to Rinkaew Poviich, located in the 'old Chiang Mai Hospital' on Wulai road...

I had chronic sciatica before coming here. Tried chiro's but only mild and temporary relief.

When I came here, I went straight to Rinkaew Povich. First session , two hours...Pain relieved a lot. Next day, 2 more hours, pain gone, never to return- even now, 18 years later....

dou itashimashite?

I've seen real respect given to "older" farang teachers here, especially if they'd been teaching at the school a number of years or back in their own countries for awhile.

There is a cutoff age for the WP, but TiT, apparently some places get around it- I'd say your marketability goes down after that age; if you're forced to get a new job it'd be in the lower pay range and dodgier paperwork zone.

"Steven"

Anything beyond the basic 'I'm older than you' kind of respect for teachers doesn't come from age really, but from time...You've been known for at least a few years. Familiarity often breeds more respect- if you're worthy. I can truly say that of all the farang Ajarns I know who've been here for 10, 20, 30 or more years, they are all worthy of respect, being quite well-grounded, popular teachers, and most with families. All good guys (no women!), in my experience. The Ajarns who have socialization issues or self-destructive habits, don't last long...Everyone has their little quirks, but none dangerous...I think

Unless the laws have been changed, 60 years old is the cutoff for farang contracts 'Ajarn Piset', too. But, the university can still hire them as hourly teachers, from what I've seen. But, I do vaguely remember something in the last year about a loosening up on the age requirements, but I can't remember enough. Various government positions have higher age limits. I believe Judges can go longer...

In my experience, older teachers are often preferred by schools who teach adults (looking for experience). But, the older you are, the more scrutiny will likely be paid to in the hiring process to make sure you're flexible enough...Some older folks tend to get a bit 'set in their ways' sometimes making them not flexible enough to be a team player, for example. Anyway, the universities I've worked mostly had older Ajarns in contract positions, and they generally stay many years...

Oh, and 41 ain't even close to being 'an old teacher' here.

But Ajarn, is this health scheme you're talking about the notorious "30B scheme," or something else? [i'm covered under private insurance at the moment, so I've never found out about this].

If it IS the 30B scheme, better just to go out and buy a box of bandages!

"Steven"

Something else- that's why it has a different name

Long before Thaksin, and much more effective

Yes, every legal worker in Thailand has all the same rights and priviledges, including S.S. . And the Labour Laws are actually quite good for the worker...

It might include oral surgery, but it doesn't cover dental, as far as I know. Outpatient meds are not covered. I don't think it covers anyone outside of the worker...If you want to expand your insurance, I would recommend Blue Cross.

As for taxes for teachers, if I remember correctly, it is 5% after deductions (around 60,000 last I knew) and either 1.5, 2.0 or 2.5% for your SS share. I'm pretty much out of the loop on these now, so maybe someone can offer some numbers that are more current...

Home. I'm living my holiday full time!

ijwt, I agree.

You rarely hear of people suggesting Singapore or Malaysia, yet they pay the highest wages in the region, and have the most straight-forward and basically honest bureaucratic system in SE Asia, for sure.

So, why are people interested specifically in these other 2 countries now?

I'm pretty sure it's more than salary and visas. I figure, for some, if it didn't have 'nighttime entertainment' as least as good as Thailand, most interest would drop like a stone...

I would look more at overall quality of life. For me, I don't live in Malaysia or Singapore simply because I don't like rules, and I don't like a lack of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, etc. I worked in Indonesia for a year, and though I love the people I met, the religion issues were always an issue with everyone, everywhere. Just too uptight for me.

I think many of the people living here and looking for greener pastures feel similar to me, and when they consider moving, those are among the most important issues for many. Hence, the reason many of us ended up in Thailand.

Also, things like ' does the power go off often?' ...or 'is it safe?'..... For me, Vietnam and Cambodia would be at the bottom of the list for places to live. I want the relative comfort and quality that Thailand offers. And the fact that if you have money, life can be quite sweet here, works for me, now. It didn't when I first came here, when I started a new life and a new career here- at 6,036 baht per month, full time, plus housing... I worked hard, and played it pretty smart I feel. I've always said that any sharp teacher can make quite decent money here, and I'm proof of that...From my working in Thailand, I was able to save enough money to retire comfortably on. And no really bad memories of jobs, either. Sure can't say that about jobs I held in America, but most of my working adult life has been spent here. And life has always been good here for me. Always...

I'm settled here now, but I sure know the feeling of wanting to explore the 'other side', where the grass looks greener. It actually was greener for me here in Thailand, which of course leaves hope that there is another place with even greener grass. I'm not going anywhere, but I sure support everyone trying to find a place where they're happy. And, hopefully, contributing as much as they've received...

Teaching 31 'seventh graders' in the provinces is a breeze compared to working in one of the inner cities of the USA, where you don't even get combat pay. On a field trip to Pattaya last year, I phoned my daughter (who teaches chemistry to 10th graders in a gifted and talented program in a good district in Texas) and bragged, "Ha, Ha! My 12 year olds are better behaved than your 16 year old geniuses and artists!"

I hear ya'....At Balboa H.S., where I taught Sociology and History, we had armed guards patroling the halls- thank god.

I wasn't my main reason for moving to Thailand, but it sure could have been

Teacher, well said. 

It is a pity that members on TV.Dot.Com never, ever mentioned  these Athens Olympics. 

Shame really….

Well at least they Kan Win, and yes, they did Thailand very PROUD indeed.

   

yeah, those dudes were flying in those chairs! The long shots showed just how really fast there were moving down that field- just under the winners times of the 'runners'...

On their hands

Great for Thailand . I always had the  feeling that disabled or  mentally  challenged people(pc) had a raw  deal in the  kingdom in  general. Hopefully  these  acheivements will help cure the  discrimination and maybe get a  few more  wheelchair ramps ect.

I can tell you, from experience, Thais really are there to help you in any way, any time, any where. Absolutely wonderful.

But, out of sight, out of mind. That is the reality, too. Rarely is any thought given to wheelchair access, for example. Only 'trickle-down' money gets to programs to provide education, training, support to the less-abled among the population. Foreigners are clearly the biggest source of real support for less-enabled..less- empowered, actually.

The olympics coverage is good, and I hope it helps to get more Thais involved as volunteers in support of all the needy people in Thailand...Sadly, very few Thais volunteer their time for such activities...

Yup- come and pay your dues, and you'll be fine in a year or so!  Just don't let the learning curve make you bitter- it's a steep one!

"Steven"

Yes, it can be steep!

For me, my paying dues was teaching H.S. kids in a lower socio-economic inner-city school in San Francisco for a few years. An education for me, too!

If they don't deduct taxes for you, that's great. But if your taxes don't get paid, you'll have a problem at immigration when go back for a new extension. Tax records for your employer, and you, are among the required documents

British Council is a semi(?)-governmental organization, and a WP isn't required. When I worked for the UN in a refugee camp many years ago, it was the same deal. Though we still got Social Security benefits, like free medical, as would any legal worker in Thailand

I hope every teacher knows that being legit means you also get free health care in Thailand- even a pension! And soon, unemployment insurance!...

I just thought they were unaccredited and thus not accredited.

I should get some more in the next few days and will post them here.

This covers a lot of it: Link!

Look on the right hand side (sponsored links) and you'll see there's accredited Uni's (or so they say) offering degrees in 30 days?

Sorry bad mood today!

Hope my tenaciousness isn't adding to your headaches, but I'm afraid it is...Sorry 'bout that mate. Come for a swim in my little Paradise, 'Baan Suan Sawan'. It'll change your mood, I'm sure

That is a good link, and the value is on the left side, I think. On the right side, I checked each one, and only www.capelladegrees.com seems to be legit at all. I followed up on a newsgroup search, and found only positive comments- except about the name...

http://www.onlineunivesity.com/

"Benefit by getting a Bachelor, Master or Doctorate College Degree in a matter of days with no coursework."

http://www.instantdegrees.com/

"QUICKLY succeed by getting a Bachelor, Master or Doctorate College Degree in JUST DAYS with no coursework. "

www.customdegrees.com

"College Degree in 30-days

Accredited University Degree Online

HS, Bachelor, Master & PhD Programs "

And so on.....All there to take your money for a fake degree

The links worth reading, imo....

http://www.web-miner.com/deunaccredited.htm

http://chronicle.com/free/v48/i31/31a03501.htm

http://www.geteducated.com/articles/degreemills.htm

http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,35068,00.html

And a discussion group..

http://www.degreeinfo.com/static/forum_arc...m_23page_4.html

I was unable to find any legit university with degrees that are not accredited by legit agencies. Quite a number of legit ones though, as I alluded to earlier. But they all require lots of time and money, and none accept previous 'life experience' as credit towards a degree that I'm aware of...