Ajarn

Ok, but thailand is a better place now than it was 3 years ago.

Well, there are surely mixed opinions about that, but, for me personally, life just gets better and better here..

But, Thaksin had nothing to do with that.

John B Good and others regarding Thaksin, I'll agree yes and no. True, most of the projects, including the Skytrain were already on the drawing board but who knows how long it would have taken before they would have been put into progress under someone like Chavalit or Chuan. He's a rich ####### but at least he has had the power, money, influence or whatever it has taken to get things moving. Could you ever imagine Banharn Silpaarcha ever getting as far as

Thaksin? I didn't think so.

Thaksin had nothing to do with ANY of the projects mentioned. He's only been in office for 3 years...They were ALL 'off the ground' long before Thaksin hit the scene. As a matter of fact, all of these projects got off the ground during the Chuan, Chavalit and Barnharn administrations....

What Thaksin has accomplished so far is to:

1. Destroy the new constitution.

2. Destroy any credibility or power of the National Counter Corruption Commission and the Election Commission

3. Manipulate govt policy so as to make UBC, ITV, AIS, Shin Corp huge profits (at consumers expense, as usual). Thaksin owns a majority stake in all.

4. Failed to investigate or explain sufficiently the deaths of over 2,500 Thai citizens in 2003, many of the murdered by the police....

5. Throwing around money in order to buy loyalty at elections. Sp far, the main effect has been to further increase personal debt, which Thaksin deals with by simply making money easier to get, thereby increasing the debt and forcing more reliance on more bail-outs from the government...

6. Gone back on every promise to have an open administration devoid of the Old Guard of Godfathers, Gangsters and Corrupt Officials. He also recently stated that there is no corruption in high places, it is limited only to low-level officials

5. Become Emperor.

Even though I haven't been here for that long at all, I feel that 20,000 baht would be like a 'survival salary' for most of us foreigners here.  I have noticed that there's plenty of discrimination regarding the nationality of the teachers. To my disgust, I have found out that a Pakistani colleague of mine is getting only about 60 percent of what I am earning and she told me that Thai teachers get even less. And, that colleague of mine has got a pretty good teaching certificate (a better one than mine, for instance). And, some of the native speakers at my school do not even have a teaching certificate ! I know that one of them has got only a bachelor's degree in Biology (he is teaching English) !!!! I feel that the foreign teachers here have to meet certain requirements in order to obtain a work permit here. For instance, at least a bachelor's degree in the relevant area and/or a decent teaching certificate plus at least a few years experience would be ideal.

Amanda

I completely agree with you. I've worked with a number of Philipino and Indian teachers, who could teach circles around most of the native speakers, plus, they often worked more hours, and they were always paid less, in my experience. Purely a color/class issue, I feel. Excellent English teachers are not limited to England

I hope that Thailand continues to make it more difficult for non-qualified foreigners to teach here. Even after such a long time, it's still mostly cowboy operations in Thailand. Most teachers teach illegally, that's for sure.

But, I think if they're going to require these outrageous wages to qualify for a one year stamp, then they should be required to pay such wages to teachers....I mean, if the government sets a minimum wage, then anything under that would not be an acceptable or reasonable wage, right?

I must agree with you Pvtdick. Thailand and especially Bangkok have improved immenslely. The newbies who have been here post Skytrain have no inkling of how bad it was traffic wise, and now there's even a subway. There was a time when the skytrain was just a fantasy and nobody believed the government would ever get it off the ground.

  When I first arrived at Don Muang airport in 1991, there were two ways to get to town, get screwed by a taxi or get screwed by the 'limos', for 500-1000 Baht. Now the system with the Airport bus and taxi que is so fair and organised that it seems

un-Thai. People can say what they want about Thaksin, but the proof is in the pudding.

Yeah, amazing improvements in so many ways in and around Bangkok. I actually enjoy driving around Bangkok now, once I figured out the improvements, especially just in the last 10 years with all the new roadways.... But have they fixed the southbound hiway from from Nakorn Sawan to Bkk?? I remember that section being the same, forever....

Air pollution in Bangkok has improved, too. No longer do you hear comparisons made with the air pollution in Mexico city, nor do you hear of embassies warning their folks that the air pollution in Bangkok was dangerous to children under 12...

I believe Chiang Mai is more deserving of that comparison now, during the dry season anyway...

General garbage is much better because there is now an organized grassroots system of recycling, with pretty good payouts to the hard workers, from what I've been told by a few (nosy farang!)

But, I don't see Thaksin as being a part of any of the good stuff. He has only created a larger gap between rich and poor.

I think credit should go to Chatichai Choonhaven, if anyone. He at least had an open buffet. And I liked his style

I apologize for all Thai people in Thailand and say that we are very sorry that we do not come  up to your high standards, once again, i am sorry.

Hi Thaigirlteen,

Will you apologize for using MY avatar ?

I was wondering whose face that was!

because if you transgressed in Thailand or a different host country, you wouldn't be allowed to stay there, so a Thai police clearance for a farang is a contradiction in terms.

I know, ironic, I haven't lived in Germany for more than 20 years, by now I just burst out laughing when asked for police clearance.

Exactly!

Certainly no lack of dichotomies all around us in Thailand. Keeps us on our toes, and gives us (sometimes!) a laugh! .....

What a long strange trip its been for me here

Any recommendations for a great Auto Detailer in town? One who does a great wax job, and a thorough inside/out cleaning? Preferrably a handwash without using the high-pressure paint peeling water guns? Service and quality is more important than price..

The last place I used had a good price, then used oily cloths when drying my car....

I used to take all my vehicles to the Shell station that used to be near Sompet market, but they're long gone....

I'd like to keep my new car looking new 

I was told that the guys in the carpark of MBK do a top job.

In Bkk? Thanks. Good to know next time I'm in that town

Re working legally.

I think a Westerner can not do all of the jobs you list for sure but can be a Director of a Company that employs Thais to do the work?

Here is a more complete list from a Thai police website

http://www.imm3.police.go.th/eng/workprohibited.htm

"30. Architectural work concerning designing, drawing of plans, estimating, construction directing or advising".

This seems to me to suggest that the farang has no place in the building business in Thailand.... I mean, what can these guys do if it can't include doing any kind of manual work themselves, including advising and directing construction?

The List....

Manual work.

Work in agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry or fishing excluding specialized work in each particular branch or farm supervision.

Bricklaying, carpentry or other construction works.

Woodcarving.

Driving a mechanically propelled carrier or driving a non-mechanically propelled vehicle, excluding international aircraft piloting.

Shop attending.

Auction

Supervising, auditing or giving services in accounting excluding internal auditing on occasions.

Cutting or polishing jewellery.

Haircutting, hairdressing or beauty treatment.

Cloth weaving by hand.

Weaving of mats or making products from reeds, rattan, hemp, straw or bamboo.

Making of Sa paper by hand.

Lacquerware making.

Making of Thai musical instruments.

Nielloware making.

Making of products from gold, silver or gold-copper alloy.

Bronzeware making.

Making of Thai dolls.

Making of mattresses or quilt blankets.

Alms bowl casting.

Making of silk products by hand.

Casting of Buddha images.

Knife making.

Making of paper or cloth umbrellas.

Shoemaking.

Hat making.

Brokerage or agency excluding brokerage or agency in international trade business.

Engineering work in a civil engineering branch concerning designing and calculation, organization, research, planning, testing, construction supervision or advising excluding specialized work.

Architectural work concerning designing, drawing of plans, estimating, construction directing or advising.

Garment making.

Pottery or ceramic ware making.

Cigarette making by hand.

Guide or conducting sightseeing tours.

Street vending.

Typesetting of Thai characters by hand.

Drawing and twisting silk thread by hand.

Office or secretarial work.

Legal or lawsuit services.

Hmm, this is an interesting problem.

I'm a British teacher just off to a job in Thailand. I've just had the British Police Authorities give me a form stating I have no criminal record so that I can show Thai authorities, but I hadn't thought about the other way round.

IF there really is no such official process in Thailand that would satisfy any British school you might have to consider failing to inform a supply teaching agency that you worked with children in Thailand. If you were tutoring adults or in 'import/export'  and have only worked with minors in Britain that would get you in, wouldn't it?

Frankly, if the Thai police did do such a service, I feel positively sure we'd all be required to produce one on a regular basis to show to immigration...

Thanks for all you interest i have emailed ajarn with details of the apology from the hotel management i trust that he will follow it up.

So far, I have not received any such details...

Later that night.....

Okay, he sent me scanned copy of a generic Mae Ping hotel welcome card with a non-specific apology and 'sorry for any inconvenience,' signed by the front office manager. He also wrote that they had been staying there for three days already, and his wife is in her fifties...

The plot thickens

More tommorow.

Tomorrow arrives.....

Got this in the afternoon, in response to my earlier phone call....(in part)

I will give you all details of Mr.& Mrs. "P" that stayed at our hotel within tomorrow due to today I have to join a meeting untll late evening.

Sincerely yours,

Preeyanuch Y.

Front Office Manager

The Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, Chiangmai, Thailand

More tommorow, it seems...

Question about pickup trucks.

Are the Izuzuu D-Max auto transmission  trucks any good?--or are they underpowered?

Also someone mentioned that it cost more to maintain 4wd truck.  What extra costs are there?

Which ttruck do you guys recommend?    4door

I have a new 4-door D-Max with 3.0 Turbo and auto tranny.

It sure ain't no race car, but it does pretty well against most other vehicles on the road....I think it's the gearing and the torque converter that give it an edge maybe, and when the Turbo kicks in at about 3,000rpm, it is very noticeable... On hills, no other truck has ever been able to keep up with me, and I can even give the new 4-door cars a run for their money on occasion...

Top Speed on level ground: 155kph

With their excellent rep for service, Isuzu has my vote.

They are also the top selling brand in Thailand.

Imperial Mae Ping

The racist attitude of the front desk staff of this hotel toward my wife

could have spoiled our holiday we are a mixed race couple and my wife was

told that she could not be staying there as she was not a European.

Complaints to the management resulted in a bowl of fruit and an invitation

to book directly with the manager the next time we are in Chaing Mai We left

and will not be going back. In the thirteen years that we have been together

we have traveled all over Thailand and Chaing Mai is one of our favourie

places and have never been treated with any thing less than traditional Thai

hospitality whether it was a 5* hotel or a room and fan up country.

Could it have been anything to do with the fact that my wife is Thai?

Rgds Doug

Sorry, but color me skeptical....

wife was

told that she could not be staying there as she was not a European

I've seen many Thais staying at the Mae Ping, so I wonder what the REAL story is, because it sure ain't that the Mae Ping only accepts Europeans....I feel that there is more to this story than presented, and I will follow-up with the manager tomorrow. If it is true, then the story should be spread even further. If it's not true, then that should be exposed, too.

Not the one at Airport Plaza.

I'll ask my girlfriend, she's very picky about these things too, bordering fobic, of people touching her car in places they shouldn't or in ways they shouldn't.

I suppose I'm bordering being phobic when it comes to my car, too. It's more like my wife- only my car gives me fewer headaches, and never whines when I put my foot in it!

Thanks for any ideas your GF might have.

As an alternative, if I can get more opinions on places to avoid, maybe I can find a good place by process of elimination

So far, we have:

The Shell Station on Boonruangrit Rd.

Airport Plaza

???

Some years ago, when doing some research for a fiance visa, I think I read that the Thai Police do not do a 'police clearance' for farangs, as required in many visa applications....

I never said that teachers were not an influence on kids or were not forced into some things

No, you said I must have an ego problem if I believe so....

Fact is, I've been there teaching in that classroom for more than 25 years. What is your experience as a classroom teacher?. You can spin your numbers and assumptions all you want. but it's still just pissing in the wind when it comes to the reality of real experience as a teacher.

'nuff said.

Experence as a teacher,OK no sweat,, But as a life long influence on most children ,I do not think so. even if you did cause one to actually become prez of the USA they would have first had to become a lawyer,so still no feather.

Most people in this day and age have spent some years in schooll and all had teachers,Teachers have been saying for years that the classes are to large and they have no time to teach them,children getting out of school that can't even read a job app.so they wern't taught the 3 Rs,and everyone is bitching about the criminal element,so they must not have been taught the Golden Rule either,,so what do you pose they are teaching.

and seeing as this was about parents makin their kids mind in the first place and not teaching exp. I am outta here.

Kevin, you never had a teacher that you can look back at and feel that that teacher had some impact on your life? How sad, if true. I've had several teachers who've helped me in many ways. Granted, they were not your average teachers, in my experience...

You seem to have a very low opinion of teachers and their value to society. Maybe some teacher or teachers influenced you to feel negative about teachers in general.... Otherwise, your logic and various hypotheses just don't follow any sense of reality or common sense, in my opinion and experience as a student and teacher.

BTW, this thread has been about discipline in our children, and the seeming lack of it in today's society. Teachers are well involved in this process, whether you choose to believe it or not. Choosing to not discuss (or listen?) further because you think it's off topic sounds like a copout to me.

I never said that teachers were not an influence on kids or were not forced into some things

No, you said I must have an ego problem if I believe so....

Fact is, I've been there teaching in that classroom for more than 25 years. What is your experience as a classroom teacher?. You can spin your numbers and assumptions all you want. but it's still just pissing in the wind when it comes to the reality of real experience as a teacher.

'nuff said.

Any recommendations for a great Auto Detailer in town? One who does a great wax job, and a thorough inside/out cleaning? Preferrably a handwash without using the high-pressure paint peeling water guns? Service and quality is more important than price..

The last place I used had a good price, then used oily cloths when drying my car....

I used to take all my vehicles to the Shell station that used to be near Sompet market, but they're long gone....

I'd like to keep my new car looking new

And if you think that teachers are that important and can do such wonders for so many with so little time,then you must have an ego problem.

Why would you suggest I'm the one with a problem when I bring in facts?... FACT is, teachers ARE extremely important and can have a huge influence, positive or negative, on kids... Why can't you see that? I was a classroom teacher for more than 25 years, but I KNEW that even before I ever set foot into a classroom as a teacher.

Do you think teachers want to parent your kid? NO! They want to teach your kids, but sometimes they MUST do more. Not because they have the time, skills, or energy to do that job, too, but because They're often forced into a parental role... A role not all teachers are good at...

Quite right MARTIN,and sometime back there was something about some children drowning,and someone asked why the school teachers had not taught them to swim,,a teacher is for formal education,not for all learning of everything in life,,thats what parents are for,they had the kids,now let them invest a little time in their upbringing.

Kevin, I certainly feel that parents hold main responsibility for raising their kids, but teachers still have can and do have a huge influence on kids, and are big contributers to instilling self-discipline in their students. And besides, in our 'modern' times, many of our kids have been, and will continue to be, latchkey kids, so often the teacher has more personal contact with kids than their parents...Teachers are role models, too, sometimes better role models than the parents, in my experience.

Which is why it's important for parents to be in touch with the teachers, and a part of their schooling. Often the teacher is first to notice problems, and I think it's critical that teachers and parents be on the same page as far as values being taught to kids....There are some potentially dangerous teachers out there, too...

Isuzu is number one in truck sales, and they also have more service centers than anyone else, and spare parts are all manufactured in Thailand. Excellent reputation for service, which I also agree....

A 5+ year old Isuzu should be within your price range, I'd think.

Good luck when buying a used car.

Of course, the other obvious choice of an all -terrain, all-weather vehicle is the Honda Dream, which I've seen in places elephants had difficulty walking...

And there's the elephant as a middle choice, too!

Fuel is free, and it even produces puay (fertilizer) you can sell!

I've come to realise that superficial relationships (like postings here) with farangs in Thailand is preferrable in most cases....I rarely do the night scene or socialize much, but the vast majority of farangs I've met either don't care for my style, or I don't care for theirs... My friends who are farangs can be numbered on one hand, and all except one I've known since I first moved here.

I'm one of those sizes where I can't even buy socks in Thailand off the rack. Everything I get is always hand-tailored....

Like Sabaijai, I've also had no luck when getting hand-measured, but I have had better luck with taking in a sample of my clothes and having them copy it....For many years, if I brought in a shirt for copying, along with the material, I paid 150 for either pants, shirt...or bathrobe. Usually it was okay, but any problems always came from the person measuring and cutting the cloth, in my experience.

There is a soi off of Moon muang, just past John's Place. In that soi are 2 or 3 tailors. Mostly, they seem to do uniforms or parachatan style of clothing for karachakans, or other people who need to wear formal Thai style work clothing...A parachatan style shirt is fine in lieu of a shirt and tie in formal Thai situations...

Anyway, they are cheap, and seem to only work from samples. I'd imagine they are more than 150 baht now, but if you just want a simple copy, I'd suggest checking them out.... I do know an excellent proper tailor in Nonthaburi, and would be happy to pass on that info to anyone who wants it....

Thanks Cute Thai Girl. (Why don't you post your pic for us all?)

Do you really think 'she' is a cute Thai girl?

No more than you are a Chiang Mai Thai, I think...

Well, if Thaksin gets his way, Thailand will be just like Singapore.

I guess you will be happy then?

For me, I'll take Thailand over Singapore any day...If not, then I would be there, and not here

True enough Ajarn, But you were dealing with kids with a few years behind them,

It is a lot harder to reason and talk sense to a child of 2 or 3,,After a kid is old enough to talk to and have them understand what you are talking about.

But a small child is only going to understand very little of your grownup explinations. That is when a swat on the but gets thru to them,first they have to understand NO and what happens if they don't stop,Pretty hard to ground or take away TV privelages from a 2 year old.

Before your theory will work,a kid has to be old enough to understand and to do some reasoning on his own.

Just like your dog,generally your dog will respect you enough to do what is wanted of him,but if he don't then him not getting to come in and watch TV ain't gonna get it. But first he has to understand what you want and how to do it.

But you were dealing with kids with a few years behind them,

It is a lot harder to reason and talk sense to a child of 2 or 3,,After a kid is old enough to talk to and have them understand what you are talking about.

But a small child is only going to understand very little of your grownup explinations. That is when a swat on the but gets thru to them,first they have to understand NO and what happens if they don't stop,Pretty hard to ground or take away TV privelages from a 2 year old.

Yes, sir, good points. Age does make a difference, and I've mostly been able to witness 2 year old tantrums from afar, always happy it ain't me dealing with it, for sure!

In such cases, I have witnessed a swat on the well-padded-by-diapers fanny (American English!) to get them on the same page as Mom or Dad. No pain, but some shock to be sure....And the point that Mom or Dad thinks it ain't cool gets across, I'm pretty sure. Shock often has a similar effect on teenagers, like when it finally dawns on them the game just ain't gonna work anymore

I guess it's the pain part that rubs me the wrong way. I just can't get behind pain as tool of love. Human nature sure is quircky, so maybe there can be effects worth the cause, but I just don't have the heart for it personally.

I hope that parents who do choose corporal punishment are doing it for the right and sensible reasons, whatever they are, as long as the reason is not that the parent lost their senses, stricking out of anger/frustration....Unfortunately, a lot of abuse does go on around us, and there do need be standards of Law, Societal or State, that are there to protect those that are truly being abused, and have clear guidelines as to what crosses the line....

Interesting discussion. I think we all agree that discipline, which includes personal discipline, is critical for our kids to learn, and that not nearly enough of our kids do get those valuable survival skills nowadays....