McMagus

Once I took off my rose coloured glasses the world looked a lot better.

Sad thing is the crap screens have been pulled down and a lot of Thais will think these tablets are actually going to help their children improve and get a decent education. I have a theory ... keep the Thai alphabet, scriptura continua and written form as complex as we can, make sure equity and access to education is limited to the rich who can afford international schools, resist educational reform and renewal in Govt. schools especially rural ones and .... voila, we have a compliant population dis-empowered, which will not challenge conventional thought. LOS ? no ..... Land of Lost Opportunities.

Whilst I agree that cihan is not what I would call a teacher in the true professional sense, the real issue is that here in Thailand if you are pink (or vaguely pinkish), breathing and can speak some English then you can be hired. I do not blame cihan for trying to do some teaching but I do lay the blame firmly at the foot of governments of all persuasions who for years have ripped off Thai children by employing anybody who rocks up to a school looking for a job. This education culture is the problem, not people like cihan. I'm guessing that with ASEAN in 2015 the Thais will learn a bitter lesson but I'm not holding my breath waiting for the system to catch up. Personally I wouldn't bother getting out of bed for the money most language schools are offering.

Clearly there is a simple answer. Every foreigner in LOS goes to Teko Lotah and buys a big shovel. Next time they are out and about dig up a bit of Thailand and when returning to their 'old country' deposit it there. Every one keep doing this, keep doing this for years and lo and behold, after a time, we have a little bit of Thailand all around the world. Problem solved.

To rct99q.... A couple of observations. The westerners you and I see banged up from bike accidents either have little or no riding skills or expect things to be the same on the roads here as in the west... wake up ....it is not the same. Which brings me to my next point. I'm sorry but this 'awareness' you talk about just does not seem to hold water for me. Sounds a bit like 'Farang can't understand Thainess' to me. As I said, if they want to splatter their innards over the road it's up to them, but I do object to my safety being jeopardised as it has been on a number of occasions. The statistics (yes a little out of date) don't support your assertions.... see http://www.thaiwebsites.com/caraccidents.asp I am not Thai bashing, I wouldn't be here if I did not like the place as there are so many positives here but driving and road safety is not one of them. IMHO Thais drive the same way the walk, completely unaware that anyone else is around them, unpredictable and at the wrong speed for the conditions. As I've stated earlier on this post, I have ridden bikes for over 40 years and taught advanced riding skills for yonks and yonks and it beggars belief when my motorcycle taxi driver pulls the clutch in to drift around a corner. Or as we say in the trade 'arrives late'. This is when blind Freddy can compute that ......the truck coming towards us and ......the car in front overtaking the the little man selling brooms from his cart and us.... are all going to meet at point x up the road and my driver is still accelerating into a closing space ... until...'Oh kii I better brake'. ..that's called 'arriving late'. Jesus weeps don't get me started. I don't mean to be rude but your comments are the biggest load of ill-informed rubbish I have read in ages.

I recon you could do it for 15000...it wont be pretty but you could manage...just.

As above.

Or put in a simpler way, most Thais are racist.

Shouldn't you change your ridiculous post to read "most Thai women are racist" as the OP isn't having issues with Thai men, just Thai women.

I don't think the post is ridiculous! It does suggest a mindset that relates to possibly why the op is getting this reaction. Whether by ignorance or nationalism a large number of Thais are racist.

There are a large number of "farangs" living here that will make any number of excuses for Thai people rather than face up to the fact that they may be less than perfect.

I'm surprised the op hasn't received the if you don't like it go back home card as yet.

As a black man happily married to a Thai woman with a child who's been subjected to racism from fellow 3 year olds I dare you to tell me I'm wrong, bitter or delusional.

It is what it is. Every race has its share of racists, some places deal with it Asia mostly doesn't.

We love our non racist varied and mixed friendship group, the rest get to miss out on this fantastic group of people. As in if they don't like us, their problem never ours.

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I find the fact that you as a black male supporting racial generalisations quite sad. So, I assume then as a black male that you have all the stereotypical black male characteristics? You take no offence when people generalise you because of your race?

So, in your opinion it's not wrong to say that a large number of Thais are racist. So it must be okay when people say that a large number of black men are not educated, have no job, have multiple children with multiple partners, are involved in gangs, etc. Same thing isn't it? I'm not saying all black men, just most, or a large number at least.

Sorry, Regine but I think you have lost the plot ! Converse is experiencing what many of us who have lived here for a while know to be true. There is racism everywhere in the world but unfortunately Thais are, in my opinion very racist, xenophobic and discriminatory even against their own people. I know of large corporations where the office girl with the darker skin somehow has a huge pile of paperwork to deal with whilst the 'fair' ones do not. I have seen first hand how hi - so children in international schools will not play with Thais who have dark skin. I find Bangkok to be worse than Issan where most people have darker skin anyway. Thai feudalism and their social hierarchy informs their attitudes. As a white male, I look at the pale skinned Thai women, many of whom are spending heaps each month to use whitening drugs and feel sorry for them that they are not comfortable in their own skin. To Converse I say, hold your head high and remember they own the problem not you.

You are lucky ... very lucky. In Pattaya once I saw a farang running away from a motor bike shop, a Thai in hot pursuit with a bloody big knife chasing him. I expect you filled out all the third party insurance forms etc.. that you would do back in Falangland. Sorry but 800 B is cheap as chips.

When I was a 14, I used to belong to a moped gang. All our motorcycles were modified to go as fast as possible and to make as much noise as possible. Traffic rules, like any other rules, were made to be broken. The only explanation I can find we all made it to adulthood is it seems god has a special affection for idiots.

Everywhere in the world, kids will always be kids. Honestly with teenagers, I don't know what is best, to know where they are and what they do or not to know and hope that statistically they should make it.

I agree, when I was about 15, I was riding a BSA around at night without lights so the cops wouldn't catch us ... and...there is the rub. We knew we were doing dopey stuff (we were young boys, n'uff said), BUT we also knew the cops would crucify us if caught. Since then, I have grown up. 'There are old riders and there are bold riders, but there are no old bold riders', is a true statement. I've worked as an advanced motorcycle rider trainer with Oz governments so I know a little about road craft and bike riding in particular. Thai and most Asians (no I am not racist, only observant) are possibly the worst drivers I have ever witnessed. The concepts of forward vision, entry / exit points/ following distances / flexible gearing .. jeeez I could go on forever... are completely unknown. I guess it is a combination of zero education, zero policing and a cavalier attitude to life in general. I no longer take buses here and use planes when I can. I try not to get angry, only when their stupidity endangers my life. Needless to say I never ride big bikes here... risks are just too much and, ...... I have a high death threshold.

Indeed 'the law is an ass in England'

England has given this sleazy creep every accomodation under the law and he repays them by violating his bond. Throw the book at this criminal!

Silly me, I thought the basis of our judicial system was INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. Good to see you you have no bias.

He [Assange] also fears being extradited to the United States, where he believes he could be sentenced to death if he is indicted.

He is a liar. He does not believe that for one second. Possibly locked up for a long time, maybe, but executed? Zero chance and he knows it. Just trying to make excuses. I bet a lot of his supporters are starting to realize that this creep probably really did rape those women.

Careful, your prejudices are showing. get informed, read the facts.

Don't know, I never go into girly bars...and anyway...does it matter?

I think I would move close to the fracas ..much as a referee would and observe. I don't know the history, the lead up, the story behind it...maybe she deserved it.... but I don't like to see a man bashing a woman.... and I don't like the idea of doing nothing. If the girl was a very young child, say 5 yrs old, would it make a difference to your reaction? If so why? I think if she was getting a real hiding I would have to do something...what I don't know.

I'm Australian, 63 and have worked here for nearly 8 years. I actually feel safer walking through Bangkok at night than in sleepy little Hobart ! I remember a flight back to Thailand on a QANTAS plane and sitting next to me was a guy from NSW, he was proudly telling me as he swilled his beer how he was going to 'do' Walking St. in Pattaya. Across the aisle, three other Aussies in their wife beaters were loud, gauche and had no trouble convincing everyone how their collective IQ was at room temperature. I also have some Aussie friends here who are thoughtful, dignified and culturally aware. A recurring theme for me is how places like Patong attract a certain type, some are Aussies and some from other countries but they wear a badge of commonality; a total lack of grace, common sense and manners.

I can't agree with you Stoneyboy. I used to bus regularly to and from BKK to Chaiyaphum then on to KK. I spend most of the 7/8/9 hour (choose which one fits) journey in abject terror because of the lack of driving skills of the majority of Thais. I now fly but don't go as often 'cos Thai has the monopoly and it gets expensive. Yet to try a train.

<p>I used to transfer

Why need there be a rationale?

The harder one seeks perfection the further it recedes Grathhopper.

I must confess ... I was a tad taken aback, however, let's wait and see what transpires. My guess is that the sentences will never be executed (pun intended) as there are too many upper echelon figures in the firing line. What does amuse me however is the vitriolic re this unhappy mess. This is Thailand folks, stop expecting things to work as they do in Falangland, some of you posters have been here long enough to know this but you still bitch on as if you are living in the worst country in the world. Do I think this decision is OK? Hell no, but of more importance is what do the Thais think about it and, moreover what are they prepared to do to stop this kind of insanity. Mai pben rai I'm afraid. No matter how long you have lived here, we are still visitors, this is their country and it is up to the Thais to stand up and be counted. If, as a nation they think this kind of judicial behaviour is OK then who are we to try and effect change? Just like traffic, edging little by little to get into Sukhumvit from a side soi, there comes a time when critical mass takes over and the soi cars move forward and Sukhumvit gives way. Maybe this will happen here in LOS, but don't hold your breath.

I had progressive numbness in my fingers and thumb in my L hand for quite some time and also pain. My R hand was not so good either. I went to BNH in Silom and had all the tests...18 000 B worth and was diagnosed with severe CTS in my L hand and moderate in my R. They suggested surgery for the L as I had had it for a long time. Their quote was around 40 000 B. Hmmmm. My other half said to go home to Khon Kaen (close to the farm) and go to Srinakarin public hospital. I was a bit anxious as to the quality of surgery I would receive but off we went. Srinakarin is not Bumrungrad, nor is it BNH, no flash decor etc. etc. and longer waiting times, mine was 2 weeks. Although I can speak some Thai, it would have been difficult without a Thai with me. To cut a long story short, I had the surgery there, it was open surgery, not keyhole. Local anaesthetic, never felt a thing, the surgeon was the professor of surgery at KK uni and spoke perfect English. Here is the good part. ... 40 000 B at BNH and 3500 B at Srinakarin. I am about 2 months post surgery, all the pain and numbness has gone and I am starting to play the guitar and piano again. I have a torn rotator cuff in my R shoulder and will most likely need surgery... guess where I will be going? I cannot lift heavy weights yet and need to take care but computer work etc is a breeze. Hope this helped.

Although I have worked here on and off for nearly 7 years..with a legit work permit and paying taxes etc. etc. I decided that because my Thai is &lt;deleted&gt;, I would enrol in a language school, get an Ed visa and hopefully slow down the oldtimers disease:-) To those who think the whole Ed visa thing should be abolished ... shame on you... my life will be richer for studying Thai and so will Thailand for having me in their country in many different ways. To those brainless farangs who have been abusing the system for years .. I hope you get your what you deserve. At my school we must register our attendance every day. It would be a shame for the actions of a stupid few to wreck it for those who legitimately want to study.

It intrigues me the way so many posters here get caught up in Thai politics. What irritates me most is the arrogant assumption that because Mr. Issan was paid to come to BKK to protest it is suddenly a red plot and he has no legitimate understanding of politics. Are they uneducated?... a lot are. Are they stupid?..... not any more so than any other person. When will the posters here realise that our view of what counts as democracy is not their same view. Here is a feudal society with a veneer of democracy. And before I get shouted down about how great it is in the west, we have had hundreds of years to get it right and we still stuff it up... case in point the election of G.W. Bush and the Florida fiasco. As for me, it's their country and it's up to them to fashion the style of government that suits them and fight for what they believe in. If it happens to transpire that what they settle for is not what we westerners would like to see... OK...it's their country and their pathway to tread.

To Sunee TH .... that has to be the most stupid post I have seen. How in the name of God can you post something like that without any statistical evidence to back up your claim. What counts as stupidity? You need to research Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence work. However...it is very very stupid to try and get into the skytrain before I can get out :-))

Ok, my experience having taught here in top tier, middle tier and bi-lingual schools is as follows; In the top tier schools, levels of spoken English is good and as expected even in 1st languages, better than written English. My observations of other schools is that although there may be an enrolment policy regarding entry level competency in English, often this is over ridden by the Thai directors' wishes and consequently children are admitted with almost zero competencies. The Thai teachers often complain that the Thai students in these schools are in fact way behind when it comes to their own tongue. In some middle and 3rd tier international schools, students' command of English is marginal and their mother tongue poor when it comes to reading and writing in their native tongue. In many international schools children may be 'actively discouraged' or even disciplined for speaking Thai. This policy is usually DRIVEN BY PARENTS, who don't want to spend big money for their kids to speak English and hear Thai when they visit the school. Thai script whilst beautiful to see is so complex, that schools need to put aside a lot of curriculum time for students to gain mastery. I have had discussions with both Thai and farangs who agree that maintaining the current script and the non differentiation between words is in part an effort (by ammart) to make access to education particularly difficult for the masses. Interesting na ?