McMagus

Lot of sense in femi fan's post...... I seem to remember Nestle some years ago off loading infant milk to Africa because it was so bad it could not be sold in western countries.

I am given to understand that one of the factors involved in the demise of ancient Rome was lead poisoning. Only the elite could afford lead pipes whilst the plebs had to do with clay. Red shirts may have a point and Paragon ..who would have thunk it ? I have finally convinced my other half to wear protective clothing when she sprays the somo. She used to come back drenched in the stuff and I wouldn't have a clue what was in the dark brown bottle. I think most of the problem is a) lack of education re organics and they are at the mercy of vested interests.

You gotta be joking ... or a joke. Which one?

Ok, my background. A teacher and principal in Oz for over 35 years. Taught in three different international schools here (2 of them top tier), taught in a supposedly fantastic Thai /British Bi-lingual school here. Now I am retired. I personally think the ENC could be better as it tends to be 'tick a box and move on', skimming across the curriculum. Most but not all international schools here are set up for one reason only... a money making business. The other problem with international schools is that Thai children come out not necessarily speaking brilliant English but also their mother tongue is sometimes poor because of lack of available time given. From my experience of the Thai education system it is an abomination and needs a major overhaul, starting with teacher training. As said previously, you are your child's first teacher never underestimate that. Give or try and provide your child with a deep and enriching experience; most of all the ability to think independently and the security of self esteem, confidence and a love for learning. My advice is shop around, shop around, shop around. I have seen tiny tots arriving at school at 6:00 in the morning, pulling a huge bag on wheels full of homework...and still at school 'learning' at 4:30 - 5:00 in the afternoon, with the Thai parents doing the homework and thinking that this is good education. Think carefully.... often the smaller schools are better... I know of one but not appropriate to name.... good luck, you are clearly a caring parent.

I refuse to invest in Thailand more than I could lose and still be able to get a good night's sleep. I have heard horror stories of seemingly solid deals going down the gurgler. Your wife shares your fears, this speaks volumes. You say it is for the children, so as has been said above...set something up secure for the children... but I for one would need to think long and hard before I was relying on Thailand to protect my assets for my retirement. Just a thought.

Nothing like enough info here. What counts as a relationship? shared values and goals or a shared bed? There are a lot of farang guys that get burnt... but so too there are a lot of Thai women who are taken for a ride by uncaring farangs. The number I know of who have wives back home and shack up here for a while giving the girls an empty dream. If the experience of a lot of posters here is one of Thai women being bitches from hell, then they are guilty of making poor choices for a companion, or choosing for all the wrong reasons. Reading between the lines, the fact that you want to leave money tells me that you are having the guilts ... i.e. you are not in an abusive relationship otherwise you would be gone already. There are thousands of genuine, lovely Thai women out there. From my viewpoint, THE ONLY REASON I would do a late night runner is because I fear for my safety. If you fear for your safety IF you talk to her then you have chosen the wrong person. You really need to explain the details although I'm not sure I want to know if you need to go to an open forum for advice. Have you any friends to talk to?

When I first came here I used to be soo polite, respecting a different culture etc etc.... BUT now... when she decides to STOP at the BOTTOM of the escalator to talk on her phone and everyone is backing into me I just push her out of the way. Similarly, I'm 105 kg and when some dopey 60kg thinks its a good idea to walk through me to get ON to the skytrain BEFORE we all get off.... I now just keep walking..through them if necessary.... stupidity knows no cultural boundaries. Good..feel better afta that rant.

Sat in a hotel restaurant once, couldn't help but overhear an Englishman and his wife complaining about the food.

''an ye can't even get proper bacon in this country, not like back 'ome.' Eventually we asked them .. 'Is this your first time in Thailand?' ..... Answer ... 'oh no coom baack 'ere every year we do, don't we love..every year'.

Need to integrate a bit more.

www.talesofasia.com is a handy website.

Slightly off topic .. re mouldy bread ... off milk. Was given some of that Thai cake...sweet, purple/green/orange etc. etc. I put it on the window ledge and left it there for about a month .... exactly the same...not a bird, or ant or anything would touch it...though it kinda...'melted' a bit...like plastic.

Up here we get quiet Issan music..he slowly ups the volume... just a bit, for 5 minutes then he talks for a little bit ... all done in under 15 minutes ..quite civilized. Sure beats standing on the skytrain platform in Bangers.

Can't get a satellite dish in my condo .. so it's either True or Thai soap operas. If anyone knows of any other options .. please post.

Interesting topic ..cos I've always wondered why Thai milk lasts for 3 years without going off... joke !

I have come to the decision that Thailand for the Thais is probably the best way to avoid perpetual criticism of a culture I have tried but do not yet understand .... its got bugger all to do with whether I can speak the language. Some lovely people, but through the filter of our eyes, ..... they do dopey things.

Sadly I have now started to advise friends not to holiday in LOS. I have been here for 8 years and it is going downhill fast. I now refuse to use buses and only fly. I don't think things will ever change here and after ASEAN ... look out Thailand.