thatswhatuthought

I got two similar e-mails.

I've had an email wanting to use my bank account for the return of 10-20% for the service, has anyone else?

I just thought it was someone trying to launder money & hit the delete button. (along with all the Nigerian bankers with dead peoples dormant accounts).

Go cut the trees down or transplant em. Move all the soil etc. The land is not your's but what u put on it is. You bought it and own it. If they kick up a fuss get a good lawyer involved that won't rip you off and it will go to court for years and she won't be able to sell the land.

Yes it's very possible to settle over here without assistance from a Thai woman or partner. In many cases it can be easier with one and in many cases it can be harder with one. If you chose to pick a bar girl, most of the the time it's harder. If you chose to pick an independent woman with a job sometimes it might be easier and sometimes harder. In the end it all boils down to the woman that is helping you. Woman all over the world are the same. Some want/expect material things or money for their services. Others are sincere women that just want a decent man to spend time with or live their life with. One poster said he "couldn't think of one situation where having a local girl acting as an intermediary for a foreigner is actually useful to the foreigner " i can think of many myself but maybe I got lucky. The one that helped me taught me how to get the cheapest prices, travel in the cheapest ways, how and where to get the best deals, what and where to avoid, how commissions worked here, how to speak thai, lao and cambodian. etc. etc etc. Many won't provide that and many people don't like what she has done for me because that has lost them a potential mark and possibly many more potential marks as I can pass on what I have learned with here assistance. Many times. I and many others with this knowledge are refereed to as " Farang lou mak" ruff translation is " foreigner that knows a lot" but in most cases what thay mean by it is " Foreigner that knows too much" sorry if I was a bit wordy here.

@Jingthing

I made no accusations. I simply asked you a question. Those with a "good education" can tell the difference.

I can't get my head around people that think young kids are attractive for those purposes. Makes me sick!

When a travel agent proposes a trip to ancient Greece, I reckon you should pass.

Is this your subtle way of justifying what these sick individuals do?

Or should I say " trying to justify"

I can't get my head around people that think young kids are attractive for those purposes. Makes me sick!

When a travel agent proposes a trip to ancient Greece, I reckon you should pass.

Is this your subtle way of justifying what these sick individuals do?

A drop in the ocean compared with probably 95%+ fraudulent English teachers here.

Absolutely. Agree 100%

Read above comment!!

A drop in the ocean compared with probably 95%+ fraudulent English teachers here.

Having a high school diploma from the USA or the equivalent from the UK, Australia etc. makes you more qualified than many of the Thai teachers and Admin at many of the private schools. I highly doubt you have seen 95% of the English teachers in Thailand teach so where do you get your figures from. I know there are many foreign teachers here that have no business in the classroom, but your 95% figure is an insult to me and many English teachers here. Many of us put a lot of effort into our teaching and have great results!

Returned in the morning from where.......I wonder........most of this tale is missing.

and also lived there for two years but had no door key, had to get security to open the door???.

On the thai news it was said she left momentarily and returned to a locked door. Then checked into a nearby hotel. Returned in the morning to a locked door. Had security open the door.

Although pesticides are being sprayed, why are there two deaths, but as of yet, no mention of any others who are even slightly ill? This does not appear to be the cause of death if it is not also the cause of illness to many others.

Many reasons spring to mind with very little thought. Use your imagination.

The whole school system from the bottom to the top is corrupt. Thailand can forget about having "qualified" teachers here unless they're in international schools. At least 95% of the population can't afford the real international schools. Private schools won't improve because it's easier to hand the ministry an envelope than it is to have a real inspection and make improvements. Note that international schools are inspected for accreditation from western board. Many dedicated teachers teaching at government and private schools struggle to do their best while fighting the admin for improvements. At many "prestigious" private schools you will struggle to find reading material for the students in the classroom. Teachers can forget about taking their students to the library. It's not allowed. I put very little blame on the teachers.Schooling is big business in Thailand and many people could lose a lot of money if there was a real overhaul. Not failing students, lack of materials, lack of freedom to teach, too much testing, no organization, corruption and lack of a decent curriculum are just some of the things teachers are dealing with.

Your comments are inconsistent - "can forget about having "qualified" teachers here unless they're in international schools" and "Many dedicated teachers teaching at government and private schools struggle to do their best while fighting the admin for improvements".

I know many Thai teachers, some teaching in government shcools, some in private schools. The vast majority are hard working, concientious teachers who chose teaching for all the right reasons. It's their profession and they struggle against the "system" as indeed do teachers in many other countries. Of course there are some below par teachers, but again the same is true in all the countries I've lived in. Sending your children to an expensive or international private school does not guarantee the performance of indvidual teachers, in my experience.

The problem really lies with the MOE and policies which are not designed to provide higher education for the masses. Add to this the various levels of corruption and bureaucracy. Massive orverhaul needed - and there are lots of lessons learned from other countries which could be really useful. But, there has to be the politcal will and we all know the reality there.

Please explain???????????????

If what you getting at is about "Qualified" teachers, notice the quotation marks. In Thailand the MOE wants you to have pieces of paper to show that you are "qualified". They don't look at the fact that many teachers with these pieces of paper are incompetent and don't know how to teach. Many without these pieces of paper have the ability, knowledge and dedication it takes to be a teacher.

The whole school system from the bottom to the top is corrupt. Thailand can forget about having "qualified" teachers here unless they're in international schools. At least 95% of the population can't afford the real international schools. Private schools won't improve because it's easier to hand the ministry an envelope than it is to have a real inspection and make improvements. Note that international schools are inspected for accreditation from western board. Many dedicated teachers teaching at government and private schools struggle to do their best while fighting the admin for improvements. At many "prestigious" private schools you will struggle to find reading material for the students in the classroom. Teachers can forget about taking their students to the library. It's not allowed. I put very little blame on the teachers.Schooling is big business in Thailand and many people could lose a lot of money if there was a real overhaul. Not failing students, lack of materials, lack of freedom to teach, too much testing, no organization, corruption and lack of a decent curriculum are just some of the things teachers are dealing with.

Your comments are inconsistent - "can forget about having "qualified" teachers here unless they're in international schools" and "Many dedicated teachers teaching at government and private schools struggle to do their best while fighting the admin for improvements".

I know many Thai teachers, some teaching in government shcools, some in private schools. The vast majority are hard working, concientious teachers who chose teaching for all the right reasons. It's their profession and they struggle against the "system" as indeed do teachers in many other countries. Of course there are some below par teachers, but again the same is true in all the countries I've lived in. Sending your children to an expensive or international private school does not guarantee the performance of indvidual teachers, in my experience.

The problem really lies with the MOE and policies which are not designed to provide higher education for the masses. Add to this the various levels of corruption and bureaucracy. Massive orverhaul needed - and there are lots of lessons learned from other countries which could be really useful. But, there has to be the politcal will and we all know the reality there.

Please explain???????????????

The way I see it, Thailand is doing just fine. It's nationalist policies have helped it to grow strong, economically. It would be foolish, to align itself too closely with the US. This is Asia and we all know, what happens, when the US looses in Asia...they pull out and leave the locals to pay the price for their actions, with no protection whatsoever.

Besides, the US signs trade agreements and then does not honor them. For example the North American Free Trade Agreement, with Canada, which they constantly violate, when it suits them.

I would stay on the fence as long as possible and in the end, if need be, align with China. US is old news. Bankrupt, jobless, warmongers. The Western Democracies are falling apart, economically and socially/morally, who in his right mind, would want to tie himself to a sinking ship?

"Who in his right mind, would want to tie himself to a sinking ship?" I would have to guess the leaders of the great country you're from.

Wow. This is a very poorly writen article. The obvious one sided propaganda that is outlined in it shows the writers intentions.( If you can understand it with all the mistakes.)

@Publicus Well said. Do you think you could give the writer of this a few history lessons and an update on current events. Ohhh nevermind.

The fact that many people on Thai Visa have been here for 15-20 years and say they have seen very few or no guns is no surprise. If all you do is meet up with your workers/friends, stay at home alone or with your wife/family and go out to the local bars, restaurants, shops, malls etc., you will probably see a gun once in a great while. If you get out in to the Thai community and integrate with the Thai community you would probably be amassed with what you see and experience. (if and when they attempt to accept you). Speaking Thai goes a long way (if it’s used in the right way). If you have been here for 5+ years you should be able to communicate in basic Thai. There are very few reasonable excuses for you not to. Most people don't except or like it when foreigners come to "their" country and don't learn the lingo. Why should it be different here. We are all foreigners. This is not "our" country. You have to be able to adapt, accept or compromise with the way it is here. That or you can live here feeling ostracized. Don't think that you'll be 100% accepted into the society, you should know better by now. Respecting culture can go a long way.

"We're not in kansas anymore."

HMMM. Take the coruption out of the school system and it would improve a whole lot. Better pay for teachers as well. It's not going to improve for years.

The whole school system from the bottom to the top is corrupt. Thailand can forget about having "qualified" teachers here unless they're in international schools. At least 95% of the population can't afford the real international schools. Private schools won't improve because it's easier to hand the ministry an envelope than it is to have a real inspection and make improvements. Note that international schools are inspected for accreditation from western board. Many dedicated teachers teaching at government and private schools struggle to do their best while fighting the admin for improvements. At many "prestigious" private schools you will struggle to find reading material for the students in the classroom. Teachers can forget about taking their students to the library. It's not allowed. I put very little blame on the teachers.Schooling is big business in Thailand and many people could lose a lot of money if there was a real overhaul. Not failing students, lack of materials, lack of freedom to teach, too much testing, no organization, corruption and lack of a decent curriculum are just some of the things teachers are dealing with.

Mods, may I suggest a startup of the tread "Were Is it flooding" please.

The government is not going to inform people this year anymore than they did last year. If you do get information from an official an hour later another official will probably contradict 90% of what the last official's information. I do believe Skywalker has a great Idea (minus his spelling) . Getting info from posters updating on "Where is it flooding" flooding could prove very useful to some of the members/readers here.

Some very low areas in Nong Jok are and have been flooded since the heavy rain that started Thursday Sep.27th. Most of the flash floods in higher areas cleared after about 16 hours. No heavy rain in this area since Sep. 27th until tonight. Some canals in Nong Jok have been over flowing since the heavy rain on Thursday/Friday Sep 27th./28th.Most Canal levels have dropped about 15cm. Over the past six days.

"situation should return to normal if there is no more rainfall." Bahahaha

According to Thai News this has not happened yet and more water is also being sent to East Bangkok from Chachoengsao and northern provences.

Some of the canels in east Bangkok are already overflowing and flooding some small areas in Nong Jok and Latkrabang. Lets hope there is no more rainfall and the weather predictions are wrong.

My prediction. Many parts East Bangkok will be flooded before Oct. 1st. And not flood water that will run off in hours. It will take days or weeks.

I would like to point out that this kind of thing happens all over the world NOT just in Thailand.

Western retirees getting knocked off by their younger asian wives.

Daily occurence in Nebraska is it? You are talking piffle.

Couples fight, couples divorce every day but tge stats show that being a western retiree with a younger thai wife is a relatively high risk pursuit.

Heah heah Now what's this got to do with Nebraska?

So, a lot of old has-beens are coming to Pattaya. And this is news? LOL.

I guess you think Dr Dre or Eminem are musical genius', right?

I know this was not dirrected at me but...both Jimmy Page and Eminem are gunius'

Religion has be used to manipulate the mases throughout history. Most religions were created for peace. They have been twisted and used to fight for peace. Small minds are easily manipulated.