umbanda

My opinion, after shopping around for a while. The jazz is not only a good looking small car, the interior space is larger than it looks because the rear seat folding system, but, over 600K, I think is overpriced even having a 1.5 engine. The new Yaris is comparable with the Jaz but better priced. The Almera, under 500K, is very well priced for what its offers. In that price is the only one with heater, alloy wheels, and breaking sensors. The 1.2 engine may be too small for its body size. If price matters, I think that the Almera may be a very good buy.

With more than 25% down may be possible to get 0% financing in some models. Something that may make a difference too. My only concern with Suzuki is the resell value.

The variable of a degree would probably not be the important factor in dealing with a class of 40 students. Experience would be the most important variable.

I strongly believe that love for teaching, and passion about you do it is more important than experience and any degree....Make a big difference in somebody's life, even for one in a hundred,.......says everything about what means to be a teacher.

By the way...During my short experience teaching English for free in a Thai Government Elementary School, Pichai Wittaya in Lampang, I had the opportunity to play a 1988 movie to "my" kids and some school's teachers. I knew that for many of them, the movie will be boring and many exited the room......So many....Was expected...and I didn't care.

At the end, a teacher, a Filipino Math Teacher, come to me to tell me that the movie give her meaning for her life....

Mission accomplished..

The name of the movie " Stand and Deliver ". Part of the life of Jaime Escovedo....He was a foreigner Math Teacher at a high school in LA...probably the school with the "lowest" level teenagers students in America......

This movie was filmed in 1987 when he still a teacher....That why the movie will not show that Mr. Escovedo becomes a Secretary of Education for the Sate of California in the 2000s.

Take the money !

"For evil to succeed , all it takes is for good men to do nothing "

Until today..you were the only one responding... "Take the money!"... Sure I will do it too!

I was expecting many responses like "I will not do it!" from all the people in this site complaining about corruption, bribes, etc, etc...

Where are them when confronted with the reality?

Corruption in Thailand is nothing comparing with corruption in the US, France, England, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Russia...just to name few not Asian countries.

I get these offers everyday in my inbox and I move them to trash.

Are you a Primer Minister waiting for the best "deal"?

Haven't seen the movie.

Is It a Thaksin biographical type movie?

Can be Thaksin, can be Suthep, can be Bush, Obama, Bliar, Cameron, Putin, Berlusconi, Netanyahu, ...your choice....

Take the money !

"For evil to succeed , all it takes is for good men to do nothing "

Good men also are human....and humans only not do "bad" things because are afraid of punishment and shame.....if not...

Did this happen in Thailand?

In the movie...America...but ...more or less...it is happening in EVERY country in the world....and for centuries.

That price if for certified translations...in Chiang Mai about 300thb/page..but...if certification is not necessary will be a lot cheaper doing it with an English student or a Thai English teacher....

"and that your actions will not create problems to other people, country or institution"

This isn't realistic.

Watch the movie....and the end.

Last nightI was watching in you tube the American 2005 movie named Deal..a political thriller....I do not believe there are very rich members in TV.......or millionaires, and this is my question...

What will you do if you are in a position to get millions or billions or dollars just signing, saying something, or saying nothing, about an official or private "fishy" deal? And you know for sure that you will not have any legal problems, sufers any punishment, no problems at all never in your life,..and that your actions will not create problems to other people, country or institution you care about. No bad repercutions at all.

More....you know that if you do not do it.....you may lose more than the opportunity to make a lot of money ....and other people will do it anyway.

Be sincere in your answer..or not answer, but..please.... do not say that "Money do not buy Happiness"....

If you believe in that...it is just because you do not know where to go shopping...

Bagsida, I guess this isn't problem at all, and you don't loose anything when you sale your bike. If this vehicle is a bmw or fortuner, may be, but on scooter ....don't think.

My Argentinean friend..I think you are wrong....Most Thai people do not like to buy second hand bikes because have to be paid in cash when can get a very good financing from banks or dealers. To sell a second hand bike the price has to be very good...for Thai people. A farang may pay more and pay cash...but also will compare with buying a brand new one. Anyway...not easy to sell a second hand for the "right" price...

I had that painful experience...

How do these dealers buy at a cheaper price? Is it because they buy in bulk?

When I was shopping for a motorbike a Thai friend told me that some dealers not just buy in bulk, its buy in lower prices bikes that are in the way to change looks because new models are coming. If the price is really a LOT lower, and comes with factory warranty, makes sense to buy from those dealers. Requires to shopping around and compares.

If the bike will show previous owner, even the dealer's, my concern will be if the bike is really new or a bank repo. Thais are masters in detailing and restoration, and it is not illegal changing the odometer reading......

I was living in Bangkok and later Chiang Mai area for more than 2 years before moving to Chiang Rai. I think Chiang Rai is the best Northern city in every way, and with 50000thb you can rent a mansion here with an amazing mountain or river view on the best location and close to town...something you cannot get in Chiang Mai for double of that money....

Bangkok?..never again!

If you never visited Chiang Rai...just ask expats at the chiangraities ..or e-mail me.

Before doing ANYTHING with the SSA or American Embassy, tell your friend to contact a Thai-American lawyer in the same city of her American husband's family. Any US lawyer can easily get information about any US citizen assets and recorded court documentation, and give your friend the best advise.Look on the Internet for a Thai-US organization or the Thailand Embassy in the US, to get info about lawyers.

If makes sense, and you friend have means to get a US visa, will be even better for her to get a certified translation in English of EVERY marriage and husband's documentation she have, go to the US, and meet her lawyer and her husband family.

BY my short experience teaching in Thailand's Government Elementary Schools and past experiences in South America and US schools, I was surprised by the organization and dedication of students and teachers here, and the spending with them. Unfortunally, teaching methods and books are not customized for Thai students in elementary education, and that reflect in poor performance. If interest in is not acquired by children during the elementary education, never will happen later, even in the university.

My surprise do not stoped here with small children behavior. Thai college students, comparing with American college students, are the most well behave I ever knew, and increased my support for the use schools uniforms. Many studies about that shows that it is a positive factor in students behavior. It is just a coincidence that discrimination, student's bad behavior, drugs use, and violence it is a norm in most US high schools?

The usual comments here about corruption make me think that some people still believing that corruption doesn't happen in their countries....or that people only believes in what it is evident....in front of their faces....stole from their pockets..

I personally prefer to live in a country where I have to pay bribes to low level police or immigration officer, and others, and not to live in a my own country, knowing that others are make billions in corporation bribes and illegal deals against people's and country's interest.

Thailand may be no so much different than other countries in many ways, but at least I can leave my bike unattended and unchained anywhere without worries, and not be checked for weapons entering the schools. Try to do that in California...or.. Las Vegas...just to name "first world" Western places without "evident" corruption and crime.....

electronic inscet repellents, voltage required. emits blue hue, seems to attract plenty of insects. wake up to find a boatload of them in the tray

anyone want to post a link of one they bought and that worked !

is it the blue color or ??? that attracts the mozzies ?

You can buy in Big C a small bed table model for about 300thb...Works OK...but some mosquito are aware of the blue light and will prefer fly direct to your skin instead....Why use chemicals on your skin when you can use coconut oil???....If you do not mind the fragrance ...it is recommended also for cosmetic use and massage....and safe for children. Any good pharmacy and mall's market carry coconut oil products...

Purified Coconut oil is the best mosquito repellent...at the same time is very good for the skin.

I am from Brazil. Already got the 1.500thb HD2 box for my PSI cable showing Spain League, World Cup classification games, and Brazil related events on SUN station. Will show all the Cup games, but I do not know if they will transmit the games LIVE, because they do not do it with the Spain league. I hope so.

By the way.....if you or somebody here is going to Brazil for the World Cup and wants "expert" advise...let me know...even if Brazil and Thailand's life share a lot in common....

oi tudo bem? yeah I want to go, I have already applied for FIFA tickets, though I don't understand why some of the matches are played in Cuiaba, a city with umm no acommodation, you know much about that city, if they have any lodges or guest houses which are not advertised on the internet? it seems to be a country town?

Hi Jayroo..I reply your comment...but I think on the wrong place. Look on my post....

I am from Brazil. Already got the 1.500thb HD2 box for my PSI cable showing Spain League, World Cup classification games, and Brazil related events on SUN station. Will show all the Cup games, but I do not know if they will transmit the games LIVE, because they do not do it with the Spain league. I hope so.

By the way.....if you or somebody here is going to Brazil for the World Cup and wants "expert" advise...let me know...even if Brazil and Thailand's life share a lot in common....

oi tudo bem? yeah I want to go, I have already applied for FIFA tickets, though I don't understand why some of the matches are played in Cuiaba, a city with umm no acommodation, you know much about that city, if they have any lodges or guest houses which are not advertised on the internet? it seems to be a country town?

Yes Jayroo...was my surprise too...Brazil is a big country and those games far away from Rio de Janeiro and on small cities will be a agravation for the visitors...I do not understand why so few games in Rio, where most of the famous tourist attraction are. If you are single, I get into a Brazilian dating site now and make some friends in those cities. Brazilian women are very friendly and love foreigners. I am sure you will get free accommodation very easy.....and with some "benefits"...If you are married...go alone...or not go at all. Too much "distraction" around...

Vipassana meditation is all about mindfulness and being present in the moment. It leads to wisdom to see things as they really are. One does not have to be of any particular religion to practice it. My teacher said that it would make a Christian a better Christian, a Muslim a better Muslim ,etc.

The meditation retreats in Thailand which cater to foreigners do not require one to be a Buddhist.

Looks like you need to be taught by a guru to be able to meditate using this style.

I don't think i could ever actually find the time nor have the patience to actually see someone to teach me how to meditate i rather find information from the internet and try it at home.

Is meditation just basically siting still and just letting one's mind be empty without any thoughts interrupting for as long as possible and that it isn't really so easy so most ppl either listen to some type of music or chanting a word om for example in short to force the mind to prevent it from wandering and that someone that has reached the pinacle of meditation doesn't need any chanting or music but just simply sits there with his mind empty for hours?

If you have 10 days you can go to a retreat.

Here's the link http://www.dhamma.org/

You can book your course on that website. The courses are free. All over the world. And pretty effective. You only need 10 days to learn the technique and then you can continue to practice at home.

It is not recommended to practice from a book.

To you last question: Vipassana meditation is accepting the reality as it is (basically, although it may be little bit more complex than just that).

It has little to do with an empty mind, but that can happen.

10 days? In 15 days you can become a novice monk in some meditation retreats, and surely will be Buddha chanting, prayers, etc, etc.

There are many meditation centers and retreats in Thailand where you can learn at your pace. I did one in BK but unfortunately do not remember name or contact info. In Chiang Mai www.monkchat.net offers 2 days, one night, meditation retreats in English and only for foreigners, very inclusive, informative, and with all the elements to learn it. The religious part of it is minimal and is not mandatory to do it, just to respect it. In just 2 days, you can learn all the basis to keep it doing at your own...even to teach to others. My advise...NOT to do the long retreats, 5 days, 10 days, up to 21 days, if you do not have previous experience or a strong motivation.

My opinion is that Thailand...like many other countries where some materials and labor are very cheap, it is a wonderful place to start a business focus in exports. A prove of that is all the distribution companies in western countries making a fortune selling any kind of "toys" from China and Taiwan, and textiles from Thailand and Philippines....and furniture...and ceramics...and bikes....and precious stones...and machines..and..and..and...

Just think...Why biggest chains in the world like IKEA, just to name one, are based in Asia? Look in China's merchandise prices in alibaba.com .Do you have any idea for how much that merchandise is selling in the US and Europe? Asia's production cost still the lowest in the world.

Before was Mexico, Brazil, Panama, etc.....The famous English cotton, wool and leather from England are from Argentina, the famous marble and granite and the famous Italian's leather shoes still be produced in Brazil.......Swiss watches?.....guess from where now?

Export is the safest business in the world...paid cash in advance...insured by the shipping company....and warranted by the banks....Not large investment is necessary and can be managed from an office located in any country...Better than that?...please let me know...because most of the biggest companies in the world are acquired now by the suppliers....from other countries.

One example...and probably you do not know this if you are American....is that most of the meat and chicken for hamburgers in the US are imported from Brazil...a 3rd world country, now an emerging economic world power......Well.....2 years ago a Brazilian company invested 14 billion US dollar to buy....MC DONALDS!

Check this company out, Ping Solar

Ping Solar just installed this for James at a cost of around 255,000 baht, with just under a 6 year return, If you can install it your self it would be cheaper. Solar is well worth installing.

I cannot get any contact info for Pin Solar. Do you know if its have office in Thailand? Thank you.

If you were bitten by YOUR vaccinated dog, some hospitals will ask to keep the dog in observation...not to give you the shots right away, other hospitals and people will not take the risk and get the 8 vaccines.

I was bitten slightly by a dog here a year ago.. Because was a street dog and away from my home, the hospital give me the shots series.

5 ANTI RABIES SHOTS PLUS 3 ANTI TETANUS SHOT DURING 6 MONTHS...AND WANTED TO SEE ME EVERY DAY TO CHECK THE SMALL BOUND - COST ME 10000THB.

After reading online that Thailand is the #3 country in the world with rabies problems, recommending get a preventive 2 shots vaccination before traveling in Asia...and reading all about, I got paranoid even after the vaccination.

This is for the people saying that Thai people, Thai wives, Thai partners, etc, etc, are the ones that will take advantage of you and/or your money.

I have a Thai friend. A middle age Thai teacher that married a German older guy. She was 38, single, no children, and he 58 at that time. They lived in her small countryside house. He opened a company with her, and invested 400,000 THB of their money together to start a a factory of purified coconut oil for export in Prachuap Kiri Khan. They had a boy together. Just 5 years later, he divorced her and married his younger secretary.

Now, 10 years later, he sold his company for 1 million US, and owns a mansion in Hua HIn. My friend still teaching in Prachuap and she is living alone in her countryside house. Her only son lives in Hua Hin, with his father and his new mother and younger brothers, mainly because with them he can have the kind of life his mother cannot provide......meaning..all the expensive "toys" and expensive schools that spoiled 10 years boys likes.

No fair at all. Sincerely...I will love if this guy is reading this at this moment, just to make him to think about.....

Anyway....If you are reading this ..Coconut Oil King....Happy New Year to you and Leo.