earlofwindermere

A lot of locals use Neramit. I used him once but was not fully happy. I find that it's quite difficult to gets pants properly made here. (I think that Asias wear them higher on the hip and they just don't seem to fit the same).

An alternative that I am happy with is Bond Street Tailors. They are found on Loh Kroh road abouto 3/4 down the street on the left (it's a one way road).

I work for a foundation. Every year when I apply for a visa extension, I get a visit. This year, they came twice. It's pretty standard.

I'd suggest the weekly Chiang Mai Classifieds email that is sent out. People I know who have listed in it have sold their vehicles quite quicky. It's also free to post in it.

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun EarlOfWindermere,

Not familiar with what you are referring to, and there a lot of Google hits on "Chiang Mai Classifieds e-mail" : the "top hits" lead to the "Chiang Mai Mail" rag classifieds, which doesn't even list a "Vehicles" category in its section selection drop-down.

Appreciate a further clue.

thanks, ~o:37;

The email has over 1000 subscribers and is not connected with the newspaper. A local church organizes it. I"ll PM you a copy of the next edition (usually on Friday) when I receive it.

I'd suggest the weekly Chiang Mai Classifieds email that is sent out. People I know who have listed in it have sold their vehicles quite quicky. It's also free to post in it.

We've been listening to the station for the past hour. They're calling people to join them at the hotel but no mention of arms yet.

We're listening at the office. 92.5 FM They're meeting at Wororot Hotel (which I'm assuming is near the market)

What frequency is this?

I know that there is a new golf course in Sansai. It's only 5 holes right now but 4 more to be completed soon. 100 baht for unlimited rounds. It's called "The New Sansai Golf Course" and the entrance is across from Land & House.

I'll check into Mae Taeng. My staff are working there next week. None of them have heard or seen it though.

The IB organization lists the following schools in Thailand that use its curriculum:

American Pacific International School

Bangkok Patana School

British International School, Phuket

Concordian International School

Garden International School

International School Bangkok

3International School Eastern Seaboard

KIS International School

New International School of Thailand

Prem Tinsulanonda International School

Ruamrudee International School

St Andrews International School, Bangkok

St. Andrews International School, Rayong

The Regent's School

The Regent's School, Bangkok

Four, including Prem, are listed as offering the program for all grades.

In Wikipedia, the description of the IB program contains the following:

The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) was described as "a rigorous, off-the-shelf curriculum recognized by universities around the world” when it was featured in the December 18, 2006, edition of Time titled How to bring our schools out of the 20th Century. The IBDP was also featured in the summer 2002 edition of American Educator, where Robert Rothman described it as "a good example of an effective, instructionally sound, exam-based system." Howard Gardner, a professor of educational psychology at Harvard University, said that the IBDP curriculum is "less parochial than most American efforts" and helps students "think critically, synthesize knowledge, reflect on their own thought processes and get their feet wet in interdisciplinary thinking."

In the United Kingdom, the IB Diploma is "regarded as more academically challenging and broader than three or four A-levels." In 2006, government ministers provided funding so that "every local authority in England could have at least one centre offering sixth-formers the chance to do the IB." In 2008, due to the devaluing of the A-Levels and an increase in the number of students taking the IB exams, Children's Secretary Ed Balls abandoned a "flagship Tony Blair pledge to allow children in all areas to study IB." Fears of a "two-tier" education system further dividing education between the rich and the poor emerged as the growth in IB is driven by private schools and sixth-form colleges.

Political objections to the IBDP in the United States have resulted in attempts to eliminate it from public schools. Thomas Sowell, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, describes the IBDP as a "kind of indoctrination" and "one of the endless series of fad programs that distract American public schools from real education in real subjects."

[end]

It has impressive jargon, but whether that translates in to real learning and benefits to most students may or may not be true. Perhaps it does.

infernalman7 tells us Prem trails the top international schools in Thailand, but asserts its students probably rank #4 -- yet that seems to be just his guess, and the reality could be far different.

So we've got a fancy and expensive Swiss-based program that could be great -- or not -- and an uncertain ranking by Prem in it. The IB thing is trotted out to prove excellence, but we're supposed to take their word it. An alternative view could be that an IB program is not crucial to the overall quality of an international school.

I again ask: Where is the data that confirms Prem is "ranked amongst the best international schools in Thailand", as it asserts on its own website? How does that square with the mumbo-jumbo about "rigorous intellectual honesty?"

I'm not exactly sure what Ferd is trying to prove. The quote above clearly shows that the IB system is highly regarded around the globe and is even gaining popularity in countries like the UK and US. Couldn't you then make the assumption that schools using this system would also be top notch? With only 4 schools in Thailand using the entire IB system, could you then also not state that PREM is among the best in Thailand? Then again, there are obviously people who prefer other systems so Prem's statement could be refuted as well. It can go both ways.... depending on what you value.

In the same way, all the schools write similar things:

CMIS: "provides high quality education."

LIST: "provide quality education"

American Pacific International School is a caring international community that nurtures a love of learning and life-long inquiry

Grace has a world class Special Needs Department.

All of these statements are subjective that could be challenged or defended as well.

Canada allowed themselves to be beat. It gives them an extra game to play before getting to the Gold game.

You can catch it online but I also have seen it on ESPN so check with the restaurants/pubs to see if they have it on their satellite. I believe that it is available on UBC.

A lot of the local international schools hire at Education Fairs where hundreds of people apply for positions at their school (esp Prem). Most of the international schools here can be quite selective on who they hire. I heard several years back that Prem actually Head Hunted its original teaching staff.

Another English speaking country that should be added is Canada:

The Nation Article

Thank Nakachalet for your questions. This is our third baby and because of complications in a previous delivery, this baby must also be delivered by c-section. Trust me, we've explored all options. My wife is a nurse and her close friends are midwives. We certainly do not have a preference for c-section but it is required in our case. I am also aware that Thai doctors often lean towards c-sections as they are quicker and more profitable.

We're heading down to Hua Hin next weekend and will be there until March 26th. Thanks to everyone for the information about Pecharat. Our doctor in Bangkok also recommended this hospital for the weekly check-ups prior to our due date and as a back up in case there is an emergency.

Cheers.

I've been watching some of the hockey games online. I also saw one at the X Centre in Mae Rim. They have UBC and it was on ESPN.

Two of my staff are CMU students. They said that a private section will open up alongside the government unversity and work in partnership with each other. From what I could undertand, it would be a similar arrangement to how the private-public hospitals work with Sri Pat and Suan Dok/Maharaj.

We moved to the same area at the beginning of the month (about 400 m down the road from you). TT&T was terrible and told us the same. We went to the Sansai office at TOT and they were very helpful and one lady spoke excellent English. Apparently TOT has limited service in the area. There is only one package available. After a week of applying, it was working. The speed is not nearly as good as what I had at my former place but it is good enough for skype. My suggestion is to visit the Sansai office yourself. It is located on Doi Saket road (of all places) and is on the right hand side as you are travelling out of the city (between the middle and outer ring roads). It is a small office so you may miss it if you're not looking.

Chat is the owner of Buddy Internet. He told me that a lot of customers come in, use the phone and then argue with him about having to pay. He's heard every conceiveable argument from a bad connection to "I only talked for 40 seconds, why should I pay for 1 min?" After hearing this repeatedly every day, I would likely do the same as him and charge customers by the minute for every connected call.

In my opinion, the computers in his shop are usually well maintained and the internet connection is usually good. In addition to his shop, Chat is very involved in the community and has an excellent reputation... volunteers on Boards of Foundations, raises funds for charities and even collects used clothing for poor families in Chiang Mai. Like any place, some staff are not as friendly as others. But, Buddy Internet has had a fairly consistent high level of service for the past 6 years that I've been going there.

Buddy internet is one of the best in town. I know the owner personally and he is a very good quality guy. I actually talked to him about his VOIP phone in his shop. If the call is connected, he has to pay for it.

My VOIP phone has been having poor quality lately as well. Do what others suggest and get a phone card.

I was driving down Chang Moi today and happen to glance over and see a store that was selling this item. It's on a right hand side of the road, about a city block before Top Gear Bike.

Was out at the pub with him Friday night. Shocking

Thanks for the comments. My wife is having a c-section which usually happens two weeks before the due date so we're assuming that we'll be fine. We'll be in Bangkok three weeks before the due date. I'll look into Petcharat as an emergency backup just in case she does go into labour early. Thanks.

Was just sent this link.

Saving Grace Website

THanks

My staff went to Samoeng today. They came back with 10kg of berries. Here is the price that they paid:

Grade A 40 baht/kg

Grade B 20 baht/kg

Grade C 15 baht/kg

Grade D 10 baht/kg

It's amazing how much it jumps up in price when it hits Chiang Mai.

I guess that I should note that these are NOT the organic strawberries.