ChrisKC

On 11/24/2018 at 10:56 AM, Spidey said:

And why not indeed. Always been my favourite Englishmen, down to earth and call a spade a spade. Mind you, I've met some pretty decent Mackems, Monkey Hangers and Smoggies too. Must be the water in the North East.

I am from Birmingham - the one in England! I remember calling a spade a shovel!!

Lived in London 5 years, Northampton, 4 years, Liverpool, 2 years, in Somerset (three different towns) over 25 years.  But I have lived in Thailand for 20% of my entire life! Whatever will become of me??

My rubbish is collected by an official and specialised vehicle 3 times per week in Lampang. A man comes round every month to collect B20 for which I get a proper receipt.

On 11/21/2018 at 11:08 AM, BritManToo said:

Well he did make exceedingly good cakes.

But before that,

A 1920's scenario unfolded:

"Do you like Kipling"?

"I don't know, I have never Kipled"

Two things for me.

Thais, no matter where they are don't know or don't care how to turn right! And (right turn) Uturns are a nightmare as once there is a waiting vehicle in either direction, nobody can see anything coming from behind!

Second. Nobody stops at pedestrian crossings even when pedestrians and a policeman is standing in the road - it's obvious that traffic has precedence, official crossing or not! And if I stop, I am putting pedestrians at risk by traffic that will pass either side of me!

it isn't only Immigration offices not being consistent with what is actually a Countrywide rule, but the Hotel managements everywhere as well. In the last 12 months I have stayed in many hotels and resorts but registration there was only required of my Thai wife who was the one that did the booking! Not interested in me at all!

Prior to this when I myself did the booking, I was registered on arrival for notification to Immigration.

9 hours ago, poohy said:

Cheers I like have to get licence after being here 18 years,  i simply never bothered as most of my time was in Bangkok so no car or motorbike needed

now  a serous question as most foreigner who have passed test in their home country are more  than capable of driving but the Thai test is worded in Thai speak and logic

simply whats to stop taking a list of competed question to test and checking for the right answer to avoid the retest 

Everything I did was from translated Thai into good English - not perfect and little reason for anyone to fail the test because of it.

I am very sad that your "talking it through" has led you both to abandon the responsibility for your baby. Didn't your girlfriend and you create a daughter from your love for each other?  On balance, it seems, without knowing the criteria from which you made your decision, that she will be an inconvenience. And who will tell her that when she grows up?

Most people on this forum, and I suspect most other people, would love you to change your mind!

On 8/9/2018 at 3:09 PM, Neeranam said:

Can I ask you if you are fluent in Thai, with no accent after 15 years working here? I think telling us how to translate "gin khao" is rather insulting.

In 24 years of teaching here, I've met many teachers who don't even know what date it is in Thai, yet criticize the Thai English teachers for their lack of English skills, or their students.

How can a student respect a teacher that can't learn the language of the country he is staying in, especially if they've a Thai wife.

 

 Translation is NOT the correct word to use. In the case of "gin kao" translating it into English as "eat rice" is not what English speakers actually say. They say "eat". Interpretation is the correct way of making sense of one language into another.

I am not fluent in Thai but that is irrelevant. I am fluent in English and I know in English we use the word "eat" not "eat rice" (which actually means eat anything), as the Thais do!

Maybe you should understand that translation takes no account of differences in culture - interpretation does.

1 hour ago, manchega said:

Its a good question,

 

I am trying to make the same decision.  As a driver of a car, apparantly one is always in the wrong when it comes to motorcycles.

I hope that if a serious one happens from mc stupidity I will have it all covered, 

 

the most common cause of mc crashes on me have been when they cut up my car in traffic, or try to cut me up on corners, don't know why they think cars need to slow on corners?

 

Any thoughts on this, I am not sure if it should be a mirror cam or front and back for me

You don't slow down at corners? In any event, this is Thailand, motorcycle riders will continue to "cut you up" so you have to be extra vigilant and be ready to act accordingly!

Thai Teachers of English and their students are not stupid and are not to blame! Students grow up making all the same mistakes as their Teachers. Why? Because the Teachers were taught wrongly and badly themselves. It's about time Thai Teachers of English were taught by English native Speakers and who understand what English speakers actually say in real life. Most text books (including nearly all dictionaries) of Thai to English are created by Thais and quite frankly, should never see the bookshelves!

And nothing has changed in the fifteen years I have been here! No shout out from me for the Education Service.

Among the plethora of mistakes most Thai people make is pronouncing "rice" as Lice". As an Englishman, I cant' think of anything more revolting than being invited to eat my lovely Thai curry with "lice"

And talking of rice, the Thai expression indicating I will eat: "gin kaow" should not be translated into English as I will "eat rice". It should be interpreted as, I "will eat".

On 8/6/2018 at 8:34 AM, tifino said:

the trouble was probably because the OP mentioned the 'syphilis' word, relating to work related med tests.

 

Your mentioning (Driving Licence) Med Tests 'tangented' things off a little bit...   from a Teaching Forum subject.

 

 

you have to be so careful these days!   (even when typing replies)

Point taken!

52 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Yes

Sent from my SM-A500F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

52 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Yes

Sent from my SM-A500F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

So why link me with syphilis?

Just now, brewsterbudgen said:

The blood test for syphilis is not required for driving licence medicals; just for work permits.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Is this a reply to my message of having a "medical"?

I went for a "medical" today at my local Doctor's clinic. I got a form stating I was medically fit to apply for my Thai driving license. They took my blood pressure and that was my medical! I was charged B50

From what the OP has said and the very reasonable and helpful comments by Bob 12345, the nutrition element of health and fitness will not improve times much.

interval training in either timed intervals or fartlek (going fast(er) and not especially timed) and jogging between the faster runs is definitely a good plan. Try running 3 or 4 intervals of say 30 seconds at faster than your average running speed. Jog down between the faster runs.

I can provide a running schedule of greater detail say for the next six weeks. PM me if you would like me to do that and to explain why I do it that way! It is safe, will create strength for extra speed and build stamina for endurance.

Regards from Chris

6 hours ago, poyai111 said:

Coming to terms with one's mortality is not an easy thing. Resign yourself to the inevitable and to delay it for as long as possible by ignoring it, is the Buddhist way to go. A primary issue is one's state of health, physically and mentally. I am now 74 and am as robust in body and mind as I was 40 years ago. Everything works - without exception. Worthy of mention are: 1) follow a strict physical routine at least 3 times a week for both strength and cardio 2) be moderate in your consumption of food and alcohol. Anything to excess is deleterious to your well being 3) love and be loved 4) exercise your brain - read, communicate and be able to make wise decisions 5) show appreciation and it will be returned tenfold 6) have a clean and painless exit plan

Well said!

This is a personal thing! It depends on your condition now, your philosophy of and attitude to life and how you deal with problems of daily living now. Old age is not as important as how you actually are in body and mind.

Like Poyai here,  (73 years old) I am perfectly healthy and fit - yes 100% - no issues of any kind! May it continue of course but I have to continue eating nutritionally well, do some decent exercise routine that keeps my vital organs in shape. Ask me how to do this!!  I do up to 300 kms a week on my road bike.  I exercise my brain every day with cryptic crosswords, sudoku and other brain training activities. I love learning about new things. I have just got married and my future has much to offer my fertile imagination.

I know of Commercial places in Thailand that offer quality care for the elderly but like everywhere else in the world, there is good and bad, suitable and unsuitable. This is Thailand. You can find someone - not 25 years old but someone mature; someone who will appreciate you helping and supporting her while you can and later she will take care of you. I think there are people on this forum in that situation.

Short of marrying someone, when you needed more support, you could find a retired nurse or someone recommended that would, by simply having a proper home to live in and for B10,000 or more according to circumstances per month, would look after your daily needs.

I think being taken care of in old age or medically challenging times, Thailand is a good place to be. You can keep warm, living expenses will continue to be far cheaper than in most Western Countries, there are many people here who would be ready, willing and able to help you for much less money than would be elsewhere.

3 hours ago, BobbyL said:

We paid 2500THB for the agency to translate it all and take it to the MFA for us recently. Came back in 3 days. 

Thank you for that. Can you confirm that by "it" you mean the Affirmation? And that you didn't need to go to MFA yourself? Any other documents apart from the translated copy needing to go with to MFA?

You mention "Agency". How do you establish if they are accredited with MFA?

Thank you again!

2 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Yes - always.  Translation service should have offered to do for you for a charge.

OK, I understand, thank you!

1 minute ago, Preacher said:

As Lopburi3 says, it is the Thai Consular Department.  Just follow the signs for the Thai passport office at the Chiang Mai provincial hall.  Issuing passports is the main business of the consular department. 

Thank you for your time and useful information.

2 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

The UK Embassy document must be translated by an official translation service and then registered with the MFA to become a legal document in Thailand.  It is the MFA who oversee Thai Embassies - there are no Thai Embassies in Thailand.

Thank you, I have been using the wrong term. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is where I need to go.

I did get my translation from an "Official" Agency but does it have to be an approved one by the MAF?

1 minute ago, Preacher said:

No appointment needed. But do show up a bit early. They need to check the translation (and signatories from the embassy), that can take about 2 hours.

Thank you very much - most helpful.

Chris