alanrchase

Bond, James Bond.

Many older blokes i meet get upset when they hear thai women are buying me beers giving me good food and a place too stay and showing me the sites around los and try to tell me they are offering me a service and i should be paying them.

The Stud.

The dreamer.

The Bull S##ter?

Many older blokes i meet get upset when they hear thai women are buying me beers giving me good food and a place too stay and showing me the sites around los and try to tell me they are offering me a service and i should be paying them.

The Stud.

I've been sitting at the computer in silence, head down, thinking hard, "What can I write that will summarise this situation and be helpful to all concerned, Thai and Westerner? I've come up with this: Thailand gets among the lowest marks for English speaking ability not only in ASEAN, but among other countries worldwide. Such a time as this is NOT a time to debate quality or degreed qualifications for English teachers. It IS a time when MORE TEACHERS ARE NEEDED; desperately. There needs to be a special "Teachers Visa" and, along with a background check, it needs to be easy to obtain. The Thai's need to adapt their cultural mentality of requiring degrees for this and that, and simply require a TEFL certificate. FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS they need to quickly raise the English proficiency of students, tourism professionals, and business people. I find hope in today's edict from the General. There can be a perfect marriage on the near horizon: A "teacher's Visa" that is easy to obtain, thus helping (English speaking) ex-pats live here legally and worry-free, while creating an influx of teachers to RAISE the English abilities of the lovely and intelligent Thai people. I offer a small file of my artwork titled, "The Burden" to possibly inspire people to help make life easier for each other, not more difficult.

Seems you are pushing ELC like religion.

I think it would be quite simple for those to that want to stay long term to just do a police background check and/or get a qualified reference or sponsor locally to vouche for one's character, issue a "green card" and let people work where ever they can get a job and pay taxes. I don't understand why that would be so damn difficult. I just find it so offensive that if you're one of a certain race to can work here. Democracy starts with equality and all people should be recognized as people and not things such as "farang".

Really? So why you're not allow Thai to go to EU/US without hell of paperwork? Typical western double standards. Democracy is not kind of thing which will work only in one direction.

It's not like the person you're talking to is setting EU/US policy, though. Personally, I think Thai's should be allowed to immigrate very easily to the US, speaking as an American. I'd feel no problem with it at all.

I brought up this very thing with a US Consul General. When a good friend was denied, despite meeting all the criteria.

There is a quota on how many people are granted US visas - and that quota is pressured downward by the Thai authorities.

Well well well, comes out all guns blazing, clamps down on the visa rules, after a month or so sees the folly of it all and in one sentence backs down.

Hope this is'nt power for the course, if it is we are in for some very confusing times ahead !

From other posts on this thread I gather the "crackdown" came before the coup?

The vote is in mid September, eligibility to vote is very strange. If you have not lived there for the previous 3 months no vote. Any Scottish expats living in Thailand thoughts on what will happen if the vote is yes?

I thought about teaching English on Thailand but I realize these people are regarded as trash like prostitutes or drug dealers, bar flies and beach bums who are the real visa runners.I have a degree in English and a native speaker. Why don't they bring in Ordinary visa for any purpose lime Cambodia?

seriously, why you guys are willing to work for 30-40k in Thailand illegally? I can't understand.

I did it (in Bangkok) for 3 years as I was newly qualified and needed to get experience. However, I was able to use my savings from my UK work and my redundancy money - I wouldn't have done it without this. Now that I have the experience and contacts (8 years on), I'm able to make a nice living teaching, with realtively little stress and only around 25 hours a week. So it was worth it.

You have tweaked my interest in a long running thread.

Could you expand on your reason to be an English teacher in Thailand and whether you started with/wirhout work permit and whether you have one now?

You mentioned redundancy so did you wake up one morning and decide English teacher is for me? Possibly holiday in Thailand and wanted to stay?

I love the smell of vitriol in the morning, it smells like.......

Nothing is more apparent within these TV topics, than the corrosive smell you’ve enthused smells like Shiite. However, and more so, usually comes along within the posted toxic verbiage in the usual state of its antagonistic verse. I’m not some anti-crusader for the soul benefit of fellow tv members. Just trying one’s best to get the message across people should loosen up, then give help and support to all those in dire need of help. Is this NOT the purpose of this Website?

I must be beginning to feel the pinch or somehow contracted a little Alzheimer’s from my daily batch of verbal crap one endures for trying to get some valid points across to the masse.

Anyway, time to get myself ready soon to take the kids to the Park, to try keep them amused since that’s a practical impossibility on TV topics.

Have a nice day my friend .. no offense intended

Was not aimed at any particular post, just a general observation.

I love the smell of vitriol in the morning, it smells like.......

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Current Topic

Since this topic is riddled with speculation, think it wise TV members sit back and await the next spell-binding announcement, which hopefully rattles the well protected patched domains of the self-appointed Farang/Thaihood, who will feel even more threatened, if things are made easier for newcomers or even past 'dare I say it ' OVERSTAYERS !!!

It is truly AMAZING that these reprobates get so uptight at things that don't really concern them given that they have NO POWER - NO RIGHTS - NO VOTE !!

Where does it state that Thailand 'is at its best' and more open to accepting (spendthrifts- LOL) senior citizens before any young guns!!!! Pray tell me, do these old codgers contribute more than these poor despised Teachers who help children in their droves to learn to speak other languages. I think not. SO why, do they attack them so furiously with loathsome hateful spite? What harm are they doing? Are you really suggesting they are of the criminal division? I admire them. Leave them alone your only jealous.

Ever so vigilant decrepit One Foot In The Grave aged men.

Socially incorrect in behavior, standing on their TV Soapbox, entering the arena masquerading as some strong force you should not be reckoned with, both guns blazing full of furor, with exaggerated zeal embroiled by discontent, thus pouring scorn on others for their personal vendetta against anyone not having the much adored and respected - pension plans & savings club entry. Thus, regardless of others being too young to be in this pension circle cannot take onboard’ many younger people have much more money, nevertheless not reached the retirement age as yet and should be thrown out the country for committing such a monstrosity. That, as far as they’re concerned’ is an effrontery and should not be adequate to allow them to stay in Thailand.

Time all this longstanding garbage was cleared and thrown out. Out with the OLD and in with the NEW….

I’ve become accustomed to their constant verbal abuse and no longer take it to heart. Particularly, whether I’m ridiculed with their constant vile verbosity posted as some disdainful reply or subjugated at every given moment for daring to offend these elderly parasites. However, one should remember. If it was not for their obnoxious input, TV would not be what it is in the forum stakes since, these elderly grumpy old barstewards keep the topics alive and kicking although, unfortunately, can’t say the same for their limited time here on earth.

I suppose they don’t have much else to do after moaning at their wives or after kicking the dog up the**ehole then getting prepared to join their sewer rat pack for the current day’s events. Thus, to see who they can patronize, including beating them to pulp with help from the other cronies with the usual line of unadulterated abuse. It’s incredible, they are so damn hostile and never ever relent.

Anyway, Morning ALL !!!!

..........

Bad hangover this morning?

After 35 pages of posts about a very ambiguous report my only conclusion is that Thailand's immigration policy should be based on what English language teachers require. No offence to people that probably try to do a good job under bad circumstances but surely it has more to do than that?

So how much do these fish weigh in real terms, ie Kg.

What is a stone apart from something you throw at dogs?

Stone (not of the Rolling category): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_%28unit%29

Pound (not the currency): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_%28mass%29

Google is your friend, mate!

Can English and Irish people use proper modern measurements?! The Imperial measurements were abolished 30 yrs ago, it's in your link above: "With the advent of metrication from the mid-19th century on, it was superseded by the kilogram. It remained in limited use for trade in the United Kingdom and in Ireland until prohibited by the Weights and Measures Act of 1985"

Well they say we were togo metric, but it's just not caught on in everyday use. The death knell for the whole process was when the politicians instead of saying that it was their decision to change over, they instead blamed it on the EEC and that was that, It then became a diktat by a bunch of foreigners, so no way in hell was the process going to go any further from that point on. Hence the mix - metric in work / goods (mostly notable exceptions are MPG for fuel efficiency (even though petrol sold in litres for decades) and screen width) but imperial else where i.e. road signs, speedometers, markets, every day conversation etc

You hang on to that. As long as beer stays at pints who cares about the rest? Not much of a fishing discussion though.

Yes it is strange how people,particularly the Brits, seem to be averse to metrication. Shopping in a grocers in England is a laugh, where were these people educated, this is basic stuff after all. The youngsters may be wizzes on their iPhones etc, but regrettably their awareness about everyday matters is sadly lacking. I forgive the oldies, but only just.

Britain has been metric for many years now. It is illegal for grocers to sell produce in pounds and ounces.

The only hangover as far as I know are road speeds which are still in mph due to cost of metric replacements.

The only people that would possibly have any statistics on "visa runners" are Immigration. As far as hospitals, banks, police etc are concerned they would just be classed as tourists.

All you can take from the report is that the visa runner may be overlooked if they report to immigration. What happens after they report is pure speculation at the moment.

My wife is a Thai national; I am a USA national. We live in each country roughly six months per year. But the difference in the way we are treated by each other's native country is night and day. My wife travels in and out of the USA on her Thai passport never needing a Visa. She can work, own property, own businesses, go to school, whatever. She is protected against overt discrimination and welcomed as a tax-paying, contributing part of society. But no matter how long we are married, nor how long we are in Thailand, I can never do any of those things. We are both college educated experienced professionals; but she is welcomed and wanted in my country, and I never will be in hers. Xenophobic or not, it's just plain dumb.

Ditto, same here. Not reciprocal, not fair.

Nor fair? Since when did all countries have to have the same rules and regulations. Caught for drugs in some countries, death penalty, in others slap on wrist or possibly legal. Not fair.

Don't want to get into a reliability argument but as Honda have a 70% market share in Thailand (Yamaha 20%, Kawasaki and Suzuki 3% each) bound to hear about more problems with Honda.

If you want to get an idea of the cost of living in various places a better reference point would be the average wage. Take that for various locations and convert to your local currency. They manage on that but possibly do not eat Western fast food as their staple diet.

Bike shop just up the road stocks them, so yes they are available here.

Am totally confused about this. Thai bank account seems obvious solution. Why use a foreign ATM regularly?

Because if you use a Thai bank account you will have to SWIFT in your money, (and in large amounts).

Not all internet banking services allow you to SWIFT, so you may need help from someone in your home country.

While the rip off ATM is easy to use.

Have same problem with internet banking, won't allow foreign transfer.

I go old school and write a letter requesting the transfer, only fee is postage stamp.

Am totally confused about this. Thai bank account seems obvious solution. Why use a foreign ATM regularly?

I believe the misunderstanding may be that some people think they can't open a bank account or may not have a local they can trust? Only guessing

Understandable I can accept, my Thai bank is the most pleasant bank I have ever dealt with.

Am totally confused about this. Thai bank account seems obvious solution. Why use a foreign ATM regularly?

It always suprises me why so many use foreign credit cards when it's so easy to open up a thai bank account with atm card for free. And when you do an online transfer from your home country you'll get the best exchange rates as well.

My bank back home, TD Canada Trust, says that to make a transfer from my account there to my Bangkok Bank account I must go to a branch of TD Bank. The nearest one is in Vancouver. I have no choice but ATM.

Really? Won't dispute it but somewhat strange.

I was fortunate when I opened a Thai bank account as the Thai bank happened to be the clearing bank that my foreign bank used.

The thread has appeared numerous times on TV. I will admit to being a financial beginner, but why do so many people need to youse foreign ATM cards if you are here for an extended period? Have two myself that will not work unless I inform my bank to unlock them. Would only need one in an emergency.

Most likely reason is to avoid possibly higher fees associated with the wiring of funds from your Home country bank to your Thai bank.

Say for example your home country bank charges a wire/SWIFT sending fee of $30 (a pretty common fee) to send any amount of funds and then you have the Thai bank receiving/conversion fee of 0.25% (Bt200 min, Bt500 max). So, if you send say $1000 you would end up paying fees of approx $36. And even if you are American and doing a low cost ACH transfer via Bangkok Bank, you would still end up paying around $11 to do the transfer. And with wire transfers you'll have to wait X-business days for the funds to arrive.

However, if you have a no foreign transaction fee debit card with a $1000 daily limit and say it even reimburses ATM use fees, then you get you $1000 in-hand immediately with absolutely no fees. And the Visa/Mastercard exchange rate will be very close (plus or minus just a little) the Thai bank TT Buying Rate for incoming funds transfers. In fact its not uncommon for the Visa rate to be better than the TT Buying Rate. And lets say you got a debit card that charges a 1% foreign transaction fee and reimburses ATM use fees, then that $1000 transfer only cost you $10. With a no foreign transaction fee card, or say one that just charges 1%, you are probably going to be able to get money in-hand cheaper (and faster) than using a wire transfer from the home country into your Thai bank account.

And when it comes to "credit cards" using a no foreign transaction fee card reduces the amount of cash you need to bring into Thailand...I have three such cards I use in Thailand...and two of them I use a LOT because they also provide 1.5% cash back reward. Ex: just this morning the wife and I came back from having our annual medical exams...I flipped out one of my no foreign transaction fee credit cards to pay that bill and I will also get 1.5% cash back reward. Also continues to build my credit record back in my home country.

A lot depends on the fees charged and reimbursed by your card-issuing bank. Some cards are fee-free while others are fee-laden...varies from card-issuing bank to card-issuing bank. And it varies from country-to-country in how numerous no foreign transaction fee cards are....they are in the minority for sure but in countries like the U.S. a good amount of banks/card companies still provide no foreign transaction fee cards.

Understand that but due to competition under Western bank problems not too hard to find a free one. My bank is free but possibly not the best bank I could have. Can't be a***d with the hastle of changing.