BKKstan

My step-daughter recently married an American in November,she is now 6 weeks pregnant and they want to migrate to the USA.

I would appreciate any members that can share their experience or actual experience of others they know about,regarding the best way to go about it! USA only, thanks.

At the present time they have an L.A. immigration attorney that told them 10 months to a year to get the visa.Since she is now pregnant, they are hoping to get there faster.

The Nong Khai Immigration has given notice that beginning next year,Embassy affidavits and statements of Income will not be accepted as proof of Income for visa extensions.

800,000 baht deposited by foreign transfer 3 months before applying or 65,000 baht by foreign transfer MONTHLY into a Thai bank account in your name is 'required'!When applying for your next extension proof of income will be a letter from your bank showing evidence of your compliance matching the transfer codes in your bank book.

I have severe case of Glaucoma and eye surgery has been suggested to arrest the fluid pressure that has permanently damaged the Optic nerves in both eyes. Has anyone had this type of surgery and can anyone recommend a competent surgeon?

My daughter will be 20 soon and she would like to change her last name to mine.Does anyone know the process for doing this?

For an absolute beginner start with the simple 'I am + name.' You can grasp questions: Is he + name. Negatives: No, he isn't.

If you then think about naturally expanding the language you would add: he/she we they. The verb will change: is / are.

Next work on tense: you have the present simple - I am, add the past: was / were.

The name can't change so add a task. 'Today I am ....' but 'Yesterday, I was.

All of this is teaching the basics to an absolute beginner without any mention of grammar.

The conversation is by repetiton and modelling - you give examples to start off.

It's all actually rationally progressive, so think what you'd need or like to add next.

Don't over correct. Teach what's in front of you. Don't get side tracked or respond tangentially to the student.

Remain focussed.

To do this needs a patient, calm manner. It does not need a teaching qualification - believe me.

You'd be surprised what an hour a day can achieve. Time it and stop it. If the moods wrong then don't start it.

No pressure and your wife, partner or kids will hang with you.

Good luck!

Neither my wife or daughter are complete beginners as we have been married over 10 years and I did teach them,early on, the alphabet,reading, writing,sounding of the letters,then syllables phonetically.I was a gruelling taskmaster w/o alot of patience at the time,relatively new ,arrogant and naieve and non-qualified as a teacher!

Looking back.I wish I had read and understood your post!It would have been much easier on all of us!Anyway,I muddled through,we all survived and we communicate in English relatively well,although neither of them qualify to learn at a university that teaches all courses in English!Since my daughters present goals are to major in English and migrate to America,we are preparing her for those goals.

All her ''buddies''are from school and they only speak Thai,so her English learning has waned as most of her talking is with her other teenage friends rather than her parents,a teenage phenomenum!It has become more difficult to keep her ''living in the language'' of English,which I am of the impression is needed to become fluent in the language(not having to translate everything)!So to keep her on task of studying and improving her English fluency,I have purchased a listening and answering program that she listens to repetitively 2-3 times a day for 30-60 minute sessions.It focuses on conversational English with the common idioms,contractions and verbal phrases in relatively short simple MP3 audio mini-stories of aproxiamately 2 minutes in length initially,then the same story is expanded to approx. 45 minutes with reinforcing amd simple comparative questions mixed in to be answered as quickly as possible.The goal being ''deep learning''fluency while expanding conversational vocabulary!

I am interested in feedback from others on this approach,which was my motive for posting this topic!

But,your response also interests me and I would like you to expand on it by sharing more information,if you don't mind?

I would like to know how long you have been using this method,the age of your pupils and some comparable results you have attained?Especially those results relative to fluency!

Thank you very much for your reply.

I have recently purchased an english learning program to enhance my daughters English skills!My first impressions are very favorable!It is not about memorizing words,rules of grammar or critical examination.It is a repetitive listeningwith a focus on answering well presented reinforcing questions as quick as possible from enjoyable short mini-stories.Recommended listening and answering 4x a day for 30 minutes each time for a week on each individual mini-story or more if needed.No pressure to be perfect or learn at the same pace as someone else,no concern about mistakes etc.

I am absolutely no expert in the English language or its teaching.But I have noticed that most Thai students do not retain much English from the multitude of classes that they have throughout their elementary and secondary schooling!My first thought about this is that those that have an interest in learning English, are not provided enough practice time to ''live in the language''!Second thought is that the study of grammar presented mostly by Thai Teachers is to difficult,boring and possibly presented poorly.but even those that might grasp some of it,speak in a non-natural conversational way as they learn mainly through reading!

It is interesting to note that very young children that are unable to read English or understand instructions relating to grammar are the quickest learners!Obviously they learn from listening and practicing conversations,not reading and writing and studying instructions.So litening to fun conversations,answering simple questions seems to me a very good way to learn!

I was wondering if some of you teachers have any thoughts,experience or comments about this type of teaching?

You guys are really fantastic!Ram really sounds interesting with the exception that it is in bangkok,which requires higher living costs.

Ram fees are great!I would like to see her get into an English International program,but I don't really believe her English understanding is good enough for her to be taught in English,But they do have an English Intensive class during the summer that sounds interesting.

Richard,I will definitely be sending you a PM,thanks for your reply!

By the way,I ordered an English lesson course called Flow English,learning through listening.I should have asked prior to ordering it,but I wonder if anyone is familiar or has experience with this product?

It has been over a week and I still have not received a download link and since i didn't have a charge on my AMEX card after 3 days,I ordered on my bank debit card and wound up with two $97 charges,but still no download link!!!

So if anyone has experience with it that sounds negative,I will challenge both charges ,instead of only one!Thanks

I'll take a shot at it.

Does a Thai student have to enter the University system the first semester after completing M-6?

No, they don't.

Does she have to attend University full time or can she take extra years to complete and graduate?

While there may be some exceptions, it's a full time gig.

Can she complete a year and take a year off,then return for the second school year?

She might be able to, but would probably have to get permission from the university, and maybe the faculty as well.

If she doesn't pass the entrance exam this year,can she reapply the next year?

Yes, she can.

Because of low scores, a lot of students take a position in a faculty or university they don't really want, with plans to re-take all the exams the following year to try to get their first choice.

If they sat out a year, I think they'd have even a more difficult time passing the exams high enough to get what faculty they want.

She should be able to find info online about the last years tests. She can learn how many openings universities had in each faculty, how many people applied for those spots, and what scores actually got people into the spots. With that info she can get an idea of what she'll need before having to declare her choices of faculty/ies.

If she passes and is accepted,can she delay entry until the next year without taking the exams over again?

No, she'd have to retake the tests.

If she is flexible about faculties and or universities, she should be okay.

Hope that helps a little.

She wants to major in English,which has been her strong suit in school,especially since she has spent 10 years with a falang stepfather.I don't think she has gotten much from the Thai school system,her English has not improved,especially grammar,but she has learned to study fairly well the last two years unlike her classmates that cheat on exams and copy her homework!

I think her main goal is to live in falangland,but I would like to see her get a degree in English Ed so she could teach, in or out of a school system in Thailand, in case her goal of of getting to falangland is delayed or not acheivable!

I would like to see her ''live in the English language''more as all of her non-academic time,now, is spent with Thai friends that only speak Thai.We have talked about ways that she might do that including volunteering with ''Travel to Teach'' type of organizations before or after University and maybe the family moving to where she would be going to Uni,renting a large enough home to provide assisted living accomodation for native English speaking students that she could ''hangout with''!We have no idea if the latter is a good possibility or not!

I would appreciate any ideas ,advice or info that you can share.Thank you!

I appreciate your response,Terry!!!So,if she wanted to do some work or volunteering for a year or two,she would still be elgible to apply for University?

100 years ago when I attended college,I was able to schedule classes and take as many credits as was convenient for my study and work considerations.From what you have stated,I can assume that is not an option here?

I have a stepdaughter that is in M-6 and is trying to get into a University.

I have several questions regarding attendence and the system,if anyone can help!

Does a Thai student have to enter the University system the first semester after completing M-6?

Does she have to attend University full time or can she take extra years to complete and graduate?

Can she complete a year and take a year off,then return for the second school year?

If she doesn't pass the entrance exam this year,can she reapply the next year?

If she passes and is accepted,can she delay entry until the next year without taking the exams over again?

I am in the midst of investigating Medical Insurance plans for my wife and daughter(I'm to old,except for an accident insurance package),I have several plans to compare prices and coverage from and I am trying to decide which coverage gives me the best value for my premium costs!

I am not as concerned about the premium costs now,but the wif and daughter would have to continue paying the premiums when I die,that means from savings,not monthly income that dies with me!

One might think that the most expensive plan with the highest payout coverage would be the best,BUT,is it?

I have no idea what an average Major Medical cost would be,so I am looking for others experience with the hospitals,with or w/o a medical insured plan!

I also plan on calling 3-4 different hospitals to query them about the insurance companies and how they handle the plans ,possibly get some specifics about costs,but I'm not holding my breath about getting good info or reliable info ,from them!

Although there are various total payout for major medical,within that total ,there are several maximum payouts for particular services,meds,procedures and tests & labs!

Surgical fees,anesthesia fees,daily doctor visit fees,room and board fees for both regular room and ICU room,OP follow up fees,etc. etc.

Do you have to pay upfront and be reimburshed,do different doctors charge different fees for the same procedures and is there a different charge for cash versus insurance(in otherwords ,would it be cheaper to check in for cash and present the insurance policy afterward?),how does one find an approx average total cost for different illnesses and surgical procedures?

Does anyone have any specifics about their experieces to share?

Any pertinent info will be appreciated to help me make my decisions,thanks!

Weren't the leaders especially Nattawut and Arisman the ones that encouraged the protesters to burn the city? Now that it happened they don't to take responsibility for their actions!

From one of the videos of Arisman, many of his named targets have already been hit, but there are still some remaining targets from his list that haven't been burned to the ground.

I wonder when that will occur and what the ramifications will be.

According to Arisman on this video, his list of targets for burning are:

Siriraj Hospital, All Muslim Mosques, Government House, Important Ministries, Airports, Rajavithi Road, Bridges, Bank of Thailand, Commercial Banks, Military Barracks, Court of Justice, and NGO's

will all be destroyed....

"Not one of these will remain standing."Does anyone have a link to this video?

Does anyone have a link to this video?

He has nothing to return to his homeland for. He is a lost cause in many's eyes, but returning home isn't an option at the moment. I think he has his passprt with him at the ciast, but a few others tell me his girlfriend has it. Apparently the ladyboy has been hanging around near where he works.

Poor bugger

What? do YOU know him as well as 3billygoats 2long?

I choose to let irresponsible people take their lumps!I would have disassociated myself from this person a long time ago!

I value friends,this selfserving individual couldn't possibly fit into that category without assuming some responsibility for his actions in life!

I say,let the runner run and get on with your life!If you need a cause to champion,there are plenty and far more deserving than this chap!

What income level would allow for a comfortable family life in Cambodia?Nightlife ,very little and no P4p action.Are their decent secure A/C condos or house available?How would you rate the crime against foreigners as compared to Thailand.Do they have decent International educational institutions ?

Over the last 8 years ,I have used Dr.Don's clinic,by soi cowboy.800 baht the last few years.Prior to that it was 600 baht.The office has moved.Take the first right after soi cowboy on soi 23 and then the first left.The clinic is in the middle.

Worry about ''deceit''and ''truth'' in serious matters!No one is absolutely honest!Think about the time she asked you what you were thinking and your answer was ''nothing''!

Thais don't like to do anything alone.

It takes two to travel, eat, sleep.

Even at work it takes two to do a simple errand.

Most Thais are mentally, still in kindergarden.

I agree with this and also the ''ghosts'',but there is another thing to consider!RAPE!Thai men are raised in a spoiled manner and the women are programmed to servitude towards them.Rape is a very prevalent in this society and less reported than the West for many reasons including that ''servitude'' programming.When a woman is married to a falang ,she is considered to be more ''less than'' other Thai women.She ,most of the time,is outside her family/village/province security zone and is standout target for locals!

It really depends on your lifestyle.I moved from Bangkok after living there for 5 years straight.I checked Pattaya out a few times and didn't like it,to dirty,to crowded,to much sex oriented lifestyles.I moved to Nong Khai,where life is so much better.Good sized falang community mixed with tourists or visa runners.Best weather in Thailand ,cleanest air,friendliest Thai attitudes towards falangs including police.We have Tesco,great transportation,good roads.No bowling alley or English speaking movies,but Udon is just 50Km away on the best highway stretch in Thailand.I can ride a bicyle all around easily all day long.I pay 4500 baht per month for almost what I had in Bangkok for 35000!Plenty of girls available if that is your interest.Alot of young working girls rotate over from Laos regularly.Everything is here,but not in your face.It is very nice,right on the Mekong river,which has a cooling effect.We can fly to BKK in one hour,we are on the main train line(overnight train is great)!There was a Florida retirement magazine poll that listed Nong Khai as the 7th best place in the world for retirement.Great golf courses,decent gym,swimming pools!

Furniture salvage !For all the falangs that are trying to salvage something from their failed attempts at business and households and the future prospectors.Setup your data base from businesses freshly started and new houses completed and wait for replys.

Try Caliifornia Fitness,corner of Soi Convent and Silom.

Why does anyone pay their wife?That is what you call a marriage?Everytime my wife meets wives/GF or other falangs ,they want to know if I bought her a house and How much money I ''pay'' her.''No and No'',she is my wife,not a prostitute and why would I spend 2-3 mil for a house if I can rent the same thing for 5000 baht.Our marriage is build on trust that eminates from always telling each other the truth,Hurt feelings and arguments sometimes result,but the marriage strengthens.

Maybe you have fell for that line ''to respect Thai ways'' and thinks you have to act accordingly.Or maybe your lower brain reigns supreme.

Lost $89 shipment of underwear shipped through postal service.1 tax form and 1 credit card sent Fedx 876Baht duty.Last year,3 tax forms and 3 credit cards sent UPS,no duty charges.Hard to figure out what service to use.It seems to be centered around customs, not the companies.

Do you have any say about how you teach or do you have to follow their plans?What do you do about disruptive and/or uninterested students?Are you satisfied with the results of your teaching?

Probably most of the polled sudscribers are wannabee travelers succumbing to bullshit adds mixed in with some sex tourists looking at the lovelies.

Really depends on what your lifestyle and age is.If you are old and /or fat, like me,with a much younger wife,you are already a ''joke'' to most Thai's and speaking Thai will more than likely make you a bigger joke in their eyes,especially if you think you are good at it.In this situation ''it'' has very little value to you except to tell them something ,which probably won't be to your advantage either,Just learn basic words so you can talk baby talk,they appreciate your ''respect'' of Thailand for attempting to learn their language and they are more comfortable around you when they are speaking to their friends.Plus you don't have to endure the insult of them changing dialects or languages when they want to say something not for your ears.

Maybe if you are working here in Bangkok,learning to speak Thai more fluently might be helpful,otherwise you will be able to communicate enough to get along with baby talk and at the same time allow the Thai his ''superiority''.

Don't kid yourself,you are never going to be a family member or make friends in the village.You will buy your relationships and when you balk at spending or loaning,you will be scorned.Set your agreements with your wife before hand ,then let her do the communicating.Don't concern yourself with what they think of you or whether you can communicate with them......Just stay the dumb shit they think you are anyway.This is not Farangland.It's Thailand and you are it!!