tom223

No, 90 day reporting is like being on parole. Get rid of it, it does nothing but cause inconvenience for everybody concerned.

Deport him. Undesirable scum giving all falang a bad name. It's not as if wearing a mask is a big ask, is it?

53 minutes ago, steven100 said:

and nobody heard a gun shot at the time he did it  ?  they are quite loud.

We are living at the same resort, his apartment is just across from us. I didn't hear a thing. He prepared well, wrapping his head and the gun in towels. Not considerate of the resort staff though, who had to clean up after him.

What a plonker! And these guys are running Thailand? Lord help us.

I know that ISB, Harrow, Patana etc... are tier 1 but I don't really understand which other schools are considered tier 2 other then St.Andrews 71.

Any decent ones in central Bangkok?

The whole tier system is very subjective. I will only comment on the British (English NC) schools I have knowledge of, so the list is far from complete.

A few other second tier schools would be:

Ruamrudee (if the information above is correct, their fees may be top tier - shockingly high actually - however, they are certainly not considered among the elite)

Bromsgrove

St. Stephen's

Bangkok Prep

The Regent's

Ascot....for Primary, possibly...just.

Definitely not:

Heathfield

Traill, although they are closer than Heathfield.

________

If you are looking at second tier schools, St Andrew's would be the choice if a child has SEN needs. Bangkok Prep and Bromsgrove are on the up, have ambition, and are very good schools. Bromsgrove especially would be worth looking at if your child is a boarder, or if they have golfing ambitions.

If it were my money and my child, Bangkok Patana, followed by Shrewsbury look the best options (and value for money).

There are so many factors to consider though, and my advice would be to visit the schools and get a feel for the place. Look beyond nice, shiny buildings and the facilities such as swimming pools and performing arts theatres. Don't just look at exam results, and the universities the student body has gained entry to either - it's natural a selective school will have great exam results - the question is, how much value did the school add?

Some of my questions I would ask, and the things I would look for are:

Is the teaching body stable; and by that, I mean are teachers staying long-term? if they have a high turnover, something is wrong. What are the class sizes, and if in Primary, does each class have a full-time TA? Visit the classrooms; do they look clean, well stocked and functional? Don't be swayed by overtly impressive displays - displays should be current, and either informative or showing off the children's work - nothing else. If a classroom has too much on the walls, it does neither. I would be especially wary of a classroom where the displays are too good. I know that seems strange, but for me it is style over substance. The TAs may have spent hours or days putting them together - these hours should have be utilised working with the children.

Is the library well stocked? Ask to see it! What extra curricular activities do they offer, and at what cost? What music and sports programmes are available?

If your child is bilingual, or not a first language English speaker, what support is there - Intensive Engish and/or EAL support - in the classroom, withdrawal, or both?

I could go on.....but I won't. I am welcome to PM's though.

To quantify my opinions, I will let you know that I am a senior manager at one of the schools I have mentioned above. I came from an OFSTED rated 'oustanding' school, as an 'oustsanding' teacher. Even so, it was not easy to get a job in Bangkok; it is one of the most sought after locations.

My child goes to the school I am at, and I am genrally happy. My opinion is based on what is the best as a teacher, for my child, and as a parent - not what is best for a business (ajarntommy222, be ashamed).

Excellent observations. Exclude the Regent's though, a Thai owner who would prefer to have a new Hummer or helicopter rather than chemicals in the Science dept., or books in the English dept., or computers in the ICT labs - you get my drift?

Update on this topic regarding TrueMove H - 16th April 2014

True have once again changed their position. It is no longer possible to extend your validity using the *9344 (if it ever was possible for TrueMove H - I don't know about this). For a period of time, there was only a fixed 60 day validity, commencing either the last time you use your phone (in almost any respect, messaging, calling, topping up etc). This has now changed. From the 18th March, 2014, you can repeatedly increase the validity of your sim up to maximum of 365 days. This can be done by topping up your account - 30 days for a 50 baht top up.

However, I am still looking for a way to do this from outside of Thailand. I am currently here so I think the solution for me - to retain my much loved phone number- is to top up repeatedly 12 times to effectively get a year's extension. I have also noticed that, even with online banking top ups, there is now a OTP which makes it impossible to top up if I am out of the country since the OTP goes to my Thai phone number. The only three ways I can see, and I haven't tried the first, are:

1. Arrange through online banking (whilst in Thailand as a OTP will be sent to verify) a regular top up occurring at intervals which will cover you while you are away, 2. Leave some money with a Thai friend and get them to top up for you on a regular basis,

and 3. When you are here, extend past the date you know you will next be here by regular top-ups.

So, it seems that you need to be in Thailand to arrange these. If anyone finds another way to maintain an account whilst out of the country, please let me know - thanks!