jezchesters

3-0 Leeds

MOT

It is indeed Trondheim, Norway - well done Momo8!

I believe that, originally, a city was defined as a town that possessed a cathderal, so I thought the picture quite apt...

Anyhow, on you go Momo8!

Right continent (obviously), wrong country...

Thought I recognized it - did the canal trip there a few years back...

OK - here you go!

Bruges?

All great advice - thank you all for taking the time to reply!

Can anyone explain a little more about 'Union Based Schools'? Also, if anyone has any recommendations for tutors/schools around central Bangkok, I would love to hear them...

Cheers!

It's probably best to stick with the learning material for that particular course. The teacher will be prepared to answer most questions pertaining to it so it means your precious lesson time will be utilized more effectively.

Not that it hurts with several sources of information per se, but my experience is that one's learning can become less focused - i.e. instead of really learning what's required to keep up with the course, you spend time learning other things, and instead of really acquiring new solid knowledge you scratch on the surface of several things.

OK, makes sense...

Any opinion on the school vs private tuition?

Cheers!

Cheers Meadish!

A further question - if I were to schedule 2 lessons per week, do you think I would make faster progress going to a school, or with a good private tutor? I have a few friends that are in the same boat as me, and we could form a small group. In either case, do you have any recommendations for reputable schools/tutors in central Bangkok?

One final question, if I may - if I were to take a course either with a private tutor or with a school, would it be beneficial to use suplementary study aids (such as CDs, internet etc) or would it have a negative effect?

Cheers!

Hi,

I was wondering whether anyone could offer me some specific advice about the best way for me to learn Thai? I've checked the forum and found varying useful pieces of advice, but I was hoping that someone with some experience could maybe offer me some personal advice...

I've been living in Thailand for a couple of years, and lhave earnt some very basic spoken Thai: ordering in restaurants, giving directions to taxi drivers, shopping, basic conversations etc. At the moment, I'm working in a fairly hectic job where I finish work around 7.00-7.30 in the evening, and have been putting off my further education because 'I can't find the time'...

I gues the options open are group lessons, individual lessons, online lessons, self teaching or even a combination of methods - I would really like some advice on the best way for me to progress. Some background information - I have taught English before, right through to having managed an EFL school in the UK, so I am fairly aware of certain methodologies of language teaching/learning. I have lived in various places around the world, and have found that I am a quick learner when it comes to learning languages. I would also like to learn Thai 'properly' - learning reading, writing and grammar, so I can see how the language is put together (as opposed to learning an interminable amount of phrases parrot fashion without learning what the individual words and sentence structures are about)

I know that learning any language takes time and effort, but as it is my free time is valuable to me. I understand that interaction with native speakers is essential, but if I were to go for one evening lesson per week, I am afraid that I might be bored for the first few weeks covering things I already know, and then be frustrated with the progress after that. Alternatively, if I were to have private lessons 3 times a week, I may not have sufficient time between each lesson to absorb and practice, and would also be putting severe limits on my free time.

I guess what I am asking is this: is there any way of combining lessons and self-study (which I could do in lunch hours or on the weekends) that would allow me to speed things up when possible, and slow things down if needs be? Are there any online courses which would cater to people in my situation, which would also teach the Thai language, rather than a list of Thai phrases?

Well, anyone that could be bothered to read this - thanks a million, and any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

Re the ATM v TCs. Wouldn't they get a better exchange with travellers cheques. Plus rather than buying any cash in their home country, why not just draw some when the get to the airport in Bangkok?

It depends on the bank concerned. If you open a Nationwide Flex account in the UK, they don't charge an ATM fee, they don't charge a foriegn transaction fee, they don't charge a comission, and the exchange rate you receive is as good as you'll find anywhere else

Of course, the main benefit is one of convenience - you can find an ATM most places in Thailand...

Hi All,

I have been reading through previous threads and whilst my enthusiasm is ever increasing I starting to scratch my head trying to formulate a plan. I am wondering there fore if anyone has any tips. I am travelling with my girlfriend; both of us are around 30 years old and have never been to ASIA before. We will arrive in Bangkok mid afternoon to start a 3 week holiday commencing mid December. Ideally we want to get out of the city ASAP to somewhere we can chill and take in the environment (ideally a quiet beach with funny coloured drinks in funny shaped glasses) before we get stuck into the more adventurous part of our short trip. Please note neither of us have had a sunny chilled holiday in over 6 years...

I have so may questions including:

Where to go first to relax?

How do prices for accommodation work, is it per room or per person sharing?

Does one need to book accommodation ahead or is it possible to move around on a whim?

Is there anything to be concerned about regarding the comfort\safety of my partner?

Any assistance, do and don'ts are much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Hopeful traveller!

Here are 20 things to think about when visiting Thailand…

1. Bring a cell phone “unblocked” and buy a Thai SIM card for it on arrival, they’re cheap (apprx. 250 baht) and include some credit already on them - e.g. - International calls to UK are about 5 - 8baht per min…

2. Money - Bring ATM and/or credit cards. - check fees and tell your bank your are going abroad. - Take Travellers cheques only as back-up. Bring very little cash (Baht) – you tend to get a better rate of exchange here than any home country. Just enough to get you out of the airport.

3. Bring very few clothes – they are so cheap here and you’ll only bring stuff that is too warm anyway.

4. Very little luggage – this makes you more mobile if you need to be and less vulnerable to taxi touts and undesirable men….Before you go home you can buy any extra luggage (cheap) to take souvenirs etc.

5. Internet access is everywhere – even on the beach… you can get all your photos copied to CD - If you have a lap-top you can connect it (broadband) at most cafes.

6. Food - Thai food is very unlikely to give you food poisoning but can contain more chillies than you ever thought possible….Street food is usually safe (and delicious!), check for numbers of customers and general looks of the stall. Western (“farang”) food is much more likely to give you food poisoning – fridges are not part of Thai cooking lore yet…beware of Western Fast Food outlets and hotel buffets - food that has been out for over an hour or so. Thailand is not used to fridges/chill-serve etc.

7. Always carry a pack of tissues - they don’t supply free tissues(if there is one!)

8. Drink bottled water - not tap water. Even consider not brushing your teeth with tap water. Ice is usually safe in drinks and for anything else.

9. Use common safety sense – it is easy to relax too much here…when it comes to petty crime the rate is certainly lower than in places like the US/Europe etc…but every country has its share of con-men and psychopaths…..

10. Don’t be afraid to go to Pattaya – it is the sex capital of Thailand but they don’t jump out at single women and couples and it has good, cheap hotels, shopping and food. Not a bad place to start off for Koh Chang, Koh Samet or Cambodia.

11. Bring an international driving licence – although most national ones are accepted by motorbike and car hire companies and anyone else who wants to hire you something….you may not be insured without an IDL! In Thailand they drive on the left - cars are Right-hand-drive. However driving is really only for the experienced. Be especially careful on a motorbike - Samui has the highest accident rate in Thailand.

12. Public transport is cheap. Planes, Trains, Buses, Minibuses, Taxis, from town to town. If you’re in a minibus or taxi, tell the driver you’ll tip him if he keeps the speed below 90/100 kmph! National speed limit is 90kph (120 on motorways)

13. Around Bkk try to use meter taxis with the meter on...it’ll be cheaper than the tuk-tuks. Take a tuk-tuk once for the experience then use meter taxis. Don’t let the drivers take you out of your way...they’ll try to take you to some (relative’s) store where they get commission.

14. Medical - Check out a few “jabs & medications” – don’t bother with the malaria ones – too heavy! You can get tetanus or rabies here if you’re bitten by a dog - it’s cheap. Most medicines (including antibiotics) can be bought over the counter without prescription and are cheap. A pharmacist will give you what he considers right for your symptoms but you can just as easily see a doctor at a local clinic for a couple of hundred baht. They usually speak a little English.

15. Check up on Thai manners and customs – this will earn you more respect from the locals. - Keep up some dress sense – how you dress in Thailand is quite important. Don’t go topless without checking out if it’s acceptable where you are – usually it’s frowned upon. You’ll notice that Thai women (even sex workers) are very modest in public –they usually swim fully clothed.

16. Check out table manners – Thais tend to eat from communal dishes in the centre of the table – don’t pour everything onto your own plate!

17. Don’t knock the royal family – even in jest.

18. Body language - Don’t point your feet at people – the body is seen as hierarchical and the feet are the lowest part and should not be waved about (this is like a “fingers up” sign. Before entering someone’s home you must take off your shoes; this also applies to some shops and businesses. - Never take a shoe off and wave it at someone – this could lead to violence.

On the other hand it is impolite to touch people on the head.

19. It’s not necessary to “Wai” people - the Thai greeting - as you’ll probably get it wrong. If they Wai you, you might try a wai back.

20. Remember, this is the Land of Smiles and you will find everything goes much better when you have a smile on your face - whatever the situation….

Excellent post!

Follow that advice and you won't go wrong at all!

Is it the one in Fisherman's Village? If so, well done, it's a cracking little place. I'll be sure to pop in next time I'm down that way...

Somewhere in Corsica?

Right country though?

Skegness?

San Jose del Cabo?

La Paz?

Cheltenham 1 - 0 Leeds United.

Cheltenham !! The bubbles burst big time !!

MOT

You'll have to educate me on these replies MrT What does that mean, & IMO & IMAO etc etc...I really don't know

I would hazard a guess

MOT= Moment Of Truth ?

IMO- In My Opinion

IMAO= In My Arrogant (or Anal) Opinion?

Marching on Together

Penang?

Is it Cairo, Egypt?

Bang on!

Your go...

OK - different city, I'll try it with a jpg:

Eh? Every time I click the 'Insert Image' button, it asks me for a URL, but I have the picture saved...

Help!

OK - howz about this one?

city.bmp

OK then...

The Fortress of St Peter & St Paul, St Petersburg?

Is it the Kremlin, Moscow?