richard_smith237

Upper Junior (9 yrs old), but that's somewhat moot, the school my son attends exercises the same approach throughout the years (primary and secondary) - it doesn't strictly enforce pathetic rules. There is a uniform - shorts and short. The school asks for white socks and sensible black footwear - and thats about it. I see kids all the time in other footwear (trainers etc) - I don't think the school sees this as a major issue even though there is a uniform. No child of any age is going to receive a time-out for forgetting a uniform item or other such insignificant indiscretion. On the other hand, get caught bullying, fighting, being racist, being excessively rude etc and the school will bring the parents in for a discussion very quickly.

I had termites in a 12th floor concrete condo in Hawaii where all species are invasive. Came up from under the floor where they ate carpet tacking strips, wood doors/trim and furniture Years ago we had Termites in a Table... (the wood they made the table from already had termites) the table was swapped out without issue. Thus, I'm aware termites 'could' be an issue, but I've been here a long time and this is one example I have heard of (amongst myself and friends etc), so I don't think termites are a concern in the towns and cities unless getting cheap furniture where the wood has not been treated. I don't think an IKEA kitchen is at risk of termites if installed in an indoor kitchen in Bangkok, Pattaya etc and it certainly looks better than the 'brick' built units (just an opinion of course). I think the termite debate is fairly moot unless building a kitchen open to the elements.

Well, you mentioned plastic cupboard doors.... Which, if it's a kitchen which is open to the elements makes perfect sense. Also, if up in Kalasin or Nakhon somewhere else, availability of anything other than the 'traditional' inbuilt Thai kitchen is thin. If in Pattaya, Bangkok, Phuket etc... there is a lot more choice.

Basically this... I travel a lot, via and to the Middle East (i.e. I enter the Middle East, not just transit, about 8 times per year).. not once have I been flagged, stopped or searched in decades. That said, travelling with pills which may be illegal in another country is always going to be a risk. I've become complacent recently and travelled with a couple of naughty sleeping pills (Lorazapam and Clonazapam) and I've just had a mental word with myself - it really isn't worth the risk.

I'm Silver with Emirates (downgraded from Gold this year). I'm Gold with Qatar (used them more this year). I took 34 flights in the last 12 months, some in business class, some in economy. The food on both Emirates and Qatar Airways Economy is perfectly fine and meets expectations. The food on both Emirates and Qatar Airways Business Class is excellent and again, meets expectations of the 'elevated class of travel'. In both classes the food exceeds the qualty of the food I've expereicned on other carriers I've recently travelled (again in Business and Eco) - KLM, Finn Air and Thai Airways. If you are a fussy eater, then thats kind of on you. I just had to google what 'Lacto-vegitarian' is... Someone who doesn't eat meat and eggs, but does eat dairy.... I'm not surprised your food was hideous, every meal probably is !!!... - 'Lacto-vegitarian'... Kind of spells 'Karen' !!!!

Done the same, looks great and got done for very cheap by my builder. Our kitchen designer presented pictures of the same (solid brick build cupboards)... it looked cheap. Boontavorn had similar brick built inbuilt cupboards... it looked cheap. I guess it's down to the end product you are happy with and also what type of property you are fitting. As per OMF - the Ikea kitchens were spot on, decent quality and no termite issues in the town. If you live in the middle of the countryside, then I imagine termites 'could' be an issue, but this is not a problem I've encountered in Bangkok and I doubt it is an issue in a house or condo in Pattaya.

No it's not... no form of physical punishment is normal at all in the civilised world. And forcing a child to do 100 squat jumps is a very far cry from normal. He (the teacher) could have told her 100 times before, there is no excuse for physical punishment. Would you dish out physically demanding punishment's that could inflict pain or physical harm ? Fair enough, picking up a bit of litter is a far cry from the punishments we read of in the news. If my son received any form of physical punishment at school, my response would be resolute. That said, I've no complaints and fully support a teacher who dispenses non-physical disciplinary action if my child were to behave in a manner deserving of such... My Son's school has uniform requirements, but if he were to turn up with the wrong shoes, wrong coloured socks etc, nothing would happen as the school is an excellent school and concentrates on learning rather than pathetic indiscretions - That said, if I were to repeatedly send my son to school out of uniform etc then I'd expect the teachers to ask my son why rather than discipline him and also perhaps also send us an e-mail. We have forgotten his swimming things a couple of times in the past - the school recognises this as normal and doesn't punish the child who is given the option to either borrow something from lost property (which my son did) or to sit out (which other students have done) - the idea of punishment in such a scenario is extreme. Thus: Punishment for forgetting a badminton racket (as per this article) - this teacher needs to be fired and face criminal charges of abuse.

I can understand the general gripe about the click-baitey nature of many news sites, nothing specific about AseanNow. But, it is irritating to read a headline, then to read an article and find out that the headline is misleading and you've been suckered in.

There's adding a splash of intrigue, humour or suspense and then there's pedalling a lie to attract readers... Putting foul play in the headline of an article when no chickens were involved pushes the boundaries of honesty....

"I never saw it so it doesn't happen" is not really an intelligent response when you're comment on a thread which has an actual news story of it happening !!! We see these issues quite frequently in the news. - Children beaten to the point of needing medical care - Forcefully having their hair cut. etc... etc... The directors of these schools know what is happening, they just do not care. Once the directors of these schools are directly held accontable for the illegal actions of their teachers, only then will children in all schools be safe

Because they're kids.... you've brought an adult mindset to a children's world...

This 'loud bolshy Londoner-sounding' character has cold called me three times over the past 12 months. I have to tell him - you've called me before, I'm busy, I'm not interested (then hangup). I never get as far as finding out what he's trying to sell, but nothing good ever comes from cold calls. This very much sounds like the same guy.

I would report the matter to the media of the country where the international insurance was delivered. Indeed... I was tempted to write to the insurance company and inform them of this 'dual pricing'... (which ultimately pushes up our premiums), however... - I'd guess the company (insurance provider) area already aware of this. - Or, they may remove said hospital from their network thus limiting the options. Its dual pricing, its opportunist, it stinks... sadly its typical of doing any kind of business in Thailand. I'm sure a Thai apologist will come along and tell that international companies are not paying extra, but local insurance companies are being offered a discount... Rubbish of course, its just an opportunity to dual charge.

You should have been able to file a claim with the airline and if the airline rejects the claim (which it shouldn't), then you can go to an Airline dispute resolution site to assist. ADR website is particularly strong if your Qatar ticket originates or ends up in Europe. i.e. its not just about the leg of the flight, but the ticketed start and end point - if either is in Europe you have a stronger case for a claim. https://www.aviationadr.org.uk/ I've successfully used the above site to claim EU 600 from Turkish Airlines who rejected my initial claim and only offered US250 which I rejected (after they bumped me off a full flight). Emirates have been easier to deal with and have paid out directly without first rejecting you and hoping you'll give up, thus without forcing you to go to the ADR website (I've claimed EU 1200 total so far from Emirates for delayed flights without any other hassle).

It were complimentary seats, and since it is in economy with a plane full to the rim, there was no rebooking possible. Didn't care much, a seat is a seat. Ah... thats quite irritating then... You get in early to select a seat (aisle or window) and they re-shuffle the planes without notificiation and when you check again, all the window and aisle seats are gone and you are stuck in a middle seat. I'd be unhappy in that scenario.

Somewhat of an exaggeration... On both Emirates and Qatar the food in Business class is multiple factors better than the food in economy class - that said, there is nothing to complain about with the food in economy class.

Valid point, and the media team on A.N. simply forward the articles from other sites. The criticism that the original articles are deliberately misleading remain valid. In this case the headline is almost lying... suggesting foul play when it's apparent that no foul play was evident at all - the headline is misleading and deliberately so.

You never heard of "Foul Smell"............. Why get upset over nothing...............???? He makes a valid point... The headline includes the words 'Foul Play' indicating something nefarious. However, the article clearly mentions 'No visible signs of physical harm or any indications of a struggle were evident'... indicating no 'foul play'.... These days with all media sources its seems that headlines are deliberately misleading to draw in the reader.

As soon as 'anything international' is mentioned, they want to charge a surplus. Wife was treated at Bangkok Hospital last year - she was given an 'expected bill' of about 50,000 baht for pre-authorisation. She showed her insurance card, the bill was then increased to about 65,000 baht after being told its a different price for international insurance.

Yes, I have a local bank account and do transfer money to it for just under 1%. My wife uses her phone to pay for everything - maybe I need to start doing the same for large purchases. otherwise I am fine for cash up to around 30,000 baht. One more option, slightly drifting off topic, nevertheless useful (as the discussion is about making large payments in Thailand). It's difficult for us foreigners to get and unsecured Thai Credit card. However, you can become a second card holder on your Wife's Credit Card account. This means you are not stiffed on overseas exchange rates with your overseas card (if wishing to use a Credit Card to make payment) Obviously, that's only if vendor is not charging the 3% surcharge for Credit Cards (most hospitals that I know of don't, in Bangkok anyway (Samitivej, Bangkok Hospital, Bumrungrad etc). Also, depending on the type of Credit Card you can accrue points and get discounts, air-miles etc.

You lost paid for seat bookings ? You lost free seat bookings ? Did they transfer the seat booking for a like for like on the new plane (layout)? Can you easily re-book your seats ? (for free ?).

ah.... Devilish... that stereotypically 'Thai restaurant' at Udom Suk. I do wonder the reading age of some posters !!!... Question: Can you recommend a good knee Hospital in Bangkok ? Answer: Tong's Dentist is Khon Kaen is excellet.

Niether... Open a local Bank Account and transfer money to that from overseas. Make local payment digitally via mBanking transfer to avoid any 3% Mastercard or Visa charges.

Each to their own... But if you are suggesting Shinjuku and area's of Harajuku such as Takash!ta a street and the back streets of Omate Santo lack character you are perhaps looking for something Japan only offers in its more historic areas such as (as you mentioned) Senso-ji temple in Asakusa and Meiji Shrine But.. have you ever been to a batting cage ? Restaurants under the railway, Yakitori Alley ? Any of the Yokocho food alleys and halls such as Toranomon Yokocho? How about staying at a Ryokan ? Hanami in Yoyogi park ? Borderlabs ? Whisky bars of Ginza ? For the most part, the modern architecture in Japan is quite ugly, but that is not the same as missing character. I have handful of friends in Japan (Japanese) and we visit there at least once per year. We always end up amazed with what more Tokyo has to offer. As you say, Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis - nevertheless it certainly has its own character, but perhaps not the character you are looking for if you want Kyoto-esque buildings.

Wrong. Cell network can be on, but cellular data/mobile broadband should be switched off. On some networks it can be wise to disable voicemail. Receiving SMS doesn’t cost anything in Europe nor the U.K. If your 'cell network' remains on (i.e. while roaming you are connected to a local network) you will pay to receive calls over that network. The simplest and most foolproof option: 1) Enable WiFi calling. 2) Keep the SIM in your phone but use Airplane mode (connect to Wifi). It a very simple, very easy no brainer which doesn't involve messing around with phone and network settings to turn off data roaming / disable voicemail etc...