lostoday

I never knew anything about an American being able to own 100%. Is this a new rule? I am an American with a company but I only own 49%. It was incorporated about 5 years ago and I had to have 2 partners. Can someone explain?

If you call being in place since1966 new ?

Don't be to hard on the guy his name is bamboozled after all.

No wonder financials are so screwed up in this country. If he is expecting a rate cut from the FED, he will sorely disappointed.

One might assume that if you didn't read the article. The Nation's headlines often do not have anything to do with the content of the article. I assume it's because they have saved money on a human editor and use google translate.

The kids have to fail. Make grades real and kids accountable for their actions. Wont fix everything but a great start

Finland went from bad to the best education system in the world by eliminating tests among other things. How do you explain that? Finns don't fail Perhaps you are in error? Maybe? Could be class size and teacher proficiency are more important than tests?

• Finland does not give their kids standardized tests.
• Individual schools have curriculum autonomy; individual teachers have classroom autonomy.
• It is not mandatory to give students grades until they are in the 8th grade.

All teachers are required to have a master's degree. Oh no!!! No backpackers. What will we do?

Finland has no private schools. My, who will tell Somchai; he better support public schools if he wants his kids educated?

Average class size in Finland first and second grades is 19; in grades three through nine, it is 21.

Finnish schools don't assign homework, because it is assumed that mastery is attained in the classroom.

Compulsory school in Finland doesn't begin until children are 7 years old.

Thailand educators really should read about Finland.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leonie-haimson/post_1650_b_816043.html

If Internet service providers provide enough bandwidth capacity that will allow users to watch movies online. If so, I think entry of Netflix company to the Asian TV shows market, will be a big impact. Of course, if the prices for the month of use will be cheap enough. But the prices in America and Europe show us that price for Netflix services isn't only the conversion of currency exchange rates between dollar and euro. But it's adaptation to the average financial situation in the country. If the price will be around several $ per month, then I think that Netflix will find many new customers here in Asia.

Why pay for stuff you get for free now?

free ?

Are you talking about torrents?

If so, then the reality is that at some point, I am sure these sites will be blocked in Thailand... Similar as they are in the western world...

Maybe next year, maybe in five years? I don't know.. But will happen eventually

I don't have any problem paying for a legal alternative .. Especially if it is more convenient

Netflix is far more convenient than Torrents.. No need for searching and downloading torrents

No waiting for downloading

Also using via Apple TV.. Just sit on the couch ... Watch on TV and use the remote... No need to mess with a computer

Also app on phone/ iPad

Netflix also pays attention to the shows you watch and learns your preferences and then recommends other shows that it thinks you will like

This is a great option, as Netflix has so many shows, no way to know them all...

And the cost is way less than cable...in U.S. Market.. Only 7.99 per month

I don't think I'm talking about torrents. I am talking about all the free stuff (movies, sports ......)on android boxes.

There needs to be a totalitarian dictatorship in one area of Thailand. Education. Hire one from Singapore not Cambridge. One does not need to be a brain trust. Rote learning over and over again learn 100 English words and when that is done learn another 100. Over and over again speak English. Forget the grammar lessons. Speak and understand. Speak with the mouth and understand with computer games in English. Forbid anyone who can't speak and understand at least 200 words in English from teaching.

It is basic. Teach with rote learning until the basics are taught. India and the Philippines get all the outsourced English help lines both countries could supply English speaking teachers for Thai prices.

This is Asia not America. Cheap English teachers are available from native English speakers in Asia.

Indians and Philipinos, working under a totalitarian dictatorship? I can't see it.

Rote learning? The brain of a child works at a different frequency than that of an adult. Their like sponges, soaking up everything they can find. At this stage of life you need lots of language input, and the development and use of the imagination. You need other things, too. Rote learning creates lifeless drones and gives control to those in power.

Indians and Philippines supply the majority of workers to Saudi Arabia don't they? Rote learning is how 99% of the basics of education is taught. How did you learn addition, subtraction, times tables, the months, chemical elements? I've noticed that people who know little about rote learning rarely have a degree. You would not think that would you? 30 days hath September.

Rote learning is how 99% of teaching is taught? Are you sure about that? I really hope that you are not a teacher and if you are then you are a big part of the problem. The Thai education system is all about rote learning and that is why it is failing, not just in English but all subjects.

Now repeat after me. I will not make ad hominem posts anymore.

Try Lending Club. Peer 2 Peer investing. Been in 2 years. Steady at 7%. Fairly liquid.

This is a very interesting idea. I have looked into it and quite frankly I like it. I basically am acting as a bank, and lending out my money to others. Lending Club seems pretty organized. I like the 401k, IRA and direct ivesting options. Tell me, how do they report payments in a regular investing account? Do you get some sort of 1099? Is the net considered a capital gain, or a dividend or an interest type of income? Do they do tax withholding up front of some amount or can you specify a certain amount of withholding? I don't want to have to do quarterly payments to the IRS or have a large tax bill and be penalilzed when I file my taxes.

You have a lot of questions. Check out lendacademy.com

Its annual reporting though not quarterly.

LC invited lender customers to purchase IPO shares prior to going public last year at $15. Jumped to $25 first day and I pulled $2700 off the top. I appreciated that gesture to clients. Profits are starting to improve for the company and they have exceeded earnings so far. The stock should do well over the next year. You might not get 7% but you won't lose your money either. Drop a few grand on 36 month notes and see how you feel in a few months. I use their automated investing feature that buys notes on standards preset by me and then reinvests my interest and principal payments. You can liquidate but that needs more explanation.

I believe you have to be a resident of a state in the USA to participate and have a US bank account and mailing address. Correct?

Sorry TV. but what is the point of this ridiculous survey? What are you trying to achieve?

I think it increases tourism in neighboring countries.

Not only will it increase tourism in neighbouring countries.

It will mean many long termers will move as well.

No point staying where we are not wanted. Best to spend our money elsewhere where is it more appreciated and where visas are easier to obtain.

Oh and many will move to places where the locals are not totally xenophobic and can speak English.

Have not witnessed this exodus.Are you going? If so where?

You can track them. They all come back and post on Thai Visa how wonderful their new residence is. They continue to post for at least 6 years after leaving Thailand to let us who stayed know just how dumb we are.

Guys you forget one paramount thing...any language has to be practiced or it will be diminished...sometimes it is even difficult for the first few minutes to speak in my native language due of lack of practise...and when does the average Thai need to communicate in English on a daily base???

Absolutely correct. Language needs to be reinforced on a daily basis. Small village, English classes with a native English speaker for 1, 2, 3 hours a week, leave the classroom, go home, speak Thai to family and friends, is not a good environment in which to learn a second language. Families cannot do it but Thai teachers should attempt to interact with the students as they learn English together.

The Thai kids I know all have activities after school, weekends and vacations that involve some form of educational activity.

What does the 'test' actually 'test'? Thailand doesn't have a reputation for logical, objective-base testing.

The question as I see it since I'm comparing Finland and Thailand (both had problems Thailand still does) is what does Finland test.

If you are not going to bomb the place why would Thailand not want people to come here and spend money? Stay for a week or a month or a year or ten. My new slogan for the immigration department would be, "If you got the cash you don't have to dash." "Spend a week or month or year if you got the cash we want you near." "Spend a little or spend a lot but before you leave spend all you got, we love you, Thai Immigration."

This thread is about not only does Thai education need a new top but it also needs a new bottom; the bottom being student and teacher attitude and performance. Instead we have allowed it to become a sounding board for negative Thai stereotypes such as low IQ, poor listening skills, poor, stupid, bereft of values, deriding their religion Buddhism.

Instead on discussing the value of a new approach to Thai education we have allowed ourselves to be coerced into reading a critique of Thai people as less than equal when compared to the paragons of virtue and intelligence in the West.

I posted above that Finland had an education problem in the 1960's and solved it with a more teacher education, smaller classes and elimination of student tracking tests. A number of things mentioned in the OP are good ideas. The OP writes, "In this digital and more democratic era, the impetus for improving English education begins with students and teachers.' I agree. More and better teacher education and fewer students per class. The nice part is Thailand does not have to increase the education budget to get there. It is simply a matter of redirecting the money from administration to education.

Thais as a group have nothing in common except perhaps black hair. Some Thais have poor listening skills would be the correct way of phrasing your statement.

Possibly more accurate: Most Thais have poor listening skills.

1. I doubt you know most Thais. 2. But with that kind of attitude it is no wonder they would not listen to you. It's kind of like a self fulfilling prophesy.

If you want to know how to meet Thais with good listening skills ask around when you find a Farang who thinks Thais have good listening skills ask him where he meets his friends and acquaintances.

My children listen to me very well especially when it is their interest to do so. It is simply a matter of motivation. If you don't know how to motivate Thais I can give you a list of people to call who will help in your attitude adjustment.

I'll be sure to carry around a twenty baht note next time I want to talk with a Thai. Course twenty may not be enough. Then, maybe you might enlighten us on what the proper motivation needed to get a Thai to listen. There must be a price or technique that the rest of us have overlooked.

That is what a good teacher does. He motivates students. Is there one technique? Yes. An open mind. The ability to treat people as individuals and not racial or ethnic or national stereotypes.

Possibly more accurate: Most Thais have poor listening skills.

1. I doubt you know most Thais. 2. But with that kind of attitude it is no wonder they would not listen to you. It's kind of like a self fulfilling prophesy.

If you want to know how to meet Thais with good listening skills ask around when you find a Farang who thinks Thais have good listening skills ask him where he meets his friends and acquaintances.

My children listen to me very well especially when it is their interest to do so. It is simply a matter of motivation. If you don't know how to motivate Thais I can give you a list of people to call who will help in your attitude adjustment.

Para 1. He doesn't need to know most Thais,, all he has to do is consult the Thai government's own IQ stats. On the other hand, you don't know most Thais eitherr so you can't refute his comment anyway. He has the balance of probability on his side though - low IQ pretty much equals poor listening skills. Poor cognition skills also. Sadly, you defend Thais against a shortcoming which is both evident and obvious, and you argue from a position of fundamental weakness.

Para 2. 'Friends and acquaintances don't cut it when you are dealing with large samples. Your argument is specious here also.

Para 3. Oh please. Your kids don't count as evidence for your argument either, splendid kids though I'm sure they are. I don't subscribe to the view that you have to motivate people to listen, most people naturally motivate themselves to their own perceived natural level based on self-interest, but Thais drink the Buddhist kool-aid and demotivate themselves or allow others to demotivate them because it's in their respective interests to have a cheap, unintelligent and compliant workforce. The Peter Principle applies.

You're a smart and thinking man, you should know this already. I shouldn't have to point it out. And you should know why it was done, how it was done and by whom it was done. If you don't, then you need to read more. If you can lose the 'airy-fairy political

correctness and stop refusing to see things as they are not as it is polite to say they are, then... ta bpen sawang qua dai.

1. You wrote, "all he has to do is consult the Thai government's own IQ stats. On the other hand, you don't know most Thais eitherr so you can't refute his comment anyway."

A freshman in logic could tell you, "The philosophic burden of proof lies upon a person making claims rather than shifting the burden of proof to others. In layman terms, he who makes the claims needs to provide the proof not I.

2. You wrote, "Low IQ pretty much equals poor listening skills." Not even close.

3. You wrote, "but Thais drink the Buddhist kool-aid and demotivate themselves or allow others to demotivate them because it's in their respective interests to have a cheap, unintelligent and compliant workforce." Your quote also demonstrates you know nothing about Buddhism in Thailand. Too far out for me to even discuss. Mostly insulting irrational bar talk.

I find that the majority of your post violates the rule below and I will no longer be a party to your anti Thai rant. I'll just put you on ignore.

Thai Visa rule #11. 11) You will not post slurs, degrading or overly negative comments directed towards Thailand, specific locations, Thai institutions such as the judicial or law enforcement system, Thai culture, Thai people ......

Do you know his Thai Visa nickname?

Listening first. Learning second. This may sound cynical, but Thais have poor listening skills.

Thais as a group have nothing in common except perhaps black hair. Some Thais have poor listening skills would be the correct way of phrasing your statement.

Possibly more accurate: Most Thais have poor listening skills.

1. I doubt you know most Thais. 2. But with that kind of attitude it is no wonder they would not listen to you. It's kind of like a self fulfilling prophesy.

If you want to know how to meet Thais with good listening skills ask around when you find a Farang who thinks Thais have good listening skills ask him where he meets his friends and acquaintances.

My children listen to me very well especially when it is their interest to do so. It is simply a matter of motivation. If you don't know how to motivate Thais I can give you a list of people to call who will help in your attitude adjustment.

It is called a Jaccard tenderizer.

http://www.jaccard.com/Meat-Tenderizers_c_10.html

You have an account large enough for the bank to give you a personal manager? Why on earth are you asking the hacks at TV?

"Personal managers" are not always exclusive. Fidelity will assign you one if you have your retirement money with them but that personal manager will handle numerous customers in addition to you.

Not at banks. Private banks have personal bank managers. I know I have one.

Yes, you do. And that person acts as a personal manager for a number of clients.

There is a lady at Bangkok bank who calls me up when I have a CD coming due. That is not a personal bank manager (INMHO). Area to prepare for meeting with my private banker and meeting areas below. That person advises me on financial matters. Not really the same as the Bangkok bank lady.

I haven't read all the posts yet but I have seen a lot of blame put on the quality of the Thai teachers.

I would like to put just as much blame on the students themselves.

Some simply don't have the right attitude for learning . They turn up without books, play around with their mobiles, iPads or whatever.

They know they can't fail at university level.

The students that want to speak English well make an effort to learn. They are active in listening outside class. They read, they speak and can learn to speak English well even if the teachers aren't up to scratch.

The whole education system needs a shake up. You can employ the world's best English teachers but if the students' attitudes aren't changed it won't make any difference.

I think u might find that teachers set the atmosphere for the class. If they let students do that, then that is the teachers fault.

I agree. In my experience the students who want to learn pay private teachers after class to teach them English. The private expensive school students more than the poor public school students because mom and pop have more cash.

Huh? The kids are going to tell them how to teach English? Bottom up approach?

Hardly, it needs a competent top down plan. Where to find a competent education minister?

OP, "True to form, the current incumbent, Dapong Ratanasuwan, has sought help from the University of Cambridge in England to design a programme to improve our students' English communication skills. The ministry also wants to develop a standard test in English proficiency for the students."

Instead the OP proposes, " boosting the level of English proficiency in rural areas, where students have less access to the language through the Internet, music, movies and videos. English learning must extend beyond the classroom into the daily lives of all children. .....there is plenty of teaching material on offer from international organisations such as the British Council. .....in this digital and more democratic era, the impetus for improving English education begins with students and teachers. The authorities can aid this effort by funnelling more of the education budget into improving Internet access for students and teachers.

Thais have national traits, same as Germans or French or British or Australians. Or Americans. Traits come from the over-arching national culture..

Thais don't listen well seems like a reasonable statement, though there will always be some who think it shouldn't be right, or perhaps they think it's racist. Such is the burden of political correctness, it just gets in the way of understanding.

Thais are relatively unintelligent, that's the verdict of many national tests over the years but it's politically incorrect so people say it's not true instead of saying they don't like it. In general the only statistics which are not true and reliable are statistics done sloppily - can't argue with real numbers.

There are no national traits. The entire approach is now considered defunct. As much as you may want to revisit a world populated by people who believed national traits existed for most educated people it died after Germany lost the war.

Wonder if "AnnieT" "teaches" English in Thailand ?

Interesting question. I don't see how. By her writing I would imagine she lives in Germany.

Although successive governments may have got English language learning policies wrong, it is a very difficult subject.

If it was easy, it would have been fixed already.

So you're looking at a very difficult subject, and many of the comments on this topic are correct, but taking an overall intergrated approach would not just be hard for Thailand to implement, but the majority of countries in the world would struggle to implement successful English language teaching programs, or successful (any language) language teaching programs.

International schools that I have worked for in Thailand do a good job of teaching English, and students acquiring English language and skills.

When I worked in Indonesia, and China (admittedly in universitys and international schools), they also did a good job of teaching English language and skills.

Working in remote Indigenous schools in Australia for many years, did not produce great English laguage speaking students, although we had excellent resources and teaching material.

The thing that I have found, or what is the difference between students acquiring the English language or not, is 'immersion'.

You have to have a learning program that has students listening, speaking, reading and writing English for hours a day, every day, if they want to be able to communicate in English.

It also seems to me that cultures of 'hunters and gatherers', and 'farming' seems to be less likely to be able to acquire the language, probably because they can not be immersed in the language, as they have other obligations regarding their hunting and farming.

As i said at the start, it is a very difficult problem; how do you immerse students in English language so that they can acquire the language?

In the rural areas of Thailand, how do you keep students in class to immerse them in the English language when they have other chores to do?

If you do get student's 'bumbs on seats', how do you keep them motivated to be immersed in learning a very difficult language?

All very difficult.

1. Movies, entertainment, songs, and sports. Convert student activities in movies, entertainment, songs, and sports to English. 2. Start small and begin instruction of certain courses in English. A few more each year till the majority of technical subjects are taught in English.

If they have a question now they will have to go to an English text to get the answer anyway.

I haven't read all the posts yet but I have seen a lot of blame put on the quality of the Thai teachers.

I would like to put just as much blame on the students themselves.

Some simply don't have the right attitude for learning . They turn up without books, play around with their mobiles, iPads or whatever.

They know they can't fail at university level.

The students that want to speak English well make an effort to learn. They are active in listening outside class. They read, they speak and can learn to speak English well even if the teachers aren't up to scratch.

The whole education system needs a shake up. You can employ the world's best English teachers but if the students' attitudes aren't changed it won't make any difference.

That matches my experience too. They don't have the discipline to study subjects that they have no real interest in.

Attendance is not the same as learning.

Completion is not the same as passing.

But they haven't understood that yet.

People get the governments they deserve, students get the teachers they deserve, and that's exactly what's happened.

Hard to have any sympathy for them really.

If the teacher teaches 1+1 =3 the students are not going to be very good at arithmetic. If a teacher can't pronounce English words her students will not be able to pronounce English words. This is not "dis." Italian is not, "I tal ian" Espresso is not "Expresso."

In general and in the long run, students get the teachers they deserve.

Does every victim of every crime get the criminal she or he deserves? Your statement is so wrong on so many levels. A 3 year old child in Anuban does not deserve a bad teacher. I think you are pretty messed up in your thoughts but I would be the first one to say your children deserve a better education than you so they may have a chance at a better life.

Listening first. Learning second. This may sound cynical, but Thais have poor listening skills.

Thais as a group have nothing in common except perhaps black hair. Some Thais have poor listening skills would be the correct way of phrasing your statement.

Thais have national traits, same as Germans or French or British or Australians. Or Americans. Traits come from the over-arching national culture..

Thais don't listen well seems like a reasonable statement, though there will always be some who think it shouldn't be right, or perhaps they think it's racist. Such is the burden of political correctness, it just gets in the way of understanding.

Thais are relatively unintelligent, that's the verdict of many national tests over the years but it's politically incorrect so people say it's not true instead of saying they don't like it. In general the only statistics which are not true and reliable are statistics done sloppily - can't argue with real numbers.

There are no national traits. The entire approach is now considered defunct. As much as you may want to revisit a world populated by people who believed national traits existed for most educated people it died after Germany lost the war.

I haven't read all the posts yet but I have seen a lot of blame put on the quality of the Thai teachers.

I would like to put just as much blame on the students themselves.

Some simply don't have the right attitude for learning . They turn up without books, play around with their mobiles, iPads or whatever.

They know they can't fail at university level.

The students that want to speak English well make an effort to learn. They are active in listening outside class. They read, they speak and can learn to speak English well even if the teachers aren't up to scratch.

The whole education system needs a shake up. You can employ the world's best English teachers but if the students' attitudes aren't changed it won't make any difference.

That matches my experience too. They don't have the discipline to study subjects that they have no real interest in.

Attendance is not the same as learning.

Completion is not the same as passing.

But they haven't understood that yet.

People get the governments they deserve, students get the teachers they deserve, and that's exactly what's happened.

Hard to have any sympathy for them really.

If the teacher teaches 1+1 =3 the students are not going to be very good at arithmetic. If a teacher can't pronounce English words her students will not be able to pronounce English words. This is not "dis." Italian is not, "I tal ian" Espresso is not "Expresso."