hyperHowie

3 hours ago, SGD said:

Why not leave Thailand and put your kids in decent schools in a first world country rather than your staying in Thailand and farming your kids out, far too late IMHO at aged 15, to fix the mess of an education they have presumably had whilst growing up in Thailand ?

 

Answers might be different depending on whether they are biologically your kids or just some inherited with the Thai partner.

 

If biological the surely you have an obligation. If her baggage, then anything is better than the alternative I guess.

I went to St. Mary's International School, a middle school in Tokyo, run by French-Canadian brothers (but I was a Protestant.). Although my parents lived about 45 min away, I still boarded. Later, I went to Fork Union Miktary Academy, an American prep school.  My parents lived 3 hrs away.

My education was excellent but something is lost not living with your parents, attending a single-gender school and not livng a normal childhood. Instead, you're ensconced in an overly disciplined bubble. That's my perspective, but others might have had positive results (or they they might have had terrible or no parents, a horrific environment or school failure.)

Also, as a parent, you lose time with your child...and they grow so fast. I sgree with a previous poster. Move. You give yourself a break; let her experience a different culture; improve her English and experience time with daddy.

You can always return to Thailand.

19 minutes ago, williamgeorgeallen said:

the bull fighter got what was coming to him. torturing and animal for entertainment should not be accepted by the civilized world. congratulations to the bull, i hope he got put out to pasture.

No one gets what's coming to them, it's a sport. You eat meat? Let me take you to a slaughterhouse. Enjoy sports? You shouldn't. People "get what's coming to them" in boxing, race car/boat/sail racing ... even occasionally in other tame sports. Bull fighting is an ancient cultural activity for Spaniards. Give up fishing, crabbing or even eating them than get back to me. Righteous folk like you make life difficult for everyone. Chill.

1 hour ago, ilostmypassword said:

To all conservatives: This story is what a nothingburger looks like.

Except Hairspray Donny [Trump] is not really a Conservative

5 hours ago, Monkeyrobot said:

It's Arab month next month after Ramanan finishes, lock up your camels. 

Don't laugh. When I was harshly criticized by the college age son of the Afghan Ambassador to the Russia/Soviet Union in 1974 for reading a PLAYBOY magazine as it was against certain "tenets" [trying to be diplomatic], I asked what he then did for relief.

He said "the donkeys." I thought he was kidding. He wasn't.

10 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

These guys carry the knives because they drive so atrociously and with such disregard for other road users that they are expecting confrontation... 

 

...Mini-Vans 2m from your rear-bumper while traveling at 120kmh on the expressway.

...Workers pickups cutting you off without indication. 

...Taxi's forcing you to emergency break when pulling out in front of you.

 

One thing I am sure of, these drivers drive this way because a.) they are antisocial morons and b.) they have the backup of some weapon or other and believe they will get away with such actions. 

 

 

And lack of prompt police action?

12 hours ago, shady86 said:

I noticed lately many foreigners especially Westerners choose to commit suicide here lately. Is it common in their own country or they find it easier to take their own lives here?

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I suspect if they are like my old college roommate, who was 70, after cancer returned for the 3rd time (an MRI exam paper was found on his bed), he shot himself w/ his USMC Colt .45.  Pistols are readily available in the U.S. but not so in Thailand (?)

I don't know why people wouldn't go home and take some "medicine" instead of possibly killing a passerby with their body or leaving a mess for others to deal with. At least my ex-roomie had the courtesy to "double-bag" his head when we shot himself, so as to not leave a mess in his house for others to clean up.

However, unlike the suicide jumper in the story, my ol' friend did NOT leave a note for his son nor his 2 young grandchildren!

He s arming BURMESE rebels not Thai nor Cambodian, so neither can be committing treason. A crime? Absolutely.

And perhaps I'm wrong, but what little I know from my perch in the West, the Mynamar Army are part of a regime still really controlled by the Generals...and persecuting minor tribes.

On 5/26/2017 at 9:05 AM, NancyL said:

And, there's the "VA Agent Orange Program" for vets who served in Vietnam, parts of Thailand and Korea while agent orange was used by the military.  The vet doesn't have to prove that they were actually exposed to agent orange, just that they served in the area at the time agent orange was used.  There is a presumption of exposure.

 

If they are diagnosed with any of a rather long list of diseases, some fairly common in older men, then they can claim VA compensation.  The list includes prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes.

 

http://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-postservice-agent_orange.asp

 

It's my understanding that the care can be received here in Thailand with expenses reimbursed by the VA, although I've not guided anyone through this process.  At the advice of the local VFW, I filed a claim for Hubby who was in Vietnam at the time agent orange was used and has stubbornly high PSA readings.  So far, no biopsy has shown cancer, but the VFW person recommended opening a claim, even without filing any expenses, just so there is a case number on record.  He said the claim will be kept on file for five years and will reduce the time of getting reimbursed for payment in the future by about three months if we do actually have to submit a claim for reimbursement.  Don't know if this is true, but I've submitted VA claims for Low Income Pensions for other people, so it wasn't a big problem to submit an Agent Orange claim for Hubby.   (Yeah, right.  Nice hobby, filing out gov't forms.)

Also, there was an incident where a Vet @ the Perry VA Medical Hospital, Maryland (USA) got Y-E-A-R-S of compensation for a legit condition they had filed some 20+(?) yrs ago. Not sure if his Appeals finally worked, the condition he was applying for were added recently or they overlooked something. Nice check. What would he have received if he had filed that very day 5 yrs ago?  Only from the day he filed -- NOT retroactively!

5 hours ago, colinneil said:

Disgusting absolutely disgusting, he fainted and they took him to hospital, WHAT !!

Scum needs a damn good beating.

Grandmother was complicit in this shameful act.

A 14 year old girl is pregnant, and nobody notices, then she gives birth to a normal size baby, 

There have been instances in the US -- and more than likely, other countries --  where women have been pregnant and didn't know it. Often, because they were young and didn't show as much.  How much did she show? So before you criticize the grandmother, she might not be an accomplice. Of course, if she placated her husband by allowing it, she too should get jail time.

7 hours ago, Essecola said:

Checking "his qualifications". Understandable if it is a $4000 per month job in Korea or China. But for the pathetic amount of money teachers get paid here it hardly seems worth the ridiculous expectations and hoops they need to jump through. How many "qualifications" does one need for the wonderful priveledge of working full time (plus a large chunk of evenings making lesson plans) for less than $900 per month? Total farce. Would never want to be an English teacher here.

I just talked to a college English recruiter in Shantou, China (a 2nd city.)  Pay is $1,500/mth and that's considered good in China. Tell ME about any $4,000 jobs!

I spent 3 years With the US Army as s member of the "Golden Knights" (freefall) Parachute Team (or as my father said. "That's not the Army -- that's Hollywood.)  We trained often with the British "Red Devils."

   So during the Vietnam war I narrated air shows in 110 different US cities in 42 states. My training had been as a photojournalist. After an 8 yr break, I spent 23 yrs in the Reserves ("territorials") -- one weekend per month and 2 wks during the summer -- with one VOLUNTARY yr in Bosnia as part of a NATO Peacekeeping force. Then 5 yrs as a full-time Active Reservist.

   Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!!!

   You can retire as a Reservist or on Active Duty after 20 years. Immediately 50% of your base pay (or age 60 as a Reservist), free Space Available flights on military aircraft anywhere in the world, nearly free ($250 yr) medical care, including OVERSEAS (or free at Veterans hospitals), 4 yrs paid college WITH housing & textbook allowance, ability to buy a home with no money down, access to resort stays at $250/wk per ROOM (not per person), access to military commissaries (30% off on most groceries), 30 days annual paid vacation (while on Active Duty) and sooo many other bennies. You must join reserves or Active Duty by age 35. Must retire by age 60 (65 for officers). 

   Others have said it: Comradery, service, sense of purpose, a disciplined workforce, etc.

   If you have a youngster, tell them to serve at least one tour (3 yrs.)

1 hour ago, Sydebolle said:

Again a North Korean assassination fç%*k-up!

The little pig, meanwhile in third generation, manages to keep the entire world at bay with the Kims way of doing things. 

Get the American troops off South Korean soil will result in PR China breathing easier which means that there will be no support to North Korea anymore. Kim's little empire will implode, South Korea will mop up the mess and life goes on. 

You move Americans off South Korean soil and the South Koreans, and possibly even Japan, will begin to consider nuclear weapons. They're already edging towards that decision.

On 2/16/2017 at 7:49 PM, OttoPollmann said:

Just this line is the only informative part of this report.

This could be an indication to a heart attack and maybe if somebody was around could have saved his life.

Sometimes it's already enough to calm the person down to get the heart back in rhythm.

I don't know about that but you should immediately take a regular aspirin & call for an ambulance (any chance a non-Thai speaker can get one?)

9 hours ago, janejira said:

From what I know, it is very difficult to get a work visa in the US. More info on work visas: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/employment/temporary.html#overview

 

What about an English language school? There are usually a couple schools in most major US cities that can help with the student visa process. Most language schools are more affordable than university tuition.

One language school in Washington, DC area costs about $650/month with daily classes running from about 9am-3am,

However, if you are a student, you cannot legally work in the USA,

Just hope your gf doesn't bolt, could happen esp. when they have a Green card.

On 2/24/2017 at 5:55 AM, whatawonderfulday said:

Oh right, so it was secret ?  BS.  You can get cell signal blockers anywhere so I am sure the military/police/boy scouts/government buffoons could have bought them on ebay without asking AIS.  Just AIS trying to justify their crap, usual service, by blaming it on others, a traditional Thai trait.

Perhaps its time to go home ... where everything is so perfect ... and you won't have to put up with any "traditional Thai trait."

3 hours ago, redwinecheese said:

I'll be glad to punch you in the face

It's sad that you don't seem to want to even attempt the language. I'm not moving to Chiangmai until Jan 2018, so I have no right to judge others. I also realize I'll be 70 then too, but so what? I'll try ... even though with six years of middle school, high school and college French, I'm still nonfluent (though I can get the general idea when reading the language.) However, when talking to the diverse international population in my city of Wash., DC, I have found that speaking bits of words and phrases in French, Tagalog, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Amharic (Ethiopian), Spanish, Serbian-Croatian, Vietnamese, German, Greek, even Thai & some sign language, I've got pleasant responses and generated goodwill from those I meet, even if I've butchered the pronunciation. Most of the time it's just greetings or a few words. However, they appreciate my trying. Maybe the Thais won't and will quickly reply in English, if they can. But like an acquaintance who only wanted to eat western style food when he traveled, I think he loses something by not attempting to at least TRY it. After all, its NOT cheap living or easy sex why I'm going to Thailand, I want to experience as much of the culture I can as well as the sights, sounds, tastes, touch and even smells of a culture that intrigue me. Else, why -- in my case -- should i travel.

On 2/8/2017 at 5:46 PM, mcfish said:

Wrapping a garbage bag around your head and securing with tape is almost a pleasant way to go. Jumping is just plain messy.

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk
 

A 70 yo friend developed cancer. It came back a 2nd (or 3rd) time.  They later found the MRI results in his bedroom.

He had told a neighbor, if the day ever came, how he was going to end his life: As an ex-Marine, he'd shoot himself with a military handgun.

He didn't want to do it out in the woods where animals might scavenge the body. But neither did he want to leave a mess in his house for family to discover and someone would have to cleanup.

So he DOUBLE-BAGGED his head before shooting himself there.

On 2/10/2017 at 10:39 AM, ilostmypassword said:

 

I have some exciting news for you. You don't have to judge the truth or falseness of a statement based on how it sounds to you. You can actually use something called the internet to look up information and then make an informed judgement.

 

Of course, you can believe everything you read on the internet. 

On 1/30/2017 at 7:23 PM, nottocus said:

Legal age in my country.

You're not in your country

On 2/11/2017 at 3:08 AM, Srikcir said:

Tillerson is doing a "squeeze play" on Bannon who has grandiose ideas about the US becoming the exclusive world super power. Either we'll see Bannon leave the White House or cause a major disruption in conflicting foreign policies that will paralyze Trump or cause him to strike out in an irrational way.

Bannon, the former editor of a extreme right wing website -- with a couple of his henchman in the White House -- is a serious deterrent to any real politic solution. And now a member of the US Security Council. OMG.

On 2/11/2017 at 1:51 AM, spidermike007 said:

I am trying to keep an open mind about this guy. I was hoping he might have some constructive proposals for the economy. But, he is so bogged down with his immigration extremism, and refuses to acknowledge that extreme vetting has been in place since 9/11. All of the people who got visas and green cards in the past decade were extremely vetted. So, there was no risk in letting them in. He could have established the program, allowed all existing visa and green card holders in, but denied any new applicants, and few would have complained.

 

The fascinating thing about the megalomaniac, is that he seems to enjoy digging his own holes. He started a war with the media. He created this extreme immigration program, etc. He seems to love a battle. Hope he does not start a major war. Lord Bannon seems to be itching for a war with Iran. I think they would find Iran to be a far worse foe than Iraq, as they have very deep pockets, and it could very well turn into a 40 year war, costing the treasury tens of trillions of dollars, and possibly even bankrupting the United States, leading to major terror attacks on US soil, and destabilizing the planet. My guess is that it would lead to his impeachment. But, I see that coming anyway. I seriously doubt, especially after this ridiculous Nordstrom scandal, that this man will last four years. He will either be impeached, resign, or have an aneurysm. 

 

As far as the immigration debate goes at least half of the judges that are ruling against Trump, were appointed by Republicans. He is continuing with his Orwellian Alternative facts campaign. Anytime he does not like what happens, or a decision that is made, or a news account, or anything else, it instantly becomes alternative facts. He simply cannot fathom the possibility that it is happening for a good or logical reason. It is an attack against him personally, if it is not in lock step with his wishes. He truly has the mindset of an adolescent, who has always gotten his way. He is ill equipped for his present position, and is not a good give and take sort. Not sure how he is going to be able to negotiate with our allies, much less our enemies, with this attitude of entitlement and his inability to ever express any humility. 

On 2/11/2017 at 1:51 AM, spidermike007 said:

 

I'm an American and am embarrassed by this INSECURE, EGOMANIAC with low self-esteem, I'm praying you Brits do NOT welcome him into your country. I pray for a heart attack or stroke. He's not Pres.Trump to me: He's "Hair spray Donnie" to me: more concerned about his image than diplomacy & with so much "gold" in his interior decorating it looks like a whore house. 

What about Vietnam, particularly DaNang (central VN next to the ocean.) I found a $6 VERY CLEAN Hotel room run by a family w/ kids. It's blocks from China Beach and both air & streets are clean. Allegedly the cleanest city in Asia. Foid was good as were prices. Seems like Thailand bsck in the day.

What am I missing?

1 hour ago, phantomfiddler said:

Isn,t democracy wonderful ! I am surprised that it has not been adopted by all clans of animals that can walk on 2 feet :)

It sure beats whatever's in 2nd place!  What communism? Or a dictator who never steps down?  No thank you. At least in a democracy we have the chance of getting rid of a bad or incompetent ruler and can speak our minds in public or print as well as organize and protest.

I'm an American so my answers will probably differ from those of you from the UK or EU, who seem to make up the majority of responses.  Additionally, I have never lived there, having only visited for several weeks with years intervening.  However, despite my naiveté, perhaps some of you can also set me right before I move to CM in 2017/18.

I was an Army brat, so I went to an international middle school in Tokyo and an American high school in Seoul. My parents wound up living in Korea for over 20 yrs. I'm 1/4 Japanese but you never could tell. I currently mentor two 27 yo Chinese students and as a result have spent the equivalent of several months in China.

Thailand & Vietnam intrigue me because of the imprinting I received hanging around with my Asian friends as a kid. My parents' extensive experience in Asia also is an influence. I have no desire to live in China for multiple reasons and I'm not interested in Laos nor Cambodia (though limited exposure.)  BKK might be too "big city" for me, CM seems a fit. I don't even think I would be interested in rural life as of yet. Danag, VN is another option as that country isn't as developed as Thailand nor as undeveloped as Laos/Cambodia. Japan is too westernized by Asian standards. I'm NOT looking for Thai women, bar life nor even beach life -- I have sun, sand & sin here if that's all I want. I'm hoping to experience a culture that's different from mine: sounds, sights, smells, tastes (food), touch, et al. Yes, I know they'll be irritating noise, not just music, awful smells not just fragrant ones, irritating noise not just Thai music. Add in bureacracy, politics, traffic, headaches ad infinitum, so what? I can afford to live anywhere comfortably, but I do NOT want an easy chair in front of the tv nor traveling my country nor even (westernized) Europe (backpacked in my 20s).  Australia, maybe. Africa, South/Central America & the Middle East hold little intrigue other than as tourist destinations.

SO WHAT AM I NOT SEEING? WHAT DO YOU THINK I NEED TO KNOW? WHAT UGLY SURPRISES AWAIT (good ones too)?

I don't think giving out personal details about a Thai military officer is necessarily a good idea. You posted his military position, age, education, current posting, next scheduled posting, etc.

Maybe my 26 yrs in the US military (before it was legal to be out & gay) is NOT a good standard for measurement vs Thailand openness to gays & ladyboys, but you never know in any country's military. I might ask the moderator to edit those details about your friend, unless LOS is truly a we-dont-give-a-damn even if you are going to teach at our military academy, etc.

It's okay about being open ourselves, but you might run this by your Thai friend or veteran expats here can tell you if I'm off base on this topic. Apologies if I am.