Samui Bodoh

My God, they are sooo thick.

The allure of Koh Samui is that it is an island.

If it is connected to the mainland by bridge, then it is part of the mainland and thus merely a group of hotels and restaurants near the sea. Just like all the other resorts on the mainland.

Again, for those too thick to get it, the allure of a tropical island, and thus its appeal to tourists, is that it is an island.

How did these people get elected?

Interesting read... I have virtually given up posting on the Forum for various reasons, but I just can't resist the topic of Education.

I am of two minds regarding the issue of homework, but absolutely agree on the idea that parents need to be much more involved than they currently are in their children's education. And, that is something that is true in Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Togo, Trinidad and all points in between. 

However, I do not see the issue of homework as the main problem in Thailand, rather I see it as the Ministry of Education. In short, if Thailand is ever going to progress out of its current state and into something better, the Ministry of Education needs to be reformed with both a Chain Saw and a Flame-Thrower.

A Chain Saw and a Flame-Thrower? 

Yes, a Chain Saw and a Flame-Thrower.

Simply put, the Thai Education system is awful (we all know that), and the first step to reform it requires a Chain Saw and a Flame-Thrower to be used at the Ministry's Head Office. Of course, I speak figuratively, but the Minister should enter the building where the leadership team is housed and fire every single person who works there. Every single one of them. In a nutshell, the Thai Education system is beyond tweaking at the edges and needs to be re-done from top to bottom, and the people who work there now either caused the problem and/or were mentored by the people who caused the problem; they can not fix it. So, out the door. Today. With either sawed off or singed clothing...

Next, enter the Provincial Office(s) of Education and fire the top ten people. Today. With a (figurative) Chain Saw and/or Flame-Thrower. Again, in a nut shell, these people have not done their jobs and need to go. Today. With either sawed off or singed clothing...

At the school level, Principals/Head Masters need to be given responsibility for the output of their school (as well as the authority to make changes), and those in the bottom 10% of annual, national, performance reviews get the Chain Saw and Flame-Thrower treatment and tossed out with either sawed off or singed clothing. Rinse and repeat for several years, then evaluate. 

Yes, this is a radical plan. That said, massive, long-standing, deeply entrenched, nation-threatening problems call for radical solutions.

A Chain Saw and a Flame-Thrower.

Oh, and an Audit. By people holding a Chain Saw and/or Flame-Thrower. Or both.

Lock and Load, Baby!

"...It was a week in which this columnist was repeatedly shaking his weary head wondering about the collective sanity of the world. Especially the world that seems to dwell online..."

"...Everywhere you looked online there was one kind of nonsensical hysteria or another..."

"...health authorities ran around like headless chickens and here in Thailand countless curmudgeons bashed the Thais..."

"...Before we were pounded with so much erroneous information to sift through to get to the reality..."

"...In today's jittery world all slapdash journalists need to do is attach a label like "Ebola" or "Wuhan", "Novel" or "China"..."

"...you name it and the panic and clicks are guaranteed..."

"...It feeds off itself. Utterly pathetic..."

"...Daily, we witness the actions of an idiotic online public who spread utter nonsense far more damaging than a virus could ever muster..."

"...These views will doubtless be slammed by many, especially the online worry buckets who spread doom and gloom..."

"...These views will doubtless be slammed by many, especially the online worry buckets who spread doom and gloom..."

While I do think that the on-line communication of our modern age does amplify somethings out of proportion, I think that you have gone over the top, mate.

And, respectfully, the comments that you so despise stem from the stories that TVF prints. "People in glass houses..."

Forgive me, but I think the shadow you hate is the one you cast. 

I have said it before and I'll say it again...

In order to save Pattaya and all the lovely creatures working there, TVF members should all pitch in and rent a 'Pied a Terre' for NCC1701A. Given his appetites and exertions, he'd single-handedly restore the entire working girl industry and thus save the city.

Save Pattaya by getting NCC1701A to move!

"...The Tourism Authority of Thailand said it hoped other countries would make up for the lack of Chinese tourists..."

The chances of this occurring are virtually nil; Thailand has spent the last few years catering almost exclusively to the Chinese to the detriment of all others. Tourism is an on-going concern; if you ignore a market for a few years, you ain't gonna get it back overnight, if at all.

This is all a consequence of the last coup.

In the aftermath of the military coup, the Junta desperately needed economic growth to remain above 0%, and to be fair they promoted Chinese tourism to achieve that. What they failed (and failed spectacularly!) to do was the required work to retain traditional Western tourism markets because the arrogant Prayut and Prawit couldn't handle any criticism. Cry babies! Wah! Wah! Sob! Sob!

This is what occurs when you put all your eggs into one Chinese basket. Honestly, I think this is good for Thailand, if (and it is a very big "IF") it learns the danger of being solely reliant on China for economic activity. An event like this was bound to occur the second that Thailand angered China; China has demonstrated several times that it is willing to use its tourist/travelers as an economic weapon (S Korea in 2016/2017 over the deployment of the THAAD system, for example), so hopefully Thailand will learn and diversify.

Yes, I know. I ain't holding my breath...

And, avoid the Chinese and places where the Chinese congregate, for now.

I like the Chinese, but why take a chance?

8 hours ago, FarFlungFalang said:

The three counties you mention Canada,Australia and New Zealand are still members of the commonwealth and have not in fact left the the English and are still susceptible to the power of "Her Majesty the Queen of England",e.g. the 1975 sacking of the Prime Minister of Australia comes to mind.

You have pointed out a fascinating and convenient legal wrinkle in Constitutional Monarchies of the Commonwealth, but have failed to understand it. In a case of vast oversimplification, Elizabeth is the (purely ceremonial) Head of State of the three countries mentioned, and in your Australia 1975 example her role/authority had long since devolved to an Australian Governor General through her office as (ceremonial) Queen of Australia. 

Her role as "Her Majesty the Queen of England" didn't apply as it was not applicable; it would be the equivalent of stating that Elizabeth, Her Majesty the Queen of New Zealand, opens the British Parliament. Honestly, Commonwealth countries have long since glossed over Elizabeth's role in England out of politeness; it goes unmentioned much like a facial wart goes unmentioned out of politeness, good manners and tact.

This and other similar discussions are likely coming to an end soon; the very sad day of Elizabeth's passing will almost certainly see a rapid end to the remains of the Commonwealth. There is great respect for Elizabeth due to her long and distinguished service, but with the crowning of Charles and the subsequent printing of Charles' face on money, people will ask why he is there (no reflection on Charles; but he simply does not command the historical place that Elizabeth does outside of the UK). Perhaps the Commonwealth will continue out of apathy, but I suspect that a formal end to it is nigh. I haven't decided if I think that is a good thing or not.

"...After 20 years of gross sarcasm, and like the average American, she still hasn't fully appreciated what the English are like..."

Respectfully, the whole world knows what the English are like. 

The Americans went to war against the English 240+ years ago because they knew what the English were like. Canadians went their own way 140+ years ago because they knew what the English were like. Aussies went their way approximately 120 years ago because they knew what the English were like. New Zealanders moved on about 110 years ago because they knew what the English were like. The Indians gladly saw the back of the English about 80 years ago because they knew what the English were like. The Egyptians happily saw the back of the English in 1922 because they knew what the English were like. The South Africans took off about 110 years ago because they knew what the English were like. The Singaporeans had had enough by 1963 because they knew what the English were like. Malaysians went their own way in 1957 because they knew what the English were like. Barbados took off in 1966 because things on the islands always go slow and because they knew what the English were like. Nigerians went their own way 60 years or so ago because they knew what the English were like. The Burmese left in 1948 because they knew what the English were like. Many others tried and tried and tried to leave, but were thwarted and/or forcibly stopped, but still wanted to go because they knew what the English were like. Many simply tried to merely ignore the English, but eventually got so fed up because they knew what the English were like. Etc, Etc, Etc, Etc.

Did you think the Brexit referendum was about the England leaving the EU? Nope. Actually, it was the other way around (Shhh! Don't tell the English!).

Never before in Human history have a people been left by so many others; it is unlikely that anyone in future times will be rejected so much.

Okay, English! Let me have it and demonstrate why so many have left you!

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

I too defer to the WHO experts who notably are reported to be 'divided' on this decision to elevate it towards a global health emergency.

 

What caught my attention was their using the term 'a bit too early' versus a more simple, decisive 'too early'. In the context that the experts are indeed divided, this would seem to be simply deferring their decision. However, to the inner-cynic in me, rather than inferring it is inevitable, it suggests that the decision has already been made but for some reason the announcement, that will undoubtedly have an impact on global markets, is being deferred possibly on other, non-medical grounds. It makes a big difference if it is announced while the markets are closed, like over the weekend. In that context, I think it's called hedging one's bets.

Interesting post, but (respectfully) I very much doubt its accuracy. Yes, formal declarations would likely have an effect on markets, but I doubt that financial considerations enter into the WHO criteria for medical decision-making. Simply put, your theory is an extraordinary claim, and extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, but you do not provide it. That said, I am all ears.

A far, far more likely reason for hesitating to formally declare a global emergency lies inside the criteria set out by the WHO for these kinds of decisions. I have worked with the UN on numerous occasions, and agencies usually have a sliding scale of responses to situations based on formal, designated criteria. It is speculation on my part as I do not know the specifics in the WHO, but I think that there would need to be a certain number of cases, or a certain number of deaths, or a certain geographical threshold reached, or a statistically-relevant number attained, or the spread of the disease within a certain time-frame, etc etc, etc.

Further, based on my experience with the UN, when a threshold is reached, it triggers some required responses and I suspect that the WHO would prefer to keep things voluntary and low-key for as long as possible. Should the WHO formally declare a global emergency, it would likely trigger obligations on behalf of member states such as airport screening, creating of dedicated medical teams, areas in hospitals set aside for possible cases, travel bans, etc etc etc. These actions by member states have consequences, and I think that the WHO is hesitating as it wants to be sure that it is correct before triggering a response.

Finally, the simple fact is that the UN, and the UN agencies, all have enemies in certain national governments who endlessly whine/complain about the UN (think 'Black Helicopters' and the like). I am guessing that the WHO is being very cautious (perhaps too cautious) about formal declarations so that they do not give ammunition to the enemies of the UN. Yes, it is a sad thing to say, but that it is the reality of 2020.

I think we should be glad that the WHO exists, and the next time you hear someone going on about the UN, remind them that germs and virus' do not respect national borders; there is a global need for some global agencies.

These are the people who study this sort of thing, so I will defer to them; I sincerely hope that the current international push against 'experts' and 'facts' and the onset of 'anti-vaxxers' and 'fake news' doesn't rear its ugly head; this is definitely a time when we need pure science and not ignorant people's 'alternate' explanation and/or 'opinions' of events. If Trump starts to say that he knows more than the doctors, I'll take a bath with a plugged in toaster!

Notwithstanding the above, I would worry. Yes, I think that China will take the necessary steps to contain the outbreak, but I recall the SARS outbreak of years ago where action occurred later than it should have. I also fear the Chinese 'Face' getting in the way of either admitting that there is a problem and/or asking for help.

There are many who think that this sort of thing is much more likely to lead to the end of humanity than war, especially a nuclear war. Although I might be naive, I do think that humanity can pull back on its worst impulses to destroy. However, I have seen the overuse and abuse of anti-biotics in Asia for decades and read about their declining effectiveness all over the world for just as long. There are those who believe that we as a specifies are on the verge of losing anti-biotics for good, and then what will we do? Create mini enclaves and not allow strangers in until a quarantine period has passed? Just shoot the sick? End wide-spread, mass travel? Build idiotic, ineffective walls?

I'll defer to the experts at the WHO, but I'll be limiting my contact with the Chinese for now.

PS For all those who endlessly whine about the UN and how ineffective/evil it is, the WHO is a UN agency, and a damn good one. It is a good thing to remember; some issues need a global perspective and this is one of those times...

Below is a link to a documentary on making the Life of Brian.

I highly recommend it as it really brings out the true genius of the Pythons and how far ahead of their time they were. It might sound funny today, but making a movie that mocked the birth and life of Christ was a hugely controversial thing to do at that time; it had the potential to destroy their careers.

Thank BRIAN it didn't.

If you can't watch it now, be sure to look at it later; it is definitely worth your time.

A Massive Python fan. 

"He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy"

This has to be one of the most memorable lines ever written or said in a movie.

Thank you for all the many many many laughs!

R.I.P.

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

U.S. President Donald Trump called climate activists like Greta Thunberg "prophets of doom" at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday. By Wednesday he was lamenting not having watched the teenage activist's speech.

Have no fear; it will likely be only hours until Trump is back to bullying and bad-mouthing a teen-age girl.

Makes you proud, eh?

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

The lead Democratic prosecutor accused President Donald Trump at his impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday of setting up a corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine to help him win re-election this coming November.

And he did.

But, in true cowardly fashion, he will hide behind the skirts of the Republican party, he will cry and whine that the process is 'unfair' and 'rigged', he will withhold documents and testimony improperly while crying that the testimony and documents don't rise to the appropriate level, he will lie and have others lie on his behalf, he will stomp his feet like a spoiled child, and he will not be held accountable for his actions. As he has not been held accountable his entire life.

The Republican party, made up of people who know better but who have become a soulless, ethically-challenged vehicle which cares for nothing except power and abortion, will let him off.

I have American family and friends, and I am embarrassed for them; the US used to be, with all its faults and foibles, a place that tried to be good. It has now become a place where law doesn't matter. It has become a place where cheating is not only allowed, but admired. It has become a place where doing good has been replaced by 'winning' (yes, just like Charley Sheen).

I can only hope that one day the US finds itself again and returns to the force for good that it can be. But, I ain't holding my breath.

16 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

"When someone pops up who has been successful in Thailand they are aggressively pooh-poohed as liars, lackeys and loons who"

 

that is so weird that you should say that because that is exactly what happened to me on this forum during the demeaning poster of the year election.

 

I was told by the scum on this forum I was a liar, but not only a liar but a psychopathic liar and that it was impossible that I could have done any of the things I talked about in my life and career. 

 

over and over more than 50 comments had to be deleted.

 

also I started a topic "I am living the life in Thailand". I just wanted to talk about success and positive experiences I had.

 

But there were so many haters and trolls they locked my topic! 

 

Many sick haters here. The funny thing is my number one hater is not even in Thailand.  

I have often wondered about those who feel the need to 'take others down' on the Forum; yes, I do get some crappy comments as well, but nothing like what you (and many others) have described.

Part of it is simply anonymity. I think we all fantasize about telling people off at times, be it a boss, a spouse, an in-law, a family member, etc, but because we are civilized people, we can't do it. However, on an anonymous Internet Forum, we can. It doesn't say much about the people who do it, but... Consequence-free behaviour/activity is a rare and alluring thing, and I get why some might find it appealing.

I think that there are other reasons as well. We are all socialized/conditioned from birth to react to a physical manifestation; what man doesn't melt at a woman crying? What person does not recognize when we have hurt a person standing right in front of us? The 'Keyboard Warrior' does not have those visual cues, and thus is freed from what is otherwise unheard of behaviour. Saying nasty words to someone's face is a difficult thing to do, but to type it anonymously? Easy as pie.

Further to the point above, I think some of it is simply that one doesn't quite understand how big of an A-Hole they are being. In one of my previous incarnations as a teacher, I recall learning that communication isn't quite what we think it is on the surface. The numbers fluctuate a tad, but scientists have learned that communication is approximately 35% body language, 57% tone of voice and only 8% actual chosen words. Take those approximations and apply them to the on-line world where it is 100% vocabulary to communicate; rather than being shocked at how much abuse occurs, perhaps we should be shocked at how little occurs?

Twenty years ago, one of my Profs said that the Internet was going to be the thing that decides if we as a species make it or not. I remember at the time thinking "you are an idiot", but now I think he was smart as hell.

Have a great afternoon in Paradise!

PS Before someone comes on and states that I have said bad things on-line as well, let me say that they are correct; I am human with all the imperfections that apply. Loads and loads of imperfections...

7 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

One person who was not added to the team that will defend Trump at the trial is his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who played a key role in the Ukraine matter.

Aw!

Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Please! Add Rudi to the legal team!

We all want to hear his justification for all his actions and statements.

If he was good enough to act for Trump's interests as his personal lawyer in Ukraine, Venezuela and (presumably) other places, then why is he not good enough to act for him in the Senate?

Let Rudi be Rudi!

"Truth isn't Truth!"

9 minutes ago, Chang_paarp said:

They all pass currently. How will this improve things? 

Oh wait a minute, do you mean real exams with independent markers?

Yes, real exams. It is such a ridiculous concept in the Kingdom that I should have been more clear.

Below is the UNESCO education summary for Thailand (2017/2018), and some of it is shocking. 

Note: "...At the end of lower secondary education, only 50% have a minimum proficiency level in reading and only 46% in mathematics..."

The future of economic growth in any country will be in having an educated workforce that can learn, adapt, and function without massive supervision; the days of unskilled workers being an integral element in society are coming to an end. Rather, unskilled labour will be a drag on economic potential in a country; the more unskilled labour that exists in a country, the worse off it will be with the proverbial 'lodestone' hanging around its neck.

A country, like Thailand, that doesn't have and won't have a workforce capable of learning and advancing will inevitably enter a period of decline. Long-term, massive, soul-sucking decline.

Period.

According to UNESCO’s 2017/8 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report, there remain substantial challenges to the quality of education in Thailand:

• 99% complete primary education, but only 85% complete  lower secondary education.
• 50% are not taught in the language spoken at home.
• 12% do not achieve a minimum proficiency level in mathematics at the end of primary.
• 62% of out of school lower secondary school adolescents are girls.
• At the end of lower secondary education, only 50% have a minimum proficiency level in reading and only 46% in mathematics.
• Only 45% of schools have basic sanitation facilities – only 60% have access to basic drinking water.
• 80 of the poorest complete lower secondary education compared to 100 of the richest.

• There are 3.9 million adults unable to read a simple sentence
• A third of students aged 13 to 15 years experienced bullying between 2010 and 2015, and 29% experienced physical violence.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

To become a high-income country by 2037, it said, Thailand must sustain long-run growth rates above 5 per cent, which would require a productivity growth rate of 3 per cent and an increase in investment of to 40 per cent of GDP.

 

“Boosting productivity will be a critical part of Thailand’s long-term structural reform,” said Kiatipong Ariyapruchya, World Bank senior economist for Thailand. “Increasing productivity, particularly of manufacturing firms, will depend on increasing competition and openness to foreign direct investments, and improving skills.”

I have some experience translating the gobbly-gook of WB reports.

"Thailand; unless you reform your Education System greatly, you will forever remain a backwards, low-growth country that perpetually envies more advanced places. And, all of your neighbours (beginning with Vietnam) will surpass you over time (including Burma). Period."

The key to this report, although they don't say it plainly, is that the growth of productivity requires a well-educated workforce. And, a well-educated workforce requires massive, massive reforms in all levels of the Thai Education system.

Step 1. Enter the Headquarters building of the Thai Education Ministry and fire everyone working there. Immediately. Literally everyone. These people created and perpetuate the current hideous, child's brain-killing monster.

Step 2. Enter the office of every Provincial Education Ministry office in the land and fire the top ten staffers. Immediately.

Yes, this might sound dramatic, but it is a serious proposal. These are the people who created the current, unsustainable, Frankensteinian-working mess and there is no doubt in my mind that they are unable to fix it. Fire them today, literally today.

Step 3. A massive audit of how Education System monies are spent to catch all the theft. Fire at will. Fire thousands. Then fire another thousand or two 'pour encourager les autres'.

Step 4. Make each Head of School responsible for the grades of their students and unless more than 50% of students pass the standard test each year, fire them. Immediately.

Then, begin the real reform of the Education System. With a chain saw.

I am completely serious about every word in this post; it is only the blueprint to getting started...

This GAO report is merely another nail in the coffin.

I think that we are witnessing some serious historical moments.

All throughout this story, from the beginning where there were whispers of a 'Whistle-Blower' to the current discussions, accusations and trial the truth has slowly come out. Yes, pretty much every fact that has come into public view has been labeled a "LIE!" by Trump and his supporters, but pretty much each and every fact has turned out to be true. 

The Whistle-Blower's story has, for all intents and purposes, been wholly confirmed.

The Diplomats' story have, for all intents and purposes, been wholly confirmed.

The Civil Servants from the NSC and other agencies' story have, for all intents and purposes, been wholly confirmed.

Is the story from Lev Parnas true? I do not know. He is under arrest for felonies, so whatever he says MUST be taken with a (proverbial) grain of salt, but it just rings true, it just sounds like everything else we have heard, and it jibes with the arrogance and unethical behaviour that the Trump Administration has shown.

Each and every step of the way, Trump and his acolytes have claimed "Witch Hunt!" and "Fake News!" and "Hoax!" and worse, but each and every step of the way the allegations have been borne out.

I think that we are witnessing the end of the Trump Presidency, and that many, many more people than Trump are going for a fall (remember Nixon's collateral damage?).

There is something that I hope those around Trump remember for the sake of their proverbial souls; the Trump Test. Can anyone name a person whose reputation has been enhanced by their proximity to Trump? One person? One name? One? Being around Trump will mean the end of a person's reputation; the evidence for that is ALREADY clear. Those in proximity need to be very, very aware that there will be an ugly splash zone.

What is next? Will the Republicans stand up and become "Profiles in Courage"? Or will they slink into the slime?

It is sad to see stuff like this occur anywhere; I sincerely hope that the US can deal with this quickly, but I sadly suspect that Trump will force the entire country to be mud-covered before he hits the final door.

Sad, sad times for the USA.

"It's clear to everyone that everything is going exclusively towards setting Putin up to rule for life,"

Did anyone think that he was ever going to step down and leave power? Seriously?

If he were to ever step down, someone might ask how he accumulated enough money to be considered, unofficially, the richest person on the planet; his unofficial wealth has been pegged at approximately 200 Billion dollars and by 'means not understood' his 'friends' are also billionaires.

Sadly, Earth is stuck with him for a while longer...

https://www.newsweek.com/how-rich-vladimir-putin-us-senate-wants-know-russia-president-net-worth-1331458

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a14480615/vladimir-putin-net-worth/

https://money.cnn.com/2018/03/14/news/putin-wealth-russia-election/index.html

If the Catholic Church is going to discuss sex, how about a zero-tolerance, effective, strong, determined and continuing effort to rid the Church of Pedophilia? Led by the highest office in the organization? 

Other organizations, when faced with such vile accusations, managed to cleanse themselves; why not the Catholic Church?

Respectfully, this seems like MUCH more of a priority to me than whether priests in remote areas can marry.