chonabot

The ones who say they have been/came here in 19XX or whatever will more than likely have a flaw or two in their dates and will have 'exaggerate to impress' syndrome.

Name and shame...oh hang on.....maybe it's me

Well I've been a member of TV since 2003..how about you...oh crap...same same...

I guess some who have lived here for x years tend to use the internet and some have no use for it, they prefer seclusion - vive la difference!

I can think of one poster who always seems to have a supposedly correct answer for most things in Thailand but he's only been here a relatively short time on a permanent basis, it's interesting to note that his answers of what is correct here are typically the same answer that might be given were he back in the UK - that's part of the problem I think, someone who was half way smart and knew most of the correct answers back home, feels that they have to have the same standing here.

Name and shame ?

I've been visiting since 1987 - firstly as a tourist ( obsessed with Muay Thai )

Visited about 30 times since then - including a couple of years living here.

Met my wife and married in 1997 - have a lovely 13 year old son.

After 14 years in the UK we moved here finally this year.

Agreed - my opinions of Thailand have changed in the short time since arriving.

Itś likely that most of those who agree with you no longer live in Thailand.

Quite the reverse - but some of us manage to make light of it - nowhere is perfect but Thailand is still a nice place to live.

Chonabot thats horrible.

Hope your Son learns that these people are just cowards and idiots, what a shitty thing to go through at 13.

Thanks Stiggy - Kids from the age 12 upwards in the UK have changed beyond recognition - the ones that have been brought up correctly have no chance when

confronted by these pondlife.

For the record I visited the parents of the kids - pretty grim examples - and found that one had been kicked out of 5 schools before the parents

had to move from Scotland....talk about a timebomb.

Sorry for going off topic OP

baaksida?

Similar to your username

Good with the bad.. it all a balance.. what did you really expect those kids in the internet cafe to say... what if it was a thai guy who went into an internet cafe on western outskirts of Sydney....... I daresay he'd be lucky to come out in one piece....

Very Good point - 2 weeks before we left the UK my son - 13 - was beaten up in a racially motivated attack.

This was in a small town in South Oxfordshire where he had lived and gone to school all of his young life.

Amongst bruises and a few cuts he also had the word ' Paki C*unt' scrawled on his face.

He looks more European than Thai - but is no doubt different to the usual kids , and different isn't appreciated in the UK these days.

The fact we had decided to move away from the UK was not due to this, but I feared this sort of incident would happen sooner than later.

In our village in Isaan, a few days after arriving, my son and I were walking through and came across a bunch of 10-15 year olds playing football.

We were called 'Baaksida' and a few other choice words were flung in our direction.

My son looked at me and said ' Bloody hell Dad, can we go to a place that I DO fit in ? '

I guess the difference is that these kids' parents were then spoken to by my wife - and now my son joins in ( with the football, not the 'Baaksida chants ' )

In the last month or so my son has grown up a lot, I'm proud of him and ashamed of my own Country.

I felt very similar about 15 years ago - then returned to the UK for a decade and a half of TV, cold weather and ridiculous racism towards my wife and Luk Krung son.

Now I have come back to Los and still see the same attitudes as you do - but still it's better than what I left behind.

It's impossible to educate these ignorant people you have described so aptly - I guess it would be easy to say avoid them and surround yourself in family - but they may be just as bad

ps tell us more about the 'nearly murdered episodes'

Some real good options mentioned above - I prefer to separate the innovators ( Robert Johnson et al ) from the masters of their craft.

No doubt the innovators are more vital however.

One point I made in my earlier post I would like to revise if possible.

If you cannot play the guitar to a decent level - how can you judge the skill level of a guitar god?

No flames please - just interested in a nice friendly debate

I realise we all have favourites - and this is based on our own personal set of likes/dislikes etc - but judging the skill level is surely based on our own talent/playing competence?

When I discuss a new or established guitarist with my 'muso' friends, we tend to discuss the vibrato technique or the use of mixolydian progressions within a pentatonic major framework.

Sounds a tad boring but these are the yardsticks used in rating a guitarists skill - not evoking memories of a dark rainy night in Chipping Sodbury

Chon

It is all about the end product for me . Where the measure of the skills , teqnique and knowledge and then others like invention along with emotion , choice of instrument , style of music . Jimmi Hendrix had all of that and something else but so did Chet Atkins .

Agreed, way too many fret board wanke_rs out there.

There is no doubting the talents of guys like, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, the guy out of Dream Theatre sorry cant recall his name but he is a Satriani lookalike, these guys leave me cold. Yngwie Malmsteen is an example of what I would consider to be a fretboard wanke_r.

Neil Young will never be up there as a great, but songs such as Powderfinger, Cortez, Down By The River, I could listen to all day.

And talking of influntial guitarists, no mention yet of Bert Weedon, who knows how many his Play Away In A Day influenced.

No mention yet of another, Django Reinhardt, a pioneering virtuoso who invented a whole new style of jazz technique, although how much of that was down to his damaged hand is debatable.

Totally agree regarding the fretboard tossers - Neil Young has more emotion in his eyebrow than Y Mangosteen has in his spandex wardrobe

Some real good options mentioned above - I prefer to separate the innovators ( Robert Johnson et al ) from the masters of their craft.

No doubt the innovators are more vital however.

One point I made in my earlier post I would like to revise if possible.

If you cannot play the guitar to a decent level - how can you judge the skill level of a guitar god?

No flames please - just interested in a nice friendly debate

I realise we all have favourites - and this is based on our own personal set of likes/dislikes etc - but judging the skill level is surely based on our own talent/playing competence?

When I discuss a new or established guitarist with my 'muso' friends, we tend to discuss the vibrato technique or the use of mixolydian progressions within a pentatonic major framework.

Sounds a tad boring but these are the yardsticks used in rating a guitarists skill - not evoking memories of a dark rainy night in Chipping Sodbury

Chon

only good snake is a dead one thats for sure

I expect you would add Sharks and Crocs to that group as well

We've had a few Cobra in our garden in the past but last night my wife saw two yellow/black snakes which turned out to be Yellow Banded Krait! I was out at the time so our neighbour came and did the deed, he decided to kill them as he was pretty sure they were venomous and I have an 18mnth old daughter, his wife is pregnant and there are also some other small kids that live on our little moo baan.

He's killed a fair few snakes before as grew up in the Philippines but still pretty brave to take on these two!

http://www.thailandsnakes.com/venomous/banded-krait-venomous-deadly/

Pretty easy to dispatch a snake - much braver and wiser to relocate them ( experience withstanding )

I understand the danger regarding your family situation however

I've seen 3 snakes in the last 2 weeks here in Isaan - 2 already dead ( chopped in two ) and the 3rd one I managed to catch before the bloke running up the lane with a machete got here. Chucked it in a sack and released it 10 km away ( no not next to the Mother-in-laws gaff )

For the record I do not recommend trying to catch a snake unless you have lots of experience.

Our Westie arrived yesterday In BKK from Edinburgh - stayed overnight with an Import agency - Agility ( very good )

She was flown to us at Khon Kaen this morning and now is with us at home

The whole trip was handled by Pet Travel services in the UK - could not recommend them enough.

Originally I planned to bring her with us - spent ages researching the whole process - DEFRA certs / Import etc.

When I called Emirates prior to booking our own seats on the flight - they confirmed that we could bring her as excess baggage at a cost of about 50 GBP.

I actually called twice and both times was told there would be no issue - including a 2.5 stop in Dubai.

I then booked the tickets online.

I called shortly after - as advised - to inform Emirates we were bringing our dog.

I was told in no uncertain terms that she would not be allowed on the flight - apparently as we stop in Dubai she would be subject to UAE pet import regulations.

When I originally checked on this I was told the laws only apply if the animal is on the land for more than 5 hours - apparently incorrect.

I asked for a refund on the tickets as I knew some airlines would allow her as excess baggage - I was told this could take 2-3 months.

I made a complaint and luckily had records of all of the calls made to Emirates.

They replied that they had made a mistake but could not offer any compensation.

Eventually I had to bite the bullet and use a Pet Travel agency - expensive but very good.

She flew manifest with BA.

I read a few posts earlier that a poster flew their cats via Emirates - and I assume they stopped in Dubai - so it goes to show that airlines seem to make up the flipping rules as they go along.

It cost more to fly our Westie here than myself.wife and son

ps I agree with the above poster about using a Thai Agency - Agility charged us less than the amount he had to shell out for the bribe and that included the flight to Khon Kaen.

pps Reading 2 posts above regarding the import experience - as well as the Emirates discrepancy - and the Thai quarantine situation - you never know how handling it yourself will pan out - at least the agencies (UK and Thai ) have a guaranteed service ( I think..... )

be sure that you go to the border, not one of the "visa shops" that the tuk tuk's from Nong Khai Train Station will try to take you to.

i think the laos visa fee for most western countrys are either $30 or $35 , was $35 for UK passport.

when i was there 4 days ago i Did Bangkok -> Nong Khai via train (have to grab the 6:30 overnight train) and then :

Nong Khai Station -> Border for 30 baht per person.

Nong Khai border -> Laos Border for 25 baht to cross the Friendship bridge via bus.

you can arrange a taxi for Laos border -> vientiane very easily. i had a guy approach me on the Thai Side and told me to meet him in vientiane for a taxi over. cost me 100 baht sharing it with 3-4 other people.

Accomodation Wise : if you cant find anything next to embassy get a tuk tuk over to River Mekhong , theres LOTS of accomodation over there and im sure you'd like it over there with restaurants ect close by.

Warning: i assume you have done prior research on Embassy's but from what i've been reading Recently vientiane is being pretty harsh on Visa's. i returned there myself and they would not Issue me a tourist visa even though i only had 1 prior tourist visa in my passport. if you want to avoid the red stamp i'd suggest looking elsewhere

good luck and hope you enjoy your stay there.

Lots of great info - Thanks

I'm not sure why your wife and son are making the visa run.

You state that she is Thai, and by default he is too.

Though they are here on non-Thai passports (not ideal), being Thai citizens they are eligible for a 12 month extension of stay from the local immigration on production of proof of Thai nationality. 1900 baht for each extension I believe.

Surely this is a better option for both of them rather than the traipsing up and back and on the cost side also.

Hi Samran - very good points - I posted elsewhere regarding the issues we/they are having with our local amphur ( long story )

We are waiting for their Thai Birth certificates to arrive via the UK - being sent by DHL.

Hopefully these will arrive before next week and we can sort the extensions out via immigration.

If not, the visa run is a back up plan.

Chon

For me Page was the best - combining skill with excellent songwriting and production abilities - plus he outsold any other guitarist apart from George Harrison regarding shifting album units - and did this without ever releasing a single in the UK ( with Zep )

I've taught guitar for over 25 years - just interested in how a non-player can accurately judge the skill of a guitarist?

Essentially if you simply 'like' a players style - then its purely a personal choice - but to judge one's skill is surely based on your own knowledge of that instrument.

My list of favourites ( based on skill and personal prefs )

1. Jimmy Page

2. Jeff Beck

3. Hendrix

4. Santana

5. Peter Green

6. Eddie Van Halen

7. Clapton.

8. SRV

9. Gilmour

10.Frank Zappa

Obviously if 70';s rock is not your thing then this list will stink - but if you are a player then at least 3 of these should be in your list

You can get a Laos visa on the bridge in just a couple of minutes (~15min). If you wife is Thai(thai pasport) she will not need a visa. There are a couple of GH's that have popped up right next to the Thai consulate. Great for a visa run, not so great if you want to look around Vientiane. Also, you can get a service to handle waiting in lines etc for the visa, or leave the family an hour or so and take the applications/passports by yourself.

Cheers Steve !

Not sure if you're talking about a Thai visa in Vientianne but I guess you are.

Hope you realise that it is at best a two day process, because even if the visa process is hassle free; you must apply for the Thai visa on the first day before noon, and then return the next day in the afternoon to pick the visa up.

That's standard for most Thai embessys and consulates.

Maybe you do realise that, but I wasn't sure about it from what you wrote.

I'm not sure whether the transportation times would make it possible or not.

Yes a Thai visa

I thought by mentioning the 30 day stamp and expiry date in the Thai visa sub forum might be enough of a pre-amble - sorry for any ambiguity .

As I mentioned a 2 night stay I also realise it will take that long.

Does anyone have any more info - or should I take the eye-rolling smilies with me to Nong Kai

Myself, wife and son will be travelling to Vientiane next week for visas ( wife is Thai - long story )

We are on 30 day visa exempt stamps that expire on the 16th December.

We live near Kalasin and want to plan the trip in advance.

If I was travelling solo I would do this more ad-hoc but would like to make it as hassle and moan free as possible in this circumstance

I realise we will need a visa for Laos also.

Would it seem reasonable to arrive at Nong Khai on the 14th, grab a visa and go straight over to Vientiane via Bus/Coach - stay in prebooked accomodation for 2 nights and

assume to return on the 16th with Visas ( assuming they are issued with no hassles ) ?

Or is it easy enough to find accomodation in Vientiane without traipsing around for hours ( typical family abroad nightmare )

People with experience of similar domestic bliss scenarios opinions especially welcome.

ps also any recommendations of services/hotels would be great - Thanks

Chon

Having had a look at the multitude of TEFL courses around I think I will do a 2 week course with TEFL Plus.

The first week is a condensed course and the second is totally classroom experience based.

Hopefully my past experience and TEFl will combine with this and result in me being somewhat prepared for Thai classrooms.

I will report back when I have some news - if anyone would like to comment on this choice, please do

Thanks Scott - appreciate the advice !

Do not get caught.

Immigration and the Ministry of Labour used to do raids, but not heard anything about them for a long time.

Duly noted - Thanks

I teach in Petchaburi and completed a TEFL course in the UK. Whilst it was useful in parts, one thing I will say is that nothing can really prepare you for that first lesson in a real classroom.

I know people who have completed CELTA or other expensive TEFL courses who have completely froze in their first lesson.

It's a bit of catch 22 situation but if you want classroom experience the best way is to just get stuck in and get teaching, in my opinion. It's like with anything, the best way to get experience in something is to just get out there and do it.

As for a syllabus, I've taught at two schools in Petchaburi - one had no materials, no syllabus, nothing. I had to do it all myself with no help whatsoever.

The school I am currently teaching at provide all materials, workbooks etc, so I guess it just varies from school to school.

With regards to doing things legally, my current school has a number of farang teachers and the majority teach WITHOUT having a degree, some haven't even got a TEFL. The school just turns a blind eye as they are desperate for foreign teachers.

If there are opportunities around for you to teach then I would suggest you take them. Volunteering could be a great way for you to get some classroom experience.

Ah I wasn't sure about the materials - that is something I will speak to the 'volunteer' school about - Thanks

I take your point regarding the classroom experience - if I dive in and gets some volunteer experience will I be okay regarding the lack of work permit ?

Because I have no Classroom experience - I have taught non-native speakers on a 1-2-1 basis up to now.

I was also under the impression the course would also give me exposure to the relevant syllabus material required to teach in

Thai schools.

Hi All

Well this is my first post in this Forum ( I think ) although I used to be a mod/admin some years ago - so please be gentle with me

I've decided to settle in Isaan with my family and really want to dedicate the rest of my working life to Teaching English.

I'm 46 and have the following qualifications / experience : -

1. BA ( Open University )

2. Diploma in English Language Studies ( OU )

3. TEFL Diploma ( BSY)

4. Worked in India for Pepsico as Language trainer for Technical IT helpdesk.

Essentially I would like to obtain a job as a teacher in a local school, plus I have been inundated with requests to teach privately.

I have also been asked to work as a volunteer a few hours a week at the local primary school.

I realise that any work requires a work permit to be legal so will not be doing any volunteer/private teaching yet.

Looking on here and Ajarn.com I see there are a large number of TEFL courses available but only one within a commutable distance - Text and Talk in Kohn Kaen.

My TEFL diploma was via a distance learning organisation and to be honest was pretty generic.

So are the TEFL course available pretty similar in quality and ethics?

I guess they all offer classroom exposure and as such will be invaluable - but as the costs seem to differ , I am wondering if the quality also varies?

I would like to hear your opinions based on experience regarding the available TEFL courses offered please ?

This is a great forum and most of my questions have already been asnwered via the search facility - but I would really appreciate any advice on this matter.

Cheers

Chon