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wildewillie89
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Posts posted by wildewillie89
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1 minute ago, Gecko123 said:Wildwillie:
No one said speaking Thai would protect you from an unprovoked attack on the street. But Thai could help you defuse a confrontation, as has been shown on numerous videos of altercations. Also, Thai language ability might help alert you to a danger you would otherwise not be able to perceive: there's a cobra in the grass, that insect is poisonous, that dog has rabies, he can't be trusted, there are jelly fish in the water today, these trees are infested with beetles and their limbs sometimes unexpectedly break off and injure people. etc. If you want to tell yourself there'll always be an English speaking person around who knows of the danger who will alert you, go right ahead. Think you're kidding yourself however.
You seem to be reasoning that because English speaking people provide more accurate information than Thai speaking people, better to just go directly to the more accurate source and save yourself all the run around. Maybe true in some cases, but hardly something you can generalize about, and depends a great deal on what you are talking about.
Language proficiency isn't just another "interest" akin to having a dog or cooking. It affects how you interact with the people in your environment.
I'm not going to get dragged into an endless argument about this, but my parting questions would concern your role as a father. What kind of example are you setting, if you show little interest in learning how to communicate with the non-English speaking people in your environment? What racial and class messages are you sending to your son when you set an example that communication with non-English speaking people isn't of interest to you? In today's multi-cultural, multi-racial, multi-lingual world I would argue you are putting him at a serious disadvantage. You indicated in an earlier post that spending time with your son is a higher priority than learning Thai. Have you ever considered learning Thai together with your son? Sounds like an opportunity to spend some "quality time" with him.
Also, assuming your wife is Thai, and your son is part-Thai and you plan to live in Thailand for some length of time, how do you communicate with non-English members of your wife's family and social circle, and your son's non-English speaking school and play mates, teachers, etc.?
Most of those things one can learn without language when living in their environment, or can easily be communicated through other means. The insect thing there is a lot of debate on this forum. Many uneducated Thai claim they are dangerous, farang claim many are not and usually attach the research to prove it. So if someone wants to live a life of constant fear due to believing everything they hear will kill them then that is up to them. One time I was unsure was when my dog killed a snake and it looked like the snake got in a bite. I merely took the photo of the snake, sent it to a pharmacy friend who works in the hospital and she asked the hospital staff (got my answer in 5 minutes). I have called for an EMS by myself, I have even been able to get a drip hooked up in my home if I have had severe food poisoning by myself. Language has not been required.
How do everyday people know dogs have rabies? That is why they are quarantined as people don't know. On the rabies topic, I have presented ideas to government officials re rabies (in English), I also had an essay translated that received an award from the royal family re rabies situation in Thailand. To be able to write that essay myself would take at least a Bachelor level education at a top 5 Thai University (something I don't have time for with a full time job, a newborn and toddler living in the NE). I have also discussed ideas re hospitals to help farang to the Director of Public Health for the whole of the South region of Thailand as he is a nice friend. He is always travelling around the world looking for new ideas to improve hospitals to make them more user friendly and whenever I am sick asks to send through my blood tests/notes to make sure I am getting the right treatment. All in English.
Actually, I said 'credible' people, not 'English speaking'. Someone can be English speaking but also not a credible source (taxi drivers, many neighbours etc - all depends on the level of their education). But yes, go to the source. I have asked for a source numerous times on a previous talked about point in this thread, I even said it can be in Thai. I asked for it because what educated Thai people told me was different to what 'fluent' farang speakers were saying. No one has given me the source yet, which suggests to me their language ability is either not good enough to do the research (which tells me they will never fully understand the environment) or they have got the information from non-credible sources to begin with.
As for the father comment, I once recall having a conversation with someone on here about this very subject. He did learn Thai as his Mrs didn't speak English. As a result his child cannot speak the level of English he would have hoped for. It was big a regret of his. He, from memory, suggested I speak only speak English at home (as the kid will get a lot of Thai everywhere else).
Not to mention considering to get a good education in the country, the good schools are way too formal for children at a young age, further formal teaching after school (when they get to that age), would be crazy. I want my kids to do more enjoyable outside activities such as sport, maybe a musical instrument etc (not form negative attitudes by being drowned in study). I am sure my son, if he follows in the foot steps of his mother, will completely understand the reasons why I chose not to spend my time learning Thai and playing with him instead. As mentioned earlier, both my wife and I decided to bring our kids up in the village purely to avoid this class notion, rather than live in the big cities where she used to work. If he forms the belief you seem to think, then I would say his critical thinking skills are not at the level they should be and I have failed him due to that, not language.Are people of the belief that absolutely no one speaks English in Thailand? I am on email terms with my doctor in English and she stops me to talk to me for 20 minutes every time she sees us in the hospital/street. I have people who stop me in the shops to have a conversation with me in English and ask me why I buy so much meat (which leads to a discussion about dog diets). My close friends (people I feel the need to communicate with on a regular basis) all speak a level of English that is required. Those who do not, I am not overly close with so don't feel the need to see them alone or spend any sort of regular time with anyway. The younger generation of my family (cousins) can speak a bit of English, enough for me to communicate with them the once a month or so I see them. When I had my appendix out, my cousin and uncle came to visit me alone in hospital. We had no problems communicating about my health.
My mother-in-law doesn't speak any English, however, that has never caused any problems. I lived there for a while and we never had any issues not understanding each other with things that were needed to be done. Routines are routines. Just like many other farang manage to get by just fine. If the teachers at my kids school aren't speaking the required level to talk to me, then they shouldn't be teaching my children. I have already interacted with the teachers I will be sending my children to through social events anyway.
Again, it is absolutely fantastic, I cant speak highly enough of those who speak the language. Good on you. However, realistically it is not at all needed and the constant put downs by many speakers on this forum is a little lame. Obviously insecurities coming out from somewhere, but who cares. Just enjoy life and worry about your families and yourselves, not complete strangers.-
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I am sure many people have had only positive experiences with police/officials and a negative experience with health staff. Many health staff are actually officials also so it is a bit contradictory.
Anyway, the point is obviously don't judge everyone on a few limited experiences.
Move on.
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1 minute ago, MrPatrickThai said:
They do if you apply for permanent Residency and Citizenship.
And from what I have seen, even mentioned in this thread, the questions were incredibly basic. I have no intention of ever applying for citizenship.
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15 minutes ago, MrPatrickThai said:
It is rather a selfish attitude, perhaps even lazy, refusing to learn the language of you're adopted country. At the weekend a neighbour came running to my house asking for help as there was a cobra in her kitchen. This is in a large city. I explained that I was scared of them but had the number of the local guy who sees to this kinda thing, called him and he came quickly to remove the snake. After living here for more than 25 years, I could give hundreds of similar stories about the benefits of learning Thai when living in Thailand but it would fall upon deaf ears. Some have made up their mind that it's too difficult as soon as they get off the plane. I love dogs too, and my beloved 10 year old German shepherd died recently. I was going crazy trying to dig a grave and bury him before my kids got back from school. I paid 2 labourers working nearby 300 baht to do it. We had a long conversation about how dogs give unconditional love, a very moving experience.
How is it a selfish attitude? I was told by my employers not to speak Thai. So I don't require Thai for my day times. My evenings I spend with my family, and situations like neighbours snakes I have dealt with myself without the need to speak Thai. Like I said, most of these stories there is no NEED, it is just interest. If you want to talk on a basic level, then great, I think that is fantastic, but that is your interest. I don't feel the need to call you selfish for doing that. But for many others, they don't require that. The Thai government also doesn't require it from farang, and when the Thai government does, from what I have seen it is pretty basic anyway.
I have given examples of the education system, I have given examples of the official systems, I have given scenarios of what would be needed to reach satisfying levels (almost impossible for many), and I have even asked for the anthropological paper regarding the wai/cashier scenario earlier (can be in Thai)...all that has come back is terms such as stupid, selfish, lazy, unbelievable, cant go to mechanic, it is dangerous - not credible/logical thought out answers. If that is the kind of things I will be learning from speaking 'fluent' Thai then I will stick to working full time and educating/taking care of my two young children and dogs rather than doing night school for the next few years.-
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13 hours ago, Gecko123 said:
'your loss, not mine.
Exactly. It is a decision that is completely up to the individual. So for other's to feel the need to constantly speak down to those who do not speak the language, claim to know everything about the country due to the fact they speak an incredibly basic level of the language, or even have the fanatical belief that you cant walk safely down the street without being fluent in Thai is ridiculous.
On the most part, most people get by just fine even without any language ability. That suggests learning Thai is an interest, not a need. As it is an interest many people will obviously find even the most mundane subjects incredibly enjoyable. For many others who have absolutely no interest in language, it would take years of formal learning (assuming people's physical make/lifestyle allows for it), to get to that level of satisfaction. Both situations are completely okay.
Serious disadvantage? Understanding the environment you learn from living in the environment. I, for instance, would have a better understanding and usually volunteer more of my time to local government/community and police services available to people than the actual locals themselves. Why? As I am surrounded by it everyday through family member's positions. There is no details one cannot find out speaking English if they speak to credible sources.
Just look at a common topic always posted here regarding nuisance cases. The people who have lived in Thai for years and speak Thai always say go and speak to the village head. Thai people who know the systems do not do that (they go to the public health official), as they know the village head has no power over the matter and calls the local health official anyway (wasting time). Or even the crazy stories of I spoke Thai to someone and they told me even if you pay the fine with receipt to a police officer they still keep all the money. It is absurd, police and municipalities both fall under the Ministry of Interior so a percentage of that money is spread out to benefit the community. Many of my wife's projects are funded by that money. So there is always the flip side of what you think is learning the environment, that is their Thai has resulted into speaking to sources that are not credible and get a completely wrong picture of the environment around them. I am of the belief people have an equal opportunity learning what they need to learn with English and Thai as it is not language, but the credibility of the people you communicate with. Anything else comes down to interest. Everyone has different interests but they should be kept close to the person, I don't try and force people to love dogs and think they are stupid or unbelievable for not for example. -
9 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:
But there certainly are many Thai history books which appear (more) truthful, and strangely written in English.
One such recently (10 years back) written by Paul M Handley, which I won't name, and a hefty prison sentence if caught reading it in Thailand.
I used to have a friend back home who was an academic at Mahidol University and decided to move to Australia to further her studies for this very reason. She was always of the impression that many farang knew more about her country than the local people due to the above reasons.
Regardless of that, such critical understanding and debate would still need years of formal structured learning of the language. Not 6 months like 'fluent' speakers seem to think.-
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I decided to live in a village and the Mrs decided to bring up her kids in her home village rather than the big cities she used to work for the qualities Thai is supposed to be famous for. Generosity, helping people, being happy etc. So if you have a flat battery, a complete stranger will go out of their way to help you, or if you are sick, village people will make food for you.
By no means would we send our kids to the village school - a school which many Thai villagers think is sufficient for learning. You are not learning anything from villagers through conversation, you are learning human qualities through action.
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4 hours ago, cyberfarang said:
Whatever you do don`t use Chaindrite. The fumes are lethal and powerful enough to collapse the lungs of an elephant.
If you have dogs or cats, first treat them with Frontline to kill off any ticks living on them. Then get an old cup or plastic dish and half fill it with that blue coloured alcohol that can be bought in drug stores, 7/Elevens and many other stores. Buy a pair of metal tweezers, the larger the better. Then search through your furniture and other areas of the home to find the ticks. Pick up the ticks with the tweezers and place them into the container of alcohol that will instantly kill them. When you have several in the alcohol flush it down the toilet. Repeat the process until satisfied the ticks are gone from your home. After that treat your pets with Frontline at least once every couple of months to ensure the ticks don`t infest your home again. Prevention is better than cure.
Agree with the Chaindrite, there are Safety Data Sheets online and it looks like pretty hardcore stuff (can be fatal if inhaled). I wouldn't be using it indoors, nor would I be using it around any loved ones/animals and if had to as a last resort I would get someone in to do it and live somewhere else for a couple of days.
Prevention is 100% better than cure. The OP case is different as a soi dog has created the problem, but people with pets should not have problems that cause them to have to use such dangerous chemicals.
However, Frontline is not really prevention. It is a monthly product, and their website says that it takes up to 48 hours for it to kill ticks (so ticks have time to transmit disease). Not to mention the product is less efficient than other products - which explains the many problems people have with ticks (infestation/disease) in the 'pet' section of the forum who even treat their animals monthly.
Bravecto/Nexgard are 3 monthly and monthly products that kill ticks within 24 hours (so very little chance of disease being transmitted), and are also more efficient (kill higher percentages of ticks). -
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6 hours ago, Neeranam said:The return of investment is total freedom. I couldn't imagine having to take my wife or kids to the local mechanic to translate, sharing to my neighbors, etc. In fact, speaking Thai has got me out of some very dangerous situations, possibly even saving my life.
The time needed was fun for me, hanging out in Bangkok bars with friends, mostly female, where no English was spoken.
If they are the best/first thought about reasons, then that is a return of investment that probably many do not require. On the most part, people go to a mechanic once a year, or so irregular that the time spent would not justify it. Most probably sit there for an hour or two waiting for the car, or take two cars and go out for a snack, so having someone with you would actually be a good/needed thing.
Conversations with a neighbour would more than likely fall into the above category mentioned, that is about everyday things such as food - very boring for many. Plus depends on circumstances, everyone in my villages knows not only my name, but even my two dog's names and scream out hello every time they ride past our house or I walk past. A peaceful walk with my dogs would turn into being stopped every 2 minutes to have exactly the same boring conversation as 2 minutes before, rather than just a smile and hello.I had my fun back in Melbourne. There is a big Thai/Asian community (mostly international university students), so we just went to bars/had parties in apartments and spoke English. I came to Thai to settle down, as I assume many other people do who live here long enough to even consider the need to try and learn Thai. Again, also probably comes down to what people consider interesting conversation.
The danger aspect is usually more due to people's stupidity rather than random events where language may actually save you. I have been in the real Red Zones of the Deep South (what I would more consider actual danger), no Thai language would have helped me as the dangerous people generally communicate in a different language anyway (one time I was discussed by a group of men at another table and mid meal was told to stand up by my friends and they made a ring around me and rushed me to the car). It highlights the point that if going into known dangerous situations then being surrounded by the right people is more important than language. Random dangerous situations are, again, so irregular that the return of investment wouldn't justify the time spent.
Like I said, great to people who can speak an everyday level of Thai (most 'fluent' speakers) if it suits their lifestyle, but they shouldn't try and force or talk down to people (as they nearly always do) who cannot as it really isn't needed or even that physically possible for many. Not to mention, it definitely doesn't give them any sort of credibility/end word when talking things Thailand (like they seem to believe). That comes from the credibility of the Thai people the person is actually speaking to, not language. For example, I don't speak Thai but my Mrs is a high ranking government official (for her age), so has the needed contacts/ability to research, and scored the second highest Thai language score in the country - so the information I receive is more credible than someone who speaks Thai to a Thai person with maybe lesser credentials.-
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1 minute ago, lowprofile said:
We used Frontline and also did some spraying with Chaindrite.
Yeah, spot ons don't seem to work too well in Thai. Bravecto/Nexgard are hardcore drugs, but the risks of side effects are outweighed by the chances of infestation/disease.
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Just now, lowprofile said:
I used to have two dogs and they were treated for ticks regularly - still had infestations. Nothing seemed to work.
Got a Bravecto for the dog.
Bayticol to spray the general area.
And also some Chaindrite powder which is also supposed to kill the little gits.
I will try the liquid Chaindrite in the plastic wrapped sofa, too.
Did you use Bravecto/Nexgard or spot on treatments/collars/injections/baths? All those things are less effective. The in-laws dog was always infested when treated with those things, but since going on Bravecto has never had a tick found on her since.
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I think the return of investment vs time needed is a fair point by thaibeachlovers.
It would take years of structured and formal learning to reach a level that would result in interesting conversations for many (that covers all variables)...and that is providing a person has the genes/brain structure that favours learning a second language to begin with. When people say they are 'fluent', we should remember that there are different levels of fluency. I would be inclined to think many are more proficient. If fluent to the point where an in depth and high level conversation can be had, then great, but that would be a tiny minority of even Thai people and would not be all that easy for many farang to achieve. For me, to even attempt to reach that level would require giving up the time I spend with my kids. I compare it to back home. I used to work in construction whilst at university and the differences in conversation were startling. Great bunch of guys, but just didn't have the x factor you sometimes need. We just need to look at the Thai education system to see that most conversations will not be all that interesting. One thing my baby doctor warned me about was the fact critical thinking is not taught in many Thai schools, only memory, so I should be on my toes about that at home.
Or just look at the comparisons of the comprehension scores of the country to other countries (same test in native language). Look at that a criticism of the last referendum was a fair chunk of the population weren't able to even comprehend the questions. Or that on the most part Bachelor to Doctorate educated students fair better on English language government tests than the actual Thai language tests. Thai people educated enough to have a hard hitting conversation with have more than likely been surrounded by English at a very young age anyway (went to good institutions). Everyday living most people can get by just fine with the limited language they have picked up, and other things in their lives are probably considered more important to spend that time on.
Many 'fluent' speakers (nearly always self-proclaimed) will drag along the old line of this is just an excuse, but usually that is for the simple reason they like to big note themselves, rather than basing it on any logic. Which is why language is always brought up in completely unrelated threads and this exact conversation is had hundreds of times. I think fantastic for those who can speak an everyday level of language, or even a high level, but it doesn't mean just because you can that others can or even need to.
As for the argument that foreigners learn English back home, well why is that? Back home, my friend's partners were provided free English lessons (incredibly basic). Those who were trying to get their own visas (not marriage), more often than not had no chance of scoring the passing grade needed unless they had been learning English from a young age. Not to mention the Thai/Cambodian/Vietnamese based communities where even shop keepers spoke less English than you will see at the markets in Bangkok. Did people complain? No, as on the most part everyone can get through life just fine, the same with farang here.-
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I think people over complicate it. Start by treating the dog in the immediate area and clean the house/yard. Any missed eggs from the clean up will not be diseased (when hatch) as they have to attach to a host first to pick up the bacteria. If there is no host in the immediate area they will die anyway as they cant find a feeding (as the CDC states).
Future infestations will be avoided as there is obviously no host in the area (if treatment is kept up). So the ticks will either die due no feeding (killed when come in contact with treated host), and will also not have the chance to lay any future eggs as ticks will not be able to mate on the host (killed when come into contact with treated host).
There is no secret as to why people who properly treat their dogs in Thailand (Bravecto/Nexgard) do not have problems with ticks. Problems usually occur as people do not choose the most effective treatments or forget to continue to treat the hosts. -
Regardless of what path you go down, if the dog isn't treated then it is just going to be a never ending battle. Buy a Bravecto tablet at the vet (750 baht) and give it to him if it is a soi dog. 3-4 months of no host plus the dog will be much better off too. Ticks usually take 24 hours to transmit disease so make sure to check yourself regularly.
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I was under the impression research had got to the point where it can be predicted who will do well in a second language and who will not just from an MRI. As genes and brain structure is important.
Either way, I believe language has no bearing on understanding specific cultural traits unless that language is used to discuss these traits with experts in the field (papers can be translated anyway). There are clearly many interpretations of how people should behave and I don't think saying "I have lived here for years and can speak Thai" is much of an answer that warrants respect. If we are talking cringing at the fact a farang wai the cashier, then provide the paper from a credible source (not blog), that states that it is so wrong for a farang to do this a change in emotion is warranted from a complete stranger.
My colleagues and wife are not experts in the field, however, they have absolutely no issues with a farang interacting with a cashier like that and are of the belief it probably borders along being irrational to let your day be disturbed by a wai. Imagine if the farang gave a lecture to an average Thai person standing next to them about that farang who did the wai, that is when people have probably started to go a bit too far. Old traits may exist (provide the paper), however, society has probably also moved forward a little bit with the likes of globalisation. *My wife did receive the second highest score in high school for Thai language and represents the country at ASEAN conferences due to her language abilities - so she isn't a school drop out as many people on this forum like to assume to give reasoning as to why someone may disagree with them. -
Obviously not much wrong in the world if the thing that makes people tick is when a farang wai a cashier. I just asked my Thai colleagues sitting next to me and they seem to think that we don't usually wai back but that doesn't mean there is a set rule that you cant wai back (so do as you please). Funnily enough, the person that probably cares the least about the whole thing is the actual cashier. I am sure the cashiers are intelligent enough to realise the farang didn't grow up with these customs and is just doing what he thinks is polite, and if anything, is probably more appreciative of it than worrying about it.
Wai if you want to wai, don't wai if you don't want to. Just don't be overly rude in what you decide to do. Yes, some Thai think farang who learn customs to the nth degree are cute, some think they are try hards and lose respect for them. On the flip side, some Thai think farang who don't learn customs and make mistakes are cute and some think they should try harder. Personality and interpretation is obviously different with each person, so I don't think there are any firm rules for farang so just be yourself. If the biggest worry is another farang cringing and Thai cashiers not giving two damns, that says more about the other farang than you.-
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On 21/01/2018 at 11:51 AM, spidermike007 said:
They tell me most Thai men do not have a romantic bone in their body (well maybe one). And that they are rarely affectionate.
I think those women have unrealistic expectations or define romance in money terms. One only needs to see the constant matching couple clothing that Thai men buy. The continual lovey dovey photos on their social media pages. Or the fact that many use their lunch breaks just to bring lunch to their partners or leave a flower on their car. Staff seem to be always quite close with partners here in Thai as they see them so often. They are romantic within their means.
Physical affection in public is more of a country/unwritten law issue, rather than couple thing. It certainly happens behind closed doors.
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Considering how infected they are, how many skin issues they have, the fearful environment they live in (being beaten every day) and how many directions the one leg is pointing in, I think many look quite happy (when not having to interact with humans or cars). The diet is shocking, but on the plus side as feeding times are not adhered to the dogs are quite lean - which is probably helping prevent many of the health issues dogs back home are plagued with.
Dogs are social animals, so even with all the pain dogs are in, it is a good chance they are probably happier roaming than being locked up with the walk each day. Especially if owners do not spend a lot of time with their dogs (nearly always the case) or only have the one dog. Obviously the health benefits of keeping dogs away from street dogs outweigh doing this, but if we are strictly talking happiness/'sad looking'.
In terms of looks, just look what show breeding has done to many breeds now in farang land - many struggle to even walk and breathe now (street dogs match up quite well). I will be the first to admit one of my breeds isn't regarded as what people consider pretty, but as I am not sleeping with him, what difference does it make how he looks? -
50 minutes ago, malibukid said:
what i want to know is why isn't the Thai government not concerned about this problem. there needs to be a cull or neuter/vaccination program for these stray soi dogs. was bitten a few years ago by a temple dog and had to be treated with a series of rabies shots to play it safe. i took the hospital bill to the monk and asked for compensation. he laughed. typical. no capability as usual. on Bali the government regularly enforces such programs. they also have very strict quarantine regulations for bringing pets onto the island. could not get my kitty in. my boy has to stay in LOS while i am gone
They do have vaccination programs in higher risk areas and keep records of what household dogs have been vaccinated (April-May and September-October). Before vets did it, but now the government has finally got into second gear (due to this 2020 goal) and has trained local government departments to do it. So it would depend on where you live and whether the area has been declared rabies free or not. According to Khon Kaen University, the estimated dog vaccine coverage is 78%. I personally believe if they tagged/tattooed the stray dogs they vaccinated and vaccinated them every 3 years rather than annually, that percentage would be much higher (as budgets/vaccines would go a lot further).
The doctors will always give you rabies shots after a bite as it is not uncommon for Thai to drive to other provinces to dump dogs (better to be safe than sorry). Most of the rabies fatalities (>99%) in the country have not received the post shots.
The government is concerned and used to act more aggressively. Then a group of do-gooders lobbied against the rounding up of dogs on grounds of cruelty. Which was a nice idea, just not an idea well thought out as no other solutions were offered re control of population, disease etc. In terms of neutering, budgets only extend so far and a lot of Thai people probably would put pressure on the government to spend the money on the people, not the dogs, so it is quite complicated. -
I think a lot of it is down to laziness, and yes, just not really caring. Has that come about due to other variables over the years such as disease, lack of knowledge resulting in fearful aggressive behaviour etc...possibly/possibly not.
Many Thai leave their dogs to roam the streets (so to them get the required exercise), and the ones who don't are sometimes of the belief that if you lock your dog it will be a better guard dog.
Walk my dogs daily, but what can it involve. Having packs of dogs running and circling you barking. Unless people are used to dogs, and their own dogs can handle such situations without too much of a shift in emotion then it's more effort than its worth for many.
Education is important. The Mrs family love and play with my dogs, but won't play with their own dogs (although at least treat them). Purely a difference in the way the dogs had been brought up (actually being a real member of the family). The Mrs originally didn't really care all that much, but even surprised me last week when she had to spend time in hospital giving birth to our son and said she missed the dogs.
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This forum is like the old school days. Failing a test didn't feel so bad if the whole class failed.
Thinking everyone else's marriages/financial circumstances will be doomed just makes people feel good about themselves again. Kind of pathetic considering we are supposed to be adults now.
I have no problems with people who pay if it makes them happy. However, feeling the need to put others down with silly generalisations based on on incredible small sample sizes just doesn't seem all that happy to me.
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That's the beauty of these things, they can be changed - with a bit of common sense.
Re debate regarding circumstances, I don't think it ever too late if the frequency of these mass shootings continue (as lives should matter). As it seems the only way to overcome the political donation side of the equation would be with a cultural shift for many Americans forcing some accountability (if democracy exists in the land of the free).
This is evident in the fact that the rhetoric coming out of American (journalists and some politicians) regards Australia. Australia is the country that America is compared to re gun laws. The way Australia fixed mass shootings revolved around circumstances. That is, someone can have a gun if they have a reason, sure. However, they must prove they have 'genuine' reasons for having that gun (hunting or gun club). Obviously, self defence isn't a rational reason. This land of the free argument is silly, as people in Australia still can own guns, the only difference is the people who own them have reasons to own them and they are legally required to own them responsibly.
How did Australia get rid of the stock piles of guns? Compensate people, pay them for handing in their guns. Not prosecute them for handing in already illegal guns (as human life is more important than increasing the prison population).
I'm sure we can sit around thinking of softer ways to do this and do that, ways which probably will not work. However, judging from these threads 'responsible' gun owners cant even lock their guns away so it is a bit of a pointless conversation to have. As it stands there will always be chances of children or mentally ill people going on rampages if guns are so easily accessed within even the household. Without payback schemes and stricter laws that really don't infringe the rights of people who have legitimate interests/reasons to own guns, it will never change unfortunately. All I really have to say on the matter.
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1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:
What does that have to do with the situation in the US, which is the subject of the OP, not some village in Thailand?
Even I don't think I need a gun in Thailand.
Introductory paragraph clearly stated the argument. Supportive arguments taken from potentially more dangerous areas of the world compared to the OP were used to show how delusional your claim of NEEDING a gun is.
Didn't think it was that hard to comprehend...
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Reading these posts I wonder how people claim the risks of the country are so high (re corrupt officials, trust, being robbed, having mafia put guns to people's heads, a snail stealing all your savings etc) and at the same time continue to live here. That would just be silly, wouldn't it? Or is it really not that bad after all, and people's views are somewhat distorted for various other reasons?
Is this really the kind of garbage considered 'research' before deciding to move to Thailand? It's pretty simple, find out what and what you're not entitled to, find out exactly how much government processes/living costs are and make a logical decision based on credible research (not one sided stories that have probably come about through stupidity, rather than solely corruption).
Also have the financial discussion with the family of your partner. If you want to pay them, great, just don't complain about it at a later date. But by no means do you have to pay them anything. A good test for some people (obviously not all), if the motives are love or money. May mean dating someone older than your daughter.
Personally, I chat to officials on a daily basis. I have never felt a fear that they will extort me for money, nor have I ever paid them money.
When Farangs Go Native
in Thailand News
Posted · Edited by wildewillie89
I suggest you re read the thread.
I have both mentioned the source and what I think of village schools. If you bothered to keep up your posts would start to actually make a bit of sense and be more relevant.
Selfish, lazy, feel sorry....From memory in this very thread you believe true fluency can be achieved in 6 months. I apologise if I don't take a whole lot of what you say to heart too much.
My kids probably will understand that grandmother didn't have chances in her early life so cannot speak an exceptional level of her language. Her daughter did, and ranked second highest in the whole country. They will probably then realise the vast differences in conversations that are able to be had due to these factors. That will allow them to understand why their father, who understands to reach a satisfying level of language, would mean quitting his job, leaving them behind for years and moving to one of the top universities in the country. I don't think they will question why he decided to spend the time with them focusing on their development rather than his own because a ThaiVisa member told him to.
As a result of having critical thinking skills (which most Thai's don't have) and basic morals, they will love everyone equally as they understand the situation and everyone gets along just fine with different forms of communication. Not sure what direction your moral compass is pointing, but if it needs to point in a direction so negative that it makes you feel better about yourself then maybe you should be feeling more sorry for people closer to home.