Doctor Tom

No problems at all with SCB. Much better than my UK bank.

Humans

No improvement on W 10, in fact, its annoying. The MS geeks move stuff around, so that what was simple and obvious before no longer is. This seems to be the case with all MS update versions. stick with 10 if you can

The Elite Visa was never worth the money and it was always plain that Thailand's longer term goals would need a much more relaxed set of visa processes within a more advanced digital age. The latest move to attract digital nomads to LOS is sensible and will enhance the country's attractiveness to a wider age group of working people, as well as tourists. All good moves, so I don't see where the anger comes from, except from those who were fooled by the Elite Visa terms.

My dear late Mother was a Civil Servant. In her later career, she developed many of the symptoms of early stage dementia, forgetting stuff, unable to really function well at all. During this period, the Civil Service promoted her, twice !! . Enough said I think.

As I have rehired I have slowly shrugged off any firm commitments and professional and Commercial relationships that made demands on my time and my brain. Now I find that life's trivia occupies me more, but I don't mind. Deciding whether to have another coffee takes time now, but who cares. There should be a time in life when nothing much really matters, bar getting through the waking hours enjoyably and satisfyingly, however that pans out. Chill is the word.

I understand, but lets face it, we should live life in the most comfortable way that makes us comfortable and happy, regardless of conventional thinking. We are expected to sit outside in the tropical evening, listening to the jungle sounds , drinking Singapore Slings. Well getting bitten to death is not my idea of fun and I no longer drink alcohol, so not much evening outside for me .

We bought a huge fan for the veranda/patio that we built. Hardly ever sit outside now, so never use it. Its too hot most of the time and too many flying things trying to eat you. I would rather sit in aircon to read my book, listen to music or just chill out.

Can of worms mare. Its not often here that competent and professional can be used about Thai tradesmen. Having said that, I have found that asking around, especially among workers on bigger projects, such as hotels, you will soon hear of small gangs of independent folk that take up smaller jobs. I found the chap who does my minor stuff when he was the resident tradesman on my resort. Too far away for you, but asking the locals around you for recommendations works.

Rubbish

Only in the US system. Actually to the rest of the World, their qualification is a First Degree, maybe followed up with a specialization Masters. The core tenant of a doctorate, is that it is awarded for original research, that adds to the sum of knowledge in that field. It is not awarded for time served learning.

The US get it wrong, as they do about so many issues in academia. They throw the title 'Doctor' at anything that moves, Vets, Chiropractors, Dentists, none of whom hold a true Doctorate. I ended up with mine after a 3 year BSc, one year MSc and 5 years of original research for the PhD. You can possibly see why the US system irritates me and those like me. As an aside, lots of things in Delaware are very questionable.

Thats what I said. Read before typing my friend. Your last sentence is not correct.

The Prefix Doctor for medical qualified people without a PhD is a honoury title, Doctor is righty reserved everywhere but the US, for those who have made an original academic contribution to their field and been awarded a Doctorate. Indeed, UK Surgeon's are termed Mr/Ms/Mrs and drop the Doctor title on qualification as FRCS. .

He has asked for advice and our experiences. Hopefully he can sift out the right advice from the dross.

Of course, we all judge by our own experiences. Although I have researched and taught at three Western institutions, I can only comment on Thai ones, led by the experiences of my Thai side family some of whom have completed High level education both here and in the US/UK.

Well you would, wouldn't you. Fortunately, the father of this child can and should reject your view.

That's not the aim, nor the ambition. The transfer of knowledge, the instilling of logical thinking and cognitive reasoning are the objectives, not friendly hugs by the water fountain. Thai Universities do not have a reputation of being good at any of this.

I can't answer to that, except that it is a massive generalization and very much depends on where you live and how you interact with those around you. We have never seen this kind of problem. In any event, the child is not just Thai, she is mixed race, just as much Brit as Thai. And what makes anyone think that its any better in Thailand? Why is instilling Thai culture a thing? Doesn't the child have a right to find her own cultural balance as she grows up? My daughter did just that.

Utter BS

It is terrible, we all know it is, so that statement is nonsense. Just because other systems are not perfect doesn't make Thailand's food, its just not. UKs is miles better even though not perfect.

He's right. Do you think for one second that the Thais would take any notice of the Hague Convention? You sound like a straight up guy, who just want's to keep everything friendly, but good guys don't always get what they want.

Sorry to stress this again, but that is meaningless in law here. It gets you nowhere, if other matters are raised by your ex. The fact that it was an IVF birth could be a real negative,. Our daughters Birth Cert was rejected as proof of parenthood at the first step. So was my UK Court Affidavit, sworn in front of a UK High Court Judge and submitted to the Thais. .

She could, but if she does, there must be a good chance she will never return. Get a banning order.

Oh dear my friend, you have no idea how it works here. I can see how you will fail to get what you want and what the child needs, if she comes here and you use the Thai Court system. Just getting UK Court documentation into the Thai court system will not help. Its Thai law that matters here, not foreign Court judgements.