Doctor Tom

HaHaHa, I just love a good laugh in the morning. This is today's.

How do you possibly read that into my comments. A unity as Americans, not differing ethnic histories, is the only way forward. America, like may countries, is a Nation of immigrants, including the Indian tribes. Don't just blithely blame ethnicity for the racist attitudes that run through US history, to the present day. Imagine for one moment what Europe would be like if we took the US view? I would be a 'Norwegian English', my mate a 'French Englishman', how ridiculous.

How about dropping the stupid prefixes on ethic differences in the US. As Morgan Freeman says, 'African Americans' are Black, not African, 'Native Americans' are no more 'native' to that area than other immigrants. They crossed from Asia originally. Why aren't white Americans termed 'European American' and why single out Italians as Italian Americans when other European origins' are hardly mentioned? Unless of course you have Scottish or Irish blood from way back, as Americans can't stop banging on about that part of their heritage. Drop the prefixes and just be American.

Humanity

Rescued, to become tomorrows pork chops. Oh the irony.

The Thais are still dangerously incompetent, sxxt drivers, so instead of making the foreign drivers, who are, one hopes, of a better standard, jump through their stupid processes as detailed by the OP. they should try to train their moronic National drivers the rules and techniques that they so clearly lack.

An IQ of 50. The dog probably had a higher IQ than this idiot.

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.