leebeeUK

Most of these points I have already confirmed via my personalized in depth research over a long period of time

It is good to know that there are still socially conscious and proactive individuals like yourself doing the righteous work in seeking out the facts, probing and examining, as it were.. so that the rest of us might be aware of what we're getting for our baht, er.. I mean what's really going on out there. I, for one, both thank and salute you, sir!

Aside from the ignorance of glamorizing der Fuhrer, this situation basically is a very bold statement of the complete disregard and contempt that Thailand has for intellectual property, trade dress,and trademarks. Teletubbies, Ronald McDonald etc. are all trademarks and important assets of others. Those groups have invested millions if not billions of baht into building their respective brands. Teletubbies which is intended for young kids deserves better than to have its image raped and violated by a bunch of greedy, ignorant thieves. And yes that's what these businesses are. They aren't just robbing their victims, they are peeing on them as well. One can laugh this off all one wants, but it is this attitude that explains in part why no foreign entities have insignificant R&D investments in Thailand.

Disgraceful!

Totally agree. On the one hand, it's okay to degrade other people's history through these disrespectful demonstrations of ignorance, and on the other hand you go to jail in some countries over a few SMS's. Where's the fairness in these countries when the coin is flipped?

This is a clear indication of Thailand's younger generation, and their lack of regard and respect for anything that does not resemble an iPod, condom machine or hand-held video game.

Yes.. but Thailand's younger generation only? I think not! What about the youth of America and pretty much every consumerist nation who the Thais are quick trying to catch up with? Too much too quickly is the major issue here.. now we want them to let go of that greed for money which we already know breeds disrespect in so many people, and which WE'VE bestowed upon them in OUR relentless greed for money through new markets?!! As for tee-shirts, that's all they are.. t-shirts.. you find them funny as they're taking the p**s out of a character long established as ridiculous beyond any reason.. or you don't.. save the self-righteousness for those who want to listen to your sermons!.. or just concentrate on what's really important, as in your life and that of loved ones.. and give the crap a rest!!!

The public health survey in 2010 indicated that out of 760,000 babies born, 411,000 had died. The NESDB said that the figure shows that a number of mothers decided to have abortion.

Woot!

However many of these 411,000 babies were aborted.. or 'died' in the womb if you want to put it so.. it means that they WEREN'T born were they, so CANNOT also be part of the first set of figures/ stats of 760,000 BORN?!.. and it was all down to Facebook anyway, yeah? ('I think we got another one o them there eejuts on the payroll, Jed'!!)

I dunno, these all look like parodies.

How about Basil (don't mention the war) Fawlty?

Mel Brooks?

Or Team America and Kim Il Jong?

The best way to depower something is to laugh at it. These shirts would be an anathema to a hardcore neo nazi.

It's been 70 years, how long do we want to carry this cross?

I say get a grip.

Right, of course they're parodies!.. why else would anyone caricature Hitler as anything cute, the total opposite of what the guy was.. or any Nazis were for that matter?! The number of Fancy Dresses I've been to with a Hitler in attendance, and NO-ONE even thinking to take offence as he mixed with clowns, cowboys, fairies, et al, pretty much shows what its really about.. just laughing at something, or someone, ridiculous... I've seen these things and just thought they were a bit weird, but if someone finds it funny and want to buy it, then up to them.. being English I'm pretty well up on taking the p**s, and am hardly likely to start feigning .. yes feigning, come on people!!.. hurt or offence at what is in NO WAY aimed at me or mine, but at the 'target' being clearly shown and ridiculed!! As you say.. get a grip, folks!...

How about an amendment to allow teacher's wh have been teaching English in Thailand for a few years now, but don't have a piece of paper that says Bachelor's degree on it, but do have lots of experience, in both their teaching and Thai culture, the educational system.. as well as other teaching quals, both gained in UK and here.. but now have to 'ship out' for someone with a bit a paper and whatever experience (if any?)??.. Yes I'm including and talking about myself in all this, at 48 years of age, I've been here 5 years and worked as an English teacher for all but 3 months of that time (including the first 3 months as a volunteer at a large orphanage and school).. I've actually been at the same Government school for over 4 years now.. but WILL NOT get my contract renewed end of March, as my UK (Huddersfield) University qualification says 'Certificate in Education' not 'Bachelor Degree or Masters in Education'!!.. Yes I'm pretty down about it, as I have a decent life here, despite my hardly spectacular 20k baht P.M. salary (couldn't do it back in England!!) and have never had anything but thanks - until now!!! - from my school...

I'm sure there must be many similar farang folks, teaching (but not for much longer!!) under similar circumstances... and I think this insistence on bits of paper rather than 'Can you do the job well' is just b******s!!! Rant over!... all those in agreement (or similarly hassled!) please undersign and pass on...

All the best in the New Year, all, regardless,

LBUK ;-> (:

to add to and clarify my own post.. (too much ranting?!) .. yes I know we were always technically supposed to have degrees but now.. like so many things that suddenly come round here.. it's ENFORCEMENT time.. ie, my school can no longer write up a 'We want this teacher, he's qualified, he's experience etc etc' letter to keep my 'above board, ie with visa and yaerly WP.. now we must show degree to get Thai Culture and Professional Ethics' course, then show the degree (+ TC&PEc!!) and try to get our Teacher's Licenses..

NB: you have a huge 'wedge' coming in already, as per above 'Open letter' then you're sorted!!.. wish those were my 'problems'... :-)

How about an amendment to allow teacher's wh have been teaching English in Thailand for a few years now, but don't have a piece of paper that says Bachelor's degree on it, but do have lots of experience, in both their teaching and Thai culture, the educational system.. as well as other teaching quals, both gained in UK and here.. but now have to 'ship out' for someone with a bit a paper and whatever experience (if any?)??.. Yes I'm including and talking about myself in all this, at 48 years of age, I've been here 5 years and worked as an English teacher for all but 3 months of that time (including the first 3 months as a volunteer at a large orphanage and school).. I've actually been at the same Government school for over 4 years now.. but WILL NOT get my contract renewed end of March, as my UK (Huddersfield) University qualification says 'Certificate in Education' not 'Bachelor Degree or Masters in Education'!!.. Yes I'm pretty down about it, as I have a decent life here, despite my hardly spectacular 20k baht P.M. salary (couldn't do it back in England!!) and have never had anything but thanks - until now!!! - from my school...

I'm sure there must be many similar farang folks, teaching (but not for much longer!!) under similar circumstances... and I think this insistence on bits of paper rather than 'Can you do the job well' is just b******s!!! Rant over!... all those in agreement (or similarly hassled!) please undersign and pass on...

All the best in the New Year, all, regardless,

LBUK ;-> (:

to add to and clarify my own post.. (too much ranting?!) .. yes I know we were always technically supposed to have degrees but now.. like so many things that suddenly come round here.. it's ENFORCEMENT time.. ie, my school can no longer write up a 'We want this teacher, he's qualified, he's experience etc etc' letter to keep my 'above board, ie with visa and yaerly WP.. now we must show degree to get Thai Culture and Professional Ethics' course, then show the degree (+ TC&PEc!!) and try to get our Teacher's Licenses..

NB: you have a huge 'wedge' coming in already, as per above 'Open letter' then you're sorted!!.. wish those were my 'problems'... :-)

Good old PTP use the cover of the floods to bring back Baig T. The red supports will be here soon telling us how great this will be for Thailand. Ying luck should man up and tell dear brother he is on his own and she being the PM will do what is best for Thailand.

He'll be brass-knockering the front-door to the PMs residence, stretch-merc outside and with his own attache and colour-coded array of suitcases full of muti-nationally purchased elite-store attire in tow quicker than you can play Paul McCartney's 'Who's that knocking on the .....?'

'Anything happened while I've been away, luv?'

Sorry but I have worked with dozens of non-natives who got excellent scores on the CELTA and TRINITY. Certainly none of them were Thais though, and many of them also had teaching qualifications from their respective countries and several years experience, in addition to impeccable English.

Nothing to be sorry about. Maybe I should have said that the grammar section of the course was a bit over the top from what I expected.

Many native English speakers don't particularly like reviewing English grammar in such detail ( I was having flash backs to the 6th grade - not happy ones - but still funny now).

I can't imagine what it would be like for a non Native speaker.

Non-natives who are proficient in the language are usually much better at explaining grammatical concepts to students simply because they had to actually learn how to use them correctly themselves. This is particularly true of trained non-native teachers of the language (I'm not talking Thais here - I mean REAL teachers) whose training courses often include a substantial grammar component - sometimes to the exclusion of almost anything else.

Native speakers use the language intuitively, and although they can often come up with the correct format immediately for structures which may give a non-native pause for thought, explaining the whyand how is usually a different matter entirely. The grammar taught to native speakers of a language in school (if they are actually taught any at all) is often not in itself sufficient for foreign language acquisition. It was only when I started to study Latin and French that I encountered terms and concepts such as tenses, syntax, conditionals, infinitives, et al. They were certainly never taught in English classes.

Exactly. I am a native English speaker, have a Doctorate and am a published author. I also would probably not be able to identify a verb in a sentence correctly three times out of four. Luckily for me, I do not have to.

I suppose the point is that being able to speak (and write) a language does not give me the native ability to teach that language, and I have met Thais who have a far, far greater understanding of the mechanics and grammar of the language than I have.

From my observations, one of the problems is that Thais see foreign teachers as a "one size fits all" option, whereas I think there are different types of "teachers":

1. Teachers: Those who have the ability to teach a subject (or subjects) in the English language. An example of this would be some one who could teach say physics, maths, history or other subject in English.

2. Teachers of English: Those who have the proper training to formally teach the language (grammar, structure and usage)

3. Native speakers: those without formal qualifications and training, but native ability.

Classes 2 and 3 could usefully be employed in school together, with the predominantly grammar teaching being done by 2, but extensive practice done by 3. Easy to imagine a lesson by a teacher in category 2 teaching about the past tense (rules, constructs) and a teacher in category 3 then doing speaking or writing practice on the past tense: "What did you do yesterday?"

Category three would be ideal for those mentioned in the thread (retirees, backpackers etc), with salary reflecting the experience of the teacher. Schools could then optimize payment, with higher salaries to the formal teachers, and lower to the language "tutors". It seems that there is a large pool of people who would happily work a few hours a week doing this last category of teaching. It would also get rid of the apparently ridiculous req,uirement of the teaching licence which is trying to make (in many cases) a silk purse out of a sows ear.

Of course, the truth is, this would require not only a re-working of the education system, but also drastic changes in the rules governing work permits and visas as as such is not ever going to happen.

( and if anyone wishes to pick apart the language in my post, really, don't bother. That is why God made Editors and proofreaders, - to save people like me....)

I've no wish to pick apart your own language, grammar or otherwise.. however, if your understanding of the 'mechanics' of English language is a bad as you say then how do you know that the Thais you met have so much of a better comprehension and grasp of it? The teachers at my school don't have a great grasp of the fundamentals, I know, but not one of them has ever admitted openly such, except to ask very occasionally if I 'could just help with this'. Actually they sometimes have papers written either for themselves, as occasional tests, or which they intend to pass on to the students, and either way, the grammar, even from those 'higher educators' who made the paper in the first place is far from good, and the teachers often have no clear idea what could be the correct option to choose (usually multi-choice) especially when the question or sentence itself is already incorrectly constructed.

So how much they paying? Decent retirement plans and benefits for suitable teachers? haha.. nevermind, back to the grind-stone!!!

Feeling pleased with the verdict, Natee said those affected by social discrimination - not only those with gender diversity - had rights and could seek justice.

She added that the court's ruling was a positive sign and urged state offices to cease all forms of discrimination.

Whoops! She is a He

That's can be a problem, you see.. of jumping from exhuberant parade practices and your everyone welcome, everything goes social hangouts etc. and straight into marching directly into the serious business of courts and their judges, not to mention the glare of the media etc.. you just don't know quite where you are!!.. Am I in my 'Just call me Samantha' pretty weekend garb or the Mister Do-Right-and-Proper pinstriped suit?

Could you have imagined the scenario? Johnny Foreigner, maybe Jane too, in Thailand for a couple of days (ok, nights!) marvelling their little cotton socks off at the quite evident sexual 'diversity'.. and then go to see a parade and.. presto.. 'Nah.. no homosexuals in this country, Mister and Missus Farang, all our women are REAL women, see!!!'.. er.. yeah.. right! Really don't think we're gonna get a positive confirmation on that particular declaration by street-parade, peeps!!!!!!!

http://npic.orst.edu.../chlorptech.pdf

Under Physical/Chemical properties,chlorpyrifos is described as having a mild odour---.

The ministry of Health statement contradicts this by stating"chlorpyrifos generally emits a strong odour which was not noted by the two surviving women"

Are we being misled?

sadly, could well be, or may just be those first investigating at the scene didn't have a clue... (not promising, unfortunately, is it?)

In Germany we have a pandemic of ehc coli bacteria. No one knows for the moment why.

Currently in Chiang Mai there is a pandemic of the E. Cohok bacteria similar to other outbreaks around the Kingdom. Everyone knows why this occurs: it is a result of the raksaa naa plague that has long impacted human habitation throughout the Siam region of the Golden Peninsula over the past century.

Sorry if i am being thick but what are you on about?

Good question? Notably from the point of view that a pandemic is some outbreak reaching the world over, ie you can't have a pandemic in Germany and oh yes, we've got one in Chiang Mai, too... a simple dictionary might be in order to grasp a few of the terms before we start professing to be fully fledged bacteriologists, chaps...

It shows why we allow discussion of the LM laws, but not a discussion of the Royal Family itself. Keep that in mind when posting.

We are all guests in this country. We must respect the rules and laws of the host country whether we agree or not.

It is better to be safe and free than to be sorry and in jail... unless one enjoys fish head soup 2 times a day, every day.

:jap:

Safe and free? You define freedom in much the same way as many of our beloved African despots... none incarceration=freedom

Respect the rules and laws?? So, I guess we never go to topless bars or ever pay for a little sexual favour or two, right?? Because, we are visitors here, and it is against the law to participate in all that stuff... right?

It was a link to a book, let's keep some perspective here.

You're missing the point!! You're clinging to the rights or wrongs debate.. all very noble, but once things reach a certain point, ie, YOU ARE THREATENED with jail, (just as if someone threatens you in the street with a gun or knife!) then its not about 'perspective' or saying 'Oh but you are so wrong to do this, and I'll tell you for why...' its about knowing you ARE in a NO-WIN situation, and therefore using your noddle to stay 'free and safe' as mentioned above.. the only true and relevant perspective being to understand when that point of there no point trying to debate the 'issue' any more is upon you (Best course of action='better safe than very very (very?)sorry').. please see my quote, below, to see where I'm 'coming from' if my viewpoint isn't clear enough...

I suppose Toyota employees should also get a brand new car for free!

Forced to eat noodles ??? I doubt anyone forced them. Do not like noodles go buy what you like!

Left overs food, as in unsold food! How is that leftovers??? Why should company put up a banquet for the staff?

Travel allowance? Is that a joke? Do not like to work or finish late, find another job!

Were paid ONLY 27 baht per hour?? Well that's ONLY the salary in Thailand . Are employees brain surgeons? Or highly educated staff ??

There is nothing unfair in removing those who disturb company operations. They used company time and money for their own agenda, further more they did not contact the management to voice their concerns prior to creating a problem .

If you ask me, nothing but 2 gold diggers trying to make some money.

KFC is a business and profits it makes is not an employees business . If employee has a problem with company profits, they are welcome to open their own.

.. another 'only in Thailand ('This just doesn't add up'!) story.. I knew people back in UK who worked for KFC.. higher salaries (as per UK norm, although no, this doesn't make it right how s**t their salaries are here, but it is the way it is and no Govt ever seems to want their 'lower end' workers and fellow-Thais to do better, as in education - a different debate!) but no free KFC dinners, lifts home or expenses towards such.. they never expected any either.. and yes, you get sacked if you start up hassles amongst the staff, towards your bosses! The Colonel must be choking with laughter on his Family Bucket.. cos, lets face it, by guys like these putting forward any arguments for better provisons and salaries in this ill though out 'made to eat noodles, no money for transport ' missing-the-point manner he certainly ain't gonna be made to pay out more on the basic wage issue!!!

I can see it already,

Hub of Quakes.....

it's the end of the world as we know it. it's the end.....

during the floods, Thanong, Nation financial Editor wrote a rambling rant about the god of destructoion, mara? , wreaking havoc on the sinful world. Can Someone prove him wrong? ha ha

.. its all very amusing innit, while you don't actually believe it could really happen to YOU?!! Maybe not quite so, if the ground opens up and takes you a wee bit more than 6 feet under, closing up again like you'd never even existed!!! (Just a thought!)...

felt it clearly in Chiang Mai, but no damage

living in CM too.. felt it ('<deleted>?'), then pass, then come back clearly moving the earth, m'lady out of her bedroom for tight, scared hugs (me holding tightest probably, not a common occurance for a Brit!).. as you say no damage reported here (as yet anyway).. hope others elsewhere are ok... surprised, and relieved of course, we didn't get it worse though considering it travelled as far south as Bangkok!!.... ..................................

Yes, the case will be dropped. Yes, owner & worker are both loopy. I'm sure the family missed him and I'm sure that there is more facts than fiction here but somehow fiction is always a better read! So forget the facts and just enjoy the FICTION that surrounds the alleged enslavement of this guy. Good make a good film me thinks? Title U Cranuim held captive. (Sub title - plenty of bone but where is thye brain?)

Think that's pretty much it really!! Everybody concered are bonkers!!! Meanwhile everyone one here's getting all irate and typically high-horsed and 'poor little farang guy' about some story which just doesn't ring from anyone's point of view, anyway, so why bother? ('Anyone for a 14 year factory shift? wibble!')

Very odd.

''I thought I would be there forever,'' the paper quoted the engineer as saying.

Er, sorry.. slight understatement there.. isn't that something you say when you're left sitting at Immigration all afternoon? From age 43 to 57, forced to work in a factory in a foreign country, unpaid and under great duress pretty much is forever, isn't it? Very much an "Er, what..?" story if ever there was one (and I know there's a few regularly popping up over here!)!! Really not even going to try to comment further as, er, sorry, what was that again..?!

Since diving does not cause coral bleaching, this is basically a useless move. Still no word on the fishing boats, I suppose?

Yup, its (another!) keep throwing yer crap in but look we've done something sort of a move! Thailand is sadly very good at gestures that on face value people think MUST be helping whatever problem is being 'addressed' but really doesn't even start to deal with it at all!! I think the worst thing is that those who make these decrees don't get that, and really do think these sort of steps are helping, again confusing the suggestion towards some aim with fulfillment of the aim itself!!

Rees and Williams are to be commended, it;s high time someone STOOD UP and put their money where their mouths are, I congratulate both gentlemen, regardless of the legal outcome you 2 gentlemen are at least attempting to right a terrible wrong, you have my heart felt best wishes for success..

Let this be a reminder to all and sundry, we are not like, welcomed, or wanted here. It doesn't get any clearer.

Just so so sad.

Are there any words to describe something as this?

I take it you're packing your bags as I type this reply then? This case, of course, deserves to be judged on its own merits and good luck to those trying to right a wrong. However, lots of us here have some great Thai (and whatever other nationality) friends here so to use this as definitive 'proof' that 'we' are 'not liked, welcomed nor wanted' here is actually just expressing your own personal opinion only and should not be stated as a 'See, so there you have it!' (my) one-opinion-fits-all decree. Hence, I bid you farewell, and if you are actually staying, with all due respect.. er, why, if this is your feeling about the place and its people?

I have been swimming here for 20 years, must have missed something... I bet it's much more dangerous to cross the street

Not really a question of comparisons though is it? You swim OR you cross the road without full awareness of what's about you, especially here, then you are heading for problems. In Thailand, the land of 'sabai sabai', to counterbalance the general lack of good communication and sense of what's actually going on, we need to heighten our inate sense of awareness in pretty much everything or we're ******!!! This is without disprespect to the Thais, lots of good people, just part of their 'relaxed' identity I think. Apart from that, chill out, grab a beer and enjoy...!!! Chok Dee!!

I have already replied and requested 1+guest (leebeeUK), but I'm not on any list yet, so just a reminder as I'd love to be there, cheers... :jap:

Please put me down, with one guest thanks very much. Haven't been to a ThaiVisa do since Surin 2007. Cheers Y'all, see you on Saturday 11th!!! :jap: