Oldfield

This is a really interesting thread. Well done to those of you that have taken part in this test.

I was just wondering. What was the purpose in taking such a test. Was it just as a motivational tool to help you improve your Thai? Or was there another motive, maybe to help towards Thai residency or citizenship?

Well done though - it sounds challenging.

O

(I just realised this was from 1996...any updates since this? Does this test still exist?)

I've seen two serious motorcye accidents over the last few years. On both occasions, helmets were not worn and would have prevented serious head injuries. Thai's never learn.

I worked with Jess a few years back in Bangkok. She came to Thailand with her bf and loved it at first.

After a few weeks/months the novelty wore off, and as she realised that most of the foreign men here were not interested in her (as she was used to back in the states). She started to resent the Thai girls who were considerably prettier, and much less trouble, than her. In turn she resented every western man who had a Thai gf/wife and decided that all men were sexpats and all thai women were bar girls.

It was quite sad to see. She became very very bitter and after about 4 or 5 months she couldn't take it anymore - she hated the place, so she left.

It seems that now she is on a mission to taint all ex-pats living in Thailand as perverts and sexual deviants.

also by Jessica:

http://benprise.ning.com/group/esl/forum/t...nd-esl-new-laws

Needless to say, most of what she says is bulls**t.

To say this girl has issues, is putting it mildly.

Don't know if mentioned or posted elswhere, but there is youtube vid of a farang in CM throwing rocks and breaking neon billboards and shows hi 5's to the Thais and cheers from the crowd.

These guys were once upon a time sent to Australia.

What a prick...what's the point of such mindless vandalism.

What about Udonthani? Has this one been confirmed, and if so...where is it?

I see these coach tours all the time. sometimes just one or two, sometimes up to 7 or 8, and they are always flying along, running red lights etc.

They are an accident waiting to happen.

condolences to the families and friends.

Should have got 3 points but 1 isnt too bad.Newcastle were wank and Shearer looked like a little lost boy.Stoke City have come far from last season in the Championship league.We are looking a half decent side who frighten teams at home but i just wish we had seome decent refs.

Newcastle were just content in bullying Etherington after he was booked and were trying to goad him into getting a second yellow,somethind Dowie/Shearer have introduce,and the incident when a Newcastle player went down and the ref didnt stop play,the tosspot newcastle players tried again to goad Etherington and i cant believe not one castle fan was booked.

I realy hope Newcastle get relegated and continue to slide as they are so up their own <deleted> its untrue.

It's a shame when it has to come to that though!!!

The first three years involved lots of drinking, bars and going out with freinds.

The last two years have involved exercising and enjoying my cats and dogs.

How times have changed,,,

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but it seemed better than starting a new one.

On massage etiquette (and yes, I only mean massage):

Is it acceptable when you go into a massage place to ask for a specific masseuse? I get the impression that they work on some kind of rotational thing, but at the couple places I typically go, there's a fair number of different people, and frankly, some of them are not very talented. If I find a masseuse who is good, can I ask for her by name when I go in next time, so as to avoid some of the other girls who were not very good? Or is that a big no no? I don't want to insult them but I also don't want to be gambling on whether my 2 hour massage is going to be endured or enjoyed.

Yes of course. You are the customer and you are paying. I do it all the time.

Don't be shy about it.

unbelievable - words fail me

Apparently not!

You might post your question on the Pattaya thread if you decide to go to that area. Someone recently posted there (Pattaya thread) the names of several hotels that allowed pets in the rooms.

Thanks. Where might I find said 'Pattaya thread' exactly.

Cheers

Hi all

I am planning to take my small doggie on holiday with me. I will be driving from Isaan to a beach resort on the Eastern seaboard (not sure where yet)

I would like to take my dog and stay in a bungalow/hut near the beach.

I realise that a lot of hotels will not allow pets, but it may be possible to take a small dog to a bungalow type place.

Has ANYONE done anything similar? Do you know of any resorts that accept dogs?

Any advice/help appreciated.

I heard a rumour that Thai TV will show the semi finals.

I watched the Arsenal game on Supersport - it's a channel that is 'taken' from Africa.

I have HomeCable TV - in Isaan. It's 300 baht per month.

Anyone else get Supersport?

You're welcome

Darlie toothpaste used to show a black man with shiny white teeth.

and it was called "Darkie". I took several tubes back to the UK for black friends, none were remotely offended (and they're still friends)

EDIT 555 tritex and agree 100%

Kudos to them. Nice one.

As usual, we are getting a lot of replies that are confusing TWO DIFFERENT requirements.

1. According to the TCT (Teachers Council of Thailand) ALL foreign teachers must take a Thai Culture course which takes about 20 hours (one weekend) and costs anywhere from 4,000 baht on up.

2. Also, according to the TCT, within two years all teachers must either have a BEd, one year's worth of Graduate level Education credits or pass a series of 4 tests at 1,000b each. It is reported that out of about 2,500 test takers this year, about 10% of the Thais passed and .5% of the Farangs passed . However, the website with the test results has been taken offline and I don't think anyone has actually received their official results yet.

The one year's worth of Grad Level Ed. is offered by various Thai Universities at prices varying from 60K - 80K baht .

Whether or not these requirements will be adhered to is a good question. Whether or not they will improve the quality of education in Thailand as a result of these changes is another good question.

That's all I know. The folks at the TCT might know more, but I suspect that they are making up as they go!

What a joke. This ain't never gonna happen. Ever

Without flying back to the UK, where could I go and watch the Forest / Derby replay and KNOW for sure it will actually be shown? I am not super-rich, but have enough spare cash and free flights etc... to go somewhere local to Thailand.

I actually read in a previous post that the PFC bar in Soi Reggae Koh Samui may be showing it. I know that bar, near the Reggae Bar. Any thoughts. I live in Pattaya, but would be prepared to travel if it is DEFINITELY being shown.

A bar in Bangkok would be easier though.

By the way, I have just a slow Internet connection - so I cannot use that.

Thanks for any thoughts.

IF the Game itself is actually on Mate, then the PFC will 100% show it.

I'll try to get him to see this thread & comment so he can let you know when he knows the schedule..

thanks for this really kind offer. Sadly now that Liverpool have a reply on the same night I have given up trying to see this game. I have been 'caught' like this before whereby I have sat in a bar for 4 hours waiting for a game to come and and then another 'more popular' game being shown instead. The worse case of this was when a Spurs fan came to stay with me in Pattaya and I took him to a bar in Jomtien, Shenanigans or some large pub. Manchester United versus someone or other was also playing that day, so I asked about 10 times during the 4 hours we were there if it the Spurs game was being shown.

As you can guess, come kick off and it was the Man U game that they showed. The owner suggested I talk to the other people watching the TV and if they agreed he would turn it over - t***t.

So I have no hope Derby/Forest will be shown anywhere.

Never mind, there is a good chance the Forest/Man United game will be on in the next round

Old-age benefits are divided into 2 categories: pension and remuneration. Pension will be paid if the insured person had contributed for not less than 180 months. He will receive monthly 15% of the average of his last 30-months salary.

Remuneration: But how much will a person receive if he was working for only 120 months? Will he be compensated the equal amount he and his employer contributed to the fund plus interests?

Thanks a lot for a competent answer.

WCA

I don't think so. I believe that you have to do the full 15 years (180 months) to be entitled to the pension.

So..... if you have been earning 30,000 baht per month for the last 15 years and you retire, you will get 15% of 30,000!!

That only makes 4,500 baht per month. Hardly seems worth it does it?

Football, walking my dogs, keeping fit.

Hmmm...very exciting times for Elite Card holders.

Glad to hear the visa will be sustained for the duration of the membership, mine being a lifetime one.

Happy border running to all the noobs with pure negative feedback. You can calculate out the costs Elite versus Other visa options, but the one I have is for life, post a wee topic in ten years time and let me know how much time and money youve lost.

still, 1 million baht is a lot of money just to get a lfetimes worth of visas.....

....or is it?

(someone please do the maths on this for the rest of us poor, lazy, common people)

that would depend on how old you are, wouldnt it?

Yes it would Sherlock.

Hmmm...very exciting times for Elite Card holders.

Glad to hear the visa will be sustained for the duration of the membership, mine being a lifetime one.

Happy border running to all the noobs with pure negative feedback. You can calculate out the costs Elite versus Other visa options, but the one I have is for life, post a wee topic in ten years time and let me know how much time and money youve lost.

still, 1 million baht is a lot of money just to get a lfetimes worth of visas.....

....or is it?

(someone please do the maths on this for the rest of us poor, lazy, common people)

You can do the whole visa deal online these days, tourist or business, single or multi and pick up your visa on arrival at the airport in Vietnam. You must have your invitation in-hand to show the airline before they will let you on the plane taking your there but that is all part of the online service. Beats spending time/money getting it at an embassy or consulate.

Yes. This is true.

However, it costs 25 USD to get the invitation in hand thingy, and you still have to pay another 25 USD (1000baht!) for the visa on arrival when you get to Vietnam.

http://travelhappy.info/travel-tips/how-to...isa-in-bangkok/

read this

Well I have news...

I was talking to my boss about applying for my license. Apparently I've got it already. I was shown the bit of paper- all in Thai but it had my picture on. Has anyone actually seen a license yet? Anyway I'll take the identifying info off and pop up a scan soon.

If this is the magic piece of paper then 'grandfathering' is possible it seems- I've been there since 2002 and have no PGCE or BEd.

I'm just trying to decipher the Thai at the momment- pretty hard going for me.

Just get a Thai person to translate it for you.