phosamton

Just to touch on this idea that you have to be able to speak Thai a little to teach English effectively. My CELTA training stressed beyond anything that all teaching, even beginning, be done only in English. As this a Cambridge based training program that as far as I know is the most highly respected "certificate" worldwide, I believe it, and when I taught mixed nationalities in San Francisco, they all were focused and using only English.

this semester I taught 3 groups of freshman (government uni) students. Class sizes were 11, 18, and 13. Wow, talk about easy. For 2 hours each session these students only spoke English, did it happily, and made some progress. I was able to introduce vocab, do some drills, and turn them loose in pairs or small groups. Just like my training prepared me for. So, I think class size must be a major factor.

I think there's more to it than teachers students and the system.

Sorry if this sounds Westernly judgmental but...doesn't the thirst for knowledge start with parenting? I asked every single student this semester if they talk about the political events of that past 1.5 years with their families. 90% said no. Not even the new constitution (this was just before Dec 24)? No. Trying not to judge through Western eyes, but merely observe and (try to) understand, I have to say this is an example of why students aren't more inquisitive. many Thais have told me that as children when they ask "why", they are told to keep quiet.

Finally, everybody, you're doing this for the students right? My two farang colleagues and myself are easily the most popular (and yes, respected) teachers in our department. Two good friends of mine teaching for an MEP at a government mathyom have a similar realtionship with their students, who were balling their eyes out when they found out the farang were getting shafted on salaries/benefits/everything and going to leave. And guess what? When the Thai admin lied to the students about the reasons for the exodus, the students went to the farang and asked them directly, (just like those sneaky white guys taught them to. The students chose to believe the farang.

So...don't despair, their are a few Thais who love us and are happy to have us teaching here.

In my opinion, a great way to understand a culture is by reading its literature. May I recommend checking out Kukrit's FOUR REIGNS as an excellent way to gain insight into the role of a Thai woman/wife in this society...

I would agree that each social class and ethnic group is quite different in Thailand, and that women do have a lot more control than what is on the surface, and that a man normally would not undermind his wife's approach to child-rearing, except maybe when discussing what private school to send Somchai to...but the times are changing, most younger Thais I know (18-22) in BKK seem to have a family structure closer to the nuclear one, both parents working with dad being more involved in the family life.

Anyone who can storm the government with 14 tanks shouldn't need or want an arrest warrant. What's the real truth?

After reading Associate Professor Giles Ji Ungpakorn's academic book titled "A Coup for the Rich" and Paul Handley's banned book The King Never Smiles, the real truth seemed a lot clearer to me.

Thai law forbids discussing the "real" real truth...but certain rhetoric that we hear, like Thailand needs its own "style" of democracy, that the constitiution should be approved now and worry about changes later, and that the rural poor are too stupid to understand democracy have been uttered by many an appointed leader over the years.

23% cut in health services (that helped the rural poor) and a simultaneous military budget increase of 30% when the new govt took control says a lot...and there's a general sitting on the board on every relevant agency in the country, and they collect phat salaries

Thaksin is a real MF and his worst crimes are the human rights abuses that happened under his watch, but this isn't about right or wrong, it's merely about power and control, and money of course. He's smart to stay away...ideally, when the country "returns" to "democracy" somehow he'll find his way to prison, but it seems rather doubtful.

best hope maybe is pressure from human rights organizations concerning the war on drugs, disappearance of Somchai and incidents like Tak Bai and Kru Se get put out in front of the money crimes?

If you were serious about Buddhism, Thailand is one of the last places you would come to study it. I know, because I used to be very serious about Buddhism. It was partially due to living in Thailand that I stopped studying it, once I saw just how materialistic a nation of professed "Buddhists" really were.

I'm sorry you lost faith in Buddhism because of what you saw here.....

...every country has been seduced by the new religion...consumerism, materialism...

more a plague from the Western culture than anything...

I agree that 95% of the monks and Temples are not very good examples.... they do not practise correctly.... but that is the fault of the people... not the Buddhism...

I still think that Buddhism is the best thing which is to be found here.... and some of us prefer to be in the home of the religion where there are plenty of choices and opportunites to meet the real thing and find good teachers and practise too.

The Buddha said his teachings would last for 5,000 years before they were completely corrupted and lost.... we are over half way there.... but the true Dhamma is still to be found...

A revered monk named Buddhadasa Bhikkhu devoted much time trying to get the real Buddhism into Thai culture. His book "Handbook for Mankind" devotes a bit of space to what is wrong with Thai Buddhism. Ironically, most Thais will worship him in the very way that he was protesting against. The teachings of Christ are quite perverted in all organized religions also...

Admitting your own fault in being scammed does not minimize how wrong it is to scam others, it's just acknowledging your power to prevent it by keeping eyes open and listening to your inner protective voice...that is a part of having streetsmarts

After 3+ years here I was "robbed" recently, and it put my ego in check, as I had thought I had been around the block in BKK enough not to be scammed in Thailand (was outside of BKK, foolishly let my guard down, thought that since I speak some Thai, live here, etc that made me special…was not in a tourist place either). Upon reflection my instincts were shouting warnings at me, but I chose to be naïve.

I miss youtube and I find this situation regrettable. However, from the Thai point of view, it does make alot of sense politically to make a stink about the "evil USA" disrespecting Thai royality, which is indeed almost a deity here. It is a classic way to divert attention from the real problems, no constitution, no elections, massive structural problems and internal conflicts.

So I wouldn't expect this to get resolved anytime soon. Putting it in perspective, what would google do if people posted cartoons depicting the Muslim God? Do you think the Islamic world would respond with mere lawsuits? They aren't that different as issues, we are talking about dieties in both cases.

Good point, but ultimately isn't this just another publicity stunt to help force unity amongst Thais? It's also convenient that it's a US company, as they can be seen as an evil sibling of Abbott in the legal battle that really matters.

Many Thai women do not enjoy the same avenues for meeting men as women from the west. Most of the single women I know in BKK use some sort of chat service for most of their socializing. Quite a few of them live at home with Mom and Dad, who want them in the house by 9PM. Not much chance to meet Mr. Right when you work all day and have to go home most nights.

So, although we always see these bar girls in the internet shops maintaining relationships with guys from all over the world, the reality is that most normal, middle class dateable women have internet right in their home...or at work. yes, actually, most Thai women go to work everyday (and believe it or not, many work in an office) or maybe to uni to further their education, or even going for a master's to advance their careers. And guess what? They have money too.

There are always opportunists, and this OP's girlfriend may be just that. But it's ignorant to act like all Thai women only want money. The women I know are hopelessly romantic, and have their own money. They want companionship. BKK is swarming with single women between 25-40 who fit this profile. It makes sense that a farang would be a better hope as Thai men do seem rather uninterested in women the same age as or older than them. So what?...oh wait...I bet the guys who blast thai women the most are older guys who "date" women half their age...and those women on average probably have finished primary school...maybe a couple years of secondary...

Having said all that, tread lightly, be aware that scams exist, and use your common sense. But be more concerned with the normal issues that are part of any relationship, from any culture.

Phosamton, I'm afraid you are addressing the wrong person. The message you quoted is Garro's.

"S"

Sorry about that.

Might as well add I am on the side of the teachers in this debate. I know many teachers who are good at what they do, but don't have the proper qualifications. But looking at the bigger picture...I've only been here 3.5 years, but it seems the powers that be in these places like the MOE only learn from their mistakes. Unfortunately, those lessons are at the expense of the citizens, or even people who honestly are trying to carve an existence for themselves here. better for us foreignors not to take it too personally. It may take a year, it may take five or more, but eventually they will realize they have to make concessions if they hope to fill their positions, and these things will become lax again.

Incidentally, I taught at a workshop for Thai prathom English teachers in BKK last month, and they told me that the BMA is requiring every school in the city/province to hire at least one foreign English language instructor for the upcoming school year. Anybody hear anything about this? I find it difficult to believe they can achieve that goal in normal circumstances, let alone the current climate.

I agree fully. One of the profs who died the other day in the Virginia slayings was 76 years old (I believe Israeli). And he was loved by his students.

"Steven"

i never compared myself to the real teachers at the international schools. I believe if todays tefl teachers saw themsleves as english instructors for hire and went out and found privates to earn more money they would find themselves with alot of cash in their pockets.

actually, I work at a uni, 27k a month in bkk. I have lately been able to pick and choose freelance jobs, and am getting between 1000 and 1250 an hour. Last month I almost hit 80K (my highest monthly mark) between the various workshops and courses I was doing about the town. So, I have to agree fully with Steven...change your attitude. I got a CELTA, and never intended to do anything but be a language instructor.

I have to say I was pretty exhausted by month's end, and maybe won't continue to stretch myself that thin (to hit 78K again). Also, I'm lucky because my department knows the uni salary is too low, and therefore they don't keep me needlessly in the office (6 hours office time a week, plus 12 hours teaching), which allows me to find those higher paying jobs. Yeah, word of mouth gets you in the door. That's why hard work pays off.

As was explained to me last semester after interviewing an "older" gent, probably about 55.."He's too old, he'll bore the students".

Thought I heard once that 60 is the legal cut-off...?

For what it's worth, I would not recommend starting a new life, or even a new chapter in Thailand as an English instructor.

I have no personal horror stories, and actually love my job, the students, and my Thai colleagues are outstanding in their English abilities and their dedication, professionalism and on top of that they are incredibly supportive of us three foreign instructors in the department. I love the house that I rent. And I love my social life.

Still, I can't in good faith recommend this for anyone who doesn't already know the ropes, as it's been stated already, it takes a couple years to find that place to fit in. I recently signed another contract, one I am pretty sure will be my last before exploring a different country to live and work. I want to leave before all of the "other" stuff, human rights abuses, morality dogma, censorship, tolerated racism, etc. get to me so that I can no longer see the good in anyone, or appreciate the things that are beautiful about this country and the positive teaching experiences I've had.

The story Whitey shared at the immigration desk at the airport is unbearably frightening. The other stuff, bad too, but this....detaining your son for a ransom...puts a very sick feeling into my stomach

i think that the BA minimum is not exactly true phosamtom. many ppl i know have got theirs and they definitely dont have a BA. this has been in the past two years. unless the rules have suddenly changed, of course.

I would guess you're right on that if you know people who don't have BA's. I probably made a false assumption that a university degree would be a minimum.

My understanding is a BA minimum is required to be a licensed guide. I teach English for one of the BKK university continuing ed tour guide licensing courses and it lasts for somewhere around 3 months, and something like 9-12 hours per week (depending on the particular course). The English classes are only a small portion of the overall program. The students learn about all aspects of the culture and history. It is quite intensive. My understanding is that students who earn a ba in tourism can also get the license, and it may be possible to obtain as a tourism minor...but not too sure about that. Oh yeah, the continuing ed course runs just under 30,000 baht, and I believe that is the standard across the city.