TEFLMike

I usually feel pretty good when I leave. When waking up first there's the good bye fvk with

Mrs Meom who always gives it her best effort. Once that's finished it's beer time until we go to the airport. After check in we have a couple of beers more, than a good bye wave and I'm on my way to passport control. Once that's finished it's time to have a few more beers until the plane departs.

In the air I normally switch to whisky until it's time to land. All in all it's ok.

The next day back at work I usually don't feel to good though and need about 2-3 weeks to recover after which the countdown to the next leave starts.

this is pretty much spot on for me too.........

I have got a few weeks off from school. I am looking forward to going back to the UK, however, when I remember just how bad the UK is , I am now starting to panic.

No smoking in public places. Hmmmm

Uni exam to do on the 18th October.

Sick Mother and Father to see.

Oh well. At least I know I am coming back here asap.

........except the goodbye <deleted> with mrs meom.

..same same...

but without mrs meom....

Britons on board crashed Thai plane

The wreckage of the One-Two-Go passenger plane

British tourists are among more than 100 people killed and injured in a plane crash in Thailand.

A total of 123 passengers - mostly foreign tourists - and seven crew members are believed to have been on the budget One-Two-Go Airlines domestic flight from Bangkok.

Thai officials says more than 87 bodies have already been recovered from the wreckage and another 42 people taken to hospital after the crash on the country's tourist island of Phuket. Those on the plane included 78 foreigners.

They believe the plane split into two parts after it crashed due to bad weather and skidded off the runway.

The Foreign Office do not yet know how many Britons were on the flight and whether they got out alive, although some reports have suggested eight British people did survive.

A spokeswoman said: "We understand there may have been British nationals on the flight but there is no confirmation or any details about the casualties or fatalities as yet.

"Our main concern is trying to establish if or how many Britons there were on the flight. If there were any on it, our top priority is their welfare."

Representatives of the British Honorary Consul in Phuket are at the scene and an embassy team, led by the ambassador, is already on its way on a flight from Bangkok, she added.

Phuket's Deputy Governor Worapot Ratthaseema said officials have counted at least 87 bodies, which have been laid out in airport building.

He did not have exact details of how many foreigners had died but that they included Irish, Israeli, Australian and British passengers.

Powerful aftershocks hit Sumatra Padang suffered considerable damageA second strong earthquake has hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra, a day after an 8.4 magnitude tremor destroyed buildings in several towns and cities.

At least six people are confirmed dead, but officials fear bad communications may be hiding the scale of the impact.

Wednesday's quake was measured by US officials as magnitude 8.4, and a new tremor of 7.7 hit on Thursday.

Many buildings, weakened in the first tremor, are now reported to have been destroyed in the city of Padang.

"Many buildings collapsed after this morning's quake," mayor Fauzi Bahar told a local radio station.

"We're still trying to find out about victims."

Three people are reported trapped in a collapsed three-storey office building, the mayor said.

But despite several warnings since the first earthquake, there have so far been no tsunamis.

The initial quake sparked warnings across the Indian Ocean, but only a small wave surge hit Sumatra, causing little damage.

A new tsunami warning came into force on Thursday morning, after the latest aftershock, but it was withdrawn two hours later.

However, a fresh warning has now been issued, after another magnitude 6.7 aftershock.

Buildings destroyed

Information about damage caused by Wednesday's earthquake is still patchy and assessment of many areas is hampered by darkness and communication problems, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta.

Many of the stricken areas are remote, and it may take some time to find out how bad the situation is.

Health officials in the capital, Jakarta, say teams carrying food and medicine are travelling to the area and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered an emergency team from the army and police.

A United Nations assessment team is also departing for Sumatra, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement.

Wednesday's main earthquake struck at 1810 (1110 GMT), about 30km (18 miles) under the sea, some 130km (80 miles) south-west of the city of Bengkulu, the US Geological Survey said.

Local media said buildings had collapsed in Padang, the capital of the province of West Sumatra, and in the town of Mukomuko.

"At least one person died when he was hit by a falling tree when they were evacuating after the quake," Salamun Haris, an official from North Bengkulu district, told ElShinta radio.

Inhabitants also fled swaying buildings in the capital Jakarta, 600km (370 miles) away, and in Singapore.

Animated guide: Earthquakes Deadly history of quakes

"You could see the road as if it was waving, people could hardly walk so they just lay flat on the road. I could also feel the earth I was standing on was like the sea," Zulkifli Lubis, a local journalist in Bengkulu, told the BBC.

There were reports of a small tsunami - estimated at about 1m (3ft) - hitting the Sumatran coast but not causing major damage.

But about two hours after the quake, Indonesia's meteorology agency said the danger of a serious tsunami had passed. India and Sri Lanka also called off tsunami warnings.

Fearful memories

This was one of the most powerful earthquakes in Indonesia since the temblor that caused the Asian tsunami in 2004.

That measured 8.9 and struck under the sea near the northern Sumatran province of Aceh, triggering a tsunami that killed more than 220,000 people around the rim of the Indian Ocean.

Our correspondent says quakes on this scale are rare and memories of 2004 have made the country terrified of a repeat. Indonesia, part of the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire", is frequently shaken by earth tremors.

I have just seen the latest news on Immigration Rules in the UK.

It is aimed at those immigrants who are outside the EU.

I noted the learning English test will be set at grade A-C, GCSE.

Thought I would let you know>>>>

<H2 style="MARGIN: 6pt 3pt 0pt 6pt">More immigrants must learn English</H2>Gordon Brown is set to announce tighter controls on would-be migrants coming to work in the UK, in a move which could cut arrivals by 35,000 a year.

The Prime Minister will say that tens of thousands more migrant workers must pass English language tests before coming to the UK.

The controversial clampdown, to be unveiled in a speech to the TUC annual conference in Brighton on Monday, will affect skilled workers from outside the European Union, the Sunday Telegraph revealed.

Under the Government's current points scheme, migrant workers from outside the EU are split into three groups - highly skilled, skilled and low-skilled. Of these, only the highly skilled and skilled categories are permitted to seek permanent residence in Britain.

Since last December, highly-skilled migrants have had to show proficiency in English as a condition of entry. Mr Brown and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will announce on Monday that the requirement is to be extended to all those in the skilled category.

They will be expected to speak, write and understand English to a standard equivalent to GCSE grade A-C. To prove eligibility they will have to show they have passed an internationally recognised English test or obtained a university degree from a course taught in English.

The paper quoted Government sources as saying that around 35,000 of the 95,000 skilled workers who came to the UK last year would not have passed an English test.

Mr Brown and Ms Smith will also announce a review on extending the English language requirement to cover low-skilled workers, even though they are not be allowed to apply to settle permanently in the UK.

Ms Smith said: "Those who we welcome into the UK to work and settle here need to understand our traditions and feel that they are part of our shared national culture. They need to integrate into our country, learn English and use our language.

"At present, people who seek to come to the UK permanently, or as highly skilled workers are required to speak English. I want to go further and make speaking English a requirement for all those coming in to the UK to do lesser skilled work and I will be looking at extending this requirement to those who come to the UK to do low-skilled work as well."

Good job it was a bus and not a tank..... perish the thought

The bus driver fled the scene. When he was questioned about the incident later, he blamed the Farang pilot of the plane for hitting his bus.

I am sure I heard a chorus of 'Wind beneath My Wings' yesterday , or was it the wind in the bus drivers underpants?

Still no reason for the EU to poke it's nose in.

As stated yesterday, the EU should put it's own house in order first, before noseying into Thailand's affairs.

Gravy Train, noseyparkers, and nincompoops in Brussels

A trip down memory lane

My father was a headteacher at a Catholic secondary school in the UK.

He was also head of maths and science.

All three of us, sons, went to the same school. My father taught all three of us. He was a brillaint teacher, admired by all the pupils. In fact, even after all these years, some still phone dad to enquire of his health.

Dad was 86 yesterday and he is currently in hospital, bless him.

I, for one, see no harm in a school parent/pupil scenario.

I have systematically removed True from my house over the last 12 months.

It started by getting rid of their crappy mobile phone service, with no signal, and dodgy charging practices.

Then with the debacle over ESPN and Star Sports I went to JSat for my tv viewing. Which is awesome, btw.

True are still trying to bill me every month, and have yet to return my deposit for the set-top box, which is why I have sent their guys away every time they have tried to come round to pick up their dish and box.

Today I got my internet bill, which I pay online each month, and just noticed they are now slapping a charge on online payments as well... My understanding of charges in shops and banks, when you pay a bill, is that it is a service charge for the time it takes them to do this for you. Whilst we all know it's simply a scam to make more money, like 'commission' on inter-region withdrawals and transfers, I can write it off as a charge for the banks time..

These sorts of charges are from the dark ages, and in the UK have all but been stamped out.

What I find particularly galling is that I am using an internet connection I pay for to pay a bill via a bank that I pay for internet banking with, and am now getting charged commission on that also!

Anyone else think this is another corporate rip-off and profiteering racket in the LOS?

Ever tried to get rid of NTL in the UK?

I ended up having to get my solicitor to send a threatening lettter, deeming to take NTL to court due to harrassment . Long after tyhey collected the box etyc and discontinued the NTL phone kline. The demands for money came through the post every month. They threatened me with court and I turned the tables on them.

Would the US or the UK allow Thailand to monitor their elections? In Florida?

Hope you are keeping well,

All the Best

Bill Z

Erm, sat here wondering what the dickens Europe, or indeed the USA has to do with Thailand?

There are quite a number of girls who wear glasses where I teach.

Plus, there must be many more who may wear 'contact lenses'.

I was wondering... why so many posts about the UK on a Thai forum???

In relation also to the Mass Emmigration from the UK.

Also the Sex Trade, although referring to the UK in that particular report, is, in fact, a World Health Organisation report.

No doubt each country arround the world will have received individual reports

Source: AOL UK NEWS (today)....

<H2 style="MARGIN: 6pt 3pt 0pt 6pt">UK 'has 5,000 child prostitutes'</H2>

The UK has 5,000 child prostitutes, a report into slavery claims. And Save The Children's Small Hands Of Slavery claims millions of youngsters are regularly attacked and raped in their lives as child slaves. The shocking figures were released to coincide with Slavery Remembrance Day, the bicentenary of the trade's abolition.

Bill Bell, Save the Children's head of protection, said: "Child slavery is not a thing of the past. There are still millions of children in both rich and poor countries who are being forced to lead slave-like lives under horrific conditions of humiliation and abuse. "Currently across the world there are, for example, 1.8 million children trapped in the sex trade, over a million children risking their lives working in mines, and millions more, some as young as six, forced to work up to 15 hour days as domestic workers. These children are treated as commodities, liable to be lent or sold to other owners without warning.

"World leaders and international donors must act with urgency to address child slavery and put in place the laws and resources needed to eradicate these terrible practices."

The report states that 1.2 million children and babies are trafficked every year, including into Western Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, and the number is increasing.

Gangs involved in child and people trafficking make an estimated profit of 32 billion dollars (£16 billion) per year, the charity said.

Approximately 1.8 million children are being abused through prostitution, child pornography and sex tourism - and 75% of the UK's child prostitutes are girls.

The report states that youngsters often lose their childhood by being sold into adult relationships. The report states: "Child marriage, which often includes mail order and internet brides, is one of the most widespread - yet hidden - forms of slavery. Girls as young as four are forced to live and have sex with their husband, and are often kept trapped indoors. Girls under 15 are five times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than women over 20. In Afghanistan more than half of all girls are married before they are 16."

True I came here because of the tax benefits and the fact that the wife is Thai, but if it weren't for the money I would go back to UK, Thailand is great for holidays but becomes a bit of a drag when I spend a long time here. Plus and minus points for both, but the UK clinches it on infrastructure.

How they can say the population is 60 million is beyond me, the true figure is plus another 10 - 20 million.

If l could have my 2 english sons here, and they moved West Ham United to Bangkok i would never go back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No truer word spoken in 'jest' . Have they not just moved Man City to Thailand? Or about to do so?

Oh yes! The DSS are about to start checking Passports on their new computer systems , hmmm

I am off to bed, this whole episode is depressing me, I will never sleep tonight

,...?...gawd blimey squire!..you 'ammers' ain't arf got some fingers!

I mean I was a &lt;deleted&gt; and told the truth about living in Thailand but I should have lied and I think I would have gotten a better reception. I still have the letter telling me my immigration status was no good. And yet an Eastern European can come here and have medical care and welfare benefits and I worked for Britain for years!!!!!

sorry TEFLMike, was dashing in without reading!!!!! Yes it was awful for me while I was very ill, they kept hassling me for proof of address. The trick I think, is not to burn your bridges

Indeed, I keep my address in the UK and redirect my mail over here so they can't pull that expat crap.

No problem . I posted that within asecond of your post arriving :-).

I am

about to give up my association flat in the UK in October. I cannot afford to keep that on now I am here. I was married , with a house for 30 years . Funds are dwindling. I am still paying extortinate council tax etc. I will no doubt use my parents or brothers address in the UK. My bank and doctors are still 50 miles away near my parents from where I lived anyway

And it ain't easy to get back into the UK system once you've been out of it for a while. I got told I was 'of questionable immigration status when I went back last year and was almost refused hospital treatmant... and I;m British!!!!!!

wev'e been done like kippers lads!

Think laterally. Successive Governments have consciously or sub-consciously, forced the White British National out of their own Country????? They have promoted immigrants from the ex-(so called) Empire. Cheaper labour?

Or, have the White British national forced themselves out of the market through greed?

A proper thesis needs to be applied to these questions. We know there is a 'shift' resulting from 'Globalisation'?

And it ain't easy to get back into the UK system once you've been out of it for a while. I got told I was 'of questionable immigration status when I went back last year and was almost refused hospital treatmant... and I;m British!!!!!!

Just mentioned this fact in my post only a few minutes ago. The rules have tightened up over the last few months regarding hospital treatment.

However, is there any point in returning to the UK, even with ill health etc?

Now the new rules and regulations are in force, all expats, to whatever country, both Europe and further afield,on their return to the UK ,will have to now pay for health treatment.

Excluding : from what I read in a report a few weeks ago, those who are working abroad teaching english as a foreign language.

I cry when I see the state of England now and what it used to be like, until, not that far distant past.

Land of Hope but no Glory?

I have just this minute read that article on AOL UK News.

Two things concern me.

I have stated for years that the UK, within 25 years will become a third world country. many areas of the UK have already become deplorable. Entire British Communities wiped out, the community gone for ever, including the local pub.

However, how many, who have already left, are going to have to return to the UK, when funds run dry .?

POLICE CHECK CERTICATE

If your friend resides in the UK, they must go to their local police station.

They have to request a form to complete. This will also need a signature and address of a professional person who has known them for a few years or more. I.e: a Solicitor, Teacher, Doctor. They may charge for this, or they may not.

They return the completed form to their local police station, accompanied with money valued £10 UK sterling.

ALLOW up to 40 days for the certificate to be sent out by post.

Phoning the police at any time to seek advice on where they are at as regards the check, will not speed up the time taken for them to receive the certificate from the police.

Hope this helps

What? With all this talk about Edosperm flour, it is enought to put one off pizzas for life!

<H2 class=bodyTxt>Wheat & Grains http://' target="_blank"></H2>What is the most commonly used grain for flour?

There are many grains which can be milled, but common wheat has long been a favourite because it produces flour which is ideal for a wide range of cooking and baking.

What other grains can be used to make flour?

A whole host of other grains can be used to make flour including barley, buckwheat, maize (corn), gram, oats, rye, sorghum, soya and spelt.

What is durum wheat?

Durum wheat and common wheat are different species of wheat. Durum wheat is very hard and usually used to make flour and semolina for pasta.

What is spelt wheat?

Spelt wheat is ancient variety of wheat, which has a slightly nutty flavour. It is low in gluten, but high in protein, which makes it a more digestible for some people.

What is Endosperm?

The endosperm is the food reserve on which the young plant lives until is has developed a root system. The endosperm is the part of the grain milled to make white flour.

What is the Germ?

The embryo of the wheat plant with a radicle which can grow into roots and plumule which can develop into stems, leaves and ears. (The germ is present in wholemeal flour and can be added to white or brown flour (10%) to make wheatgerm flour).

What is the Bran?

Comprised of the pericarp which protects the grain and the inner seed coats which control the intake of water into seed. Most or all of the bran is present in wholemeal and brown flour, together with the endosperm.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is formed from the proteins in grains and becomes elastic in dough. As the dough ferments the gas which is released (carbon-dioxide) is caught in the elastic gluten which creates balloon-like bubbles. This causes the dough to rise.

What grains are gluten-free?

Gluten-free grains include buckwheat, gram and rice.

Where does the wheat used to make flour in the UK come from?

Around 82% of wheat used by UK flour millers is grown in the UK. Other wheats used in UK grists include North American,German and French.

What is the difference between a hard and soft wheat?

In the mill a hard wheat will break down into a more granular, free-flowing, easily sifted flour, while a soft wheat will produce a flour with finer, irregular particles, which tend to stick together slightly. Hard wheats tend to be high in gluten, soft wheats tend to be low in gluten.

Try teaching 1269 schoolkids English Language a week?

LOL

Hard work?

I am posting to get some views/ advice from members about the following:

Over the past three or four months we have got to know a young Thai couple who live near us in the UK and work in a local Thai restaurant. They have recently disclosed to us a serious personal predicament as they feel they can now trust us and they do not know what to do.

It transpires that they came to the UK about 18 months ago having paid 300,00 baht to some sort of employment agency in Thailand, who promised them work permits and good paid jobs in the UK. They borrowed the money against family land in the hope that they could come to the UK and send money back.

They came over here and initially worked in the hotel industry on very low wages but with live-in accommodation. After deductions, they had barely enough to live on let alone start to pay off the loan back in Thailand. They continued working as they were told that after one year, they would be free to get better paid jobs elsewhere.

The year passed, their work permits lapsed and the hotel dismissed them! They then got a job with this Thai restaurant, again with tied accommodation. I have found out that they were being paid £2.50 per hour for each working 66 hours a week! They were even having accommodation bills deducted from this, so again they could barely afford to feed themselves. When they asked about earning more so that they could start paying the loan, they again were told to pack their bags. They are now staying with a friend and helping out in their pub for free (well for a room I guess).

I know some may see them as illegal immigrants who should be deported, but I just see a nice hard working young couple who have been cheated, lied to and are now being exploited by (Thai) businesses over here who know they cannot complain.

If they go back to Thailand, they cannot pay back the loan and their families will be homeless. If they stay here, they will effectively remain as slaves, scraping to pay off a loan they cannot really afford.

Any ideas will be gratefully received.

Let's remember. Britain is no less guilty....... of EXPLOITATION