Hannahcopacabana

Hi folks,

I'm going to the music festival in Hua Hin over the first weekend of April. It's at Springfield Village Golf and Spa at Cha Am.

I'm on a tight budget and I thought I'd camp to keep costs down. Can you recommend any campsites which are close to the venue?

Also, I've never been to Hua Hin before and I was thinking about spending a few days camping at the beach after the festival. I'm after something quiet, low key - I'd be happy with a bit of beach or a bit of river and cheap food locally. Any tips on where to go? Can I just rock up at the beach and pitch my tent or do I have to stay at a campsite?

Do you think I'll need to rent a car? Or will I be able to do a trip like this using buses, trains, taxis etc.

Many thanks for any help or advice you can offer x

There's a map of the festival here

http://www.frappemusic.com/venue.html

Hi All,

I have been asked to teach Sociology A Level. I already teach English from Key Stage 3 up to A Level but have zero experience of Sociology. Any tips on where I can get some training or advice in Bangkok?

Many thanks,

Hannahcopacabana

Hello

I'm trying to find a map of the canals and boat-taxis online - no luck

Can anyone direct me to a good website with the routes and the names of the stops in English?

Alternatively - can you advise me how to travel from Phra Khanong to Ramkhamhaeng by boat? I know where the stop is at Ramkhamhaeng but I can only seem to get it in the direction of Thong Lo. Surely there's a route that goes to Phra Khanong and Klong Toei...?

Many thanks for your help.

Background:

I am a British female and have been working legally for a year as a teacher in Bangkok. I entered the country with a Non Immigrant B visa, obtained with a letter of invitation to work from my current employer. The stamp in my passport says, "Extension of stay permitted up to 5 Sept 2009." I am leaving my current place of employment at the end of July and starting in a new school, also in Bkk on August 19th.

My questions:

-I think the visa and work permit are linked and that when my WP is cancelled, I will have to leave the country within 5 days. Is this true? Or can I stay legally until 5th September, as my passport says?

-Do I have to get a new visa in order to stay in Thailand legally until my new job starts on Aug 19th?

-If I need to get a new visa, do I need to go to a Thai Embassy on Foreign soil and apply for a new Non immigrant B visa with a letter of invitation to work from my new employer? Or can I just do a border run and come back in on a tourist visa on arrival?

Thank you in advance.

Go up and obviously take a couple of photos of him. Or, have someone pose as a journalist and tell him he's been nominated as a KSR "character of interest" for an interview (with pictures) If he's really a "dodgy pervert' doing wrong he'll object strenuously. If he's just an eccentric loopy he probably won't mind.

"dodgy pervert"...great name for a nic...thinking of changing mine.

It's a good idea. According to the original thread, though, someone has already done this.

Internet lasts longer than fliers, though.

@ SBK, is it ok to post this?

Ladies,

Please read these threads and warn others.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Mrkoo-check-...ar-t234081.html

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Dodgy-Pervert-t234724.html

(*clambers up onto her soapbox*)

Of course it's the feelings of shame and self-blame that keeps victims quiet and this plays right into the hands of people like 'Mr X'. Let's make the most of this forum and the opportunity to make his behaviour publicly known (within the limitations of forum rules- sorry for earlier infringements, Mod). I know if I had seen a certain other thread before, I wouldn't have ended up with some geezer's smegging finger in my gob.

For those of you who decry the naivete of girls who fall foul of this particular type of sexual predator, I can understand your viewpoint in my case but your responses are precisely why many people choose to keep quiet about their experiences. Please try to sympathise even if you can't empathise. (Although, nothing anyone's written so far has even come close to the emotional pounding I gave myself for allowing it to happen to me and I bet the same goes for his other conquests/victims).

@ Toptuan: You're right, undesirables do flock there. I imagine one of the reasons why is that there is a plethora of young, inexperienced and possibly inebriated tourist girls to prey on. What was I doing there? Good f@cking question. It's not somewhere I ever choose to go to but some of my friends/colleagues do... and I think we've already established that I have zero backbone.

But please let's keep to the topic - encourage any vulnerable, female friends to read this and a certain other thread. It would also be good if this could stay open so that people with similar experiences of this person can vent.

editted for spleling

If you want to leave, just fk off - end of story. What could some con lad do to make you say yes to everything?

Plenty of people would just fk off. Men like this are very practised at identifying the few who wouldn't, the ones who are easily manipulated: young, friendly, too trusting, polite, looks people in the eye, returns a smile in the street, probably treading extra carefully because she knows she's in someone else's country and wants to do her bit for international relations.

These people are abusers. And they are good at what they do. You say why not just leave: Think of the battered wives/husbands who stay with their partners. Psychological manipulation.

<snip>

Edit: I might add that the person in question is not a 'con lad' it is a man of at least 50. Age commands respect for some people. This would be something else he'd identify and use to his advantage.

<snip> are you talking about the guy who wears an Austrian style felt hat that looks like this?

http://www.villagehatshop.com/media/thumbs...g&width=375

I met this guy on KSR and thank god I spotted him for what he was before I ended up suffering the same fate as the girls in shaniasmum's post.

My story: I was stupid and drunk and had wandered off from my mates cause they'd gone into that god-awful Gulliver's place.

He was sitting on a white plastic chair by the side of the street and called me over to sit next to him. I mean it when I call this man a pro - he makes it very difficult for you to either end the conversation or leave, without appearing churlish: He is friendly, approachable, speaks good English and ends every sentence with " Am I right? Say 'Yes'," So you play along and you say 'Yes' and it's all fun and games until he asks you to do something you don't want to do. But by this point he's got you backed into a corner so when he says you've got blocked energy and he needs to put his finger in your mouth to clear it, the only answer you have is 'Yes.'

He's a dirty old git and it's doubly worrying to hear that he's using rohypnol or whatever now too.

This guy's a menace. Warn your female friends.

Anybody else know of this @rsehole? Please post if you have a similar story - maybe we can expose him to the point he is put out of action.

Wow - that's horrible. Hope he's doing ok.

It is, of course, just another piece of the already abundant evidence that cats are inherently and incurably evil

To cheer you up:

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary...

8:00 am - Dog food! My favourite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favourite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favourite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favourite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favourite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favourite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favourite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favourite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favourite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favourite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Diary .

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. B*stards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe ................ For now

He's not very fond of Bangkokians and they "love" him back.

Why?

Why don't you ask him why he is not fond of Bangkokians?

Because I've lost his phone number

Plus seemed to know something about the subject so I was asking for further clarification of this alleged mutual dislike.

EDIT: Inserted the word 'alleged'

He's not very fond of Bangkokians and they "love" him back.

Why?

So what did I suggest in my post ? You can cry down your country of origin as much as you wish IT WILL NOT SOLVE PROBLEMS IN THAILAND , why do people do this so often ? Is it just to ease your pain and excuse you from having learned little from past experience ?

Sorry about your arse , but this is your chosen home , help to eliminate these problems , not excuse them with flea bitten past experiences , this is Thailand WITH ALL ITS WARTS .

Now now, there's no need to get defensive: If you re-read my post in the cold light of day, you'll see that I actually wholeheartedly support your sound advice, good sir.

The only aspect with which I took issue was your assertion, along with several other posters, that this is a problem with Thailand specifically rather than being an age-old method for property owners the world over to fleece their tennants.

I think Cathyy said it far better (less antagonistically) than I did, tho.

edit: RE eliminating / solving the problem of landlord-ripoff syndrome, isn't that exactly what we're attempting to do here by identifying preventative measures?

Thanks, all for the great advice. In the end, we did get a big taxi to drive us up and it worked out about the same as getting public transport (cost-wise).

Stayed at a lovely place called Thai Garden Inn (650/night for a fan bungalow, pool, free push bikes to borrow, 5 mins ride from town) which was a lovely little place, very intimate and with the most amazing chef ever - I've never had gai phad ghing like it! Highly recommended for the medium-budget holiday-maker.

Hang on a minute - my booze-addled brain just came up with an excuse for my poor language skills (the ones what lead to the miscontruingness of the earlier thing) : it's the balcony I want to rabbit-froop (not the flat), thus keeping the rabbits either one side or t'other of the railing... but I never said which side... hic

ok. I'll go now.

To my way of thinking- a balcony is usually an appendage on a building that is not at ground level. Ground level balconies are usually referred to as decks, terraces, patios, etc.

So- unless wild Thai rabbits can fly up on to a balcony, it makes sense hat the OP wants to keep his rabbits from being victims of gravity!

Furthermore, I've never seen a rabbit running free / wild in Thailand. They would most certainly be as you suggest - caught and eaten! Aroi mak!

Hannahcopacabana - just for laughs, tell us!

Lol! Bino is right, although I thoroughly enjoyed that whole exchange. I do, however, see, Dumball, how my choice of words may have led you to that conclusion.

And while we're off the topic, can you get those flying rabbits in JJ market? I gotta get me one of those babies... tho if they could fly, I wouldn't need to be so worried about them plunging from my fifth-floor balcony to their watery deaths in the jacuzzi below.

Thanks, all, for your help: I'll be off to Paholwhatsit in the morning.

Rabbit snuggles to each and every one. x

TIT my arse: Sorry, but this happens the world over and it's especially bad for young people.

I remember renting a flat in the UK as a student: Being a bit green and a first-time renter, those landlords smell you a mile off and they will've spent your deposit before you've finished moving your stuff in. Your only hope is to smile, be polite and refer back to your lease agreement. You may negotiate a less obscene deduction but you haven't a snowball's hope of getting your full deposit back. Sorry.

As far as I'm concerned, this is understood the second one signs the lease on a rental - it's a whaddyoucallit? An occupational hazard. I'm sure there are fair and reasonable landlords out there... it's just that all the ones I've ever had cause to do business with are knobheads.

Edit: way to avoid it next time - take the landlord around the flat with you when you move in and log every little nick and scratch on the place. Write it up. Sign it - both of you.

Can anyone tell me why all the campaign posters for Khun Pleum (number 8) have been vandalised? Is it just my area (south BKK)? Am I missing something? None of the other candidates posters have been damaged.

I want to rabbit-proof my balcony. I figured cut-to-measure perspex sheeting would do the trick but have no idea were to get it.

Any other suggestions for rabbit proofing would be much appreciated too.

Mr Copacabana and I would like to visit Kanchanaburi for a few days with our family. What is the best way to get there from Bangkok? I'd pefer not to take them on the bus unless it's super-easy. Unfortunately, motorbikes are not an option.

Also, can you suggest an itinerary for us? His parents are quite elderly and not too agile, though they can cope with walking for a few hours over even ground.

-I fancy the Erawan waterfalls but don't know how accessible they'd be for the in-laws.

-We'd also like to visit Ayutthaya: Is this do-able from Kanchanaburi or does it make more sense to do it as a separate trip from Bangkok?

-Can you recommend somewhere to stay? By the river would be nice, a little colonial charm perhaps . Any indication of rates would be most useful too.

Many thanks and a festive greetings.

Hi Bhoydy,

I teach phonics using the Jolly Phonics books to kids aged from 4 - 10 in both one-to-one sessions and in groups of up to 12 students and I find it works really well. More than that, walking into a new group, I can pick out pretty accurately the kids that have done phonics work and the kids that haven't

I'm no expert on young learners but as far as I know, the only other method is the 'see, say, hide, spell' style methods which seem to rely on children memorising a sequence of letters (in the correct order) as well as the sounds which they represent (a pretty tall order for a kid, IMO). It seems to me that from there, the kid is expected to figure out the rules of spelling in relation to sound and apply it themselves - another tough task for a littler. (But again, this is not the age I was trained to teach so if anyone can correct my thinking here, please do)

As far as I'm concerned, it just makes sense to teach the units of sounds and how to blend them in order to get the kids actually reading on their own as soon as possible and get their reading confidence up. They can learn the rule exceptions after that. Moreover, when they do come up against an unfamiliar word, phonics kids are generally much more likely to have a go at sounding the word out than kids who only learn by sight.

PS: I've also taught phonics to adults who can speak already but want to learn to read and it helped loads. (obviously, I didn't do the actions or colour in the entertaining characters)

I've just been introduced to Stephenie Meyer's books (although I gather I'm a little late to the party). I've read the first two (Twilight and New Moon) over the last ten days and I just started Eclipse this morning.

It's like Buffy before the series went off topic - pure, self-indulgent fantasy and I can't get enough of it!

I'm out of my favourite shampoo and any others I try leave my hair dull and weighted down.

I know I saw Tigi products in MBK years ago but I'm having no luck finding any.

King's College of English (Bang Na, SCB, Emporium)

:D :D :jerk: