orpheus454

We'll be in Ao Nang on Wednesday night and were wondering if anyone knows of any bar that might be showing this live, from about 5pm local time here.

Thanks for any info.

The Filipino working for me does have a work permit. It's not provided by me, but by someone else. Employment with me is only part-time and yes, I know that technically it's illegal.

And I

know plenty of people whose jobs were taken by foreigners in my home country

. They worked for less and did work nobody else wanted to do. It's a fact of life.

"It's a fact of life and you know plenty of people whose jobs were taken by foreigners" but did they have the visa to work in your country? My guess on that would be yes otherwise they would be out. As for those questioning the 12,000 - room - meals--I forgot to mention the paid visa runs--yes paid.

Why my GF didn't offer to do the job cheaper was because the Filipno is the same as your younger sister--SHE CAN SPEAK ENGLISH and free English lessons 24 hours a day 6 days a week are worth a lot more then 12,000 to most people. This is the reason that the Thai lady is not working while the Filipno is. IS THIS RIGHT???

Sounds all right to me. What's the problem?

Thailand is like a dance. Two steps one way, then one another. Then lets spin around for a while. And now it seems the music has stopped.

Good point.

If only Thailand could have an economy as robust as that of the United States...

You are of course presuming a democracy already exists. I don't think it does, or ever has in which case I believe the fix is a little longer term - Education is one issue, others views I have would break the rules I signed up to, so I'll leave you guessing on those.

So, is Great Britain a democracy...?

When I read these stories it terrifies me. I have never used drugs, but the thought of a false positive, and subsequently being sent to the woefully overcrowded Phuket Provincial Prison for who knows how long scares the hel_l out of me. From where I am from, this blatant violation of personal liberty would be unconscionable.

I used drugs in the past but that is a long time ago, but i would be worried about a false positive too. Or about corrupt police trying to get you to pay up or frame you. Its just that i don't trust the police in Thailand that much.

I do actually have a fair amount of faith in the integrity of Australian police.

Indeed.

We are so fortunate that there's never been any corruption in the Queensland or New South Wales police forces...

Scarey, life is cheap in Thailand.

Yep, indeed.

We're so lucky that this type of shooting would never happen in the U.S., where life is valued so much more.

I was wondering if anyone had tried to teach their students phonics as part of their curriculum. If so any feedback, good or bad would be appreciated. I know it helped me when learning the correct Thai sounds, but on a larger classroom scale does it work or not. Thai students seem to have great difficulty getting the right sounds of words and i'm trying to think of ways in which to improve this. Obviously this would be for younger learners in the upper Prathom to lower Mathayom as for senior Mathayom i'm afraid it's already to late and lower Prathom a bit too early.

Thanks in advance

Had I not been implementing a graphophonics program myself, I might have disagreed with your assertion that earlier Prathom is too early, now I'm not so sure. But the apparent lack of success in my Year 1 class might have something to do with its size of 41 kids.

I consider being able to sound out words is crucial for early language learners, at any age, as it makes the written word, in whatever form, a potentially valuable source of language instruction. Without it, only sight words have any meaning.

I've adapted an individual remedial graphophonics program (designed for native speakers with reading difficulties) and been using it on whole classes and it seems to be going well for Years 2-6.

I stress "seems" to be going well because I've only been doing it for 2 months, but I now can have kids attempting to sound out a word, where previously they would have just looked at me strangely when requested to do so.

There has also been one particularly wonderful side effect: because I've effectively gone right back to basics in one area, some kids who'd been left behind somewhere along the line now find themselves quite good at this particular skill and I find them volunteering enthusiastically to participate.

Early language learners need to be able to sound out words, even if initially incorrectly. Some other posters in this thread have seen this as primarily an issue of pronunciation. No, it's bigger than that. It's about turning squiggles on a page into sounds.

Ok. So this seems the natural cousin to the other thread I started. I have totally blown it with my Thai waaaay too many times to remember. Sometimes it's a matter of grammar, or others it's the wrong verb, and then there's those darn tones.

One that always comes to mind right off the bat happened when new to Thailand and Chiang Mai. There's a street named after a very well respected family in town called Nimmanhaemind. Of course it's such a mouthful and has irregular vowel patterns for most Farang, that they butcher the heck out of this name. It's quite easy to get right, really with some practice, or if you study the spelling in Thai, but most don't. In any case, I once asked a police officer which way was Thanon Nee- man- hee - men ?

Should have ended in 'hae-min', but I think there are lots of words in Eng like 'vehement' which have a a long e, short e rhythm to them and this is what I imitated. Needless to mention the cop was stunned by the Falang who was half speaking intelligently, and half rudely - accidentally. He didn't know what to make of it. As I repeated it more slowly, emphasizing just the street, more loudly as well 'Neeee- mahn - heeeee - men' he got more and more distracted by the 'hee men' and eventually started laughing and shaking his head no at me. He explained to me 'Hee men,' pud mai dai', and corrected me. This of course has gone on to be one of my favorite Thai screw ups.

And if you don't know, it means 'smelly fashina'.... wooops!

This seems a simple one to make too. Another friend of mine from Colorado was trying to explain during the cold season that during that time in her country there is alot of snow. Mii hima! yoe. But then, if you don't use the short salaa a you get 'hee- mah'. Very bad. And compared to Thailand, I'm not sure that Colorado would win anyway, who has more 'dog fashina' or not, what with all the soi dogs running around. Needless to say she thereafter learned the differences between ะ and า.

Having a beer with dads of students one time, wanted to show off my grasp of coloquialisms, got up from the table intending to say จะไปยิงกระตาย

They sort of looked at me funny, and it wasn't until I was in the bathroom doing my business that I realised I'd said, instead, จะไปชักว่าว

Edited to fix my typing.

I once went to German restaurant in Pattaya where the menu was only in German. I didn't feel too welcome

I agree. That is fairly common here among various nationalities here and it pisses me off. It is also stupid. Do they seriously think only Germans might want to eat German food?

Yep.

Why would anyone else want to eat German food? It's almost as bad as English food...!

as this has been explained in the other thread by an email from the ceo or similarly high up in the company, showing any form of thai identification gets you the resident price.

...

to reiterate: Siam ocean world will give you a resisdent rate if you show them something that establishes you as a resident.

OK. I wasn't aware that was their policy. Under those circumstances I withdraw my objection. A business is certainly entitled to offer discounts to locals, as they are much more likely to be repeat customers. I think it is difficult to argue that incentives such as this are unfair. As long as the same incentive is offered to all residents, regardless of nationality or skin color.

Truthfully though, if this is their policy, it should be clearly displayed so everyone understands. That would stop most of these complaints. The fact that it isn't stated openly makes everyone jump to conclusions.

Mmmm... nobody is "made" to jump to conclusions.

Some will, others might check first.

Is out of my understanding why so many Tv members stay/live/have business in Thailand and 24/7 complaining about the country and the Thai.

This is different from the normal complaints isn't it... because of the Thais' temper tantrums and ineffectual government, this guy's life may be ruined, along with many others who have nothing to do with the argument. This on top of global economic ruin- I agree, this does feel like the land of the idiots right now.

Maybe, but then again most countries look like that from time to time... take, for example, the US in the Novembers of 2000 and 2004.

To admit need, would be the same as admitting inadequacies, something a Thai will not do, and something many of the Thai defenders refuse to do.

Huh...

Do you mean the 65 Million Thai people that you don't know, or the one that married you ?

Oh good one mister ambasordor, what would Thailand do without out you here to defend it?

It would carry on in the Thai way, just as it will carry on and survive in the Thai way despite your moaning about it. Cos if I defend or you attack Thailand, in the grand scheme of things, it's makes not one iota of difference to Thailand, only to yourself, so I tend to look upon the positive whilst you prefer to look upon the negative. We have a choice, that's what makes a forum,

let's face it, if the forum was nothing but Thai bashing, it would be banned from local servers probably, you know what the censorship is like here............LOL, you see it's infectious, I'm moaning about something I can't change...

Just to add, if I was as unhappy as many of the Thai bashers appear to be in Thailand, I'd be on the first available flight out, or I'd live a pretty miserable life here if I had no choice.

Luckily I have a choice, and I choose to remain here, if that's OK with the majority of the posters here.

Yeah, OK then, you can stay...

Just curious. I know that every school is different and all cases are unique, but do Thai schools generally respond well to blackmail (i.e. if you don't increase my salary next year I won't be coming back). What ya all think?

I'm curious why you'd term it "blackmail".

Isn't that just a free labour market at work: an employee takes the best option available, and if a better option shows up then they move and go with that as appropriate (eg at the end of a contract).

The market for foreign English teachers certainly seems quite free and open to me: both schools and teachers are quite free to take their best perceived options. I'd say the market for local teachers at private schools is similar, and is moving in that direction in the government sector as formal appointments decrease and casual appointments increase.

In deciding on the "best option" surely any teacher would consider salary level as a quite important factor among many.

Similarly, a school will consider many factors in deciding whether you're worth what you ask. Why would they refuse if you were?

It is very sad to see the people of Thailand treating their former Prime Minister with such disrespect. What has happened to the people of Thailand?

Once regarded as peaceful friendly people, they are now crazy in mind, protesting at any decision that the government makes. The have soon forgotten the old days where twenty baht had to last for your food all day.

They have become westernized and with it they have become hypocrites, vindictive, jealous and antisocial people.

Wake up Thailand and leave Dr. Thaksin alone! You have very short memories. You must know that it would be difficult for him to have a fair trial here, and one can't blame him for the decision that he has made.

Hello Paul,

I am replying because your post got my attention (seems others thought your font too small?)

Thanks for your brief summary of the Thai condition. Maybe it's just as well they've forgotten the old days when 20 baht bought a day's food. I think most are happier these days.

As for your patron Saint, Dr., Pol.Lt.Col., ex P.M. (on the run) Thaksin Shinawatra, one wonders why he has a team of lawyers running around preparing litigation against all & sundry when he feels the Thai legal system is faulty?

Not all Thais are crazy or protesting against the government. However the Thais have the closest thing to a democracy when compared to their neighbors Burma, China,Vietnam etc.

I do blame him for the decision he made. Before he fled he wasn't a criminal by definition. His wife was. But when they commited the crime of jumping bail they cancelled any credibilty they had left.

And if you're trolling, I took the bait.

I am not trolling, I am being genuine, and feel sorry for this man and his wife. Yes, I do understand what he has done, by not returning to Thailand and you are quite right to have your own feelings about this. All that I am thinking of, is putting myself in his position, and I would have done the same thing I'm sure. As for the old days, I'm pleased to hear that most Thai people are happier these days. What I was trying to put over was that Dr. Thaksin did help a lot to change the way of life for most people, especially the poor. I also do understand that he still has lots of support and not everyone is against him. I also hope my government in England help to protect him and don't send him back to Thailand to be made a laughing stock. He deserves better than that. He is a rich man as you know and he was a rich man before he ever became Prime Minister and I just hope he can enjoy his new life in England without any more worry. He made his decision and I respect him for it.

You're not really from England, are you Paul...?

As far as I know A thai passport can only be issued in Bangkok,,but I only know from experience of Issan residents.

Cheers

No. In the south they can be obtained at either Surat Thani or Songkla. I'd imagine other regions would have their issuing centres as well.

We're thinking of driving down to Krabi for a few days (for a change!) - have never been there before. We're not looking for beaches and bathing (we got that in Phuket) and we're no spring chickens either, so was thinking of basing ourselves in Krabi Town and then driving out to various places from there.

Any thoughts on Krabi town - nice restaurants, bars?? for the evening. Good location for a couple of 50 somethings?

For lunch or early dinner (they close 7pmish) go down to Tara park, on the water about 1/2 to 1 km west of the main night market at the pier. Go into Pee Dam's, the western most restaurant in a row of 4 or 5. Order the hoy chak teen, the chicken nam tok, and whatever else takes your fancy (but you really must order those two) and you'll be happy.

Both ThaiVisa and Ajarn.com (and ajarnforum.net) have rules against naming and shaming. Thai defamation law

There is at least one website that does name the school, and has had lots of posts, but the posters are careful to disguise themselves, and the website had to change its server to one overseas, because of exactly this problem. You can get in HUGE trouble for telling the truth, if it marks someone's face, in any way.

Lawyers we approached for help were reluctant to help us because the case was simple, well documented, and we had volumes of evidence against the school, showing the school's full intent and premeditation of their actions - to put this in court, you are making the school look bad, and they can sue you and your attorney for defamation! It seems like the uglier the offender is, the more social protection and intimidation they wield....

Are you suggesting that evidence presented in a Thai court of law is not privileged, and is as actionable as something said elsewhere, such as a rally or a newspaper?

I'm no lawyer either, but I find this difficult to believe.

Hi, jexon, and congratulations for posting post #601 on this thread.

Being Asian may not be a problem in most places. I met a young Asian-Canadian without an accent who probably got hired, but there are a few places here who would prefer Caucasians. The school year has started, but I got hired in Chiang Mai in July when I finished my TEFL course, so it is possible. But I was at least as qualified as you are - to teach English - and the only thing I found was a 35 km trip, each way. Anything is possible, although most uni jobs expect a master's degree. Math and science teachers are more in demand, and schools are less likely to require a Caucasian to teach those subjects.

Good luck.

I like that PB... a Canadian without an accent...