onlycw

Found Aeroflot via SVO to HAV, Cuba. But expensive at > 1,600 Euros. Maybe someone knows an alternative route? Thank you in anticipation!

...She cried for 2 hours. What do you reckon will be the repercussions?

I've seen many a beating with bamboo sticks, but always Thai teachers were the perps.

I told him it's forbidden and that it might become a Police matter and end his stay in Thailand. He's from an African country and has a <600 TOEIC score.

It takes two to tango. What about the schools who like it this way?!??

Can someone shed a light on this?

Over the years, I've often been upset by needless falsehood. Promises etc. Even in a professional environment, lying is all too common.

Why go round and make promises one doesn't intend to keep? Why pretend to want English lessons? Why announce a party which will never take place? Just wondering.

Q2: Lying doesn't bring loss of face?

What standards?! "World Class Standard Schools'"? There is this schidzophrenic disparity between the self image and the reality. Long meetings, pompous announcements - and then what?

What about "adventurers" from African countries? Has anyone checked those "degrees"?

Many teachers cannot even have a simple conversation. But hey, let's bash the NES.

What really matters is the relentless drive to cut costs. NEs are being replaced - - -

good luck with that!

Many who hang in there struggle in an unprofessional environment.

The tax issue should have been brought up immediately, ie, "I have no work permit, why are you taking taxes! If you don't stop taking that I wont work". I would take that very seriously, and should have been done immediately. It is the same thing as somebody just taking money out of your pocket. We are in Thailand, and the money is now gone, and you will have more trouble than it is even worth getting it back. But it surely is due to you.

Filing a tax return is easy. do it. For that you will need a form (forgot the name, something 90?) by the employer listing the deductions.

I've encountered this kind of fraud. When you can't reclaim amounts because these were not paid in, then this is FRAUD.

You are living in "Animal Farm" over here. I know a teacher in his 70s and he's been getting WPs etc. No common standards, eh?

By not taking it lying down, you will help others, JMHO. What have you got to lose? Labour Court will be free. And my wife is an accountant - she can file that tax return for you in minutes (free of charge, of course). I always got all taxes refunded... *** But I've been swindled, too. Like with the SS contributions and the 'hospital" they said they "registered" me. after months of payments or rather DEDUCTIONS, I needed treatment and was billed as I wasn't in the computer. Someone likes to embezzle monies. What's new? I saw the list with actual salaries of all teachers and noticed discrepancies to the amounts paid out to some foreign teachers. again, someone seems to be syphoning off some of the salaries greenlited by the school.

OP: please define "unqualified". The highest paid foreign English teacher at my school has a TOEIC score of 540. Worthy of a raise and a free house on the school premises.

Some schools never bother with anything. Be that a B-Visa, a WP or change of status at Immigration. Nor do they pass on who's working illegally to the TCT or their reginal eductaion office.

Okay, as a guest in this country, I grant them the right to make the rules. But they bloody well should apply them to all.

• Fake degrees - some are quite ridiculous.
• NES "with a degree in English" from a certain African country, hundreds having the same degree certificate (as witnessed personally)
• Folks who cannot even engage in small talk due to vocabulary issues etc. One such "teacher" couldn't understand an American and vice versa, the American couldn't understand him.

IF they are serious about improvements, I suggest they make "English teachers" spend an hour talking and reading with some NES at the TCT. And the degree holders won't have an problem writing an essay related to their degree?

So native speakers will be made to leave. Good bye proper English, hello broken English!

I would make a big stink and demand to speak to a superior of that officer. You are clearly genuine tourists and you all will return to Germany in less than 2 weeks.

That's not why the laws were designed.

You are not secretly working here etc.

Good luck!

This is what is behind this whole crackdown on Visa Runs. To prevent people from working in Thailand without a Work Permit. So I hope the Effect is great.

This is a 2 edged sword! With no Work Permit you have zero rights! The Demand is there so as long as there is a Supply who will work in the Black Way nothing will ever change.

If these Visa Rules continue to be enforced this Supply should dry up forcing them to do things legally. Which means legal work permits and the wages, paid vacation, and the small benefits and rights that go with that.

"Paid vacation"?!? I'm all for it! Alas, I was suckered into coming to a school. The promised 12 months' contract was renegged on later. Now it's shorter and no paid hols.

Moreover, how come that there are "teachers" with a TOEIC score of less than 550? The minimum score is 600, isn't it?

Wish the crackdown would be universal and affect all aspects of our profession.

Personally, I've stayed here on T Visas for years. The began teaching. Got some B-Visas, WPs and there were times when I was back on T-Visas. Got "show proof of financial support" stamped in red onto my last T-Visa. Not sure what that means and what they are looking for? 400 k in the bank? Monthly payments from overseas?

Anyhow, if they really want to uproot illegal teachers, they need to focus on degrees and the ability to do the job.

You do not need a TEFL, only a degree for the waiver. But if you are non-native speaker you need to do an English proficiency test.

How come there are folks teaching who weren't a single day at a university?

One of those had to sign his own book because he wasn't a teacher at the tender age of 20. Big deal - he was doing exactly the same job as other foreign teachers. Just saying. And yes, the TCT was involved. But at Immigration, when it came ot changing his Visa, the officer let him stew in his own juices for like 2 hours. Objected to an earring

This could be the school's way of telling you to go away rather than an immigration decision. Just saying.......how many visible tattoos do you have; are you clean cut; do you own a pair of dress slacks, shoes, a tie and a dress shirt?

Peculiar way of telling a person to go away ...by offering him a job even without the permit.

For the record, there are schools which never ever bother with any of the requirements. Forget the B-Visa - no assistance given, even if you pay for everything. They just don't bother with a n y of that. B-Visa, WP, TCT, ... Has anyone heard of a director getting into trouble over this? No one? Go figure!

But there was a guy who ended up in the IDC in Bangkok. But he had pissed off his director... The illegal foreigner gets fined 100 k, the employer 10 k. That tells a lot, doesn't it?

Hi all,

have been informed by the school today that my application for a work permit has been denied, because I am not a qualified teacher, enough though it's a private primary school and I'm from England.

What grounds? No TCT provisional teaching permit or teacher license?

Normally you are required to have a degree and a TEFL certificate.

Okay. Then bloody well stick to that - just like to the requirement of a TOEIC score of 600.

Truth be told, you likely found cases of teachers who can barely engage in small talk and those with fake degrees. Some guys, if they were at the university, then I'm Catholic!

Or take the medical - how come some need x-rays and blood work, while countless others just have their hearts listened to for 10 seconds?!?

Anything goes - or not. Can't say. But one thing is clear, it's a festering mess!

No. Especially since there are better deals (with lower rent) out there. Just shop around, take your time. You will be amazed!

A few years ago, I saw a pool villa in Chaeng Wattana advertised 40,000 Baht or about 15 million Baht to buy.

Then there are 80% finished buildings that are not completed, like the one in my condo, Champs Elysees Condominium, Tiwanon Road (next to the CALTEX gas station). Even if they woere to sell it at half preice, completing the project would make financial sense.

Check it out, there will likely be property taxes in future. And you can rent nice places for amazingly little money. Shop around!

Thanks for your post! Good question. Why not rely on charcoal and probiotics? Can anyone say which bacteria would be the intended target for (broad spectrum) antibiotics in your case?

Try Psyllium Husk. 1 kg costs about 450 B on Ebay. But at some health food store, it was way overpriced for the frequent use I would recommend. I'm a believer and ordered several kilos overseas. 99% Golden Peanut brand. Hope you might find a cheap source here as the stuff comes from India. Forget the small pills etc. Mix it in cold milk or fruit juice drinks.

We have more bacteria by weight than brain matter. Most bacteria is loyal and stays with us for live.

It would be absolutely catastrophic if you had lost most gut bacteria by now.

Personally, I would lay off the antibiotics...

Get better quickly!

Hi Shaun

hope you will like it. But unless you are into nightclubs, beer bars and the red light district, I would recommend you choose some other destination. My first visit ever was to Jomtien Beach.

Now I like the North, islands, Nan, Chiang Mai... Rent a motorcycle. Work as a (p.-t.?) teacher if you need some income.

Just saying. Check out other regions of Thailand!

Am not a good rider - and I've overcooked a few corners in my life. Usually, there will be more issues than just too high speed. It gets tricky when there is gravel or sand in the curve... Am trying several things simultaneously. Light braking, changing direction, ... praying? Not sure. Might be cursing...

Watch out for the surface of the road. Also for the rear wheel upon downshifting on cheap hard tires.

Well, both are good bikes. The Yamaha is cheaper to buy but harder to sell (higher depreciation, too).

Am currently riding an Wave 100 in terrible shape. Likely >100,000 km, but the bike is reliable despite years of deferred and bad maintenance (wrong spark plug used etc., am renting it from a Thai).

A friend has the Spark 135 and he's a true biker who also owns a Harley. He loves his and it's a keeper for him. But for just a year or two, I would likely buy the Wave but without starter.

OT: Is there a place selling used Wave parts? Need a chain, tires, shocks... Don't wonna spend thousands on a rental.

If it was only so simple, sigh. Be generous and watch your relationship being poisoned by a sweet poison.

With hindsight, some generous acts have been plain foolish. They also cause a certain expectation. Soon,

it will be utterly normal... Money gets in the way of love. Keep it clean, if you can.

Oh - they don't even have an e-mail address on their website! Or a phone number for English speaking staff.

How disappointing!

... and schools! How much can / do government schools collect from parents?

What about the cash flow at schools?

Some collect "money for the teachers", others "for the foreign teachers". And when it suits some interested party, they can hire illegals as foreign teachers. Why bother with a B-visa, a WP or their own Regional Education Office or the TCT in Bangkok?!?

Education is an area where this country needs reform!

Does anyone know a hotline for Education related complaints? Thailand has the highest or second highest spending on education as % of GDP!

Actually those teachers who has a fake diploma couldn't get a 5 years license because the Khurusapa will check the school it takes 2 to 3 months before they will issue the license and the Ministry of Labor also check the documents before they will approve the WP.

Really? How come that "Famcare International's" degree in Theology was accepted by all? TCT, Labour Dept. and Immigration?!?

Then there are a ton of degrees out there who all look alike from one university in Cameroon. Enough said.

Thailand would quickly recoup even a million Baht spent on sone P.I. or official cop investigating just the candidates with these degrees in Cameroon.

Someone whom I will support wants to enroll there. They are somewhat unique. No entry exam? Open to all who can pay?

Heard they have a good reputation. They are in Bangkok-Huamark.

Cheers!

...After having waited for months?!? I'm disgusted.

One TV article back then hinted at the one high ranking suspect wouldn't even do time of found guilty.

Commit murder - and keep your rank and pension?!? (No one was found guilty by a court of law, but this made me wonder...)

Cui bono? Who benefits?

There was a lawsuit raging...

OT: Any update on the years old case of an American professor who prepaid for a luxury home and all he ever got was a hole in the ground? On some island. Drive by contract killing. He had been suing a developer. Real tough case, huh?

Sent some electronics to a friend. 52 Baht with EMS. 2,000 Baht insurance and sign for. Well...

Turns out mail gets dumped at his condo. Anyone could have grabbed the envelope.

Am disappointed and want to share so thatr you may add insurance if you send something valuable.

Had sent an I-Phone 5S by EMS and it arrived...

This is a first.