monkeyboots

On 7/6/2017 at 6:48 PM, darksidedog said:

 The best teachers of any language are of course native speakers...

As a teacher trainer of hundreds of teachers from all over the world I have seen some completely useless native speaker teachers as well as some excellent non-native speaker teachers. The world has changed and non-native speakers outnumber native speakers of English. Just because (most) native speakers are able to communicate effectively in most situations it says nothing about their ability to help learners understand and use English effectively.

21 hours ago, SiamBeast said:

It would be a great idea to post about the main points of this law when making a news article about it.

https://asiancorrespondent.com/2016/12/understanding-thailands-revised-computer-crimes-act/#I0MujrVD5W5BUPLV.97

Cheers. Thanks for that.

Hi all

Can anyone recommend any reliable car body repair places in Chiang Mai, preferably south of the city if possible (as far out as Hang Dong)? We got hit in the rear yesterday and need to sort out the back of our Vios. It's a straightforward insurance job so quality is more of a concern than price.

Thanks a lot.

Hi all

Just wanted to let you know of a Facebook teachers' resources page we have just up. We'll be posting practical ideas for use in the classroom and encourage other teachers to add their own ideas and to ask questions related to teaching. We'll be happy to get feedback and respond to it.

Cheers

https://www.facebook.com/teachingideasTELT

Does anyone have any first hand experience of taking over a small business from another foreigner? It's a basic 4 Thai employees set up. I'm trying to ascertain whether this has any advantages over actually setting up the same thing for myself. The obvious advantage to the existing owner is that he wouldn't have to pay the closing down costs. Would there be any advantage to me?

Thanks.

Hi all

I know this has been said here before in days gone by but I wanted up-to-date news. I'm just looking for confirmation that evidence of finances (400k) are not required to get the Non Immig O visa in Savannakhet as of now in 2016. Has anyone done this recently? I need to look for a contingency now if this is not possible.

Thanks

Thanks, laxman. Could you pm me, please?

Hi all

Does anyone know where i can get advice about setting up a consultancy business that would involve working only outside Thailand while being based here on a marriage visa. Could this business in theory be registered outside Thailand even if I live here?

Thanks for any help.

Thanks iain - Does Varee have a Kindergarten with an English element? The website seems to suggest that the English programme starts later than Kindegarten. We're SW of the city so Nimman would be manageable if Egg Tots is any good. Planning to have a look tomorrow.

Hi all

I know there have been posts on this topic before but I can't find anything recent.

We have twins just over 2 years old and are looking for a nursery/kindergarten for them to start off at, preferably south of town. I'm aware of the Int School options (too expensive at the moment) and places like Sunshine (again, too expensive for two!). Anyone have experience with Egg Tots, a newish place near Nimmanhemin? Or any other places which have an English element?

Any suggestions/experiences appreciated.

Cheers

Chiangmairemovals.com are reliable. Couldn't quote you a price though.

Taweechol Garden, on the left on the way out Hwy 118 to Doi Saket. Fantastic gardens full of palms from all over the world, orchids and bromeliads. You can hand-feed ostriches, and see deer and exotic wild cattle. Peacocks! It has a labyrinth, and a very nice swimming pool. There is a museum with old photos of Chiang Mai and antique tools and pottery. Buffet on weekends. Look for the orange roof of their exhibition hall about six km past the last ring road (aka 121).

Nice one, Lawrence. Had never heard of it in 20 years of coming. Great day out for the family.

Cheers.

Hit the walking trails on and behind Doi Suthep/Pui for some tasty viewpoints/waterfalls if that's the sort of thing you are after - very rarely see anyone else around.

How do you get there?

Lots of options but not easy to describe unless you are familiar with the area. Try going into the Forestry HQ a km after the temple on Doi Suthep. Look out for a small sign going into the woods on the right for a short walk to a massive strangler fig tree which is hollow as it as completely destroyed the old host tree - nice spot. Stay on that walking trail and it will lead you down to a small waterfall (25 mins?) and eventually down to Monthatarn bigger falls below (50 mins?)

Go down to the commercial hill tribe village, Doi Pui, and out the back onto the rough road above the (man-made!) waterfall. After about a km there is a walking trail that goes off and up to the right. Follow that for about 1 and a half hours and take the trail to the right that goes up to the top of the saddle back ridge and sit and contemplate the great views north and south sitting on Drum Rock next to what's known as Buddha's footprint (sign only in Thai). As I said this assumes some knowledge of the area and if you are just passing through then all this will not make much sense! Either way, hope you find some tasty spots.

Cheers.

Hit the walking trails on and behind Doi Suthep/Pui for some tasty viewpoints/waterfalls if that's the sort of thing you are after - very rarely see anyone else around.

Toyota Sure (2nd hand arm of Toyota in Thailand) seem a pretty reasonable dealership. I bought a 3 - year old Vios 1.5 on tick and got a year's full warranty on it plus a couple of free services. I found some cheaper and some more expensive of a similar age elsewhere from private sellers at the time, but the year's warranty gives you peace of mind. Check on Toyota's website for branches of Toyota Sure.

Cheers. Thanks for the help. I'll try Budget tomorrow.

Anyone have any ideas on where I can rent a minibus in CM without a driver? All the places I've tried only offer them with a driver. I've got a group of 9 coming to visit and we want a few nights up in the hills without the added cost of taking a driver with us.

I live here and have a Thai driver's licence which permits me to drive one of those minibus/vans and don't mind doing the driving.

Cheers

Did your friend get asked to stump up the 7k?

 

And was the 20 something young man really a cousin?

That was the 'negotiated' settlement after much complaint from his mum and aunt. Yes, he was the cousin of my friend's wife and he was with his mum.

Just for info...

A friend's Thai wife, daughter, Mum and cousin were recently driving up to Chiang Rai It was a trip for Mum on Mum's day and a break from BKK. They got pulled at a checkpoint not far from Chiang Rai. The cousin, twenty something young Thai man, was asked to get out and provide a sample though there was no reason given and no evidence of any wrong doing. He was a bit intimidated and nervous but provided one. The police then said they needed a larger sample and produced a jug of water and asked him to drink from that. Being surrounded by police and only being a naive young man, he did as he was asked. He then provided a further sample which they claimed was positive and said 60k and prison, or 10k and he could go.  They also made him sign a long document which admitted guilt without allowing time to read it. Heated argument ensued from his auntie and Mum with the BiB and finally 7k was paid and they were allowed to go.

Just a heads up. Not sure of the best way to deal with this but maybe a recording, audio/visual of some sort up on social media and sent to someone upstairs may be a start. Easier said than done though.

Cheers.

If you hate your kids educated them here .

'educated'? You're missing a comma, too.

No school will refuse you at 56, monnee.

You really don't want to teach here unless you have family or a clear path to a professional position. The pay is horrible, the conditions unpleasant by account, the TCT governing board is an absolute mess. WPs, even visas are not always forthcomming and then there are the agencies.

Do you have a BA (in Education)? If not, you are done before you start.

Thailand, highest requirements - lowest pay - - - in the world

Chaos and utter confusion, abdolute in ability to communicate with foreign teaching community and to set standards and mechanism to meet those standards.

"...abdolute in ability to communicate..." errr, exactly.

If you go back to the cave and check, you'll see it was a stalagmite that you walked round.

If your kid is born in Thailand, get them on Uncle Thaksin's subsidised healthcare scheme. Had twins last year, born prematurely, and was fretting about the cost of them both being in neo natal intensive care (as well as fretting about their health, too!) for 3 weeks. The nurses told me they were Thai and therefore were entitled to subsidised healthcare. A bit of admin to do to sort it out but it meant we only had to pay 1000baht of the 80k bill, which really helped us out. You obviously don't get the frills of a private hospital but up to now it's been fine.

Neeranam - you have to accept that we English speakers enjoy the luxury of having the international language. We find it normal for foreigners of all races to speak English. You and I would not be in the least surprised to hear an Eskimo (I know that's now a politically incorrect term now, but I'm old school), speak English.

But I'd suggest to you that we would both be a little surprised to hear an Eskimo speak Thai. A Thai would be no more shocked at hearing an Eskimo speak Thai as hearing you speak Thai. Probably less so, because an Eskimo does look slightly Asian.

Note: Absolutely no racial slurs are implied in the above.

Yes, I agree with your observations. I do understand WHY this happens. The main question is what do we do when it happens. Smile and say nothing?

If you can speak Thai then use a bit of humour to serve up a witty comeback that will break the ice and let them gently know how stupid they sound!