fiercesnake

This all boils down to the poor education system here and the endemic lose of face culture, which means YOU pay the price! Until the education system is massively improved for the average Thai, this problem will persist. Even "educated" Thais, you'll find the immigration officer will have no doubt a number of local technical and academic qualifications, are not well skilled in these basic administrative matters. That's why so many Thais send their kids to international schools and their older offspring to overseas universities in the developed world where they can afford it. They know and everyone else (though they don't admit it - again, lose of face), that training for jobs or education in general is still on a developing world scale. Though it certainly is not the worst it lacks the basic ability to allow the average young Thai the skills when they have left school to think for themselves or even admit when they have made a simple mistake.

Any other place (that does not have a similar face saving culture), would have said, "Oh sorry bout that. My mistake, hang on a while, I'll fix it in a jiffy!" Even though inconvienient most other good immigration services will have seen the mistake and fixed it quietly and efficiently, but you now know what is meant by TIT's! This Is Thailand!

I won't be using it just now, the test program says My graphics card is no good and I will not buy a new card just to upgrade to a new OS.

Ahh! That's the trick. It is a constant ruse within the IT industry; many cannot just upgrade one item without having to upgrade a lot of other peripherals or associated software programs. It is a constant struggle to keep up with all and the devaluation on computers means that as an investment, they are simply NOT an investment for resale.

Windows 7 is NOT a rethink. This is still the same base operating system with a large amount of tweaks and improvements. Insiders say a complete revamp to the Windows base is quite a few years off and for now it's just improvement on the central Microsoft Windows package. There is a common-sense reason for this, economic return. There are many experts that could move this technology ahead even quicker but due to the millions already invested in R&D, clearly corporations want to rake in as much as possible before moving on. Logical for shareholders and corporate strategy.

Vista was a flop and did not achieve the expected sales nor did it reach the expectations given the advertising hype. The few companies that went with Vista were mostly disappointed and many even rejected it completely and returned to XP. Windows 7 has been hopefully designed without as much hype and let us hope the claim of increased start-up speed and improved overall operating will be achieved. For now I'm not rushing out. XP still performs to a good standard for all that I and many people require. However I am hopeful that Gate's team has made some genuine improvements over Vista, but beware, just as "Victor15" found, do you need new gear to upgrade along with it???

Interesting to note it was farang foreign interests - Israelis and Germans that made the complaint, not the Thais! An earlier comment shows the truth that most average Thais have no idea about Adolf Hitler or even about WWII. Historical education here on world wide events is incredibly poor for the average person. The education system concentrates entirely on their own history as they have written it. This is typical of a developing nation in the education system which has not yet reached a standard which encourages creative thinking or the acquisition of external knowledge. Best to keep them in the dark and just feed them the literacy development which will continue to encrust the Thai elite in their position of power while the poor remain ignorant of other world events. The museum was right to open education views, and this shows that Thailand is still a free country in many respects.

Yes clearly Hitler was an evil maniac, but if we hide from historical facts, then we do a disservice to these people. I don't find the billboard offensive, as pictures of Hitler's salute is extremely common on TV, especially "History", "National Geographic Channel" and "Discovery" which are all largely "farang" based and they are not censored, nor should they be. The museum is not glorifying this lunatic, they are, I agree helping to educate people and maybe making a little money in the process. I doubt if the average old German male here on a sex tour could care less about this billboard; think it sounds more like a knee jerk reaction from politically correct rich toffs in the German and Israeli Embassies rather than a consideration of educational ideals.

Certainly something not right! Problem is the very limited investigative journalistic style of the Thai press means it is unlikely that even if the full story is found out it is unlikely that they will do a follow up story; especially if it is found that the girl had given the old "sick water buffalo" story to the Dane and perhaps felt betrayed when he discovered how it oft works here. Unfortunately, as with many developing nations, the local press tends to be highly biased towards their own people and they certainly would tend to believe any local over the statement of any alien. Love that term "alien", which Thai immigration are extremely fond of using. Not sure if they think of “alien” in terms of our thinking of Sigourney Weaver and a great acid dripping seething monster with razor teeth and a nasty attitude or just a boring old white faced European "farang"?! Anyway sure would like to know the full story. Can't be too hard to locate him if she knows his name and he went to board a plane out of here??? Well think hard all you aliens out there; what's the real story???

This link to the Global Post explains and summarizes Bangkok's looming environmental disaster in a nutshell. If you click on the video on the front page the best and simplest 60 second explanation I've seen on this will show that unless major environmental and administrative changes are made now, by 2030 Bangkok WILL be under water. Anybody that has been here for a while will see the obvious problem. Massive increased building on a clay base has to have any geologist wondering who's approving this further development; combined with the Venice of the East now being turned into a heaving metropolois of cars, buses and more concrete show Thailand's craving for materialistic development over-riding any common-sense when it comes to long term consequences. Unfortunately within government circles the apparent need for urgent redevelopment or contingency plans seem totally non-existant!

Really, have a look at this: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/thailan...ngkok-sinking-1

I think one of the things we have to remember is that there is a difference between the quality of a doctor and the perception of "foreign" doctors (in this case meaning Thai doctors since the question was about Thai doctors and world standards). The best general practitioner I ever had was from Pakistan. Unbelievably knowledgeable, excellent bedside manner, knew the right balance of going far enough but not too far in terms of testing. Yet, my friends didn't want to try a Pakistani doctor because he wouldn't be up to world standards. No matter that his residency was in a leading American hospital or that he had all the necessary licenses and several uncommon honors. He was Pakistani...yuck!

So true the attitude of many in this regard is quite common, but I understand why. The reality is that many students who study in less developed countries and become professionals have generally much lower standards of skills and in their knowledge base. Thailand's "universitys" in general are of this weak standard and are fine for people staying in Thailand. Even Chula the claimed number one here has a habit of teaching in the classic style and fails to force students into a more creative and personally individual thinking approach. This tends to be the hallmarks of developing countries though and although most unis in Thailand are far from the worst, they are certainly not the best and the bulk of them are not much more than senior high schools. Getting in to them is very easy on the whole though the more prestigious ones take a lot more money and are more conservative in terms of social status to who enters and how much to pay.

What I feel sorry for is the person who is actually clued-up and is on the ball but has a background from a developing nation, as doesn't matter how good they are or how hard they try that general perception about them coming from a poor background will always be there from not only clients but many employers who will not take them on for this very reason. Even Thais do this to their own people. Lo-so folk are certainly not welcome in certain circles here and this whole society is extremely class driven, with the ruling elite expecting all poor folk to serve them.

We can only help by trying to make people treat everyone on a case by case basis and see each and every person as an individual. That is to encourage no more stereo-typing, but with TV and the media the way it is I think this will be very difficult to do as this is a cultural change and not likely to occur quickly.

Caused entirely by lack of proper maintenance of track and sleepers, as we all know. State railways of Thailand are bankrupt and lose the counrty millions of baht every year. The only answer, of course, is massive investment but if they don't, rail travel in Thailand will be become more and more hazardous. It's such a shame because the railways in Thailand are such an under-used resource. Take Bangkok-Pattaya for example. Despite an 8 lane motorway and buses trauling up and down every 30 mins or less, we still have one train a day (!) in each direction and the departure from Bangkok leaves so early that it misses the arrival times of the long distance overnight trains from north and south. So it's impossible to travel from. say, Chiangmai to Bangkok overnight and then on to Pattaya in the morning. Wonder which brain box thought that one out!

Totally agree! The SRT could be so better developed and is clearly dying out perhaps due to the materialistic obsession of modern Thais which have allowed Thailand to become truly unique for this region as a car obsessed culture. Perhaps there is some belief amongst the ruling elitist in Bangkok that trains are lo-so, so no money is going to be flooded into this. If it's for show then bucket loads of taxpayers money will be spent on it especially if it is in the capital.

Think the incidence of accidents will likely increase as more poor use the trains than the rich so therefore much less political will to change the system. This will only make it more likely for the well off to continue pumping a hel_l load more of toxic global warming gases into the atmosphere by using cars even more claiming the rail is not safe and therefore reducing chances of fixing the maintenance issues even more.

As for the lack of common-sense regarding the brain-box that thought that up-yes, well said. A lack of common-sense amongst many government administrators does seem to be prevalent, though think that's a world wide phenomenon not just a TIT's issue!

Too many places to think about! Gosh, Ko Samet, good choice but a little up market lately more and more now. The old capitol of Ayuttha is brilliant for history buffs and go up on third class train from Hua Lampong for about B15 is a good experience. Hua Hin's OK but not my favourite, becoming a bit too "toruisty" in places lately, though they have an interesting temple to the south and large Buddha statue with Chinese temples worth seeing. Ko chang is also worth a trip, only 3 hours on the night bus but 5 hours on most day buses so pushing it a bit if only short time. Jomtien is worth a trip too but a bit crowded on the beaches with umbrellas and things but good for a short time. If you are into lots of sex Pattaya will give you some horrendous disease with in a short time if you want or you can meet girls there who'll give you a story about a sick buffalo if you pay too much attention to them. There are some Thai only beaches too which are really nice and you can avoid all the touristy stuff too,to get a real feel for a more Thai experience on the South East beaches if you like. There is also a fantastic temple at Chaochongsaeo you can get to on the East train and again it's a Thai thing so you avoid all the farangs and get a more genuine Thai-Buddhist experience. Mate too much to do here, really it's a great place. Lots of other trips worth taking around here. You NEED way more than short time here!

Having lived many years in the Philippines and now Thailand, and traveled many other countries. It is common knowledge amongst old timers, let locals buy the tickets or meals or whatever or to bargain prices while you just stay in the background. Many other countries are way worse but on the whole Thailand is fairly moderate in this regard actually! It certainly does happen in places like National Parks or tourist spots but luckily it is not endemic and usually a smile and a few words of Thai will get the same price in most common situations as everyone else. Yes DEFINITELY yim yim mahk mahk in LOS!

Pattaya - oh yuk! OK for a couple of days experience and for hookers or Katoeys whatever takes your fancy, but geez please don't think the rest of Thailand is like that or the girls for that matter. Most girls believe it or not are not for sale but are very gentle and decent when you get to know them. The advice given by many long staying farangs should be heeded. Absolutely NO drugs, anybody busted here for any of that nonsense will be treated with no respect and the BIB WILL go out of their way to do something about that one, as most average cops do think it's a scourge on Thailand, and it is for that matter. Especially the yaa bah coming in from the Burmese which prop up the ruling junta over there with vast sales in Bangkok with it.

Girls in Pattaya are extremely sexy and really know how to push the buttons and especially in Nana, Asoke and Patpong but mate DEFINITELY use a good quality condom! Better to avoid Nana girls all together and just met a nice lass at Tesco or in a Salon, they'll love you to death but yeah going up to meet the family after a few days to Isan may be a shock. Take a good book up there too! Long term farangs know what I mean there. If by chance you do meet the love of your life here, welcome to LOS, you'll not want to leave-believe me, I'll put up with a Thai girl with all her bizarre ways over a farang lass anyday!

True. However I have been riding a motorbike daily in Bangkok's heaviest traffic, dealing with one idiot after another. Though I avoid getting flustered there are times which severely tests this moderate approach. As a biker I get regularly hassled by rich BMW's and Mercedes drivers blasting their horn behind me while they are on a phone driving over two lanes acting as if they are the bike! Or the idiot taxi driver in the third lane that sees a fare from someone stupidly hailing him down in the most absurd position and him flying across in front of everyone to park the taxi with the bum of the vehicle out right in front of others. The dangerous driving which shows a complete lack of spatial intelligence and awareness surpasses belief at times. If anything should be suggested here it is the increased awareness by drivers, especially in central Bangkok, on basic safety in driving. Yes the be courteous idea is correct but I think more emphasis on increased driver education in general is of far greater importance to discuss.

Having seen accident upon accident here and even some gross scenes of extreme carnage; the worst I saw was a young girl as a passenger on a bike dragged under a bus due to sheer stupidity by two bikes jostling to squeeze in between a car and bus at the same time. Now that's a memory I'll NEVER forget! Maybe someone getting upset with another driver may make that driver consider the consequences of their actions next time if the action is just sheer stupidity. Though I avoid getting upset in most cases as suggested above there is cause sometimes for why drivers may show frustration or anger in some situations. Sorry, seen too many people hurt on a regular basis here and I've nearly been a fatality many times myself, just lucky I try to be cautious as a biker. I can't believe just how ridiculous some bikes are that I drive alongside of; or worst of all are those green buses! Every Bangkokian biker KNOWS what I mean here!

No Surprise at all! I don't know why anybody is shocked by Australian immigration. They were just one reason of many why I left my home country permanently. I found them totally unprepared to assist and the lines in their offices in the capital city were humongous! Trying to ring them was a near impossibility and the slowness of their response was incredible. Maybe things have changed since last I contacted them 8 years ago but I couldn't imagine it. If anything I would think they are still as slow as anything, but this is largely to discourage people even trying. Remember you are asking them to do something for you, not the other way around. When you have something they want it is totally amazing the speed of response.

The British system is similar and incredibly bogged down in bureaucracy and my then Filipino wife's visa to go to the UK would have taken ages; however when they discovered I was going to work for the British government to teach in their dreg schools, of which they are still desperate to staff, her long term visa was processed in just one afternoon - immediately and I didn't even have all the paperwork they needed! Amazing hey! Surprise, surprise. Expect these hassles, it's all part of the system to slow down too many people entering, even on a tourist visa as they know she's not like a Japanese tourist loaded up with loads of cash to blow on an Aussie holiday! You're just Mr. Joe Blo Average, unless you have a skill or something special they want don't expect them to help too much. You'll eventually get it as many have suggested here, just have to jump a lot more hoops yet, keep 'em happy!

Edjumacation hub??? Seriously???!!! Oh please! As an international teacher working in a high quality international school here I can assure you even most Thais know their own system is seriously flawed. International schools here with overseas teachers hired from the developed world are a boom business, even during the credit crunch and the quality international schools still have waiting lists for kids to get in (mostly Thai).

I have seen a strong increase in Thai pushing as soon as they have even just enough money to get their kids into an international school ASAP. The reasons are clear; increased opportunity, REAL qualifications at the end of the line (if they make the grade, i.e., they can't pay someone off), prestige, and most importantly, for me, an emphasis for getting the kids to think for themselves. Though this last point is perhaps the whole crux of concern as most parents do not realize the knock on effect of getting Thais to question their own system may have far reaching effects! But slowly I am seeing change in some of the richer youth. I just hope that some of what I teach will influence more young Thais to make improvements to business and government when they are older and in power. It won't take effect now, but hopefully in the long term good farangs can make some differences.

The basic problem is their system from kindergarten to "university" relies on the old, "Be a good Thai and comply!" Methods of teaching delivery are incredibly old style and when friends have been asked by the government to give forums to improve education styles for Thai teachers the response is always the same-yim yim and take absolutely no notice of the stupid farang (xenophobic attitudes permanently brain-washed into Thai teaching mentality at ALL levels).

The bottom line is that the Thai system is completely at odds with the developed world approach of thinking for oneself. The reality is that a truly educated populous is much harder to control and hence has the potential to break the present status quo and thereby question the rich elite of Bangkok who wield much power and control over vast numbers of poor . Must keep the poor, poor! Don't question anything.

T.I.T. Ahh, I lament... I just hope none of the rich kids I teach will fall into the same trap as their rich parents when they take over in government or the big companies they will run one day. Just have to wait. But as for "REAL" education "HUB"-nooooo, sorry; what a load of rot!

Xenophobic nonsense, written to incite more suspicion against foreigners for political purposes! Did you notice there is not one reference source given to show evidence. 70% of land??? Notice they don't do mathematics very well here, especially if it comes to having something skewed their way! Who said? What statistics department can show this? Sending large sums of cash out of the country? Who is? What source can show this? Sorry but if this was in a (real) court the clear lack of real evidence would just have a allegation like this thrown out. The general sentiment shown below is quite clear by other members that this underlying thread of xenophobia is aiming to blame every problem on the big bad farang or foreigner. Here again what group of "foreigners" are they talking about; large multi-nationals or just local white faced farangs? You know the ones supporting their Thai wife and hence the whole family, who assist to produce more and run the farm the way it should be, thus making Thailand more efficient and overall better in economic and social status.

Oh yes I can see the big bad nasty farang taking all the huge money from his wife's rice farm and sending it overseas into a Swiss bank account! Gosh! Seriously this is just hallmark reporting of a developing country. In a developed nation, one could take these fools to the journalistic ethics committee or make some complaint but I wouldn't bother here. These are the type of statements that breed resentment and falsehoods and are mildly reminiscent of Pre-Nazi Germany blaming economic and social inequality on Jews. One can just see the reporter writing this what colour shirt he was wearing and heading off to fly racist placards in the evening somewhere. Shame on "The Nation", shame, shame, shame ! Please, take some of your reporters to the BBC World News School so they can learn how to write properly referenced articles that just report the News and avoid highly biased political articles written to skew an audience to your own political agenda. I just hope most readers have enough sense to read between the lines and can discern the bias and underlying political thrust of these types of articles!

Ratings system - understandable, simply idea to give people an idea of what they are about to look at; though I don't know if average Thais have the same value system as in the developed world. Taking a small child to the latest Rambo movie is typical of a traditional value system that has not caught up with the modern materialistic and technological impacts on Thailand. Certainly their education system does not really address these issues or a host of other vital concerns and it's still the old, "Be a good little Thai soldier and comply with what we want you to think."

As for the Karaoke idea, I agree with the general thrust of the bulk of comments here. Is this really the most important thing the cabinet can discuss? Thailand really does has some amazing reasons to live here but the most obvious downside is the complete and utter hypocrisy of society. It is common-sense that if Thais ignore the great bulk of laws why would this be any different? The only difference is that more small regular bribes will be paid to the local smiling police, as with everything else that is "illegal" here yet seems to flourish. Is this an attempt to stop prostitution on the Thai side? Are they for real? What do they really want to do with their society? Where are they heading? Do you see any long term plans from the government on a more strategic basis or do these goofballs just aim at some bizarre little issue (internet gaming) and spend vast amounts of parliamentary time on this?

If they really want to stop prostitution or look at other much more serious issues, then start looking at developing true employment opportunities and a real education system that allows people to think. Oh, but then a population that can think for itself is a much harder to control entity and if we decrease our overpopulation of poor people it means we can not exploit them as much and have to start paying more realistic wages! Gosh when are these rich, controlling elite here going to change? Guess there is no incentive for them to change so they will continue to waste time on relatively nonsense issues and continue to let Thailand drift along while they continue to make huge wads of cash and implement the strategies that will continue to make the elite even more powerful.

This is what the country needs. Good on ya politicians! Why don't you all give yourself a raise!

Can anyone recommend a good maid close to ThongLor?

Yes. Had one lady worked for me full time for 2 years and now still does part time work for me. Very reliable, very honest, asks for very little. Hard worker. Trusted her to pay bills with large sums of cash, never a problem. Highly recommended. Email me at [email protected] can give you her phone number and details so you can talk direct. English good for this level of worker. She can generally text basic messages. Sorry she's not very sexy, but maybe this is good if you have a husband or, if you are male and don't want "extras"; though she's not married and I'm sure would make a great partner!