markg

I need a netbook

Was a toss up between the Samsung N220 and the Acer Aspire One.

Couple of friends have the Samsung with genuine Windows 7 starter and are happy with it.

Went to Powerbuy in Central yesterday and they don't have it. (Nor the Acer)

Anyone know who is stocking it and what promotions are on?

Friend bought one in Had Yai 3 weeks ago for 13,800 with free portable DVD writer and genuine Win7.

Thanks in advance.

Last Sunday was a nice day and in the late afternoon i walked along Rawai beach.

It was nice to see HUNDREDS of happy Thai families sitting on straw mats picnicing. There were hardly any foreigners.

What did concern me was the amount of garbage on the beach. People were literally eating and drinking and then just leaving all their empties on the beach.

Is this a lack of education or a lack of garbage bins?

The white goods store opposite the Mc Donalds next to Robinsons in Phuket town will repair for you

Thanks for your comments and help so far guys.

I asked at a local air conditioning repair shop and they said they could fix it. Quoted around 800 baht and will take 3 days or so. They even came and picked it up.

A new fridge is about 5,800 baht or so - considerably more expensive than the repair.

Will report back when they bring the fridge back.

the freon leaked out.

to replace, the system needs to be purged ( evacuated,) a filter/dryer put in the freon circut and have more freon charged in it.

overall ( unless its a very large/expensive), it would be less hassell just to buy a new one ( and let it defrost every so often less the hacking)

It's my own stupid fault, and i could kick myself for damaging it in the first place.

Having to replace a fridge that just needs some more fluid adding is symptomatic of the disposable society we now live in.

I got the number of a handyman that a local restaurant uses when their fridges break down, so will try him after Songkran and report back.

Was defrosting the fridge and decided to hack away at some of the ice in the freezer part of the fridge. (The small tray at the top of a standard fridge for putting ice cubes in etc)

Little did i know that the tray itself has pipes of coolant in it. My hacking has cut into one of the pipes and a vapour came out, slightly under pressure.

I'm assuming that this vapour was some sort of refrigerant.

The vapour came out for say 45 seconds and then stopped.

After getting rid of all the ice, i found the small hole and patched it up with epoxy.

Turned the fridge on and nothing. (no surprise there)

The motor at the bottom of the fridge is gently humming but clearly isnt pumping anything around the fridge. I'm assuming all the fluid has escaped.

Couple of questions then.

Can this fluid / refrigerant be replaced ?

Does anyone know someone in Phuket who can do this ?

Much as I detest child molestors, I really hope that there is more evidence than what has been reported here.

It seems strange that the child has waited so long before speaking up.

If he is guilty I will join the "string him up" brigade, but with this report I cannot form an opinion.

Definitely more to this story than is being written about on here.

I heard he was going to sue PIA for unfair dismissal.

I wonder if this is related..............

Use 91 octane gasoline; not ethanol.

are you getting this at all petrol stations or just a few in Phuket ??? interesting post Croc ....

The Esso station in Phuket Town and the PTT stations still sell regular 91. It seems to be just Shell that are pushing the gasohol only malarky.

I havent noticed any change in performance - but then again i ride a wave 125.

I am a bit concerned about the alleged destruction of rubber hoses etc so if i do put gasohol in, i tend to try to refill with 91regular at the next fill up.

Cro - i'd contact your bike manufacturer or dealer to see what they say.

As Thailand grows palm oil and also refines gasohol, there is the possibility that it will become harder and harder to find regular gasoline.

And while they are waiting for the 2 month blue book to be issued, THEY ARE WORKING illegally, even with the wp3 receipt. You just contradicted yourself, Mark.

Did not know you left Thai Hua. Thanks for the correction.

I don't really know what your point is in relation to Satree Phuket.

ALL schools operate under the Phuket labour office machinations. You earlier implied that it was the SCHOOLS who were purposefully allowing teachers to work for 3 months illegally and that the schools were bad for doing so.

In fact, the delay is with the labour department.

How should schools get around this then? What's your suggestion? Hire someone and let them sit at home on 'gardening leave' for 2 or 3 months whilst labour get round to issuing the work permit?

It's unrealistic.

You appeared to be advising the OP "Will you have to work for 3 months ILLEGALLY until probationary period is over? "

This is just how it is with schools in Phuket. It's not the schools' fault. There is NO benefit to the school in having someone on the premises with no work permit -quite the opposite in fact.

A school can fire someone within the probationary period with a work permit.

I don't know what you're getting at.

Let us know which schools can hire someone on the Monday and have the work permit by the end of the week.

You're not the guy who holds the ignominious trophy of being fired from all 3 schools are you? If you are then the OP should take your advice with a pinch of salt and speak to teachers at any of the schools mentioned who have worked there for 12 months or more.

There was also a thread within the teaching in Thailand forum some time ago from labour in BKK to say that it wasnt illegal as the delay was with the labour office.

Markq, you are the admin for the Stamford program at Tai Hua. What a surprise, a happy post about Thai Hua!!

No i'm not.

Satree is always recruiting and it has nothing to do with "happy" teachers at the school.

To the OP, good luck. Not all are as bad as Kajonkiet, but beware. Ask the right questions (12 month contract? What is the turnover rate of the foreign teachers? Will you have to work for 3 months ILLEGALLY until probationary period is over? If the school is raided by the police, how will the school protect you during those long 3 months?)

To the OP. You have to understand that schools employing TEFL people often employ a number of oddballs and misfits. Those people often havent fitted in with life in the West, and often don't gel with teaching in the East either.

You certainly do have to ask the right questions. Also ask to speak to a number of current teachers if possible. Certainly ask what their turn-over rate is - but understand that the turn-over rate with TEFL is high everywhere. It's the nature of the business. People leave for loads of reasons - and not just because the school is bad. Darasamut have just lost a few long term respected members of staff - all for personal reasons. Nothing to do with the school.

I personally know of no school that has teachers working illegally through their probationary period. New teachers come on a type B visa and the schools submit the paperwork for the work permit. This can take 2 months. The delay is with the labour office and not with the schools.

There is no realistic way around this from a schools point of view.

I know a number of teachers at Satree and they are all happy and have been there 12 + months.

Hope this helps.

They are always looking for teachers (hint). As with Kajonkiet, Darasamoot and Tai Hua, they are slave drivers. The admin work is ridiculous, long hours and the students are not motivated. They also may ask you to hand over your passport for keeps.

Good luck.

What utter rubbish. The school has never kept passports, the teachers have lots of holiday and free time, and most of the students are fantastic. Sure, like all Thai schools it has its problems, but nothing like the ones you mention.

I don't know much about Thai Hua but teachers I know from Darasamoot are fairly happy with their jobs. Satree is trying to recruit teachers at the moment, and to write such a poor report that is wholly untrue is frankly unhelpful for teachers looking for work and students that need good teachers.

Agreed. Utter rubbish. I know teachers from Darasamut, Satree and Thai Hua and all of them, on the whole, are happy with their lot. Admin work is kept to a minimum (lesson plans and grading students), working day is 7.45 to 4.30. No weekend work unless HM King and Queen's birthday celebrations are at the weekend in which case teachers attend the ceremony at SapanHin.

Kajonkiet is another story but then this is a thread about Satree.

I've never worked there but i've heard many good things about the place. The teachers i know are professional and motivated.

Yes students in ALL schools worldwide are going to be unmotivated some of the time. Some children just are..........

Never known the mechanics stick to the service schedule but don't sweat it <deleted>. As long as the oil is changed you're not in danger of breaking anything and it's hardly a big deal.

It's not the point Maka. When you go to a franchised Honda shop, you expect the mechanics to have undergone some rudimentary training on behalf of Honda. They are representing the brand ! To me it seems that the Honda mechanics are just high street mechanics wearing uniform.

I take my Wave into the franchised shop to be serviced on time. They duly write the date and mileage in my book and stamp it up but they do nothing more than change the oil and give it the once over.

They HAVE advised me about changing the rear brakes and the chain etc but they have NOT changed the spark plug or air filter at proscribed times.

I showed them that in the book it calls for a spark plug and air filter change. They then looked at a chart on the wall which was a very large version of exactly what was in my book.

Lots of them looked at the chart.

It appeared to be the first time they had seen the chart.

These charts are produced so that muppets and chimps like you can follow a simple template as to what is required at each 6k service interval. It really isnt that difficult. They are not merely wall adornments.

They also overly inflated my tyres. I noticed this as the bike nearly shook itself to death over small road ridges on the way home. However, they have a proper air pump with a huge dial-faced gauge on it. If only they'd turned their heads and looked. 50psi is too much. At speed, in this heat, that could have caused a blow out. Why should i have to check up on a franchised Honda mechanic's work ?

There certainly is an element of 'Thai people not like - too expensive'.

When ever i have a puncture, i choose the 90b replacement tube instead of the 10b patch. The mechanics laugh and call me lavish ! Go figure!

Yes.

In Phuket town, you've got Ratsada road - the one way road with the banks on it which leads up the the fountain roundabout and the fresh produce market.

As you go down Ratsada towards the roundabout, there is a big bar/disco on your right on a corner. It has CHIVAS written in large orange letters. Turn right down that street. There are only about 5 shops on what is now your left hand side. One of those shops is a little Chinese guy who is a proper watch repairer. He took over the job from his dad and i think grand-dad too. This guy only knows watches - it's what he's done all his life.

(There are two little roads connecting Ratsada Road with the road that the On-On Hotel is on - his shop is on one of those two roads - i think i've given you the correct directions though)

As an aside, my Brand name wristwatch, bought from Robinsons and still under guarantee, broke its strap. I took it back and they assured me it would take TWO months to send it to Bangkok to get repaired. I cannot not have a wristwatch for 2 months for a 1 minute repair. Their guarantee is effectively worthless. I took it to the Chinese man and he fixed it in 60 seconds and charged me 150baht.

SO the genuine feel is not to do it then, too much risk of not getting a job in Phuket? maybe save over £2000 each and get more teaching experience first? Or should we go for it?

There are one or two schools in Phuket that are regarded as 'teacher factories' - they employ a lot of teachers but have a very high turn over - often due to the foreign coordinators being the yes-men messengers for the school director. You will get a job with them anytime. Use Ajarn dot com and search for schools in Phuket. They virtually have permanent adverts on there.

You will find work there, get a network of teaching friends and find out where the more satisfying schools are. Or you may be one of the teachers that likes it there and sticks it out.

It's not impossible.

All the mainstream schools that i know of in Phuket ONLY use legit paperwork for teachers. It's only some of the language schools that won't offfer you a work permit.

Hello, i'll try to be as helpful as possible.

Both of you are young and have virtually no experience of teaching. This puts you a little down the list of desirable candidates.

Next, the Thai academic year runs May to September and October to mid-March - so rocking up in June is in the middle of the first semester.

You 'may' get some jobs at that time as people find out how hard teaching is and do a runner during June and July.

You have to be on the ground with your CV's on schools' desks as when someone does a runner, the school will take anyone to replace them. (ask why they did a runner though)

The main recruiting time is gonna be September for you. (Or next April)

Is 1,000 pounds gonna be enough to last two of you from the end of your TEFL course until your first pay cheque? Possibly not.

1k is now about 48k baht.

You 'may' find accommodation that doesnt require 2 or 3 months rent up front as a deposit. If you can't then the deposit could be 12 - 20k baht straight off.

With your lack of experience, you're gonna be looking at earning around the 35k a month gross - just over say 33k a month net, each.

Basic housing, if you are lucky will run you 6k a month but look at 10k a month to have something more reasonable.

You appear to be asking the right questions which is a good thing, so you're entering into this with your eyes open.

You can take a gamble and hope that a job comes along for at least one of you.

Or you could wait 12 months and save another couple of grand to act as a cushion.

Set up costs for deposits, bedding, fans etc etc plus motorbike rental will eat into your 1 grand safety money quickly.

Phuket is a very desirable place to live and there are not many decent teaching jobs to be had, so competition is fierce as you can imagine - though you can always get a job at certain schools that have 60 or 70 % teaching staff turnover......................................

I've followed this closely over the years.

Yeah i'm sure that everyone knows someone who has done a great deal and is better off cos they bought a house.

They are the minority.

Here in Phuket, the property prices are so high and the rental incomes so low that it's madness to buy (lease) a house for 30 years - though there are some exceptions. If you're old, buy a house you can afford to give away and have no kids.

If the above isnt you, then you are far better buying a house in your home country, renting here, and when you die, your kids get your house in your home country.

A good rule of thumb is that we should cast off all notions we have of the Western mentality that buying a home is a sound investment. In Thailand, it isnt.

Second hand homes just don't appreciate much in value because there are so many of them and Thai's often prefer to buy a brand new home out of superstition. If you're buying a modest, average home for less than 10million then you will have real trouble selling it in a few years.

And what if the law changes? And what if you want/need to leave here? Do you read and understand Thai law well enough to deal with this? Because if you employ a lawyer you could get expensively ripped off.

Buy a house in your home country where you understand the laws and just rent here. I've lived in the same house for over 5 years and the rent hasnt gone up and frankly, neither has the value of the house really - even if there was a market for it to be sold. Conversely, my properties in the UK are doing fine thank you very much.

And just to expand a bit on the McDonald's case. The woman ordered the coffee at the drive through, and decided to put cream in her coffee. So what did she do? She stuck the coffee between her legs and pried off the no-spill lid. She squeezed her legs together too tightly causing the coffee to spill out.

Yet she still won the case!! Need I say more about the sue culture that we live in.

It may be an old wives tale, and I can't be bothered to google it, but I'm sure once, a burglar successfully sued the owner of the house he was burgling because he hurt himself when climbing through the window. If that's not true, I'm sure there are many other crazy examples.

It is true. Under UK law a householder is responsible for the health and safety of anyone on his property, whether they entered as an illegal trespasser or not.

But we're not in the UK are we !

Yeah.

Sue Honda for the motorbike she was riding.

Sue Bridgestone for providing the tyres to enable her to ride to her death.

Sue Shell for providing the gasoline that contributed to her riding to her death.

Sue her parents for conceiving her - if they hadnt, she wouldnt have died.

Sue the local authority for providing roads.

But whatever you do, don't lay the blame at her door.

It was everyone else's fault but hers.

A very sad story indeed, but as WooHoo points out, this finger pointing blame game has to stop and people sometimes just have to take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences.

Stop questioning 'why' and just do as you're told.

Some answers to your questions might be;

(1) because we've always done it this way

( 2) because such-and-such a school do it this way

( 3) because someone older and wiser than you decided it is so.

(4) all of the above.

No one questions 'why' it is done this way. It just is. If you asked someone, even a mature person of some standing within the school 'why' it is done this way, they won't know and you will cause them to lose face.

If you can't understand the Thai script, just write the correct time in English language (i.e. seven twenty eight).

No one will question you because it will make them lose face.

This is known as playing the cultural system to your advantage.

It's my experience that the 'logging in book' is only checked by a minion. No one takes any notice of it.

No one in Thailand is lying. The people who log in at 6am are 'helping' the late arrivals by giving them the chance to log in at the correct time. Not lying at all.

Helping.

Get with the programme !

Try looking at the system from a different angle.

That's a good tip, markg. Do you have any specific things to try or ideas to focus on? For instance, I have a student which is pretty rotten most of the time. However when he does something to help out, I make sure to give him sincere praise. Is there anything more I could do to help him improve?

Yep, read pages 4 and 5 of the article above, particularly the bit about the kid leafing through his folder and how the teacher manages to get all the students to get out their books and pencils. The teacher praises the first kid to do this, and with a herd mentality, the rest follow.

Prasing the kids for doing 'anything' good and using what's known as 'planned ignoring' of bad behaviour really can work. No guarantees of course - if there were, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

As a spin off, continued praising of students makes YOU feel good. Personally, constanly jumping on kids for being bad eats away at me like a stomach ulcer. I have to do it sometimes of course, but i dislike it.............and what is more, constant punishment doesnt work in the long run.

Try to get something from Lee Canter on Positive Behaviour Management strategies. Canter has been at the forefront of this field for decades.

Thanks for this link guys.

I've recenly completed a 3 year study into classroom management, student behaviour and positive behaviour management.

I am a big fan of positive management - highlighting the good things that are happening instead of focusing on the bad. The article makes some mention of this. Give it a try, you've nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Careful mark, people will insinuate your making stuff up if you hint that bad things sometimes happen

Ao Yon is superb value moorings IMO, the guy I know had a mid 50 ft yacht there for 500 baht per month.. I expected much more.. It also a lovely bit of the island.

Sure, there is no doubt about it, Ao Yon is a superb location. Pretty sheltered, access at all states of tide, restaurants nearby etc etc. I have kept my own dinghy there for the last 4 years with no problems whatsoever, though i DO pay my rental directly to Bangman and i am down there most weekends so he knows my name and my face. Was just pointing out that i personally know 2 guys who have been victims of crime. Nothing to suggest it was locals. For all i know, a passing cruiser could have stolen the outboard..........and the other vicitm could have been because of a business decision. Not trying to put people off, just trying to set the record straight that 'some' crime has happened at Ao Yon.

That being said, Bangman and the other locals do keep a pretty good eye on things, and if your boat happens to drag a mooring in heavy weather, they will do something about it. (and charge you 2k baht for the rescue - but that's life)

As Pagalim says, Ao Por is also pretty good - though if you live on the south of the island, it's pretty far away.

Chalong bay is popular but it's so tidal there and the mud stinks ! Trying to launch a dinghy at low tide is horrible !

and that was at ao yon?

Yes it was at Ao Yon. Within the last 12 months or so too.

I know both the victims well and was out sailing with one of them today.

Doubtful, Bongman who owns the whole place nearly would have your guts for garters, he is very defensive of his bay. Never heard of an engine going missing in Ao Yon, or Rawai for that matter [stay in with the longtail guys], Chalong is a different matter though.

It happens. A friend of mine had his 15hp outboard stolen whilst the boat was tied up on the beach.

Another friend had his RIB stabbed to death, again whilst tied up on the beach.

In saying that, this can happen anywhere. Ao yon is pretty safe and sheltered, though it's very busy and moorings are tight.

If they persist with high pricing for entry, F & B, then the owners better be prepared for the long haul with little returns.

It doesnt sound like the owners have 'prepared' for anything. Their business plan seems to be 'tourists are stupid and are rich and will pay a lot of money'

Well now there is a recession on.

And many foreign currencies just fell against the baht.

I wonder if that was part of their plan? If i was sinking 500mill baht into something, it sure would be part of my plan.

For many tourists, the high price of a flight to Thailand from Europe or the USA was always offset by the cheap cost of staying here. That isnt the case anymore. You pay a small fortune to fly half way around the world - and find it's getting almost as expensive as back home for food and drink/hotels/attractions.

The golden goose isnt laying quite as many eggs these days.

i did not like avatar in 3d

normal was better in my humble opinion....

I will definitely go & see Avatar if they show it in 3D. Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland is coming which could also be good in 3D.

That's interesting Sid.

I've seen Avatar in 2d twice now (in Central) and will DEFINITELY pay to see it again in 3d so i can make my own opinion.

PLEASE Central - show Avatar in 3d.