MrJohnson

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Most mentioned are "replicas" of what international schools should be. Managed by Thais and attempting to be different from local Thai school.

As far as I am concerned, there is only 3 true international schools in Thailand. ISB ranks the top, RIS the second, third one I forgot as it's been a while. But definitely not those mentioned above.

The curriculum consists mainly of international courses, with high school including IB programs and AP programs which is college equivalent courses. Most graduating students easily get into the top universities and colleges around the world, Harvard, Stanford, UBC, UCLA, and so on. Don't even need to mention thai universities. As much as I hate to say it, it's a guaranteed free pass. I was a graduate long long time ago, threw some applications around the top 3-4 universities, we should know which they are. C*****, A***, and so on. On the day that I wanted to go take the entrance exam, I looked down the list, every name had a time and a place, mine didn't. I ask them what's wrong. "Oh, you don't have to take it. Your from international school." While I disagree with this practice, it's how things work here. While the whole country has to fight for what's available of the seats left, that is thousands trying to get hundreds of seats left. And of course, everyone your kid meets at school is connected heavily. Name any large enterprise in Thailand, there's a kid there.

The courses are top notched, your kid if they can graduate, could easily be the brightest 10% of Thailand, and definitely 30% of the smartest in the world. From biology with microscopes, dissecting frogs and cats, to business courses, accounting, algebra, calculus, economics, you name it. Everything. Recently I heard, every kid has their own laptop to use in school as well. They type while taking notes.

So definitely recommended if you have the money.

Not sure where you got your data. ISB is OK but left for dead by Bangkok Pattana and NIST. Look at the IB scores for NIST for 2014 class. median score of 37 against the global median of 34 and one student scored a perfect 45 (only around 175 perfect scores globally), students from both these schools going to very prestigious universities all around the world. RIS would not even rank in the top 10 in Thailand and this easily ascertained by looking at their graduating classes. Getting admission to the top Thai universities from international schools means nothing as their rankings internationally are laughably low.

If you are the type that prefers lower end fake international schools, by all means go ahead, settle for less, choose BPS and NIST. No bother is stopping you. Others prefer quality, and that you have to experience yourself.

I'd hate to let facts get in the way of a good argument but why don't you take a simple look at the results of BP and NIST in the last graduating group of 2014 and see how ISB stands up against them. They are in the public domain if you would care to take the trouble and have a look. You might be a little surprised. I'll just give you a little taster - the world average for IB in 2014 was 29.8 - NIST average 36. These are internationally moderated exams by the way.

It is well known among the elite Thais and moneyed or diplomatic expats that there is ONE and only one international school in Thailand that is worth it if you wish your children to get a very good education to prepare them for the world. And that institution is the alma mater of Timothy Geithner..... (ISB)

All other "international schools" in Thailand are for the unwashed masses and range from good to mediocre to terrible.

Nonsense. Look at the gradating class of 2014 from Bangkok Pattana and NIST. The latter had an IB average of 36 compared with the global average of 29.8. Of the 146 kids in the entire world that scored a perfect score of 45 - two of them were from NIST. 28% os the cohort scored 40 and above. Graduating students were accepted into University of Cambridge, MIT, Stanford and other top universities around the world. Do some research before you make uninformed posts.

Why is there so much Thai-bashing?

My theory? It all leads back to the sex industry.

A significant portion of the expat community is attracted to Thailand because of its sex industry. Endless sexual variety with nubile gorgeous women at bargain basement prices is understandably very appealing.

The sex industry attracts some men who have little or no interest in learning anything about Thailand or its culture. The charms of the Thai people are lost on them. They see no need to learn the language as they think Thais never have anything of interest to say. For them Thai music is like listening to a goose with a harmonica stuck in its throat. Thai food gives them diarrhea and heartburn. They come believing they can live here for next to nothing, and if they decided to settle down, they are supremely confident that their chosen wife will be eternally grateful for the simple privilege of marrying a farang.

But very often, sooner or later, this lopsided one dimensional lifestyle runs into trouble. Maybe they were taken advantage of by a girlfriend or wife. Maybe their libido dropped as they got older. Maybe the bar girls aren't as attractive as they once seemed to be. Maybe they're no longer greeted as 'a very hansum man' in the same way they once imagined would be the case forever. Maybe sitting in Nana Plaza buying overpriced beers all the while being bombarded by three competing sound systems and being ignored by bar girls doesn't have the same appeal it once did. Maybe the current bar fines and asking prices seem exorbitant compared to the good old days. Maybe it's the shock of finding out they have to compete with younger guys, richer guys and Asian guys for the affections of a homely overweight bar girl. Maybe (God, it's tough to choke out the words)...they just got old.

So for whatever reason, when the sex industry loses its appeal, some guys look around and suddenly discover that there's not much else here that they find attractive. They really don't know Thai people. They've never had a meaningful conversation with a Thai person who wasn't a prostitute. They don't know the language. They don't like Thai music, Thai food, or understand the religion, etc. The so-called charms of the Thai people seem to be little more than so much TAT hype. But because of their finances or because they're older, they can't really return home very easily without seriously compromising their standard of living. So they're frustrated. And maybe a little angry and a little bitter. And they start looking for someone to blame, and they decide it's all Thailand's fault. They become more and more entrenched in a mindset that 'if only Thailand were the way I want it to be, everything would be great.' Obviously, they can't voice such sentiments to Thai people, and it's too humiliating to admit to family and friends back home that things didn't work out. So venting on ThaiVisa is about the only other option they have.

I think the "proof" that matters of the heart play a role in the extent of 'Thai-bashing' can be seen when you compare expatriate forums in other countries with expatriate forums here in Thailand. Yes, there are always people who have become disenchanted with the host country, but I think you will be hard pressed to find expatriates in other countries being as outspoken about their dislike of the host country as they sometimes are on TVF.

I believe that because the sex industry here affords greater opportunities for romantic interaction between expatriates and the local population than in most other countries, there is a correspondingly greater opportunity for romantic disappointment here as well. This is the basis for my belief that much of the bitter and angry venting about Thailand expressed here can be traced back to romantic disappointment.

Becoming stuck in a place you no longer enjoy living ought to be a cautionary tale for anyone thinking about moving to another country.

Make sure you do your homework, that your motives for moving are sound, and always, always, always have a Plan B if things don't work out the way you hoped.

I think you may well be right , certainly about some members but of course not all. There are no doubt a very large number of expats who have virtually zero 'engagement' with Thais.

Very interesting. I suspected from the start that the General not only is very conservative but also a King's follower...and sincerely I like that very much.

I keep reading books about the life and work of the Royal Family..in the times were the King was an active politician and regent. Impressive!

Unfortunately I can see that his philosophy is not implemented anymore, speciallly in the agricultural and social field, probably because is not enough control and support in place. I hope the new Government will do it...and looks like it is. The General is not a career politician and is true that he lacks in diplomacy and pose, but he is acting with strenght and recognizing his mistakes. I may be wrong, because politics is not a easy task, never was, in any country, but he wants positive changes and is working on it. Takes time...and a lot of work.

The King was an example to follow......and still the mentor of old Thai generations that have all the reasons to love him like they do.

You might want to read a little more widely.

Nothing like a good old piece of micro-management

If this were any other country people would be demanding that the heads of police and top brass in this investigation be fired. At least in the USA. Peoples careers are finished in a second when they get caught behaving the way these guys are.

Every other country - except the most backwards and corrupt banana republics - would have immediately ordered an investigation as soon as the two suspects' claims surfaced they had been physically abused and tortured to extract and/or sign a confession. They would have been examined by a forensic scientist for actual signs of physical abuse and by a forensic psychologist to corroborate the findings of the physical examination. And if the allegations would turn out to be true, the whole investigation would be declared null and void and the involved officers would be suspended and charged in accordance with the law.

This did not happen in Thailand. Instead, the RTP simply "denies" any allegations and wallows in its assertion of "a perfect investigation". Where does that put Thailand? Surely in the "most backwards and corrupt banana republic" category, it seems.

To paraphrase another poster: Thailand's police force is indeed the single most effective and accomplished entity at tarnishing the country's image on an all too frequent basis.

I would like to remind everyone of the deaths of two young Canadian sisters on Phi Phi island in August, 2012. And do you also recall the tragic death of 23-year-old New Zealander Sarah Carter and a handful of other foreigners and locals at the notorious Downtown Inn hotel in February of the same year?

In both cases the RTP were heavily criticized for allegedly botching up their investigations. In both cases there circulated allegations the police were protecting "influential persons". Nobody was charged.

Gentlemen please, let's not get carried away. Travesties of justice are not the preserve of 'banana republics'. There have been plenty of them over the years in developed countries even, dare I say it, in the good old U.S. of A.

You would think the government of Myanmar would be demanding a fair probe under the circumstances, not requesting.

This is ASEAN - National leaders don't demand things of each other within ASEAN - at best they request. It is the ASEAN way.

The irony of the situation is just amazing with the PM in Myanmar; as Myanmar takes its first tentative steps towards democracy, Thailand makes more 'noises' that suggest it is taking its tentative steps in the opposite direction towards a more authoritarian and less democratically inclusive political system.

Don't get too excited about Myanmar just yet. too early to tell how that will play out. The same guys are in charge who have always been in charge and I can't see them just giving everything up for Democracy. They will implement a one-party state with a veneer similar to Cambodia. Much like what is about to happen here. This coup is very unlike the 2006 one. This time the 'born to rule' group are playing for keeps!

Has this made the Thai press yet?

I think that unless somebody comes up with a unique solution for RTP to come out of this face unscathed that they will stand their ground and push for a fast-track trial on he basis of confessions. There is to much at stake for them otherwise. I wouldn't out too much faith in the weight of public (foreign) opinion. the RTP don't care too much about that nor does the current government. All focus of the current government is on domestic politics. I hope I am wrong.

Good opinion piece in the Bangkok Post entitled "Koh Tao case shatters faith in our police." Looks like it is not "To Protect and To Serve" in Thailand, but rather "To Protect The Privileged." The "perfect" job is certainly garnering the attention of the world.

Had a chat with the office staff about this today and concluded that there wasn't much faith there to be shattered. All of them felt that this whole thing is a stitch up.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11147921/Amnesty-urges-investigation-into-torture-of-Thai-island-murder-suspects.html

Now that has clout to quote another, the pressure is mounting.

I wonder how JTJ will spin this one out

Good Article. The RTP cannot afford to have this case go to trial or undergo any kind of scrutiny at all - it will fall apart very quickly.

Makes it a bit scary for the lives of these two then - and the third "witness" being held incognito.

Deaths in custody?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/11147921/Amnesty-urges-investigation-into-torture-of-Thai-island-murder-suspects.html

Now that has clout to quote another, the pressure is mounting.

I wonder how JTJ will spin this one out

Good Article. The RTP cannot afford to have this case go to trial or undergo any kind of scrutiny at all - it will fall apart very quickly.

How come we only get articles like this from 'Coconuts BKK'--surely, if the Burmese have recanted their confessions then major news syndicates would be running the story?

And this one today--where are the big Media players?

They are running the story. Telegraph, Mirror, Independent, New York Daily News, Mail, Guardian etc etc etc.

Not sure what your point is- that the Coconuts Bkk article is inaccurate? Or that you'd rather read an article on it from a different source..?

It would be nice to read some of these other newspapers online but apparently Big Brother has decided that the little children old enough to read that kind of thing just yet (in Thailand). Get used to it. There will be more censorship here, no less!

This story will just not go away for the poor old boys in brown. Will the government tough it out or will someone come up with a 'unique' solution?

I have had a simular problem with the wife. , The wife and i go out to eat together, We both order together. but a few times the waiter has brought my meal before the wife's, I sit there waiting for the wife's meal to be brought but it does not arrive i just sit and sit, waiters come up to the wife and ask is there a problem with the meal, I say yes its cold now because its bad manners to start to eat before your wife, that usually gets a few stupid looks from the Thai waiters and i make them take the meal back because its cold. Is it me .

Manners - a very subjective set of behavours - in many parts of Asia nobody waits for all the food to arrive because often people eat communally or for whatever other reason. That is a very Western thing IMHO.

Anyone ever seen a sober driver or an operator around anywhere doing anything about the drunk driver ?

No. 'don't get involved'. Which is probably pretty sensible here. You might end up getting shot.

Another case of religious bigotry. Arghhhhhhhhhhh.

Why don't you tell the whole truth? The official religion of Morocco is Sunni Muslim.

Religious Bigotry is Religious Bigotry regardless of which religion, Friend. Whilst I agree that Islam has its fair share it by no means has a monopoly on it!

Well, back on topic for just a moment. A bit too early to make a judgement on the new regime. One thing for sure. No freedom of the press, no open discussion of politics. this will go on for some time. The boys currently in charge will make sure that a TS never gets another chance to get elected. There is no way there will be an election next year and if there is, it will be in name only. A Singapore-style election, one party state. It will be like the old T-Model Ford. You can whatever colour your like -as long as it is black. The boys in green are not going to make the mistakes they did in 2006. Wait and see. Yes, some superficial clean-ups of the streets and beaches. Pure window dressing.

I have a crystal ball too. I reckon there will be an election in late 2015 or early 2016. It may be delayed but won't be delayed enough for people to say "I told you they wanted to keep power forever".

I reckon that PTP will win the most seats, but not a majority. They will probably be able to form a coalition government, but that may depend on how many trips the smaller parties make to Hong Kong or Dubai.

We'll just have to wait to see which prediction is right.

Indeed we will.

The current regime seems generally unconcerned about media coverage. After all, much of it is censored. The occasional slip about bikini clad tourists is trivia. The real debates are being muzzled.

The international media is a different prospect as he may find out to his cost when he goes to Europe.

Certainly any gaffes or ill-considered comments / answers may not be reported here, blocked on the internet etc but they will be reported worldwide although the rest of the world isn't really a concern since no one understands Thainess.

It may not do the country's attempt to get a place at the UN big table any good though and the rest of the AEC will also see and hear.

Like it or not the rest of the world does matter.

You may well be right about reporting outside the Kingdom but I think the RTA is largely unconcerned about this at present. The Government is being run by old heads firmly embedded in the past.

Well, back on topic for just a moment. A bit too early to make a judgement on the new regime. One thing for sure. No freedom of the press, no open discussion of politics. this will go on for some time. The boys currently in charge will make sure that a TS never gets another chance to get elected. There is no way there will be an election next year and if there is, it will be in name only. A Singapore-style election, one party state. It will be like the old T-Model Ford. You can whatever colour your like -as long as it is black. The boys in green are not going to make the mistakes they did in 2006. Wait and see. Yes, some superficial clean-ups of the streets and beaches. Pure window dressing.

The current regime seems generally unconcerned about media coverage. After all, much of it is censored. The occasional slip about bikini clad tourists is trivia. The real debates are being muzzled.

Thailand and the word Corruption go hand in hand. It has been part of each generation in the Kingdom. It would have to be eliminated through educating the masses. Corruption and Extortion is detrimental to everyone's life and the Future of the entire Kingdom. If it takes terminating the entire Royal Thai Police Department, so be it. Martial Law is in effect and street patrol and public safety can be handled by utilizing the Combined Royal Armed Forces to do that. Politicians must be given a strict warning regarding graft and extortion. Business leaders must also tow the line. Every Public Official that violates the Law will be handled accordingly and penalties for violators will be dealt with swiftly and harshly. Take the P.R.C. for example. Recently a high ranking Chinese Official in the Financial Sector was tried and convicted of extorting $25 Million while in Office. Shortly after the trial, he was tied to a stake, had his mouth stuffed with lemon wedges (Not sure why?) and was shot by firing squad. Ok, that might not be appropriate for the Kingdom, but perhaps it's a good idea for the Criminals of Wall Street and London's "The City" Financial District, but that's a whole another story. But, now is the time for a thorough house cleaning of the Kingdom and eliminating "Tea Money" once and for all. IMHO.

You are correct but the problem is that a significant portion of the population would be in jail. Extortion, bribery, etc. happens at all levels. It has become a way of life not just for the police but all sectors of government and business. Maybe Koh Toh should be turned back into a prison island.

Could be worse Thailand is number 101 on a list of 176 countries for corruption.

It could also be a whole lot better.