whopper

"jai yen,jai yen".......I still can't believe they are actually on the roads!!!

Death to song-teaw!!!!!!!!

Up here they made first classes in english only...

but there is no necessary knowledge required by students, no entry exams no questions asked, just if you can pay the fee welcome

How comes that all teachers involved in this programm agreed and complain only 6 month after that their sudents are not able to understand them and they are not able to explain in thai...

Nice place to live Thailand, unfortunately the very poor educationnal system makes a lot of parents move out for the better of their children

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You answered your own question. Usually, students are not tested before entering an English program. The parents buy the kids into such programs and the expectation is that they will speak perfect English in three days (okay, a little exaggerated). Most of the time, it's the parents who want the kids to learn, not the kids themselves. This creates a very big problem for the teacher. Little Somchai could care less about learning and according to Thai regulations, Somchai cannot fail, and Somchai knows it. What does he do? Normally, he is bored off his duff, refuses to do homework, participate, and creates disturbances in the classroom. Guess what? The following year, little Somchai, who has not learned a thing, will progress to the next level, continuing his disruptive behavior and further creating a non-learning environment for the students who want to learn.

Fair enough, there are schools who do test the kids before they enter a program. Once again, money prevails and no matter how little a child understands, they are not refused into an English speaking program. You were rather generous in your post about 6 months and the teacher complains. I complain the moment the child fails the pre-screening test. If they can't comprehend a simple sentence such as, "How are you?", then they shold not be trying to begin taking courses such as science in English. It will not work.

I've found that complaining does not do an iota of good here. All the little Somchai's who have no interest in learning will still be allowed to attend all English classes, and will pass no matter what. The problem is not always the teacher. When parents point a finger at the teacher, they have three poniting back at them. You paid/bribed your childs way into a program, you refuse to acknowledge your child is not ready for programs such as these, yet you force them into this atmosphere, and last many of you actually do your childs homework while they sit and chat on MSN all night! Where's the problem?

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The owners of the schools make alot of money. I propose a "backpacker farang teachers Union". You get what you pay for. The NES school in Chiang Mai is horrible, it is like a revolving door with broke farangs that have to work. The owner loves broke farangs, they have to work for less which means more gas money for his brand new 4 door Mercedes Benz. Choke dee

What he couldn't answer was why the thetsabaan bothered to buy the buses without realising first that the rot daeng crowd would never go for the idea.

It's not like this same thing hasn't been a problem (repeatedly) in the past. I imagine the buses were purchased anyway so the promised kickbacks/commissions would get received by all the vested interests.

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Amazing Thialand!!!!......The TAT should try to promote the Rot Daeng as some sort of tourist attraction

I have a bad feeling, the next scandal will be "where are the busses and who took the money"?. choke dee naw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I saw a billboard with pictures of the new busses a few weeks back, but after a few days it disappeared. Any info regarding the above question would be helpfull.

My family is moving here in July, but we will be in town November 8-15 to check things out before we move.  I am an avid tennis player, and I was wondering if there was a local tennis scene in Chiang Mai. If so, do any clay courts exist? Recommend any particular tennis clubs?

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The best courts are at 700 stadium. 5 courts are rebound ace and 6 are regualar hard courts. Also practice wall. There is a doubles league that plays every evening, 500 baht a month, pays for lights,balls and courts. Tennis shops for strings etc.......

I am just curious, I have had one accident but the young man ran away before I could ask him his name or get any insurance information, any stories or tips to deal with the locals/police out there???

Living in a foreign country is full of dangers.  It's a risky thing to transplant yourself thousands of miles away from friends, family and familiar surroundings.  The support systems (legal, medical and civil) in a foreign land may seem alien or be hidden from an expats view (usually because most expats are illiterate or make assumptions based on past experiences that don't apply in their new environment).

Aside from the physical dangers (psychotic motorcyle drivers, random holes in the sidewalk and exposed electrical wiring), there's always the possibility of running afoul of civil or criminal laws through simple ignorance.  Some action that may be perfectly legal and acceptable in the expat's home country might land him in serious hot water with the police.  Or a simple misunderstanding or unknown deadline might create serious problems with the civil bureaucracy.

In other words, living in a foreign country is hazardous enough, without impairing one's own judgment with drugs.

Anyone who gets themselves addicted to drugs while in a foreign country (or comes to a foreign country while addicted to drugs) is just asking for trouble.  They shouldn't be surprised when they suddenly find themselves in deep s--t.

It's kind of like saying, "I'm going to walk a tight-rope, but first I'm going to cut my own feet off."  It's just an unsensible esculation of risk that serves no purpose.

I'm unaware of the facts of this case, but if this guy is an admitted drug addict, then I have little pity for him now that he suddenly finds himself in big trouble.  His family should be happy with the knowledge that they'll at least get him back in a few years, rather than having to transport his coffin back after he'd been stabbed to death in some back alley.  Hopefully, his experience will serve as a lesson and warning to others in similar circumstances.

Clean up your act now.  Sober up now.  Or you may end up like this guy (or worse off).

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common sense...here here!

I heard there was new bus service in Chiang Mai for destinations within the city. I also heard that it goes to Tesco-Lotus. Can anyone confirm, and refer me to a website that lists routes, schedules, etc.? Thanks.

Meow

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Just ask any of the 3 or 4 thousand "songtaew" drivers, I'm sure they would be happy to help.

Also, about street or tap water on open cuts: they can kill you.  I got a deep cut in a motorcycle wreck on Doi Inthanon, and the medics at Maharaj Hospital told me not to get the wound wet.  I did, and within a week (back in Houston, Texas) the doctor almost had to hospitalize me.  Maybe a minor scratch and tap water, okay - especially if you've lived around CMai for several months.  But a visitor, deep cut, and street or moat water - serious infection.

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When I first moved to Chiang Mai I spent 3 days in the hospital on antibiotics with a rapidly growing infection from a minor blister on my foot, good advice peace blondie, avoid the untreated water at all costs if you have any scrapes or cuts.

Also, about street or tap water on open cuts: they can kill you.  I got a deep cut in a motorcycle wreck on Doi Inthanon, and the medics at Maharaj Hospital told me not to get the wound wet.  I did, and within a week (back in Houston, Texas) the doctor almost had to hospitalize me.  Maybe a minor scratch and tap water, okay - especially if you've lived around CMai for several months.  But a visitor, deep cut, and street or moat water - serious infection.

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A neighbor of mine was assaulted by a gang of 12 this morning At the 7-11 on chanklan blvd. near the Empress Hotel. He was injured by a knife and recieved 20 stitches at a local hospital. He was also robbed of his money and belongings. The tourist police are on the case for what that is worth. Farangs should report these incidents because the local media has no interest in upsetting tourism related issues. Be carefull.

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Do you know what time of the morning the attack occurred?

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Around 1 am, Chanklan is a very busy main thourough-fare with many tourist related businesses.

Agree. Sorry to hear about your neighbor. Sheeeshh... with 12, one doesn't stand much of a chance. Have there been other problems in that area?

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A couple that I know of, and that isnt much, I keep a low profile .

I know he is out on bail, is he busy at the restaurant picking up on farang girls or shaking down motorcyclists without a helmet???

He probably got a truck instead of the BMW, it is eaisier to run over people with the big tires and ground clearance.

A neighbor of mine was assaulted by a gang of 12 this morning At the 7-11 on chanklan blvd. near the Empress Hotel. He was injured by a knife and recieved 20 stitches at a local hospital. He was also robbed of his money and belongings. The tourist police are on the case for what that is worth. Farangs should report these incidents because the local media has no interest in upsetting tourism related issues. Be carefull.

They asked for money from me, I had a bankbook and cash, but not from my travel mate and another person. Take money and it all seems random to me. He really gave my passport a go over before stamping it. No famous thai smile either.

Be carefull of open sores or cuts. The water used, especially around downtown Chiang Mai is laden with many exotic germs looking for a host. I was hit in the face with a bucket of Ice water travelling at about 60kmh last year,very painfull and a near death experience . This year I will leave april 1 and return when the rainy season starts.

Experienced Farang

I really enjoy living in Thailand, but I have to admit that the SONG TAEW's and TUK-TUK's have won! It is time to move away from Chiang Mai. The pollution is out of control. The complete absurdity is the public transport mess. For the sake of the people and tourism, I hope changes are made to clean up the city.

Black Lungs