Thai Step-children

[PAPA DUCK]

I have two Thai step-children ages 6 and 14. Neither speaks English but I have the chance to bring them to the country I currently live in and they could attend English speaking Department of Defense schools for the next 2-4 years. After that it would be back to Thailand. Please give me any advice or concerns I should be thinking of.

[SK1972]

Papa Duck....if neither speak/read or write English, how can they attend English speaking Dept of Defense school? Is it a school for teaching English??

What you have at risk or any concerns would fall back on your relationship with their mother and whether the children have accepted you. I assume by being able to bring them over, you would have to be legally married to their mother. What about the children's father? Is he in the picture or not?

I would think you would have to be "responsible" for them while they are there and if that is what you want, then by all means, go for it. Just remember that they may turn against you...or they may not....depending.

The education system in your country would be more beneficial to them. They may have to learn English first...............However, if they return to Thailand again, they may have problems getting into a government school (private should be fine)

So long as you know what you are doing and think with a clear head (and the right one)......go for it.

Good luck!

[PAPA DUCK]

SK1972,

The DOD schools in Asia are used to this sort of situation after decades of GI's marrying Japanese, Thai, Korean, Filipina women with children.

The kids would want to be here with their mother and as far as the 14 year old goes this just may just help him get into an International program at a Thai university.

I personally know a 7 year old Thai girl brought here to the same area by her GI step-father only 7 months ago who spoke absolutely no English. You can't even tell that English is her second language anymore. She also has an older sister but I can't remember her age and the English skills are just as good, just as quickly.

My biggest concerns are the issues to be faced upon return to Thailand.

[SK1972]

The DOD schools in Asia are used to this sort of situation after decades of GI's marrying Japanese, Thai, Korean, Filipina women with children.

Papa Duck.....ok......I thought you were bringing them into a western country, not an Asian country.

I am not quite sure what happens when they return.....but I do know of those who have returned at the age of 15/16 and they usually end up attending international/semi-international/private schools here..........

Maybe they would not want to return home........you never know.

[lopburi3]

I guess that there must be some reason that you can not adopt these children so that they could stay.

Unless they are presently in very good schools here it would probably help them and for the elder not be much of a problem if she has to leave mother (would be collage age) but return to life without mother may be harder for the younger one. But still think it would be productive overall and if you/family could afford international type school after her return it might help the transition.

[PAPA DUCK]

SK & Lopburi,

Thanks for the replies. The wife could change her mind tomorrow or the next day. She has a job here also and will be dependent on her son to pick the young girl up after school. I can do it most days but one week a month I go to school in th evening for 5 hours after work. A 40 + year old man trying to finish a Master's program before I retire and move to Thailand.

I'm pretty sure the older boy is intelligent enough to finish school and then be on his way to a Thai university. The English he would pick up here would qualify him to apply at one of the Thai universities in an International Program. If I can pay then I know they'll let him in

That leaves the young girl and the possibility of an international school upon her return to Thailand. Anybdy know the cost range for these schools ? I would live in Bangkok if we had to but I'd prefer a school in Nakhonsawan. Appreciate any input on costs of international schools.

I'd rather avoid discussing adoption issues. That's not a road I want to travel. Appreciate and further feedback.

[SK1972]

Seems you are thinking with a clear head Papa Duck!!! I applaud that.

International schools cost and arm and a leg here..........maybe you can search on the internet but its a little premature for now isnt it?

Good luck!!

[PAPA DUCK]

You're right. I just checked several International schools for their fees and they are very expensive. Anywhere from 300,000 to 500,000+ baht per year. Good thing I'll have a pension cause there goes any income I'll get from my planned hobby of teaching English at 30,000 - 50,000 pm. Ah, what the heck it's for a good cause. The little girl is a darling and has called me "Pa" from the second time I ever saw her.

[lopburi3]

The top International schools are very expensive as you have found out but there are many more that are not. Quality may not be as high but they will almost all be better than most regular schools and provide continued English which is invaluable for long range employment here. Do not know if any English teaching are located in Nakhon Sawan as that is highly Chinese and few foreigners live there. I spent several years in the province long ago. But really much too early to do anything except perhaps start a savings account.

[p1p]

Schools around Chiang Mai are WAAaay cheaper than the prices you quote. You could probably get by with around half that figure.

[RamdomChances]

SK & Lopburi,

      Thanks for the replies. The wife could change her mind tomorrow or the next day. She has a job here also and will be dependent on her son to pick the young girl up after school. I can do it most days but one week a month I go to school in th evening for 5 hours after work. A 40 + year old man trying to finish a Master's program before I retire and move to Thailand.

      I'm pretty sure the older boy is intelligent enough to finish school and then be on his way to a Thai university. The English he would pick up here would qualify him to apply at one of the Thai universities in an International Program. If I can pay then I know they'll let him in 

      That leaves the young girl and the possibility of an international school upon her return to Thailand. Anybdy know the cost range for these schools ? I would live in Bangkok if we had to but I'd prefer a school in Nakhonsawan. Appreciate any input on costs of international schools.

      I'd rather avoid discussing adoption issues. That's not a road I want to travel.  Appreciate and further feedback.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

According to the wife there are two "international" schools in Nakorn Sawan, Lasan Chotrawi and St Josephs,

Lasan Chotrawi teaches up to age 17-18 boys and girls (finnish high school)

St Josephs according to the wife only goes up to 15 for girls and 12 for boys

They are both Christian schools and both are about 30,000 bht a term live in or 3,000 live out, and apparently Lasan Chotrawi has the better reputation.

There are usually some jobs on ajarn.com advertised for Nakorn and Chinat, so you could look there to see what schools are hireing falang teachers and drop them a line

The above may be a bit out of date but gives you an idea. Feel free to PM me if you need any local info.

Cheers RC

Do not know if any English teaching are located in Nakhon Sawan as that is highly Chinese and few foreigners live there. I spent several years in the province long ago. But really much too early to do anything except perhaps start a savings account.

I thought it was Chinat Lop??

[Pink Mist]

My 2 satangs worth, we brought my wife's 14yo son out here to Adelaide last year.

He attended and still is attending a school specialising in teaching English to children of non english speaking backgrounds.

So far his results are fantasic and next year he will attend a "normal" high school, (he recently did a weeks orientation there) he cant wait to start there.

I can only say it seems to be the best thing that we could have done and it gives him so many options when he finishes his education (at whatever level).

Edited December 1, 2004 by bronco

[lopburi3]

Do not know if any English teaching are located in Nakhon Sawan as that is highly Chinese and few foreigners live there. I spent several years in the province long ago. But really much too early to do anything except perhaps start a savings account.

I thought it was Chinat Lop??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Amphur Chinat in Nakhon Sawan Province.

[Tarragona]

According to the wife there are two "international" schools in Nakorn Sawan, Lasan Chotrawi and St Josephs,

Lasan Chotrawi teaches up to age 17-18 boys and girls (finnish high school)

St Josephs according to the wife only goes up to 15 for girls and 12 for boys

They are both Christian schools and both are about 30,000 bht a term live in or 3,000 live out, and apparently Lasan Chotrawi has the better reputation.

They're regular private schools, I'd guess. If so they probably follow the Thai curriculum.