Tot Rant

[JusMe]

Shouldn't one of the qualifications for a job at the English language TOT help desk be the ability to communicate in English?

I've been calling their line so regularly that I'm sure some of them know me already from the call display number. At least I do get an answer.

And their technicians have been out to the house to "check things out" so many times I'm thinking about accommodation for them! At least they do regularly come here, and my complaints aren't ignored. Not much improves, but at least I'm noticed.

So that's it for the bouquets.

Called again this morning about a dropped connection, and whoever is on the line could not express himself in English. How did he get that particular job? I don't know nor care just who his daddy is, but he couldn't have bought a consonant with all daddy's money. Just totally incomprehensible. Try understanding any English expression that doesn't use consonants.

Sure, the Thai language doesn't have final consonants and therefore most Thais have difficulty with them, but surely if one is hired to speak in English, one qualification should be speaking clearly, and that means all of the word, not just the beginning or parts of it!

As a test, what do you think a "tawn fai" might be?

(Correct answer if it's not guessed in a day or so.)

End of today's rant.

[lomatopo]

There are a lot of tech savvy people here, I've been helped so many times by advice here its amazing!

Maybe if you posted some details about your problems some could point you in the right direction?

As an aside I think the staff at TOT and TRUE are much better English speakers than I am when speaking Thai. You'll just have to get used to the consonant thing, otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy and end up ranting all the time.

[H2oDunc]

I can't think of 1 internet provider back in the UK that has a help line that caters for Thai? Why do a lot of Farangs always expect companies here to speak perfect English ? I have found that the help lines here are far better than the ones back in the UK. I can remember trying to get a problem resolved with BT talking to some Indian in Mumbai for 6 hours. Try learning the language of the country you are living in and it will make things so much easier for you. Or just get the missus to call them

Just my 2 satangs worth

[JusMe]

There are a lot of tech savvy people here, I've been helped so many times by advice here its amazing!

Maybe if you posted some details about your problems some could point you in the right direction?

As an aside I think the staff at TOT and TRUE are much better English speakers than I am when speaking Thai. You'll just have to get used to the consonant thing, otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy and end up ranting all the time.

Oh, I've had lots of help here, too. As I said, I was just venting. Felt the need for a bit of a scream. Can't do anything from the forum about dropped connections and choked torrent files. We've raged about all that before - this was just my time.

And yes, they're definitely much better speaking English than I am speaking Thai, no doubt. I don't! And most of the time, I am accustomed to the dropped consonants, and it usually doesn't drive me crazy. Just today's non-conversation got me going.

H2oDunc added: "I can't think of 1 internet provider back in the UK that has a help line that caters for Thai? Why do a lot of Farangs always expect companies here to speak perfect English ?"

Just how prevalent is Thai in the outside world? English is the most common worldwide language, so I'd expect more of it than Thai, outside Thailand. And I don't expect companies here to speak perfect English. But if they are purporting to offer an English service, then it should be in English!

"Try learning the language of the country you are living in and it will make things so much easier for you. Or just get the missus to call them"

The missus? You know more about my life than I do!! Introduce me? to my missus?

And yes, learning the language would be much easier. I've tried, but it took me two years to learn to count! I put it down to age, although will admit to a lot of laziness and procrastination, and usually being able to get by with a bit of English, lots of gestures, and mai pen rai.

[MikeCNX]

town fire?

[selftaopath]

Just how prevalent is Thai in the outside world? English is the most common worldwide language, so I'd expect more of it than Thai, outside Thailand. And I don't expect companies here to speak perfect English. But if they are purporting to offer an English service, then it should be in English!

And yes, learning the language would be much easier. I've tried, but it took me two years to learn to count! I put it down to age, although will admit to a lot of laziness and procrastination, and usually being able to get by with a bit of English, lots of gestures, and mai pen rai.

I agree with your sentiments(above). While I can empathize with your plight, I am a bit envious. TOT in KhaneKhro speaks NO English. But the most glaring problem is that this govt. "arm" does not allow more than 20 internet connections for this village of 200+ housholds (and climbing). Their reasoning??? Don't think they have one. But I'm told that if/when someone who has internet in this village DIES then I'll move up on the "list." What really gauls me is TOT is a Thailand govenment entity. Right????? ... well like they say: Amusing Thailand.

BTW learning a language when one has dyslexia is nearly "impossible." I personally know. And wish I could learn Thai.

[JusMe]

I agree with your sentiments(above). While I can empathize with your plight, I am a bit envious. TOT in KhaneKhro speaks NO English. But the most glaring problem is that this govt. "arm" does not allow more than 20 internet connections for this village of 200+ housholds (and climbing). Their reasoning??? Don't think they have one. But I'm told that if/when someone who has internet in this village DIES then I'll move up on the "list." What really gauls me is TOT is a Thailand govenment entity. Right????? ... well like they say: Amusing Thailand.

BTW learning a language when one has dyslexia is nearly "impossible." I personally know. And wish I could learn Thai.

Thanks for the agreement. If you can, go through the Bangkok help centre, rather than local. I tried the local for so long and had to keep re-calling for hours (yes, hours) and rarely got anything other than the recorded message that everyone was busy (and I've got a bridge for sale). The national number is 1100, listen to the music, and immediately press 9. That gets you through to the "English" help centre. And usually it is decent English. I've rarely had to wait on that line.

As for the rest of your problem, I sympathize and would not change places with you!

For those curious, if we drop final consonants, and often medial ones get dropped or slurred, a two syllable word becomes a single syllable. So, "tawn fai" is actually "torrent file."

[selftaopath]

I’ve wondered where to post my recent experience w/ TOT, but decided posting here will at least help release some of the feeling I have regarding TOT/Thailand’s way of doing some things.

I went to TOT explaining that I wanted to end/close STOP my telephone contract (office phone). I showed all the necessary documents ( still not sure what prompts Land of Scams (LOS) to require so much documentation for practically everything). After paying my bill, I was told my phone would be turned off/ and the account closed.

Four months later I went to my previous office location and found four bills from TOT. I could barely believe what I was seeing. We made the trip to Fortune, which was a big inconvenience, waited in line and finally spoke to a representative - again needing to present all documentation. We were told: Yes your phone line was close – but only closed to all OUTGOING calls. The bill is for any incoming calls and I owed them Bt 400. If I did not pay and close the incoming service I would be billed Bt 100 indefinitely. What the hel_l????? I am still in ???? utter ???? amazement by this BS. Can you believe it???? Sorry but my belief is if you stop a phone contract – your phone is disconnected and ALL billing etc STOPS. Right???? Wrong – if in Land of Scams (LOS) Oh and BTW we could not pay the final bill then, but were told we could after 7 days??????? Sorry this way of doing ???? business???? it just NUTS.

This is one for the “books.”

Cheers,

[Pib]

Regarding all the paperwork, I expect TOT (and many other Thai companies) make part of their profit from selling paper to recyclers. First, TOT (and other companies) build the price of the paperwork into your bill and as the paper is generated/collected it is quickly sold to recylers for additional profit...since it's sold before being fully processed then that explains why nothing happened in closing down your account and why they can't find the earlier submitted paperwork.

Yea, I'm being sarcastic...I had a similar experience about a year ago in closing down a True cell phone account....Thai companies/govt agencies sure love paperwork...more the better it seems...but they are s.....l.....o......w......l......y changing, as their internal commissions/committees/etc. after years of study recommend small changes/steps forward. Please note that standard, country-wide 3G implemenation in Thailand is exempt from this progress. OK, I'm done being sarcastic.