Improving? Thailand

[GuestHouse]

If you could import one law from back home into Thailnd (complete with it's enforcement)

Or one social attitude from back home and instill it seemlessly into Thais

What would you choose and why?

[Guest endure]

The right to buy land.

[mickmac]

I would like to see implemented the UK highway code and driving test complete with examiners who could not be bribed. It may save some lives.

[bino]

Drinking and driving laws- 80 milligram limit.

First offence- six month suspension, second offence- monkey house.

Probably have to build a lot more monkey houses!

[BKK90210]

Improving the education system in thailand and narrowing gap between haves and have nots.

The world had changed, but education system in Thailand has not changed with it. Thai children spend years in an antiquated educational system, studying subjects they will never use, preparing for a world that no longer exits.

The thai parents like to give dangerous advice to a child like “Go to school, get good grades and look for a good and safe secure job”…or “If you don’t get a good grade, you won’t get a good job”. Because they want their child to have a financially secure future! They often do that out of cultural habit and have always been the right thing to do and say. They’re setting their child up to become a good worker, not a good entrepreneur! It’s foolish to assume that the current school system provides will prepare your children for the world they will face upon graduation. A child today needs a more sophisticated education and the current system is not delivering the goods.

Many of the most successful people in the business world/literary world/art world were not the best students. Most successful entrepreneur hire a smart people! The most successful people are usually the ones who learn to think independently, outside the box.

I have felt that one of Thailand's biggest handicaps is an educational system which seems to discourage independent, creative thought and encourages fitting into the 'norm' and being like everybody else. Without developing your own capacity to learn, ability to seek new information and critical thinking skills. In addition there is so much more out there for students life but that's what's missing in the schooling system. The encouragement of innovation, "stepping outside the box"

[falangaman]

Can we do a swap between Thailand and UK.

I really wish that the citizens of the UK had the same Thai attitude towards working, too many people taking a free ride here!

I love England...

[Glauka]

Improving the education system in thailand and narrowing gap between haves and have nots.

The world had changed, but education system in Thailand has not changed with it. Thai children spend years in an antiquated educational system, studying subjects they will never use, preparing for a world that no longer exits.

The thai parents like to give dangerous advice to a child like “Go to school, get good grades and look for a good and safe secure job”…or “If you don’t get a good grade, you won’t get a good job”. Because they want their child to have a financially secure future! They often do that out of cultural habit and have always been the right thing to do and say. They’re setting their child up to become a good worker, not a good entrepreneur! It’s foolish to assume that the current school system provides will prepare your children for the world they will face upon graduation. A child today needs a more sophisticated education and the current system is not delivering the goods.

Many of the most successful people in the business world/literary world/art world were not the best students. Most successful entrepreneur hire a smart people! The most successful people are usually the ones who learn to think independently, outside the box.

I have felt that one of Thailand's biggest handicaps is an educational system which seems to discourage independent, creative thought and encourages fitting into the 'norm' and being like everybody else. Without developing your own capacity to learn, ability to seek new information and critical thinking skills. In addition there is so much more out there for students life but that's what's missing in the schooling system. The encouragement of innovation, "stepping outside the box"

Spanish parents say exactly the same to their children...Actually to have a degree with good marks is what matters here ( as long as i know)

Edited March 3, 2006 by Glauka

[kayo]

If you could import one law from back home into Thailnd (complete with it's enforcement)

Or one social attitude from back home and instill it seemlessly into Thais

What would you choose and why?

Following on from the other ¨Most ridiculous thread of the year¨ Thread... I´d import personal Hygiene standards, and impose them on the dirty smelly Farangs

I like what somebody wrote about importing certain Thai Attitudes back to the west... Mai Bpen Rai, for example.

[BKK90210]

Improving the education system in thailand and narrowing gap between haves and have nots.

The world had changed, but education system in Thailand has not changed with it. Thai children spend years in an antiquated educational system, studying subjects they will never use, preparing for a world that no longer exits.

The thai parents like to give dangerous advice to a child like “Go to school, get good grades and look for a good and safe secure job”…or “If you don’t get a good grade, you won’t get a good job”. Because they want their child to have a financially secure future! They often do that out of cultural habit and have always been the right thing to do and say. They’re setting their child up to become a good worker, not a good entrepreneur! It’s foolish to assume that the current school system provides will prepare your children for the world they will face upon graduation. A child today needs a more sophisticated education and the current system is not delivering the goods.

Many of the most successful people in the business world/literary world/art world were not the best students. Most successful entrepreneur hire a smart people! The most successful people are usually the ones who learn to think independently, outside the box.

I have felt that one of Thailand's biggest handicaps is an educational system which seems to discourage independent, creative thought and encourages fitting into the 'norm' and being like everybody else. Without developing your own capacity to learn, ability to seek new information and critical thinking skills. In addition there is so much more out there for students life but that's what's missing in the schooling system. The encouragement of innovation, "stepping outside the box"

Spanish parents say exactly the same to their children...Actually to have a degree with good marks is what matters here ( as long as i know)

It's still important to get good marks. School is very, very important. You go to school to learn a skill or profession so as to be a contributing member of society. Every culture needs tecacher, doctors, mechanics, artists, cooks, business people, police officer, soldiers........on and on.

Schools train them so our culture can thrive and flourish, but unfortunately, for many people - school is the end, not the beginning.

[ronz28]

No Pollution!

I guess half the country will have to get cancer before polluters will be held accountable for the big mess.

[skylar]

Despite our romantic ideals of individualism, it is actually important to fit in and conform to a large extent in the workplace, as well as in society wherever you are in the world. This is not to be confused with complacency. Thais have an amazing ability to get along with others, even if it is only at face value.

[Ricardo]

Very Good Question !

There used, in the UK, to be an ethic that one went into politics (local or national) or government-service (the Civil Service or whatever they call it these days) , in order to put something back into society, and to improve the general lot of the people. I'm not sure that this survives today, by the way.

But there are relatively few outstanding examples of this attitude, here in LOS, and it would be good to see it more wide-spread.

[Kerryd]

Only one ?

Well, I would like to see anti-corruption type laws and enforcement. I believe that would save hundreds of millions of baht that could then be put to use improving the lives of the people.

From a social standpoint, I would like to see a more Canadian style attitude towards keeping Thailand clean. The amount of garbage laying around and the attitude towards it not only makes the country look dirty, but it can lead to numerous health problems.

Imporvements in those two areas would have an enormous impact on the country.

[h90]

same same, take care enviroment and the sea...

No Pollution!

I guess half the country will have to get cancer before polluters will be held accountable for the big mess.

[Ulysses G.]

Get rid of everyone trying to change Thailand into the West!

[leisurely]

Social security payments for those less well off. I have heard of people going hungry (and homeless) and no one is reaching out to helpthem. Utopian I know.

Agree with the driving one too. Enforced helmet wearing, no more than 2 on a bike, obey the traffic lights and MOT's for vehicles over 5 years old. Ours would fail but as there is no rule .....

[Sing_Sling]

Only one ?

Well, I would like to see anti-corruption type laws and enforcement. I believe that would save hundreds of millions of baht that could then be put to use improving the lives of the people.

From a social standpoint, I would like to see a more Canadian style attitude towards keeping Thailand clean. The amount of garbage laying around and the attitude towards it not only makes the country look dirty, but it can lead to numerous health problems.

Imporvements in those two areas would have an enormous impact on the country.

Ditto kerryD's notion. Corruption and environmental awareness.

[skylar]

Better awareness of general health issues. Pill-bags are still very popular with people who are self-treating common ailments as they are cheap. Also, sexual health education needs to be on the agenda for men and women if they are to look after themselves properly.

[Thaising]

Hope the law here ban the motorcycle rider from carrying 4 or 5 little angels as pillion rider which may sent them hel_l.

[Neeranam]

Get rid of everyone trying to change Thailand into the West! annoyed.gif

[robitusson]

The people with the best intentions of "fixing" other peoples' problems are the ones who really screw things up big time. Let's not be like the missionaries in Africa and America who "helped" the Godless savages by bringing them the truth and fixing their evil ways...and we all know how much they benefitted from it, they're so much better off now, the ones that are still alive that is. Thailand is fine the way it is. No do-gooding please.

Edited March 4, 2006 by robitusson

[Maigo6]

Drinking and driving laws- 80 milligram limit.

First offence- six month suspension, second offence- monkey house.

Probably have to build a lot more monkey houses!

Yea, and deportation for Farangs that are caught.

[Tippaporn]

Get rid of everyone trying to change Thailand into the West! annoyed.gif

The people with the best intentions of "fixing" other peoples' problems are the ones who really screw things up big time. Let's not be like the missionaries in Africa and America who "helped" the Godless savages by bringing them the truth and fixing their evil ways...and we all know how much they benefitted from it, they're so much better off now, the ones that are still alive that is. Thailand is fine the way it is. No do-gooding please.

Same same opinion. I like Thailand the way she is. Thailand is perfect - perfectly herself.

Edited March 4, 2006 by Tippaporn

[TokyoT]

Education – adapt a more critical thinking type of teaching system, and make school truly free thru secondary/ high school for all.

[greg.d]

LIVE AND LET LIVE.

Leave Thailand the way it is, if people don't like it (Farangs) then you know the appropriate exits.

But it was an inviting question nevertheless.

[Donz]

dont change anything, maybe just provide 1 way tickets to all foregners that bitch and moan about this and that isnt good enough and bitch all day how stupid thai's are.

Get those <deleted> out of there, why live in a place that you hate??

[GuestHouse]

dont change anything, maybe just provide 1 way tickets to all foregners that bitch and moan about this and that isnt good enough and bitch all day how stupid thai's are.

Get those <deleted> out of there, why live in a place that you hate??

It seem you have a few 'issues' here.

[Donz]

dont change anything, maybe just provide 1 way tickets to all foregners that bitch and moan about this and that isnt good enough and bitch all day how stupid thai's are.

Get those <deleted> out of there, why live in a place that you hate??

It seem you have a few 'issues' here.

i do have issues. Ive have made a few sences on a bus & Beach of 2 enlish people saying a few things about Thai's like they own them which made me blow my top and things got ugly abit.

Its just the experiences ive had, 99.9% are great but some are not which ive ran into the last 2 times i went there which i wont get into

[TokyoT]

I find many of these “If you don’t like Thailand then leave.” type of post quite comical.

Some of us Farang actually have reasons for wanting to get things changed. And possibly to the utter astonishment of some of you those reasons do not revolve around drinking or even the sex industry. You see I have a Thai wife, and my daughter also has Thai nationality. I would very much like to see things in Thailand improve in a number of ways. I have traveled a considerable amount in my short time here on this planet, and I have yet to stubble across a utopian society where nothing could be improved upon (believe it or not this holds true for my home country as well).

So bare with us as some of us do have an interest in seeing Thailand improve, we will make statements in this regard from time to time on this forum, and we will be remaining in Thailand for the foreseeable future. Sorry to disappoint.

[chiangrai57020]

I would start with the whole list that follows:

Thailand needs a complete overhaul.

Total lack of common sense

total lack of respect

total lack of conscious

total lack of courtesy

no moral responsibility

totally corrupt population - from birth to adulthood

LOS - land of smiles - only when passing money from your hands to theirs

Thai philosophy - foreigners are the scum of the earth and must be tolerated in exchange for their cash

Sidewalks not made for walking

Sidewalks used as extension of a persons business enterprise

Sidewalks used as parking for motorcycles, cars, trucks streets are filthy

Restaurants that spray food with insecticide before cooking and serving

Pastry shops that close once a week to fumigate

Total lack of traffic laws

Police only interested in extorting your hard earned cash

the public transport system

the taxi drivers

the scruffiness and filth

the poor service

the surliness and unfriendliness of the thais in the street markets and the shoddy tat they try to sell.

the total lack of any sense of aesthetics about development.

the car hire company that tries to charge for the repair to the car when it fails to start.

the dangerous driving and road system

the padding of bills restaurants , and the problems in correcting restaurants mistakes.

A country where lies and deception permeate every level of the social fabric

A country where your instincts scream at you every waking moment to get the hel_l away from here

Learn a language that does not have a direct translation for ‘yes’ or ‘no’

A language where the words for a horse and a dog sound the same

Live in a country that is floundering in a sea of corruption

A smile is a request for interest.

A turned head is a snub.

No eye contact is a lack of interest, or care.

There is no interest in education.

Truth holds no value.

The arts are barely alive in Asia, unless you count copying. No live band writes their own material, painters copy from photographs, and there is nearly no literature produced.

Philosophy is not here. Never discussed here

No recognizable allegiance to any consensual reality, scientific or otherwise. No recognizable living arts.

The cultures amount to the importation of currently fashionable cell phones.

Even love is a business proposition here, a bargain. A temporary bargain.

Children locked up in brothels for sexual services.

Children forced to work in sweatshops under hellish conditions.

Children sold as camel jockeys.

Child beggars manipulated by adult gangs.

Children working as drug couriers.

Children used as loans in debt bondage.

Children forced into marriage.

Alot of from the list I am sure that many of you will 'totally' disagree with. But the above are the reality of living in Thailand.

YES! I am still living here and try to ignore all of the above. The question that was asked was - What would you change? I am realistic however and know that this is the way Thailand has been long before we 'foreigners' arrived and will never change. So, live the way they do and not worry about anything - Mai Bpen Rai NO change is needed

Edited March 7, 2006 by chiangrai57020