hotsoup Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I am from the UK and France.My wife is Thai We have 4 children.2 are grown up and have good jobs/careers in Thailand The 'little ones' 1 is in in school in M2, one in school P6 All of them are trilingual English, French, Thai I chose to come and live here for 25 years. My wife is, naturally, happy to be in her country. All 4 children now say they want to go 'home'to France and the UK We have explained endlessly why it might be better to live in the Far East..........not interested! What would you wise members advise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooked Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Kids often want what they can't have. We are looking at ways to get our now 8 year old to a European school for one year at the age of 11 and again at the age of 18 (she'll still have to complete the 'missing' year). I think it is important to get whatever certificate her Thai (private) school will give her, and I don't want her to miss out on becoming fluent in Thai, English and Chinese. After that: up to her. Whatever happens, sooner or later she will be leaving home so we are keeping her options open. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gecko123 Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 (edited) Two thoughts for your consideration: 1. P6/M1 age range wouldn't be a bad age range to transition from one school system to the other. The longer you wait, the harder I would think it would be to make the transition academically. For me, quality of education the two younger kids are getting would be an important factor. Curious about what your kids find attractive about the UK and France, and whether they feel assimilated here? 2. On the other hand, with two older kids still in Thailand, why break up the family by moving to another country? Especially if your wife's happier here. Edited September 1, 2014 by Gecko123 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 the older ones are old enough to go live wherever they want and as for the younger ones, since when do parents design their lives around childrens whims?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachproperty Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 As for the young ones ....schools in the west give a better education IMO, so you and the wife have to decide what's best obviously. As for the grown ups....tell them GO ...and good luck! Are they not old enough to cut the strings to Momma ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 As for the young ones ....schools in the west give a better education IMO, so you and the wife have to decide what's best obviously. As for the grown ups....tell them GO ...and good luck! Are they not old enough to cut the strings to Momma ? my kids did their high school in thailand, moved to Canada and got straight A's in college. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachproperty Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 As for the young ones ....schools in the west give a better education IMO, so you and the wife have to decide what's best obviously. As for the grown ups....tell them GO ...and good luck! Are they not old enough to cut the strings to Momma ? my kids did their high school in thailand, moved to Canada and got straight A's in college. Smart kids, raised right, will do good anywhere!....Good job! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 As for the young ones ....schools in the west give a better education IMO, so you and the wife have to decide what's best obviously. As for the grown ups....tell them GO ...and good luck! Are they not old enough to cut the strings to Momma ? my kids did their high school in thailand, moved to Canada and got straight A's in college. Smart kids, raised right, will do good anywhere!....Good job! the fact is they were just as advanced as the western kids. and friends kids that came to do high school in canada ended up tutoring the western kids n math and science. the thai education is plenty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachproperty Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 As for the young ones ....schools in the west give a better education IMO, so you and the wife have to decide what's best obviously. As for the grown ups....tell them GO ...and good luck! Are they not old enough to cut the strings to Momma ? my kids did their high school in thailand, moved to Canada and got straight A's in college. Smart kids, raised right, will do good anywhere!....Good job! the fact is they were just as advanced as the western kids. and friends kids that came to do high school in canada ended up tutoring the western kids n math and science. the thai education is plenty good. Wouldn't know ....never went to school in Thailand ... BUT ...When I see the rote teaching (Well that's not really teaching!), and failure to teach critical thinking .....I wonder????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JockPieandBeans Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 What would you wise members advise? I do not know about wise, but here are a couple of points for you to consider. 1. Your eldest 2 have good jobs / careers in Thailand. Do they still live at home ? If so, its time to cut the apron strings. 2. I think your youngest 2 are being influenced by your older 2. If my assumptions are correct, whatever decision you come to is going to cause problems. I wish you the best of luck, I fear you are going to need it. PS, I really hope my assumption is wrong. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Wouldn't know ....never went to school in Thailand ... BUT ...When I see the rote teaching (Well that's not really teaching!), and failure to teach critical thinking .....I wonder????? well, from first hand evidence, I dont Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooked Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Wouldn't know ....never went to school in Thailand ... BUT ...When I see the rote teaching (Well that's not really teaching!), and failure to teach critical thinking .....I wonder????? well, from first hand evidence, I dont critical thinking can be taught at home, as can respect. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachproperty Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 (edited) Wouldn't know ....never went to school in Thailand ... BUT ...When I see the rote teaching (Well that's not really teaching!), and failure to teach critical thinking .....I wonder????? well, from first hand evidence, I dont As I said before....Great, happy to hear your kids are doing well. BUT, widen your perspective and open your mind, Thailand is a BIG country with many different types of schools. I have 3 children here in Thailand, and although they are doing well, its no thanks to the school system. Parents should be an integral part of teaching their children here in Thailand as elsewhere in the world....unfortunately a lot of Thai parents are too busy trying to survive and see school as a babysitting service. Again your kids are lucky (as I'm sure there are many Thai kids with involved parents) that you and your wife cared about their education. You have obviously offered them opportunities most Thai's don't have available to them (ie college in Canada) so rating the WHOLE countries school system based on a few students..... Well.... Edited September 1, 2014 by beachproperty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Wouldn't know ....never went to school in Thailand ... BUT ...When I see the rote teaching (Well that's not really teaching!), and failure to teach critical thinking .....I wonder????? well, from first hand evidence, I dont As I said before....Great, happy to hear your kids are doing well. BUT, widen your perspective and open your mind, Thailand is a BIG country with many different types of schools. I have 3 children here in Thailand, and although they are doing well, its no thanks to the school system. Parents should be an integral part of teaching their children here in Thailand as elsewhere in the world....unfortunately a lot of Thai parents are too busy trying to survive and see school as a babysitting service. Again your kids are lucky (as I'm sure there are many Thai kids with involved parents) that you and your wife cared about their education. You have obviously offered them opportunities most Thai's don't have available to them (ie college in Canada) you know nothing about it so spare me the "open your mind" crack. my kids had absolutely no participation from parents. like most thai kids, they respected their teachers and worked hard and did well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachproperty Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Wouldn't know ....never went to school in Thailand ... BUT ...When I see the rote teaching (Well that's not really teaching!), and failure to teach critical thinking .....I wonder????? well, from first hand evidence, I dont critical thinking can be taught at home, as can respect. MY point exactly....Parents need to take a part also in the education of their children.....Unfortunately may Thai's do not have that luxury as they are busy just trying to survive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachproperty Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 (edited) Wouldn't know ....never went to school in Thailand ... BUT ...When I see the rote teaching (Well that's not really teaching!), and failure to teach critical thinking .....I wonder????? well, from first hand evidence, I dont As I said before....Great, happy to hear your kids are doing well. BUT, widen your perspective and open your mind, Thailand is a BIG country with many different types of schools. I have 3 children here in Thailand, and although they are doing well, its no thanks to the school system. Parents should be an integral part of teaching their children here in Thailand as elsewhere in the world....unfortunately a lot of Thai parents are too busy trying to survive and see school as a babysitting service. Again your kids are lucky (as I'm sure there are many Thai kids with involved parents) that you and your wife cared about their education. You have obviously offered them opportunities most Thai's don't have available to them (ie college in Canada) you know nothing about it so spare me the "open your mind" crack. my kids had absolutely no participation from parents. like most thai kids, they respected their teachers and worked hard and did well. WOW ...did someone get up on the wrong side of the bed! Sad to hear that you, as a parent, did not assist in their education! Edited September 1, 2014 by beachproperty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 WOW ...did someone get up on the wrong side of the bed! like I said, you know nothing about how they were raised or educated. but hey, when generalizing about the faults of thailand why let facts get in the way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GuestHouse Posted September 1, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted September 1, 2014 It seems the OP has moved his children from the French State Education schools to Thai Education State schools From an excellent state education system to one of the most shoddy going. Should the listen to his Children? I think he should think about the importance of education and start listening to the educational needs of his children. I cannot imagine why any parent would choose place their children in the Thai state education system. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachproperty Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 WOW ...did someone get up on the wrong side of the bed! like I said, you know nothing about how they were raised or educated. but hey, when generalizing about the faults of thailand why let facts get in the way? Sorry to say....read the posts ....Maybe a few times. YOU are the one generalizing....I use the words "some" "Many" YOu though, think its OK to base your rationale based on your children (who again ...I say....am sad to hear You and the wife "had absolutely nothing to do with their eduction")....NOW that's what I call "generalizations" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 WOW ...did someone get up on the wrong side of the bed! like I said, you know nothing about how they were raised or educated. but hey, when generalizing about the faults of thailand why let facts get in the way? Sorry to say....read the posts ....Maybe a few times. YOU are the one generalizing....I use the words "some" "Many" YOu though, think its OK to base your rationale based on your children (who again ...I say....am sad to hear You and the wife "had absolutely nothing to do with their eduction")....NOW that's what I call "generalizations" you assumed you knew how my kids were raised and educated. you made a smart crack about "opening my mind" you generalized about the western system being better than the thai based on YOUR narrow experience with YOUR kids in ONE system. try again pal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachproperty Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 WOW ...did someone get up on the wrong side of the bed! like I said, you know nothing about how they were raised or educated. but hey, when generalizing about the faults of thailand why let facts get in the way? Sorry to say....read the posts ....Maybe a few times. YOU are the one generalizing....I use the words "some" "Many" YOu though, think its OK to base your rationale based on your children (who again ...I say....am sad to hear You and the wife "had absolutely nothing to do with their eduction")....NOW that's what I call "generalizations" you assumed you knew how my kids were raised and educated. you made a smart crack about "opening my mind" you generalized about the western system being better than the thai based on YOUR narrow experience with YOUR kids in ONE system. try again pal! Sorry to say ....YOU are the one making the asumptions .....I only commented on the post, to which you attacked with you generalizations. Anger management issues????????? ............................................................................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Sorry to say ....YOU are the one making the asumptions .....I only commented on the post, to which you attacked with you generalizations. Anger management issues????????? ............................................................................ if you can call a smartmouth line like "open your mind" legitimate comment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuestHouse Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 (edited) Here's an observation based on over 15 years of working in a professional environment in Thailand. I can count on one hand the number of Thais I know working in the professions who where educated in Thai state schools, those that I do know attended a select few Thai state schools (which despite being state schools have an unofficial pay to access system in operation and run many of their classes as 'private tuition'). These schools are all in metropolitan areas and are effectively private schools since not being able to pay the 'entrance fee' excludes pupils entering. All of the Thai professional I know send their children to private schools (which are not cheap and represent a significant investment) - They (Thai people who understand the Thai education system) clearly do not have faith in the Thai state schools. They understand very well that there are a handful of adequate schools in which the staff and administrators are milking parents in exchange for an adequate education, and there is the vast majority of Thai schools which offer education ranging from less than adequate to downright disgraceful. Respect for teachers - We've had a very recent example of why Thai teachers might be feared, but I'd not call it respect. Edited September 1, 2014 by GuestHouse 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotsoup Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share Posted September 1, 2014 the older ones are old enough to go live wherever they want and as for the younger ones, since when do parents design their lives around childrens whims??I agree, but not 'whims'!! These are well reasoned arguments...I am perturbed by the fact that, regardless of the little ones, the older ones think the same. We have tried, endlessly to have them integrated into 'Thai' society. They just reckon Thailand is not 'cool'!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Here's an observation based on over 15 years of working in a professional environment in Thailand. I can count on one hand the number of Thais I know working in the professions who where educated in Thai state schools, those that I do know attended a select few Thai state schools (which despite being state schools have an unofficial pay to access system in operation and run many of their classes as 'private tuition'). These schools are all in metropolitan areas and are effectively private schools since not being able to pay the 'entrance fee' excludes pupils entering. All of the Thai professional I know send their children to private schools (which are not cheap and represent a significant investment) - They (Thai people who understand the Thai education system) clearly do not have faith in the Thai state schools. They understand very well that there are a handful of adequate schools in which the staff and administrators are milking parents in exchange for an adequate education, and there is the vast majority of Thai schools which offer education ranging from less than adequate to downright disgraceful. Respect for teachers - We've had a very recent example of why Thai teachers might be feared, but I'd not call it respect. what are "the professions"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 the older ones are old enough to go live wherever they want and as for the younger ones, since when do parents design their lives around childrens whims??I agree, but not 'whims'!! These are well reasoned arguments...I am perturbed by the fact that, regardless of the little ones, the older ones think the same. We have tried, endlessly to have them integrated into 'Thai' society. They just reckon Thailand is not 'cool'!! lol! youre thinking of relocating based on what your school age kids consider cool?? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuestHouse Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 what are "the professions"? Professional: Engineers, Architects, Economists, Doctors... Just like the professions the world over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 what are "the professions"? Professional: Engineers, Architects, Economists, Doctors... Just like the professions the world over. i would count teachers and nurses as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotsoup Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share Posted September 1, 2014 The reasons they went/go to school in Thailand are 1. To learn to read and write Thai. Nobody is concerned about speaking. It is almost axiomatic they will be able to speak 2. If you can read and write Thai, then there are options, in Thailand . If you cannot those options diminish rapidly 3. If they wish to live in Thailand, they have to learn how to 'behave' like a Thai person..not saying this is entirely what one would wish...but it does not help to be an outcast! 4. We want them to be 'citoyennes du monde'..at ease and competent in a most cultures...I guess that is important because we are! 5. I am concerned for the older 2 because they say..no future here....interesting observation from a poster about 'Hi So Thai schools in this respect. But they are never going to become part of HiSo Thai society. As you know there is a lot of admiration for young pretty Luk Khreung...but I doubt that it translates into worthwhile 'careers' 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 The reasons they went/go to school in Thailand are 1. To learn to read and write Thai. Nobody is concerned about speaking. It is almost axiomatic they will be able to speak 2. If you can read and write Thai, then there are options, in Thailand . If you cannot those options diminish rapidly 3. If they wish to live in Thailand, they have to learn how to 'behave' like a Thai person..not saying this is entirely what one would wish...but it does not help to be an outcast! 4. We want them to be 'citoyennes du monde'..at ease and competent in a most cultures...I guess that is important because we are! 5. I am concerned for the older 2 because they say..no future here....interesting observation from a poster about 'Hi So Thai schools in this respect. But they are never going to become part of HiSo Thai society. As you know there is a lot of admiration for young pretty Luk Khreung...but I doubt that it translates into worthwhile 'careers' why on earth do the older ones need you to move? why cant they go on their own? no future in thailand? you think that becoming hi so is necessary for a future? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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