makavelithedon
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Posts posted by makavelithedon
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A bus has crashed at the foot of the hill into Patong, several motorbikes waiting at the crossing outside the wat were hit by the bus. time 1845
How many times will this sort of terrible accident happen with buses and lorries which are probably rarely serviced
Lorries who labour up the hill in both directions could be forced to take the long way round through Chalong and Karon, or Chern Talay ,Kamala.
Surely regulation on this issue would not be too difficult to enforce?
I hope no-one was killed yesterday?
No, regulation wouldn't be too difficult in any normal country where even 50% want to see a society 'progress' but when that figure appears most of the time around 10-15% you've no chance. Couple that with actual zero 'enforcement' by police and ministry and it ends up as the usual clown's and juggler's ball!
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I don't know how much total money was donated, but always worked on the assumption that 75-90% would be stolen by Thai police / gvt officials.
I agree that so many of them have been filling their boots there's no one left to uphold the law... as usual.
It's the same as everything else here in regard graft,corruption, vote buying and deceit. Until normal Thais make the effort to care about these things rather than just accept it or sell out, they won't ever go anywhere as a nation but continue spiralling downwards.
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How difficult can it be to have 2 or so police officers stationed at the airport to deal with this on a full time basis? Are there really none there now who can't be diverted to do it? The place is full of cops one sort or another.
Unbelievable incompetence yet again.
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"Why aren't companies/the government doing more to help this this and that"
This is a parennial problem in all the less developed countries I've lived in.
Pehaps this is a major reason they are less developed in the first place.
Naka.
Hmm, interesting OP. Kind of get the gist of what your saying. I think because you have less safe guards at the bottom and rich here really does mean rich then a lot including myself find it hard to stomach. There is also the nicely convenient excuse used by many that the man half dying on the street with no legs begging, is there because of karma and so cuts them off showing any human generosity or sympathy what soever.
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I know for alot of expats the thought and reasons for Sinsod are hard to fathom and rightfully so, Its not part of our own culture so for alot of the westerners in LOS It's understandable why they get pretty p1ssed about it. It is however an engraved part of Thai culture that has been going on for centuries and will probably go on for many years to come. It is not just adhered to or respected by the ''mere'' Issanites which is obviously what many people on this forum believe.
We are westerners yes but we are not superior to the average Thai regardless of what one might believe, Therefore If a girl you ''fancy'' has parents who are demanding 1 milion Baht upwards and you cannot afford it then you are clearly punching above your weight, or she does'nt care enough about you enough to beg her parents to get the price lowered. If you are hit with a price tag you cannot meet then walk away and start afresh. There are plenty of fish in the sea especially in the Gulf Of Thailand. It's HERE and It's not going away anytime soon so deal withh it chaps.
Your logic being whatever figure her parents pull out the local mango tree is a fair reflection of their little darlings status and worth? I'd hazard a guess in 90% of cases the Farang gets upset because he knows the same skit is being played out as your local market deal. Farang-billionaire-treble it?
Unless she's an astronaut or your quite happy paying anything, then 400,000 baht is about the sky from my experiences of living here long enough to know.
Unless your Tata Young of course -from the pictures I saw of her bash she looked liked she ended up owning the sky!
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Hardly a drunken old geezer, he was 31 years old. Who cares about his relationship and financial situation, the guy was depressed and jumped. Or do we all need something to gloat at?
Had two people jump from my building since I moved here 7-8 months ago. Think I'd better stop talking to people in the lift.
Sorry, not a conspiracy nut, but yet again it's another jump and yet again appears an unusual type of death anywhere it seems outside Asia. This jumping from a mile up stuff is unheard of in the west as a way to end one's troubles, yet someone gets to this appalling state of mind and sees this as the easiest way to go?
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OK so I am a little torn a lot of people telling me thai stuff seems to be junk.
A few saying go to Malaysia SO WHERE IN MALAYSIA and any good flight thoughts from Thailand ?
The ring is for my wife, and is not a surprise so she will be there to help pick it.
I appreciate everyones feedback and any more feedback would be good I cannot imagine that there are not some really good jewellers in Thailand since it is known for its gems.
Thanks again
If you can be a little more specific on what you want approximate- size, quality etc I'm sure a few people here can give you some more specific advice. It's not that you cannot get quality here it just rarely comes at a competitive price when related to Hong Kong, Malaysia etc and honesty is well down the list, so although there are no doubt some honest dealers they're more the exception than the rule!
You would also have to consider the flight costs etc. Well worth the trip for say a 1+ carat quality diamond, but if it's a 20,000 baht ring then you'd be better off in a local mall and paying a little over! Like I said all depends on what your after!
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good sunnies can be bought at any of the optical shops around the island. you can usually bargain a bit on prices in the shops and get some freebies thrown in. thats my experience anyway.
buckwheat pillows - hmmm. i think i have seen them in central near the supermarket at times when they have the little expo/promotions on. ive never seen them in the department store itself. you could perhaps also try the basement floor in jungceylon.
Not sure about the pillows, but as for the glasses, there's a place on the ground/proper 1st floor of Jungceylon actually marketing that they're not 'overpriced' like most shops! Last 2 pairs I've bought were online and I had them sent to me by a family member. Never sat well with me forking out 9000 baht or more for a designer pair I'd pay 2000 baht for at home if you know where to look!
The shops here may drop a little but it was never what I considered 'value for money'! Good luck!
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I think the big problem for people buying ruby or sapphire jewelry is the widespread treatments of the gems,for instance the berylium treated stones which are everywhere in bangkok,which are heated,in the ovens with beryllium to unaturally give them colour,& they are worth a fraction of the heated only stones.These Be treated stones are sometimes difficult for experienced gemologists to tell the difference,& can only be 100% tested positive by expensive equipment in gem labs.These stones look pretty,& the average punter would be ignorant of it,which is all the better for the jeweler.
Then you have glass filled stones,in which fractures are filled with glass whilst heating.Flux fracture filled,like the former,but with flux,& many more treatments.
The only way i'd pay big money for gemstone jewelry in thailand,would be to get the gems checked out first in one of the good labs in bkk.
Uptou, whilst I agree with you , how many people are actually buying those kinds of stones? 95% or more of the market is heat treated for normal mortals who can't afford the $8000+ per carat a top ruby would cost! Most who can either own half of Bangkok and know people or will be shopping at Tiffany's stores and the like!
Most of the treatments you mention are perfectly accepted and used throughout the world, the problem is the disclosure issue which is virtually non-existant here. I hope some good comes out of the recent fall out but with Thailand's unhealthy obsession with only money and little else it may take some time and arm twisting to get anything on statute that looks remotely ethical!
I'd forget the place altogether OP let the gem trade here fall on there arse they deserve it 100%.
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Hi all,
I was toying this over yesterday and wondered what you are all doing or thinking of doing next?
I was aiming this question more at the normal TELF teacher really which probably makes up some 80-90% (at a guess) of all teachers working here. The hoops appear longer and longer, the hassles more and more and the pay stays the same! How many of you looking back, would come here to do this if you were starting again now? I know I wouldn't. Talking with two friends who have been teaching for a fair old time last night, they wouldn't either. The hassles this year have been unbelievable and now this TL tosh on top!
I have commitments that are not easily broken here at present, but have looked at the new challenges as a positive to make changes and move on. I hope to be able to do so at the end of next year, but if not then definetly at the end of this new 2 year licence period. At which time I think most of us will get the temporary boot on the misguided notion that 'proper teachers' will be lining up to fill vacancies in 3rd world classrooms graced with 50 kids and a small pay rise! A year later a complete about turn will come in but by then damage done people abruptly and thanklessly booted will have moved on vowing never to return! Yes or no, just one humble opinion for the touchy out there.
Also would you recommend anyone else starting here as a teacher? It's got to the stage that I can't even understand why they'd want to even bother. The climate has been changing for any Farang wishing to do more than stay 2 weeks and spend a king's ransom as a tourist as anyone without entrenched ignorance is already aware!
Anyway, without bringing this post down too much with a list of negatives most of you have probably experience on a regular basis I'll be interested on how you see things here on in?
A teacher's perspective please from teachers doing it.
Mak
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Have to agree. Your covered by intelligent consumer protection laws in the west.
In regard the Thai gold shops they're completely different. Nothing shady about them. They sell mostly 22-24 k gold, most all clearly show the daily price paid for trading gold too! And you should know if Bar girls go there it has to be legit when it comes to Thai girls gold and money after all.............
The ISO places you talk about are a completely different ball game. On the whole they sell low quality gems at what they can get away with charging. Engagement ring-( diamonds I presume) even if certified are not cheap here unless your after small stones then there wouldn't be much in it anywhere in the world. They import all their stones and are definetly not a good place to buy diamonds IMO. They all play the high turnover of tourist numbers game and sell to or con the ignorant. There's a huge fallout over this at the moment and even trade/trade rip offs too numerous to mention which has left the jewellery trade in crisis here (heart bleeds) and I think a shake up is on the cards with government intervention!
Until then, if you don't mind the trip Malaysia sells some solid items with full dislosure at more reasonable prices than the west. Then they pretty much sell everything the same way at 30-50% less than Thailand or the west!
You still have to be careful but if your not a muppet you will find items at a fair price, which is all you can ask.
Mak
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Hi all,
Not a regular here but thought I would share what I have been told this morning with the rest of you maybe to get a clearer picture on this new policy and the recent shift real or imagined in this area.
Yesterday the head of English (Thai) had a regional meeting with Government officials and other government schools where this teacher license was on the agenda. She has told me that I will have to submit the documents to the school as normal for WP renewal + 2 extra photos but that all of this will be sent to Bangkok to be held on a database. I will then be issued with one of these new licenses (I already have the old one) for a 2 year period. After the 2 years I don't know what happens.
Only then with this document sent down I presume from there will a new WP/visa extention be issued at immigration/labour office for the next school year.
I have a very good relationship with the head of English and is always very open about everything. The school has a lot of regional weight and some students who attend are from MP's families etc. The reason given to her from the brass at the meeting was a tightening of checks due to criminality concerns in the recent past- the spate of highlighted cases going back to the American teacher who was arrested (sorry name eludes me) for the pedo episode in America. So it seems the reason given is due to these pedo episodes and a murder or two (according to what she was told) and that's the only reason.
Is it the real reason or an excuse as some have suggested to get rid of nearly all long term farang here? I don't know. But ever since that incident I have heard rumours of tightenings, tuts, groans and the like, and I had pretty much come to the conclusion some time ago this is why more hoops were being added to the circus activity of teaching. Will it work? Don't know. Just thought it may be of interest.
I have also been told in about 2 years there will have to be a meeting of all foreign teachers at some seminar in Bangkok for 'culture training' etc. Maybe for newbies, but for the rest of us it's as welcome as you are to Thailand these days. Like I need to know anything else about the culture I don't already!
For those of us who just want to keep our head down, try to do a good job with the facilities available and massive classes it has the usual negative psychological effect- We're all pedo's or murderers and I bet this database is real secure and they'll willingly delete any records when you quit. Yeh, right.
Mak.
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I think any fair minded person that surfs the boards and has been here a fair time would have come to the conclusion that some are very decent and have very good programmes and others leave a lot to be desired!
I spoke to a Harvard educated Thai professor a few months ago on the board of just about every educational work group committe you could think of in Thailand.
He said that all he saw at his university in Thailand (where he's been for a number of years) and the universities of committee colleagues, was falling standards year in year out and yes, if wanted -degrees that could be easily bought by half assed comittment and a good attendance record! The graduates didn't care for anything bar the certificate.
Make of it what you will just thought it might add something to the discussion.
Mak
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These kinds of questions about schooling come up alot and it's more about the limited alternatives really. I often read negative comments from newbies on limited choices but they seem to forget that Phuket did not originate to serve the schooling needs of a small amount of foreigners who decide to set up home here.
The island has enough choice to serve the needs of the 99.9% Thai majority most of whom don't put much importance in education and have strange ideas on what consitutes parenting shall we say.
As for foreign kids with parents of average means Kajonkiet is probably about it at primary level. I think they do a fairish job in educating if not in how staff are treated (listening to my friends both Thai and Farang) who have worked there in the recent past, but even if they didn't, again what alternative do you have?
The true international school if you can afford the international school fees for the richest of the rich or Darasumut's EP programme which I think is probably preferable all round if it was my kid. I just prefer the atmosphere and school ethos etc. They also imo based on what I have seen, have more dedicated and manageable staffing and numbers being a lot smaller in the programme than that of Kajonkiet.
If you expect the earth in what is an alien environment on the whole, then consider paying it at BIS or moving else where. Other than that it's be realistic to what is available and don't expect to dump your kids off (as so many parents do all over the world) and expect the school to be parent,magician,educator and moral councellor until there 18 and then shock/horror don't turn out how you'd like!
Mak.
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True or not, it's happening every day here and at least the op could be bothered to post it for anyone interested to read it! So thank you.
To cut a similar story short (and it probably tops it) I know a farang now who was with one of the North's finest for 2 years or so, tried to have him killed after he left her money in his will and he stayed with her. Sad git even pines for her now even after walking straight into the arms of another with nearly the same mo!
Where I will differ from a lot of posters is why does it have to be a one or the other kind of thing? The farang was stupid the Thai girl innocent or visa versa? Both are equally guilty of different things.
It just never ceases to amaze how many 50+ year old farang truly believe that there with girls half their age or less and that they genuinely love them. I see it every day and on the whole that is a Thai thing. Unless your Danny Devito don't tell me it happens in France, the U.S etc like it does here!
Sadly the girl's a bitch and there are enough farang suckers for every nipple in this country (no pun intended).
What a world......................................
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Tommy,
Put the Sin Sod aside for a minute.
It's Thailand.
She's 19 (about 13 when compared to the west).
He's 40.
She's had 2 failed marriages already.
Her age suggests she's known him 5 minutes.
The word love/blind or oldish fool are also no doubt in there somewhere.
Sorry matey but.......................................Does this really need or warrant an intelligent reply from the forum?
Talk some sense into him please.
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As usual, everybody goes on and on about caring, training, methods, etc., etc., while ignoring the 300 pound gorilla that is the real reason for poor results in all subjects, not just English, to wit:
THERE ARE 55 TO 60 STUDENTS AND ONLY ONE TEACHER!
Until this problem is solved, you all can go on and on with your other reasons and it doesn't mean a thing. Wasn't it discovered and proven 40 years ago by some of the world's most prominent universities and teaching institutions, that any more than 20/24 students per teacher was a waste of time? I'm pretty sure I read they are now recommending class sizes of 15/18 as of 1995!
All of the training and caring in the world means nothing when the guys in the last five rows don't even know there's a teacher in the room!
'nuff said
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Absolutely.
Which part of 45-60 students into 1 teacher per class and a world full of documented evidence on complete and utter failure with classes of this size, don't those who are supposed to be intelligent understand?
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Thai people say if you go there looking for something specific, you’ll never find it. Every time is like a new adventure, just go and see what you find.
Other advice: It gets rather hot and crowded. It’s great to take a Thai friend with you as they will be able to help you get the best prices.
Can't agree Ade. They are just not good at haggling. Tried it a number of times with different friends- they ask in Thai for a little discount, the salesperson drops a little and they capitulate. Furthermore you stood right next to them does nothing but tell the seller that it's for the billionaire farang anyway!
All the best bargains I've had in the past have been where I kept calm started real low and calmly hammered it out without a care in the world finally walking away to be jumped in front of with an............. OK!
Don't know what anyone else thinks about this but there are two distinct types of shopping here. The Thai local stuff/replica/nick-nacks and the like, and then the mall shopping.
The first is where you can haggle and pick up some reasonably priced junk that will do for what you should pay.
The latter is (5% if you dare ask) bored, conceited sales executives with fake smiles and any facial part you care to mention, selling either D&G, Dior and the like at D&G, Dior and the like prices, mostly made here or China etc. Or even worse the nothing names (nobodies ever heard of ) at D&G, Dior prices and come sale time is shifted at 50% off! I find the sports brands exactly the same. Adidas, Nike etc made in Thailand, Thai overheads but western prices and then some.
I won't shop here anymore. I now wait until I have an excursion next door and get most stuff 30-50% less and I'm talking quality gear. To hel_l with Thai shopping malls.
For me a fool and his money, is a fool and his money however much you've got!
M.
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Hmmm 3 ish percent base rate. It's been a few months since I looked but the bog standard high street bank mortgage rate was around twice that?
Unbelievable what the average Thai here gets ripped on.
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I've never lost anything sent from Thailand. UK to Thailand however-totally different story. My success rate on getting anything sent to Thailand is about 50%. I have now given up.
A friend of mine works for Royal Mail. He tells me Thailand is the standing joke for stolen parcels- surprise surprise.
Also a word of warning in regard 'International Signed for'. It is only covered insurance wise until it is in Thai hands and I've had a number of these go astray too.
Best advice is send anything here at your peril. If it gets through your lucky the usual Thai acountability or total lack of it applies.
M.
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Amazing by reading some of the flippant questions asked here, how few even bothered reading the article past the first paragraph or two.
This area of the article was the most chilling and appeared overlooked:
The number of deaths of British nationals' in Pattaya is hard to ascertain – though some sources claim that it is up to four every week, neither the FCO nor the Thai authorities have any data they are prepared to release. However, what can be speculated with some confidence is that of the 226 average annual deaths of British citizens in Thailand recorded by the FCO, a large percentage are in Pattaya. (The FCO refuse to list causes of deaths, so we must also speculate as to the reasons for this morbid hotspot. Anecdotal evidence suggests straightforward causes of death for some, such as road accidents and health problems; then there are the suspicious-sounding "suicides" – jumping from balconies seems to be a favoured method.)
Of course, this is not murders alone but not being old or stupid either I know it isn't all suicides or accidents! It is a staggering statistic. Add to that other nationalities in a small area and it must be one of the highest in the world.
I don't care how many you want to label as undesirables etc I think the article was mainly being critical of the governments total lack of interest in any protection towards its citizens and it seems other western governments too. Would be interesting to see the stats for other Europeans and North Americans and if they have warnings on their websites?
M.
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I went shopping in big C today . Chose some cakes put them in a bag went to get them priced up, no assistant, waited, waited, Come back in a minute, waited, waited, sod it picked some cakes with a barcode on them.
Went to buy a crash helmet, Shelves nearly empty, my wife talked to the assisted who said that they had put an order in a long time ago and are still waiting to restock the shelves. Okay no crash helmets & the cakes that I never picked in the first place.
Picked up some beach shoes great only 79 Baht. Went to get a football for kicking around on the beach, great only 199 Baht. Brought a few more items and went to the checkouts. Only two checkouts available waited, waited, waited, great my turn. Beach shoes no bar code sorry, okay put back. Beach ball, sorry cannot read barcode okay put back.
So I went shopping for things I really wanted the most and never go them. Great Shop, more staff standing around talking then working. You would think that the checkout would have a bell of some kind that when a customer has no barcode they would ring the bell and a assistant would go get it for you.
Today more assistants then customers, but "no assistants" So went to beach without beach shoes on a motorbike without a crash helmet and no football to kick around, eating cakes that I never really liked in the first place Goodbye Big C, Hello Tesco.
Ahhh well
I understand Big C is Thai owned, there you go to Tesco good old Great Britain Sounds like shopping heaven to be able to walk around a shop and not be harrassed by a shop assistant after more than 2 seconds of walking in the door. Browsing is just not understood here or I know what I want thanks I'll find it myself!
Seriously though most of the things you mentioned are surely available within 10 metres walking distance of just about anywhere in phuket aren't they?
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In the last five years Phuket's roads have been steadily improved and widened.
The route from Phuket to Krabi is now mostly dual carriageway and being extended this year.
You can drive nearly all the way to Bangkok on dual carriageway,
so why do bus and lorry drivers still not realise the two lane system is to allow slower traffic to use the inner lane, so overtakers can do so more safely in the outside lane?
This also applies to most drivers of pick-ups and older model cars and taxi drivers.
It seems to me the inside lane is often only used by Farangs who want to get on, plus the hoards of bikers who want to obstruct as much as possible.
Is it a "Thai Thing". ? Is it just lack of driving instruction? Is it the lack of a "Highway Code"?
I love how now motorbikes and the illegal motorbikes with sidecars now drive in the slow lane instead of to the left of the line as they do on one lane roads. So basically the two lanes are really only one lane still.
Love the comments always made by those who don't drive or only drive cars. I have both a bike and car and defending the bikers- the reason they drive so much in the 1st proper lane is because of the abysmal condition that the so called 'bike lane' is kept in on most of the road infrastructure in Phuket.
Obstacles, gravel and huge pot holed drains plague nearly all of this lane and it is blantantly obvious to anyone who has been on a bike for more than 5 minutes how lethal it will be to follow. If you want to advocate them driving in this lane go ahead but I don't think you'll find many takers and rightly so! So when I'm on my bike I'll continue to obstruct as much as necessary to ensure I remain on my bike thanks, especially if that means it slows down the lunatic minibus drivers,airport taxis and idiotic 4x4 jugganauts who would and do bring absolute carnage by driving a far more lethal weapon than a Honda moped every day of the week in Phuket!
Mak
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The board's decision on King Power came after its instruction to the company to remove its shops in March last year appears to have been ignored.
Always a good laugh with Nation.
Even more so King Power! How they're allowed to call themselves 'Duty Free' is beyond me. They are the most expensive Asian 'Duty Free' I have ever come across! Always have a laugh when I see there 'discounted' luxury wristwatches that my local one man band watch shop sells for 20% less than them before you even haggle for discount!
Just another of Thailand's cartel rip off merchants!!!
Kick'em out on the street where they belong!
Teacher Licensing, Culture Testing, TCT
in Teaching in Thailand Forum
Posted
Does anyone have a link to download the application for the new teacher licence?
Admin have taken all week to do the paperwork and now they don't actually have the application and have rung around in a panic to no avail as yet! I can see the usual merry-go-round has started and we've only just finished this term!
Mak