Re: Questions: Thai Language Schools and Taxes
Chris Blunt
>(Nonthonburi is my first choice, with Lakrabang and the
>area around Siam University being possibilities too, primarily because I
>have Thai friends in those areas - I don't want to live in an area with many
>farang).
There's nothing racist about you, I see.
maxwell
> gr...@lovesthailand.org wrote:
>>(Nonthonburi is my first choice, with Lakrabang and the
>>area around Siam University being possibilities too, primarily because I
>>have Thai friends in those areas - I don't want to live in an area with
>>manyfarang).
> There's nothing racist about you, I see.
You have some 'need' to throw bait here, Chris?
If it's not baiting, then please explain how Grace's wish to learn Thai well
and live where she will *have* to speak Thai more often than not is SOMEHOW
ANYTHING to do with racism?
Good Soldier Schweik
>Hi all, been a while since I've posted here.
>
>My current situation is that I am planning to go to Thailand long term in
>the near future. I was being considered for a teaching position at a
>university in BKK and that may still be a go but with some personal
>deadlines here if I have not heard something by the end of March I am going
>to assume that the funding for the position was not granted and pursue other
>options. This job possibility just sort of fell into my lap, I knew someone
>whose sister taught there and when I met with the department head and the
>assistant dean they were enthusiastic and requested funding. I will probably
>still look for work in Thailand (paid or unpaid) and this position would
>might come through but it just would not be feasible for me to accept after
>the end of this month at least to start this coming semester.
>
>My original plan was to go on a student visa so I am returning to that plan
>regardless of whether I seek to work or volunteer for some agency. I'm
>viewing early retirement as an opportunity for some change in my life, and I
>had wanted to learn Thai language as well as travel a number of places, and
>Thailand seems a good spot for me to be. At least I never like leaving when
>I visit. And I tend to like BKK at least for the first year, though
>Chiangmai is an option. Presently I am considering two schools, one a public
>university (Srinakharinwirot University) and the other a language school
>(Walen School of Thai). I'm leaning towards the latter primarily because
>their schedule is flexible and they seem to have a lot of experience in
>providing the necessary documents for a visa. The tuition is roughly the
>same, except at Walen it covers a year and at SWU is just maybe half a year.
>Both are in the Sukhumvit area, which will be a ways from any place I am
>considering living (Nonthonburi is my first choice, with Lakrabang and the
>area around Siam University being possibilities too, primarily because I
>have Thai friends in those areas - I don't want to live in an area with many
>farang).
>
>Has anyone had any experience with either of these, good or bad? Also have
>folks found other schools that perhaps take a little more digging to find
>and contact? I actually would not have known about the program at SWU except
>I have a Thai friend who just graduated from that school, and Thai friends
>tell me language is one of the strengths of SWU.
>
>A second question now. I am retiring from my current position, I'm just
>tired of the same thing day in and day out. I feel bad in a way because the
>position will likely be frozen, but I am considering offering to telecommute
>one day a week after I retire if it does not impact my pension (I'm taked a
>cut to retire early as it is). Technically the work would be done in the US
>on a server in the US, but I am wondering if anyone has done anything
>similar and found any tax ramifications from that in terms of Thai taxes?
>
>Grace
I think that you are getting involved in a rather complex situation if
you try to live in Thailand on a student visa and declare earnings at
the same time. I suggest that if you were to ask the Immigration
people they would tell you not to do that. At least that is what they
told me.
I am not sure about the Thai regulations but I *believe* that money
earned in foreign countries is not taxable but you might want to check
that as it is just an assumption.
If you earn monies in Thailand it is possible to have these monies
sent abroad, as though to a foreign entity by the employer paying a
fixed tax upon transfer of the money (and of course deducting the
amount from your salary). This is probably not viable for steady work
but might be a possibility for occasional tasks.
Latkrabang seems a bit "out of town" is you are commuting into town
daily.
cheers,
Schweik
(goodsoldierschweikatgmaildotcom)
Chris Blunt
wrote:
If someone were to say, "I don't want to live in an area with many
black people", or "I don't want to live in an area with many Thai
people" few would deny that was racist. Why should not wanting to live
near to people for no reason other than their race be any different
here?
The presence of a few non-Thai people in the area will do nothing to
prevent Grace from studying Thai and speaking to Thai friends. For
heaven's sake, we're moving towards more multi-racial communities the
world over. People of different races and ethnicity will be living
among each other more and more everywhere. The sooner people get used
to that new world order and stop worrying about the color of their
neighbors skin the better.
Chris
maxwell
> "maxwell" wrote:
>>"Chris Blunt" wrote ...
>>> gr...@lovesthailand.org wrote:
>>>>(Nonthonburi is my first choice, with Lakrabang and the area around Siam
>>>>University being possibilities too, primarily because I
>>>>have Thai friends in those areas - I don't want to live in an area with
>>>>manyfarang).
>>> There's nothing racist about you, I see.
>>You have some 'need' to throw bait here, Chris?
>>If it's not baiting, then please explain how Grace's wish to learn Thai
>>well and live where she will *have* to speak Thai more often than not is
>>SOMEHOW ANYTHING to do with racism?
>
> If someone were to say, "I don't want to live in an area with many
> black people",or "I don't want to live in an area with many Thai
> people" few would deny that was racist.
Only that's not what she said, and as she's farang herself, how would not
wanting to live among many farangs be racist?
>Why should not wanting to live near to people for no reason other than
their race be any different here?
Having lived some months in Nonthaburi (in Pakkret; actually, several
kilometers north along Thanon Tiwanont from Pakkret market), and also in
Bang Bua Thong, I know there is much of Nonthaburi where even 'traveler's
Thai' won't get one more than puzzled looks from most Thai.
FACT is that there is nothing better than full immersion where one lives
ALONG with regular instruction and *some* bilingual friends to enable rapid
progress in learning a new language.
My dear wife taught English grammar and composition for nearly 20 years in
Nonthaburi.
I know from personal experience that had I intended to acquire even moderate
Thai fluency with any dispatch, 'twould have been better to wed a Thai whose
English was minimal--it's a lot easier for her to speak my native tongue
than I to speak hers, and new language acquistion proceeds better when
driven not just by the desire to learn, but also the NEED to learn !
So, Grace posts in looking to facilitate her pasah Thai progress and *you*
see naught better than to play at 'racist' baiting?
> The presence of a few non-Thai people in the area will do nothing to
> prevent Grace from studying Thai and speaking to Thai friends.
You have to change what she wrote to sustain your argument?
"the presence of a **few non-Thai people** " is SOMEHOW implied by:
<q>I don't want to live in an area with many farang</q>
Huh ??
>For heaven's sake, we're moving towards more multi-racial communities the
>world over.
For heaven's sake, MOST of Thailand speaks precious little English, and
Grace is fully-intending to settle into Thailand for keeps.
Gee, so she's trying her best to enable as-fully-transparent-as-possible
communication between herself and ALL of khon Thai she encounters, and all
you can see is some imagined 'racism'?
Get real !
>People of different races and ethnicity will be living among each other
>more and more everywhere. The sooner people get used
> to that new world order and stop worrying about the color of their
> neighbors skin the better.
You're projecting something onto Grace that was NEVER implied by her.
Chris Blunt
wrote:
>"Chris Blunt" wrote ...
>> "maxwell" wrote:
>>>"Chris Blunt" wrote ...
>>>> gr...@lovesthailand.org wrote:
>>>>>(Nonthonburi is my first choice, with Lakrabang and the area around Siam
>>>>>University being possibilities too, primarily because I
>>>>>have Thai friends in those areas - I don't want to live in an area with
>>>>>manyfarang).
>
>>>> There's nothing racist about you, I see.
>
>>>You have some 'need' to throw bait here, Chris?
>>>If it's not baiting, then please explain how Grace's wish to learn Thai
>>>well and live where she will *have* to speak Thai more often than not is
>>>SOMEHOW ANYTHING to do with racism?
>>
>> If someone were to say, "I don't want to live in an area with many
>> black people",or "I don't want to live in an area with many Thai
>> people" few would deny that was racist.
>
>Only that's not what she said, and as she's farang herself, how would not
>wanting to live among many farangs be racist?
You're making the assumption that she's a farang, but whether she is
or not, expressing a desire not to live near to someone just because
of their race is clearly racist.
I've lived outside the country of my origin for most of my life and
I'm "color blind" when it comes to living among different people. I
really don't care what the ethnicity of people around me is. I look on
everyone as individuals and judge each of them on how they behave, not
on their color. If you pick any area of Bangkok, the proportion of
farang to Thai residents is tiny, even in those areas most popular
with foreigners. To pretend that the proximity of someone with the
wrong color skin is somehow going to detract from Grace's ability to
learn Thai is quite ridiculous, and I don't think even she suggested
it would.
Chris
maxwell
> "maxwell" wrote:
>>"Chris Blunt" wrote ...
>>> "maxwell" wrote:
>>>>"Chris Blunt" wrote ...
>>>>> gr...@lovesthailand.org wrote:
>>>>>>(Nonthonburi is my first choice, with Lakrabang and the area around
>>>>>>Siam University being possibilities too, primarily because I
>>>>>>have Thai friends in those areas - I don't want to live in an area
>>>>>>with manyfarang).
>>
>>>>> There's nothing racist about you, I see.
>>
>>>>You have some 'need' to throw bait here, Chris?
>>>>If it's not baiting, then please explain how Grace's wish to learn Thai
>>>>well and live where she will *have* to speak Thai more often than not is
>>>>SOMEHOW ANYTHING to do with racism?
>>>
>>> If someone were to say, "I don't want to live in an area with many
>>> black people",or "I don't want to live in an area with many Thai
>>> people" few would deny that was racist.
>>
>>Only that's not what she said, and as she's farang herself, how would not
>>wanting to live among many farangs be racist?
>
> You're making the assumption that she's a farang,
She's a Yank.
There's no assumption.
> but whether she is or not, expressing a desire not to live near to someone
> just because of their race is clearly racist.
Nonsense.
'Farang' in Thailand neither denotes a specific race nor a specific ethnic
group.
'Farang' simply refers to a foreigner of European origin, or more broadly,a
non-Asian.
The notion that Europeans (or non-Asians) *per se* are of one race or ethnic
group is of course, utterly false, and as farang is a neutral word of
commonplace usage, denotes no bias-inherent
Hell, black G.I.s have at times been referred to by Thai as 'farangs' or
'black farangs, ' so where does that put your skin colour PRESUMPTION except
in the crapper ?
> I've lived outside the country of my origin for most of my life and
> I'm "color blind" when it comes to living among different people. I
> really don't care what the ethnicity of people around me is. I look on
> everyone as individuals and judge each of them on how they behave, not
> on their color. If you pick any area of Bangkok, the proportion of
> farang to Thai residents is tiny, even in those areas most popular
> with foreigners.
.. while the proportion of Thai who speak a hell of a lot more English
than do farangs speak Thai is MUCH greater in areas most popular with
foreigners than in the suburbs of Bangkok.
> To pretend that the proximity of someone with the wrong color skin
Chris, YOU are the one PRESUMING skin colour bias upon Grace here.
> is somehow going to detract
Oh, and now it's *my* writing your argument 'needs' to change?
What I spoke of was enablement via the *need* to speak pasah Thai in
addition to the desire, and here you have me 'pretending' that I implied
detraction?
Heh. I know full well that during my few months working in Paris, I learned
a hell of a lot more FUNCTIONAL French than during the 2 semesters I'd
studied French formally when in high school, for the simple fact that I HAD
to.
>from Grace's ability to learn Thai is quite ridiculous, and I don't think
>even she suggested it would.
To assume as you do that Grace's writing suggested racism is what is
ridiculous here.
Let's see what Grace has to say about it
>
> Chris
Chris Blunt
wrote:
>"Chris Blunt" wrote ...
>> "maxwell" wrote:
>>>"Chris Blunt" wrote ...
>>>> "maxwell" wrote:
>>>>>"Chris Blunt" wrote ...
>>>>>> gr...@lovesthailand.org wrote:
>>>>>>>(Nonthonburi is my first choice, with Lakrabang and the area around
>>>>>>>Siam University being possibilities too, primarily because I
>>>>>>>have Thai friends in those areas - I don't want to live in an area
>>>>>>>with manyfarang).
>>>
>>>>>> There's nothing racist about you, I see.
>>>
>>>>>You have some 'need' to throw bait here, Chris?
>>>>>If it's not baiting, then please explain how Grace's wish to learn Thai
>>>>>well and live where she will *have* to speak Thai more often than not is
>>>>>SOMEHOW ANYTHING to do with racism?
>>>>
>>>> If someone were to say, "I don't want to live in an area with many
>>>> black people",or "I don't want to live in an area with many Thai
>>>> people" few would deny that was racist.
>>>
>>>Only that's not what she said, and as she's farang herself, how would not
>>>wanting to live among many farangs be racist?
>>
>> You're making the assumption that she's a farang,
>
>She's a Yank.
>There's no assumption.
Not all Americans are farangs, but what has her own race got to do
with it anyway?
>> but whether she is or not, expressing a desire not to live near to someone
>> just because of their race is clearly racist.
>
>Nonsense.
>'Farang' in Thailand neither denotes a specific race nor a specific ethnic
>group.
>'Farang' simply refers to a foreigner of European origin, or more broadly,a
>non-Asian.
>The notion that Europeans (or non-Asians) *per se* are of one race or ethnic
>group is of course, utterly false, and as farang is a neutral word of
>commonplace usage, denotes no bias-inherent
>
>Hell, black G.I.s have at times been referred to by Thai as 'farangs' or
>'black farangs, ' so where does that put your skin colour PRESUMPTION except
>in the crapper ?
No. The term "farang" refers to white Caucasians. This has been
discussed here many times before. It does not apply to black people
however much you try to redefine the word for your own purposes.
There's nothing wrong with Grace's desire to learn Thai. That is all
very commendable, but when someone says they don't want to live near
people of a particular race that is racism.
Chris
PG
1nbhr4h3cbcra7ovg...@4ax.com...
<snipped for brevity>
Sorr Chris but you reaction in this thread is absolute bollocks. It is, and
was from the outset, quite obvious what Grace means, and I sympathise. The
closer the proximity to farang mini communities, the greater the likelihood
that you will get drawn in to an extent, and for someone intent on 'total
immersion' it is better to chose a location where contact with fellow
Europeans/Americans/Whatever is at a minimum.
I've done it myself, intentionally spending less time in farang haunts and
farang/Thai 'symbiotic' relationship areas (for want of a less blunt term),
in order to get a better feel for the traditional Thai lifestyle. Sure
cultures evolve and farangs are part of modern Thailand, but not choosing to
spend time with them doesn't suggest the slightest element of intolerance,
any more than choosing not to frequent a gay bar means you are homophobic.
It has bugger all to do with racism.
maxwell
Already answered.
>
>>> but whether she is or not, expressing a desire not to live near to
>>> someone
>>> just because of their race is clearly racist.
>>
>>Nonsense.
>>'Farang' in Thailand neither denotes a specific race nor a specific ethnic
>>group.
>>'Farang' simply refers to a foreigner of European origin, or more
>>broadly,a
>>non-Asian.
>>The notion that Europeans (or non-Asians) *per se* are of one race or
>>ethnic
>>group is of course, utterly false, and as farang is a neutral word of
>>commonplace usage, denotes no bias-inherent
>>
>>Hell, black G.I.s have at times been referred to by Thai as 'farangs' or
>>'black farangs, ' so where does that put your skin colour PRESUMPTION
>>except
>>in the crapper ?
>
> No. The term "farang" refers to white Caucasians. This has been discussed
> here many times before.
Yes, since 1994
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/thai/language/section-5.html
<q>A wide-spread belief in Thailand is that the word "farang" (Caucasian)
is derived from the French word "francais". This derivation is implausible
on phonetic and historical grounds. It is in fact a popular misconception.
It is true, however, that these words have the same ultimate source.
The word is attested in various forms in languages in Europe, Africa,
the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. It is clear that the
word orginated as "Frank" in Europe and spread eastwards along Muslim
trade routes.
Thai most likely borrowed the word from influential Muslim Persian or
Indian traders in the 17th century or even earlier. The Persian word was
"farangg". The term probably was used to refer to early Portuguese
traders and subsequently to all Europeans (ie., non-Muslims). </q>
" and subsequently to all Europeans "
Earth to Chris: all Europeans are not white caucasians--but of course you
already know that, just like you'd of course know better than the author of
what I quoted above, namely Gwynn Williams (may he rest in peace)
<http://groups.google.com/group/soc.culture.thai/browse_thread/thread/dad64dd9d25104a5>
maxwell
> Will disappoint him that I did not take the bait I think, but the fact is
> why go to another country with the goal of learning all I can about it's
> ways and choose to live some where where it is easy to fall back on using
> English, fall back into Western culture when convenient, and pay the extra
> cost associated with all that. I want to learn more about Thailand and
> immerse myself in it's culture. A bonus is that it is cheaper as well. In
> any case, I don't think it's racist to seek to live where I will learn the
> most and where I will have to learn the language very well... If Chris
> thinks so well then I guess he is, alas, welcome to his opinion....
> Oh well,...
> Grace
Oh, you're such a racist, Grace ! ;~)
catougn
>Has anyone had any experience with either of these, good or bad? Also have
>folks found other schools that perhaps take a little more digging to find
>and contact? I actually would not have known about the program at SWU except
>I have a Thai friend who just graduated from that school, and Thai friends
>tell me language is one of the strengths of SWU.
I followed a months lessons in AUA last year . It helped me a lot with
the language.The system they use is called automatic language. You
learn the language the way babies do. I am missing these days :)
http://www.auathailand.org/
http://www.auathai.com/
Chris Blunt
wrote:
You mean that if a farang says he doesn't want to live in an area near
other farangs then that is in no way racist? So a black employer in
the US who advertises a job opening and says black people should not
apply would not be in breach of employment legislation because he
himself is black?
I'm not for a moment suggesting that anything Grace chooses to do is
of anything like the same level of importance, but I pose the question
just to illustrate the point.
Ahh... a definition from a man who speaks fluent Thai and hangs around
in Soi Cowboy.... Well, he must be an authority on it then. Sorry,
but however the word may have originated, ask ordinary Thai people
what is meant by "farang" and almost all will say it refers to white
Caucasians. That's the way the term is used today in Thailand.
Chris
Chris Blunt
Many years ago now, I enrolled in a Thai language course at
Chulalongkorn University. The teaching system there was very formal
and traditional in style, and I got almost nowhere with it. I left at
the end of the first semester and found another teacher at the Union
Language School. The teaching style was quite different there, and it
sounds very much like that used at AUA. I made much more progress
there, and for the first time in my life I soon found myself able to
communicate on a very basic level in a foreign language.
I've noticed that some people respond better to one system of teaching
than another. For anyone starting out, its important to determine
which system best suits you, and to do that you may need to try out a
few different schools by trial and error. Also, some people seem to do
better in group classes and some are better with private one-on-one
teaching.
Chris
Good Soldier Schweik
wrote:
>"Chris Blunt" wrote ...
I believe that it is the "total emersion" system and is used by the US
Army Language School among others. As well, of course, by every baby
as it learns to talk....
cheers,
Schweik
(goodsoldierschweikatgmaildotcom)
PG
"Good Soldier Schweik" <decypher....@sig.line> a écrit dans le message
de news: i10ir45tb7h7qf7rf...@4ax.com...
What, like instant bilingualism suddenly 'emerging' from the subconscious! I
think you might mean immersion, lol.
maxwell
> You mean that if a farang says he doesn't want to live in an area near
> other farangs then that is in no way racist?
Correct. By your presumptions, if a person withdraws from all people and
lives as a hermit, that person is a misanthrope.
NOT proven !
>So a black employer in the US who advertises a job opening and says black
>people should not apply would not be in breach of employment legislation
>because he himself is black?
Are you not capable of telling the difference between an individual's free
choice and an act of discrimination against *others*?
> I'm not for a moment suggesting that anything Grace chooses to do is of
> anything like the same level of importance, but I pose the question just
> to illustrate the point.
That oneself is other people?
.. and posted a fine etymological discussion, and one that in
little-changed forms has found prevalence at several other 'authoritative'
sites . .
Well, he must be an authority on it then. Sorry, but however the word may
have originated, ask ordinary Thai people
> what is meant by "farang" and almost all will say it refers to white
> Caucasians. That's the way the term is used today in Thailand.
Well, you wanted sct as authority, and you can find numerous examples at sct
that claim "all Europeans" and some that claim "only white caucasians," and
can also find both at Thai visa. . . and elsewhere.
Fact is that this includes quite a few 'colours' of folks, whether pasty
pale, rosy pink, or swarthy, and several so-called 'RACES' if you're looking
to get racial about it (as you oh-so-insistently *are*)--and ALL of which
you here reveal reach for how it is "used in Thailand"
.. . and what all these have in common is that the discussion is amongst
folks posting in a farang language, English, and not in pasah Thai, and the
very BIG fly in your ointment is that for all the agreement and disagreement
of 'how "farang" is used in Thailand' :
It is a farang, Grace, and not a THAI who used the word, and totally within
the context of her discussing LANGUAGE acquisition, and as the VAST MAJORITY
of people of European ancestry, several 'races,' have ENGLISH as their
*lingua franca* when in Thailand, and a simple non-racist-seeking reading
has her seeking to immerse herself in parts of Thailand where 'falling back'
on speaking English is not much of an option much of the time, FACT is that
the 'racism' you seek to find in her is but your own projection.
But *do* wage on !
-maxwell
> Chris
Krypsis
I believe that you should have written "total immersion system" and I
don't believe you've ever been within a "bulls roar" of any form of
journalism employment!
Krypsis
Krypsis
spelling. He isn't even fluent in his native language - American!
Krypsis
>
maxwell
> I believe that you should have written "total immersion system" and I
> don't believe you've ever been within a "bulls roar" of any form of >
> journalism employment!
. . by way of which you imply an expectation of correct spelling as a
necessary consequence of journalistic employment, and besides, would imply
that copy editors were never needed to render the raw texts of journalists
as 'fit to print' !
(and OMG, they assuredly ARE needed)
Very well, by your own write:
Your elision of the possessive's inverted comma when writing " bull's " as
"bulls" reveals you've not heard his roar ;~)
PG
<gr...@lovesthailand.org> a écrit dans le message de news:
J78ul.33940$UR4....@en-nntp-09.dc1.easynews.com...
My friend met me at the airport and as
> soon as the taxi driver saw me he wanted 600 baht, lol, is good she had a
> temper but he still charged 500 baht...
If that's Bkk, you may have been intercepted by one of the 'free enterprise'
touts. Because otherwise there's an official taxi rank with a desk where you
are asked where you are going, the employee tells you what it will cost,
gives the ticket to the next driver available and that is exactly what you
pay. Bkk to the middle of town is about 300 baht. In the small relatively
traffic-free hours a taxi from town to the airport has cost me as little as
230 baht.
The only supplement is if you opt for the toll road into town, where you
hand a few extra baht to the driver to pay at the toll booths, three of them
if I remember right.
> Why on earth would someone go to a country they respect and love with the
> aim of becoming as much a part of that country and a productive resident
> and
> then put themselves in a Western ghetto....?
Exactly.
pg
PG
"maxwell" <mmma...@hotmail.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
gpb2vi$sts$1...@news.albasani.net...
"by your own write"
Wassa "write" (noun)? Some kind of Americanism? It's a verb, leave it alone!
Or perhaps you meant something along the lines of:
On your own, write "Your elision of the possessive's inverted comma when
writing " bull's " as "bulls" reveals you've not heard his roar", 100 times,
by way of punishment?
See me after school, Maxwell...
;-)
pg
pg
maxwell
> "maxwell" a écrit
>> "Krypsis" wrote
>>> I believe that you should have written "total immersion system" and I
>>> don't believe you've ever been within a "bulls roar" of any form of
>>> journalism employment!
>> . . by way of which you imply an expectation of correct spelling as a
>> necessary consequence of journalistic employment, and besides, would
>> imply that copy editors were never needed to render the raw texts of
>> journalists as 'fit to print' !
>> (and OMG, they assuredly ARE needed)
>>
>> Very well, by your own write:
>>
>> Your elision of the possessive's inverted comma when writing " bull's "
>> as "bulls" reveals you've not heard his roar ;~)
>
> "by your own write"
>
> Wassa "write" (noun)? Some kind of Americanism? It's a verb, leave it
> alone!
allusion to a Lennonism:
http://beatlesnumber9.com/write.html
> Or perhaps you meant something along the lines of:
>
> On your own, write "Your elision of the possessive's inverted comma when
> writing " bull's " as "bulls" reveals you've not heard his roar", 100
> times, by way of punishment?
>
> See me after school, Maxwell...
>
> ;-)
'no way, Jose'--schoolgirls are TOO tempting, and I'm long 'out of
circulation,' ma petite jeune fille 8~)
> pg
-maxwell
maxwell
> Hmmm actually I am farang, and a red head to boot. I read someplace that
> "red-headed farang" is an insult so I hope no one refers to me as that...
> :)
perhaps not in the 'real world,' though at 'sct' all is both likely and
unlikely ;~)
> I don't care about anyone's color, I just want to immerse myself in Thai
> culture not Western culture. Seeing Max's post on having lived in
> Nonthaburi there are probably better places than the Ngamwongwan area but
> then I can catch public transport to language lessons easily there, and I
> know the vicinity now.
Okay, admittedly the owner of one of the shops in my wife's old moo bahn
used the occasions of my popping in to improve his English, far more than to
grapple with comprehending my wretched attempts at speaking Thai (though in
fairness, he helped me a bit with the occasional Thai word, though was so
utterly good-spirited when honing his English that 'twas my pleasure to be
of some small assistance) -- but at all the other shops in her moo bahn and
with the one shop owner's wife and son, it was either try to speak Thai or
use hand gestures when shopping ;~)
By contrast, when in Muang Thong Thani, English was often too easy to get by
with, and the same held when in many a mall or mini-mall, and in *most*
every small pharmacy and medical practice, wherever I went in Nonthaburi.
> I've stayed in Banglamphu a few times, I enjoyed staying next to the
> mosque there actually, but I don't want to live in a place like
> Banglamphu. I do not want to live someplace where English or for that
> matter any language other than Thai is the normal language of interaction
> for people. Actually it is probably a good thing that my friend will
> probably move from Ngamwongwan soon as her English is too good and easy
> for me to fall back on.
. . as is my dear wife's excellent English!
> And let's face facts, my budget will be limited after a 25% cut in my
> pension and at least a few financial obligations here in the US, living in
> any of the areas with many farang is probably going to cost me a lot more
> than the 4000 baht a month I will pay for a room in Nonthaburi and finding
> a decent meal for 30 baht nearly impossible.
That might depend on whether you consider noodle shops or food stands as
providing 'decent meals'
(I do ! ;~)
>More icing on the cake is no taxi driver ever tried to negotiate fare with
>me in that area, whereas every time I have been in an area with a heavy
>Western population seems hard to go anywhere for less than 500-600 baht.
Be firm about the meter.
>My friend met me at the airport and as soon as the taxi driver saw me he
>wanted 600 baht, lol, is good she had a
> temper but he still charged 500 baht...
hmmm...methinks you both may have been 'roped' . .
> Why on earth would someone go to a country they respect and love with the
> aim of becoming as much a part of that country and a productive resident
> and then put themselves in a Western ghetto....?
for some, that's the goal . .each to their own . .
> Grace
Cheers,
-maxwell
Good Soldier Schweik
wrote:
>"Chris Blunt" wrote ...
>> You mean that if a farang says he doesn't want to live in an area near
>> other farangs then that is in no way racist?
>
>Correct. By your presumptions, if a person withdraws from all people and
>lives as a hermit, that person is a misanthrope.
>NOT proven !
On the other hand, if one prefers not to dwell in the midst of fools,
one might be called a wise man... or woman.
cheers,
Schweik
(goodsoldierschweikatgmaildotcom)
Good Soldier Schweik
wrote:
The world turns on the opinion of an individual called "krypsis" ?
In ecology, crypsis (krypsis?) is the ability of an organism to avoid
observation. A form of antipredator adaptation, methods range from
camouflage, nocturnality, subterranean lifestyle, transparency, or
mimicry.
cheers,
Schweik
(goodsoldierschweikatgmaildotcom)
Good Soldier Schweik
>Hmmm actually I am farang, and a red head to boot. I read someplace that
>"red-headed farang" is an insult so I hope no one refers to me as that... :)
You are getting mixed up with the Chinese, one of whom's descriptions
is "red headed devil".
>I don't care about anyone's color, I just want to immerse myself in Thai
>culture not Western culture. Seeing Max's post on having lived in Nonthaburi
>there are probably better places than the Ngamwongwan area but then I can
>catch public transport to language lessons easily there, and I know the
>vicinity now.
>
>I've stayed in Banglamphu a few times, I enjoyed staying next to the mosque
>there actually, but I don't want to live in a place like Banglamphu. I do
>not want to live someplace where English or for that matter any language
>other than Thai is the normal language of interaction for people. Actually
>it is probably a good thing that my friend will probably move from
>Ngamwongwan soon as her English is too good and easy for me to fall back on.
>And let's face facts, my budget will be limited after a 25% cut in my
>pension and at least a few financial obligations here in the US, living in
>any of the areas with many farang is probably going to cost me a lot more
>than the 4000 baht a month I will pay for a room in Nonthaburi and finding a
>decent meal for 30 baht nearly impossible. More icing on the cake is no taxi
>driver ever tried to negotiate fare with me in that area, whereas every time
>I have been in an area with a heavy Western population seems hard to go
>anywhere for less than 500-600 baht. My friend met me at the airport and as
>soon as the taxi driver saw me he wanted 600 baht, lol, is good she had a
>temper but he still charged 500 baht...
>
>Why on earth would someone go to a country they respect and love with the
>aim of becoming as much a part of that country and a productive resident and
>then put themselves in a Western ghetto....?
>
>Grace
You don't understand :-) When one goes abroad one must "keep up the
side" as it were. Associate with only individuals of one's own race,
color, creed and political persuasion. "The only thing to do", my
dear.
You see in this way one is able to demonstrate that WE are superior!
Why, you can see examples every day - WE do not walk around with
parasols attempting to protect ourselves from the sun! WE go to the
beach and lay right out in the hot rays in order to turn brown (like a
peasant, the silly locals say). As you can see, WE are certainly
superior.
In short, my dear, do not contemplate ever doing what you wish to do.
You MUST listen to the disembodied voices on the Internet. After all,
if you don't they might stop talking to you...
cheers,
Schweik
(goodsoldierschweikatgmaildotcom)
Good Soldier Schweik
>Thanks for the advice Soldier.... Actually if I find a job in Thailand I
>will change my visa type. My friend has relatives that work for immigration
>so at least are some folks that we can ask. Her uncle told me if I ever need
>help with immigration issues his wife can help (she works for immigration
>but I suspect that offer was broader than he intended). I understand too
>that even to work in a volunteer capacity requires a work permit,...
>Hopefully I can manage on my pension....
Well, you are well on the road to success. The average "farang" seems
to depend on what his mates tell him, "down tha pub" rather then take
the time and trouble to visit the appropriate agency to get the story
"from the horses mouth" as it were.
>I agree about Lakrabang, but is a possibility because my friend will
>probably move there. Her brother hates the idea because there is littleto do
>when he comes to BKK on weekends to study (he is a high-school student and
>takes classes in BKK on the weekends). The area around Siam University
>seemed a bit out of the way too.
Not that you can't commute but if I were planning on visiting the city
center frequently I would try to live in a little closer area. There
are cheap places to live scattered all around the place.
>And this sort of advice is what I was hoping for.
>
>Grace
cheers,
Schweik
(goodsoldierschweikatgmaildotcom)
Krypsis
Just my two cents worth but hardly world turning!
>
> In ecology, crypsis (krypsis?) is the ability of an organism to avoid
> observation. A form of antipredator adaptation, methods range from
> camouflage, nocturnality, subterranean lifestyle, transparency, or
> mimicry.
Well done! You can use a dictionary. Now get a book on grammar and
correct word usage and you might just get to be a journalist before you
die of old age!
>
> cheers,
>
> Schweik
> (goodsoldierschweikatgmaildotcom)
Antipredator adaptation, indeed a necessary skill in this predator laden
usenet, don't you think? Why, some of the usenet predators are known to
hound people until they abandon usenet entirely leaving naught but a
barren wasteland inhabited only by themselves. Certainly SCT is now such
a barren wasteland!
Krypsis
LarbGai
> Antipredator adaptation, indeed a necessary skill in this predator laden
> usenet, don't you think? Why, some of the usenet predators are known to
> hound people until they abandon usenet entirely leaving naught but a
> barren wasteland inhabited only by themselves. Certainly SCT is now such
> a barren wasteland!
>
> Krypsis-
********We've just got to get rid of that pedantic peanut aka The
Krypto Kid and we will be free.
;-)
Good Soldier Schweik
wrote:
Been there, done that and have the tear sheets to prove it.
>Antipredator adaptation, indeed a necessary skill in this predator laden
>usenet, don't you think? Why, some of the usenet predators are known to
>hound people until they abandon usenet entirely leaving naught but a
>barren wasteland inhabited only by themselves. Certainly SCT is now such
>a barren wasteland!
>
>Krypsis
Ah, yes. A spot of self analysis? Do you feel "hounded"? Ready to
"abandon"? Or a predator?
cheers,
Schweik
(goodsoldierschweikatgmaildotcom)
pluto
message <ReQtl.55959$PS5....@en-nntp-07.dc1.easynews.com>
<ekogr4d631og72k97...@4ax.com> <gp9poa$5q7$1...@news.albasani.net>
<i10ir45tb7h7qf7rf...@4ax.com>
<49b90a8f$0$12942$afc3...@news.optusnet.com.au>
<qk9jr4dk40su10s3k...@4ax.com>
<49b9b769$0$7377$afc3...@news.optusnet.com.au> from
<29b50a20-5686-406b...@r36g2000prf.googlegroups.com> subject as:
Re: Questions: Thai Language Schools and Taxes:
wrote/and/or quoted:
whoever this k kryptokid is hits, root on sensitive nerves!
there is always present in every usenetgroup some prehensile predators more
pernicious, intra destructive and provocative than the like of old sharman-
(resident-self-elected topics moderator/grammar/copyrights/sarcasms/provoca...)
presently the Grace-ious thread permeates goodwill amongst sct, ever cautious
that lurking hereunder are the animals so well described by k krypto. Some take
offence to the batu api, provocations, joined/swallowed into the frays while
many distance themselves with killfiles to selfdestructive-selfdelimiting
result. That is what these sclerotic dogs want and achieve.
>aka running dog Chow-Kow-Sick-Fúçk(CKSF) who shouts thief for the past 20 years. This dog is a disbarred "lawyer" now "working" as a copywriter in a pharmaceutical company in sanfranciscunt. This sclerotic psychopath rabids its identity is copyrighted, spews stolen ideas, states them as the dog's own and claims to be the most intellectual sick fúçk,-- NO SHAME!! LOL
==============================================
caveat fair use notice:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
Magnus
>Hmmm actually I am farang, and a red head to boot. I read someplace that
>"red-headed farang" is an insult so I hope no one refers to me as that... :)
>
>I don't care about anyone's color, I just want to immerse myself in Thai
>culture not Western culture. Seeing Max's post on having lived in Nonthaburi
>there are probably better places than the Ngamwongwan area but then I can
>catch public transport to language lessons easily there, and I know the
>vicinity now.
>
>I've stayed in Banglamphu a few times, I enjoyed staying next to the mosque
>there actually, but I don't want to live in a place like Banglamphu. I do
>not want to live someplace where English or for that matter any language
>other than Thai is the normal language of interaction for people. Actually
>it is probably a good thing that my friend will probably move from
>Ngamwongwan soon as her English is too good and easy for me to fall back on.
>And let's face facts, my budget will be limited after a 25% cut in my
>pension and at least a few financial obligations here in the US, living in
>any of the areas with many farang is probably going to cost me a lot more
>than the 4000 baht a month I will pay for a room in Nonthaburi and finding a
>decent meal for 30 baht nearly impossible. More icing on the cake is no taxi
>driver ever tried to negotiate fare with me in that area, whereas every time
>I have been in an area with a heavy Western population seems hard to go
>anywhere for less than 500-600 baht. My friend met me at the airport and as
>soon as the taxi driver saw me he wanted 600 baht, lol, is good she had a
>temper but he still charged 500 baht...
>
IMHO your task will be more difficult than you expect because you are
a Farang *and* a single woman (no racism neither sexism here).
I'm not sure I have understood correctly but it seems you want to live
as a single woman in a Bangkok flat, not in a private house with a
Thai partner like many posters here.
More than a decade ago, I used to live in a big condo in the Greater
Bangkok. There were about 200 families in the place and only one
another Farang, an Italian man married to a Thai.
Things were rather easy for me, because I lived in the flat of my Thai
g/f, who could speak also French and English fluently. Moreover I was
not staying there with a tourist visa, as I believe you want to do.
Thai laws are rather restrictive for Foreigners who want to have a job
here, even an unpaid one but I suppose you already know this.
The best option for a Foreigner is to be introduced in the local
community by your Thai friends. For instance, I always used taxis
which the drivers were known by my g/f. Of course, your behaviour must
be adapted to your neighbours' ideas, which is not always easy when
you stay several months in the same place that is generaly
overpopulated, according to our Western standarts.
>Why on earth would someone go to a country they respect and love with the
>aim of becoming as much a part of that country and a productive resident and
>then put themselves in a Western ghetto....?
>
>Grace
I know a lot of them in my region (Western France), most of them
beeing ageing British people. Perhaps it's difficult to understand
their reason but it's not of my business.
Regards,
Mort
Magnus
wrote:
It seems that even Sancho Labia can understand the noble langue.
:-)
Mort, emerging Frog
pluto
<ReQtl.55959$PS5....@en-nntp-07.dc1.easynews.com>
<ekogr4d631og72k97...@4ax.com> <gp9poa$5q7$1...@news.albasani.net>
<h3rgr4pnc7nafttlk...@4ax.com> <gp9vm9$crg$1...@news.albasani.net>
<5j1hr41d45ba23tpe...@4ax.com>
<J78ul.33940$UR4....@en-nntp-09.dc1.easynews.com>
<gpb79h$373$1...@news.albasani.net> from
<RRsul.44286$rp7....@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com> subject as: Re: Questions:
Thai Language Schools and Taxes:
wrote/and/or quoted:
>......................................... one that lets me
>edit the original posts for brevity
try this:
http://rapidshare.com/files/174882824/F.Agent5_william_www.dotnxt.com.rar
chok dee ;-))
Magnus
>I plan to go initially on a long term student visa that I will have to
>extend every 90 days, unless I do find a job and then I will change my visa
>type to a work visa. I have a number of Thai friends, some older some newer,
>who have offered to help. I stayed in the Ngamwongwan Road area with a
>friend the last time I was there, and she has offered to get an apartment
>arranged near her current room before I come to BKK (even though she thinks
>I should get a job first). Too, I became acquainted with a few people in her
>building just hanging out ther, and hopefully can make more friends as my
>language skills develop. Another friend has invited me to stay at her house
>till I find an apt. I don't know, maybe will be pretty lonely, but seems I
>manage to make new friends each trip often through existing friends. I went
>out with my friends group of friends from her hometown a couple of times,
>and we are planning trip with a couple of them when I come back, maybe to
>Koh Samet. And my other friends' circles seem to have accepted me pretty
>well too, at least their close friends and family. My hope is to avoid taxis
>as much as possible, my friend introduced me to the bus system, public vans,
>and the trucks that are set up like jeepneys in the Philippines.
>
>In any case my plan is to go for a year, study Thai language (I haven't
>noticed that anyone seems to have experience at either SWU or at the
>language school I mentioned) hopefully find a job - I saw a very nice job in
>my Hua Hin in my field about a year and a half ago, but I was not so close
>to the security blanket of a pension then. My friend still argues with me I
>should have a job first, but my retort to her is that if I am there it will
>be easier to find than being an anonymous face on another continent. I can
>manage a year and if I fall flat on my face, well I will have tried at least
>and not always wonder what would have happened.
>
>Best regards,
>Grace
Well, with the above explanation, your plans seem more reasonable to
me now.
Actually, the idea of having a place to stay before having a job is a
good option. It's easier to open a bank account this way.
Your ability to make friends in Thailand makes me also more optimistic
about your chance of success, especially if you have professional
skills that are in demand in Thailand.
This said, I have to speak frankly; this sort of things must be
discussed with reliable people you hardly find here anymore. For
instance, I missed many of your posts because some people you are
talking with are only trolls IMO. I won't elaborate for I'm sure you
have found out about them.
As a French, I frequent the Franco-Thai web site when I look for
reliable answers about specific topics on Thailand, like taxes, bank
transfers, medical insurance, etc. Before that, I used to read a
Delphi forum dedicated to Americans living in Thailand:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/ThaiFalang/start
I'm sure that some helpful SCTers will be able to give you other
equivalent addresses suited to your nationality.
Regards,
Mort
maxwell
YO serves to amuse many on this board, if only because YO changes even more
often than you change posting sigs . .. . . .though at least YO remains
constantly foul toward those who've disagreed with your 'colourful'
derisions of certain Thais who IYO have 'failed your presumptions' ;~)
> I won't elaborate for I'm sure you have found out about them. As a
> French, I frequent the Franco-Thai web site when I look for reliable
> answers about specific topics on Thailand, like taxes, bank
> transfers, medical insurance, etc. Before that, I used to read a Delphi
> forum dedicated to Americans living in Thailand:
> http://forums.delphiforums.com/ThaiFalang/start
.. a relatively sparsely-utilized forum, though with a few good reliable
posters.
As it happens, mainly oriented to falang men partnered with Thai women,
though at times having some good general information.
IIRC, Grace may have already found
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/
which has vastly more information and current activity than at the delphi
forum
> I'm sure that some helpful SCTers will be able to give you other
> equivalent addresses suited to your nationality.
one never knows, now does one ? ;~)
PG
"maxwell" <mmma...@hotmail.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
cfQul.100$6%.53@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
There's also http://teakdoor.com/ - which is for politically incorrect
renegades that don't fit in at ThaiVisa ;-)
A more relaxed and friendly forum, but has its share of idiots just as sct
:-)
pg
maxwell
> "maxwell" a écrit ...
>> "Magnus" presumptuously proffered...
>>> gr...@lovesthailand.org wrote:
>>>>I plan to go initially on a long term student visa that I will have to
>>>>extend every 90 days, unless I do find a job and then I will change my
>>>>visa type to a work visa. I have a number of Thai friends, some older
>>>>some newer, who have offered to help. I stayed in the Ngamwongwan Road
>>>>area with a friend the last time I was there, and she has offered to get
>>>>an apartment arranged near her current room before I come to BKK (even
>>>>though she thinks I should get a job first).
>My hope is to avoid taxis as much as possible, my friend introduced me to
>the bus system, public vans, and the trucks that are set up like jeepneys
>in the Philippines.
.. and really, especially late at night or in sparsely-occupied areas, a
woman travelling solo should get a good lookover of the driver before
getting into a taxi. Simple fact is that *some* drivers are definitely not
gentlemen.
This is on the faith of my good wife's advice, derived from over 3 decades
of taxiing, bussing, mini-vanning, songthaew-ing (literally, two
benches/rows--the 'jeepneys' grace mentioned), and moto-taxiing in
Nonthaburi, Bangkok, Rangsit . .
>>>>In any case my plan is to go for a year, study Thai language (I haven't
>>>>noticed that anyone seems to have experience at either SWU or at the
>>>>language school I mentioned) hopefully find a job - I saw a very nice
>>>>job in my Hua Hin in my field about a year and a half ago,
. .. whole lot of farangs in Hua Hin . . . but no shortage of Thai ;~)
>>>> but I was not so close to the security blanket of a pension then. My
>>>> friend still argues with me I should have a job first, but my retort to
>>>> her is that if I am there it willbe easier to find than being an
>>>> anonymous face on another continent. I can manage a year and if I fall
>>>> flat on my face, well I will have tried at least and not always wonder
>>>> what would have happened.>>>>Best regards,>>>>Grace
<snip>
>> I won't elaborate for I'm sure you have found out about them. As a
>> French, I frequent the Franco-Thai web site when I look for reliable
>> answers about specific topics on Thailand, like taxes, bank transfers,
>> medical insurance, etc.
. . and everybody fluent in French already has that link, of
course? ;~)
>> Before that, I used to read a Delphi forum dedicated to Americans living
>> in Thailand:
>>> http://forums.delphiforums.com/ThaiFalang/start
>> .. a relatively sparsely-utilized forum, though with a few good reliable
>> posters.
>> As it happens, mainly oriented to falang men partnered with Thai women,
>> though at times having some good general information.IIRC, Grace may have
>> already found
>> http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/ which has vastly more information and
>> current activity than at the delphi forum
>>> I'm sure that some helpful SCTers will be able to give you other
>>> equivalent addresses suited to your nationality.
>> one never knows, now does one ? ;~)
> There's also http://teakdoor.com/ - which is for politically incorrect
> renegades that don't fit in at ThaiVisa ;-)
. . heh heh heh . .. well-said ;~)
> A more relaxed and friendly forum, but has its share of idiots just as sct
> :-)
too true, LOL !
. . hmm...she might want to go to teakdoor via
http://teakdoor.com/forum.php
. .rather than to the current posts/adverts main page .. .
> pg
Cheers,
-maxwell