FAT,
FATTER, FATTEST
Q:
Why are so many foreigners fat?
A: First, let me say this. While Thais are generally thought of as being
very indirect, they certainly aren't indirect about weight -- at least
a man's weight. Comments are frequent and, while usually good natured,
can be offensive.
But yes, indeed, the Western world, especially America, seems to have
a problem with weight. Those fond of the word epidemic, might even say
that obesity falls into that category. A poor diet and sedentary lifestyle
are the main causes.
In the years I have been in Thailand, I have noticed a distinct increase
in the waistline of urban Thais. The causes are the same and the
resulting "epidemic" will be as bad, if people aren't careful.
**********
BEST
ENGLISH?
Q:
Which kind of English is better, British, American or something else?
A:
There isn't a single one that is best. I would say that being consistent
is important. Stick with one kind -- especially when writing.
Having
said that, I should add that American English is the most prevalent in
the world -- especially on the internet. On the other hand, British English
has a certain aura about it that can impress people (or, on the flip side,
cause some people to think you are putting on airs if you aren't careful).
Be
yourself and go with what is most comfortable for you. Beware, however,
that there are many differences -- some quite important. Look here for
just a tiny percentage of them.
*********
GRAMMAR
-- HUMBUG!
Q: How
important is grammar in writing?
A: The most important quality that writing should have is understandability.
That is, your writing must be clear. Consequently, if your grammar is
so poor that people misunderstand you or don't understand you at all,
it is a serious problem.
On the other hand, if you have minor grammar errors that do not interfere
with clarity, that is not a serious problem and can be taken care of with
careful proofreading and editing.
Finally, in some cases the grammar may be correct but the person has used
the wrong word. For example, "John is on the house" is correct but it
is likely that the person really means "in the house." "John in house"
is not good grammar but it is better (assuming that John is actually in
the house).
*******
WHY
THAILAND?
Q:
Why do foreigners come to teach in Thailand?
A: There are probably as many answers to that question as there are foreigners
in Thailand.
Some come briefly and for adventure. Others come seeking work. Some come
because of loneliness and, no doubt, some come for political reasons --
they don't like the political climate in their home country.
I came initially for academic, spiritual and adventure reasons. The moment
I arrived I fell in love with Thailand. I still feel that way about this
wonderful country and its people.
My family, my home and my life are here.
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MOVING
TO THAILAND
Q: I just read through a
big part of your website. I am a professional 33 year old music teacher
from Sweden. For a few years I have been
interested in living in Thailand for a while. I have been in contact
with all of the international schools and some bilingual schools, but
with no
luck so far. I have a master's degree in music with music education
as my
special field of study. I also have several years of experience in teaching
all levels except kindergarten. People have told me that since I am
a qualified teacher it should be really easy to get a job, but it seems
to be hard even to get a reply for my mails.
I will be in Thailand on vacation and I am planning to go knocking on
doors. Any advice about how to go about in finding a rewarding and reasonably
paid job in Thailand is highly appreciated. I attached my
Thank you for your time!
A: I know nothing about
teaching music and very little about teaching at international schools.
I do, however, think you are correct to check them out because they
are probably your best bet for getting a music teaching job. They might
be your only bet.
Having said that, I must
note that you are not from a country where English is the mother tongue.
You write English fine, but perhaps the lack of response from schools
can be attributed to concern about you not being a native speaker of
English. I would also add that I think it would be very difficult to
get a job at an international school where English is the medium of
instruction if you have a heavy accent.
I should mention too, that
international schools begin their school years in September, unlike
most Thai schools which begin in June.
Good luck and sorry I couldn't
be of more help.
********
Q: I recently read
your book as I am planning to do something similar to you in a few months.
My wife is Thai and I'm Irish, both in our early thirties
and we are planning to move to Thailand from America in the new year. My
wife will probably open a business and I will probably take a TEFL course
and teach English. My gut tells me that I should adopt the "mai
pen rai" attitude and just roll with the punches during my transition
into life in Thailand. I've lived all over the U.S. and Canada and enjoyed
the adventure of being in new places and "seeing how I get on".
Anyway,
I was wondering if you had any words of wisdom to guide a potential and
probable expat. As you are married to a Thai lady, could you tell me about
the visa through marriage process? Does the visa automatically entitle
me to a work permit? Can I apply from within Thailand once I get there
on a tourist visa or can I organize it before we go? Is it a relatively
easy process or is it an ordeal? Minor questions: Can one get BBC if one
has a satellite dish? I play traditional Irish music and I was wondering
if there are any other musicians or sessions in Bangkok. That would make
a big difference if I knew that I could continue playing in Thailand!
I
would very much appreciate it if you could respond to my questions. Thanks
for providing such a great website and resource for expats in Thailand.
A: Thanks for your questions and the good words. I'm not sure how satisfactory
my answers will be, but I will do the best I can.
These
probably aren't words of wisdom, but here goes. Be patient. More patient
than you have ever been in your life. Mai Pen Rai is OK up to a point.
Buddha's Middle Path is a better way to approach things. Make sure you
do things (visa, drivers license, etc) correctly, even if it takes time
and is frustrating. Always be polite to those in authority.
As
for a marriage visa, I know essentially nothing. I was married here in
Thailand, not the States. I am a permanent resident of Thailand and thus
do not need a visa.
I don't know much about getting a work permit either, as my employer takes
care of everything for the foreign teachers. Many universities do, but
I have heard of some that don't. In any case, I feel fairly certain that
having a marriage visa does not automatically get you a work permit. When
I came to Thailand many years ago, the best option was to get a non-immigrant
visa.
There
are Irish pubs in Bangkok and other big cities. I don't know whether they
have traditional Irish music or not.
BBC
is available on cable and cable is available in most bigger cities.
Good
luck with your adventure. I have never regretted my decision, even though
there have been challenges, setbacks and frustrations.
*************
YOUNG
AND LOVING THAILAND
Q:
First and foremost I would like to thank you for your informative website
and book. I bought your book some months ago It was very helpful in giving
me a short glimpse into life in the Land of Smiles.
I have just come to Bangkok about 2 days ago and feel very much how you
seem to have when you first came here, (if I can be so presumptuous as
to assume what you were thinking). Suffice it to say I am in love with
Bangkok and the Thai people.
Even though I only speak VERY limited Thai and have only been here a short,
I could easily see myself living here and being 1000 times more happy
than back in the states. Only being 25, I believe I'll have to go
back and save a bit before I can entertain the thought of moving here
permanently but that just makes it all the sweeter once it happens non?
I'm sorry to ramble like this but because I'm so young living
as an expat sometimes seems a bit daunting and so it is good just to know
that it can be done. In any case I'll go back and finish my associates
degree in Poetry/Philosophy and hopefully be back here in a year or so.
In the meantime, Keep up the good work and thanks again!
A: Thanks for the good words. Being an Expat is not always easy but I
have never regretted my decision to move to Thailand. I still feel a sense
of awe at being here.
After you finish up your AA Degree you may want to think about getting
a BA in English. You can then easily get a job in Thailand. You might
want to get a TEFL certificate at some point as well.
Once again thanks. All the best.
********
RETIRE
IN THAILAND?
Q:
I am really fascinated by the thought of eventually making Thailand my
home.
My
issue deals with expatriate status in Thailand....more specifically, the
viability of such a venture. I am a retiree with about $2500/mo
annuity and about $60,000 in cash to bring into the country. I know
that Thailand, or any country, is not a panacea but I have grown
so discontent with the US political landscape that I can no longer pretend
to support many of it's basic tenets which somehow seem to have taken
hold in this country.
A:
Unless you have expensive vices or tastes, you can live here very comfortably
on your retirement income. In addition, your $60,000 will set you up very
nicely in a home or business.
Having said that, let me add that if you haven't been to Thailand before
or you have only come on vacation, you should come prior to burning any
bridges. It is best to learn as much as you can before investing in anything
here. That means knowing the country, laws and people.
***********
What
are the Formalities About Living and Working in Thailand?
Q: Thank you for your most informative and refreshingly "candid"
site - I really enjoyed reading the information you listed!
I have been to Thailand numerous times and now have several good relationships
with people in the tour and travel business. I have also been able to
develop some real quality friendships over the last few years. Recently,
I have spent a 2 month period in Chiang Mai as a "mini-test"
to see, how I would enjoy living there - and it was a good success! I
speak very BASIC Thai - just enough to communicate some on a daily basis
- and what you say about even knowing a little of the language is of course
VERY true.............
For some of the exact same reasons which you list in your commentaries,
I am ready to leave the US soon and I am very interested in teaching the
English language in Thailand and I understand, that there is a tremendous
need for good English teachers there.
My question to you is the following: what steps do I take to be able to
get a Thai work-permit as a teacher and how difficult would you say it
is? I appreciate very much any information you can give me!
A: Thanks for the good words about my website.
If you get a job as a teacher at a reputable school or university, getting
a work permit is only a formality which many places will do for you and
all will help you with. Prior to moving here, you can save yourself a
bit of trouble and expense if you get a non-immigrant visa rather than
a tourist visa. If you don't, it will necessitate a trip out of the
country to get one after you have a job offer. Other than that, just head
over and find yourself a position.
You may want to check out my book about moving to and living in Thailand.
You can order it from Amazon or, if you'd like to help my brother
out, order it from him. The name of the book is "I Walked Away"
and his website is here.
*****
BEST
TYPE TEACHER FOR THAILAND
Q: What
type of teacher is best suited for a university in Thailand
A: Professional
academics from abroad in Thailand are a minority. There are some and they
are often married to Thais and have a family.
There are a lot of novices. They don't tend to stay at a university for
long and have varying motives for being here. These include a sense of
adventure, desire for a challenge, love of Thailand, craving for fun and
nightlife and the search for romance or sex.
Thailand is a wonderful place and teaching here can be rewarding for some.
It is vastly different than teaching at an American university. I know
because I taught in the States for many years. What's different? Everything
-- but especially the students, most of whom have come through an education
system that emphasizes rote learning and a group mentality rather than
individual achievement.
If you have never been to Thailand, visit before you move. If you've been
here before on holiday and move here, leave your holiday mentality at
home.
|
WHAT
DO YOU THINK OF THE THAI EDUCATION SYSTEM?
There has been
a strong push from the government and various ministries to upgrade the
quality of education, particularly in the areas of critical thinking and
student centered learning. There is still a very long way to go.
Government schools
in Thailand, whether in Bangkok or elsewhere, still tend to stress rote
learning and group think. Asking questions is not encouraged. Disagreeing
with the teacher is taboo.
International
schools are better in some ways but in my opinion, they frequently create
prigs. In addition, they are extremely expensive – usually hundreds
of thousands of baht a year.
I send my son
to a Catholic school. While it is far from perfect, it is about as close
to a happy medium as I can come. The language of instruction is Thai but
they teach English. I supplement that with informal lessons in English
at home
SHOULD
I GIVE HER MONEY?
Q:
I would appreciate your thoughts on something. I have become friends with
a Thai lady. I have known her for about a year. She works in a restaurant
and I have grown to like her a lot. She has a serious medical problem
involving kidney failure. I'm sure this is true because I have seen
the shunts in her arm.
She has told me she gets a discount for medical services but still pays
600 B twice a week for dialysis. This is a huge burden because she
only makes 1000B a week.
I have heard of the 30B scheme to provide medical care to Thais but no
one can tell me for certain that her only cost would be 30B per visit.
I know that many individuals have a sad story and will manipulate situations
to obtain money. I tend to believe people when they tell me something.
Perhaps I am a bit gullible. But, I do not think she is making this
up.
Any words of advice?
A: Questions like this are difficult. The cynical expat would immediately
tell you write this person off. Since I don't know her, I can't say that.
I will say, however, that cynicism is often justified and that many Thais
-- even good ones -- perceive farangs as ATM machines who believe almost
anything they hear.
If you are sure you are getting the truth, my advice would be to try to
work out something where you pay the hospital for the medical services.
If your friend is turned off by this, it says something about her -- especially
if you tell a white lie and say that you can, for example, write the money
off your income tax as a deduction.
As for the 30 baht medical plan, it appears to exist but is not something
I know about.
Good luck.
*******
SMILING
FACE OF THAI RACISM
Is
there racism in Thailand?
There are racists in every country. In general, Thai racism is not as
ugly or violent as it is in other places. I sometimes think of it as "the
smiling face of Thai racism."
A few examples of racism are double pricing (white and black people pay
more), laws forbidding foreigners from owning property and favoritism
of Thai teachers at schools and universities (no promotions, sabbaticals
or study loans).
Black people are more often the victim of racism than white people. For
example, it is nearly impossible for a black person to get a teaching
job.
In addition, some Central Thai people (including Bangkok) are prone to
look down on Isaan (Northeast) Thais with stereotypes of dirty, lazy and
dishonest frequently being held.
Finally, Thai women accompanying Western men are often thought to be prostitutes.
Overall, I would say that racism in Thailand brings about injustices and
frustrations, as it does in other places, but one need not fear violence
anywhere in the country merely on the basis of race. However, racism is
more widespread than it is in, say, the USA.
*******
CHRISTMAS
Q: Is Christmas celebrated in Thailand?
A: It is not an official holiday and for most places it is business as
usual. Thai people, however, do kind of celebrate a combination New Year/Christmas.
Many exchange gifts or cards and there are numerous office parties.
By the way, there are three big New Year's celebrations in Thailand: Western,
Thai and Chinese. Thai Muslims also celebrate the Islamic New Year.
*********
AIDS
IN THAILAND
Q:
Is AIDS as serious a problem as they say?
A: That depends on who you mean by "they." Whenever I return to America,
I get the sense that most people have an exaggerated view of how serious
the problem is. I also get this feeling from the media.
I don't like the term 'epidemic' relative to AIDS. It paints a picture
of people falling down on the streets and dying.
I don't know anyone in Thailand who has AIDS or who has died from AIDS.
Highway deaths are a much worse problem here. I HAVE seen people dead
on the street and thousands die every year. Over the last New Year period
alone (four days), over 500 people died in road accidents.
So, is AIDS as serious a problem as "they" say? No. Is it a serious problem?
Yes.
*******
STUDYING
BUDDHISM IN THAILAND
Q:
Could you suggest a source for information on Buddhism? Is there
a lecture, mini-class, or knowledgeable individual that might share insights
with me?
On this same tract, could you suggest a mini-course or person who
may want to trade Thai lessons for English lessons? I will be in
Bangkok a little over two weeks.
A: Wow! Absolutely excellent questions; read difficult to answer.
As for Buddhism, I will avoid giving you obvious answers that can be found
on the internet because I am quite sure that you can find that stuff yourself.
My suggestion in this regard is to go slowly. Go to a temple. Sit there.
Wait. Sit someplace else. See what happens. Go to another temple. Sit
here. Sit there. "When the student is ready, the teacher will
appear."
As for learning Thai, I have heard for a long time that the AUA course
(check internet) is one of the best. I doubt that they have a two week
course. Again, avoiding obvious internet links and whatnot, I would say
that the best way to start learning Thai is to 1) Hang out with people
who don't speak much English; 2) Bring along your dictionary/phrase
book and 3) Be willing to have people laugh with you (they aren't
really laughing AT you) when you make mistakes.
*******
LEANING
THAI
Is it difficult to learn the Thai language?
Some aspects of Thai are quite difficult while others are easy. Thai grammar,
for example, is very straight forward and much easier than English grammar.
In terms of speaking, learning (actually being able to hear) the five
tones (rising, falling, high, medium, low) is very difficult. Reading
and writing Thai is a challenge too, because of the size of the Thai alphabet.
Learning a bit of the language pays huge benefits for those who live here.
I know some expats who have lived here for years and find it kind of sad
that they have never bothered to learn a bit of the language. They are
completely dependent on others for accomplishing the most basic tasks.
I strongly recommend that those thinking about living here, learn the
language.
***********
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Q:
I have a question. I read your critique of
the health care system of Thailand on your web-site. Can
a foreigner buy medical insurance in Thailand? Or, how can a foreigner
obtain needed medical services and prescriptions in Thailand?
A: Yes, health insurance is available in Thailand and I THINK it is reasonably
priced but am not sure because I am covered through my job.
Almost all medicine is available over the counter -- including drugs that
require a prescription in the US. By almost all I mean heart, blood sugar/pressure,
asthma, antibiotics, pain killers, ulcer, etc. etc -- you name it. Walk
into a drugstore and buy what you want at a reasonable price, with no
prescription and completely legally. |