skybluestu

jamesbrock, on Yesterday, 11:10 , said:

I have enjoyed this thread, I was actually hoping that "happiness" was contagious.

I think this Thread is important, because it provides a counter point to the unhappy but vocal few, who if left on their own , provide an unrealistic view of Thai relationships.
If I had read TV, and all the negative posts about Thai relationships, before I met my wife, I might had run for the hills, and I would had missed out on the best thing in my life.
As it is  6 years in my relationship with my Thai lady, three married,and I could not be happier.
She is beautiful, some times she catches me staring at her,
she makes a funny embarrassed face, and says "What?",  I reply with a loving smile "pretty girl" and she cones back,with a whimsical look  "Ugly Guy" .
She takes great care of me, is loving, and has a great sense of humor.Not to be dishonest, she can at times also be a real bitch, but then again, I can also be a real ass,so all in all we are even
.And not to forget to mention that you have not being yelled at , until you have being yelled at by a Thai lady. but most of the time I deserve it.
She yells at me "you are stupid" to which I reply " you married me,, and I am stupid?"

Wow. Really.

It is obvious the OP is a tourist, certainly English is not his first language, who wants to do something to contribute in whatever way he can, and not just do the typical tourist thing. Is that so terrible? He's just talking about a day trip, and somehow it turns into comments about work permits and TEFL trade talk and precise spellings (is the aeroplane constructed of aluminium?)....

The reaction to his post was more than a little vociferous- it was ferocious.

I'm sure he will never be posting here again, nor will he ever venture to visit again or live in Chiang Rai, judging by the welcome he got from the local farang community.

Just think back to when you were a newbie. For me, I was in Chiang Rai for the first time in 1975, not that that is so relevant, except to point out that everyone is new somewhere once, when others are long-timers....

Just my 25 satang.

But back to Thailand, I think we all know that the educational system here is rather appalling.  I've read several books by Thai and foreign authors that suggest education in this country (like many things: culture, the exploitation and distortion of Thai Buddhism, the complexities of the Thai writing 'system', etc) have been purposefully designed to keep the 'poor' class in their position at the expense of the elites.  I've seen this argument laid out quite well with all types of historical support.  

So, I'm not so sure what Thailand is 'on about'.  (Is that a British expression or an Aussie one?  I'm not good with those quaint expressions of English.)  My predictions are that:

1) the elites are NOT going to make effort to change this culture.  Why would they.  They enjoy one of the largest wealth gaps in the world.  And, why do you think the Thais have one of the highest Power Index values in the world?

2) the poor are systematically prevented from learning a.) why and b.) how to challenge the 'establishment'.  They are prevented through the 'educational' system in Thailand.  They are prevented through their indoctrination of nationalistic teachings.  In other words, "direct any angst you may have about your life at the 'other'.  The foreigner  They are prevented by their shaping by perverted Thai Buddhism that teaches them that they belong wherever they are and that they shouldn't want for improvement.

3) So, the change will most certainly HAVE TO come from the Thai middle class.  They have a choice to make.  Certainly, there are not many of them, but their numbers are growing, and that could be marvelous thing for Thailand.  Thus far, it seems rather apparent that the middle class (and by this I mean reasonably educated, probably at least some English speaking, more liberal and modern but perhaps not ultra wealthy Thais) lacks the courage and/or ability and/or desire to change things here -- and that is, of course, their choice if it is so.

So, all this talk about improving the education system here, to me, is rather pointless unless Thais are willing to actually look at the fundamentals that dictate largely why things are the way they are.  Their educational system and the other systems of indoctrination (religion, " others ", nationalism) are in many ways (including those most probably intended) are wholly a masterpiece.  What other nation can grip and stifle people's minds so well that they completely lack the desire or will to affect for themselves a better, more respectable, more comfortable existence?  Thailand is unique in this regard.

Nice Pot Luck again,thank you all

Nice  constructive Reply Scea,  I can't help thinking that VR's post is going to be misunderstood once again and p*ss someone else off .

Here's some Jesus and Mary Chain.

skybluestu, on 2012-04-16 13:08:34, said:

Yes, the new Yamaha FZ8n is a very nice looking bike, and Yamaha, Thailand are offering it for the same price they used to charge for the FZ6 and are offering quite attractive financing too. Certainly a bike to consider-

villagefarang, on 2012-04-05 23:22:05, said:

villagefarang, on 2012-04-06 11:15:13, said:

Ja ja ja !


  

And only yesterday I was thinking   "where's jubby got to? The boards a bit quiet with out his posts".

How soon I forgot.

villagefarang, on 2012-04-04 18:21:23, said:

I don't think that's what he said VF.

   He made a statement that he dislikes people who like football.  plain and simple.  

   I'm not a big spectator of the sport myself,   I'm not a big spectator of anything really,  except for maybe Womens Gymnastics .  I'd rather take part,   but it still puts me in the catagory of people he Dislikes along with probably a Billion or more people he hasn't actually met.    Most of us would ignore such a post and put it down to a bit of mischief  but to actually defend someone for saying it , and in a Football ONLY  focused Thread is quite Bizarre  IMNSHO .   And ofcourse I'm entitled to my Opinion ;-)

Have an enjoyable ride on the 1st everyone attending  Hope the weather holds up. Be nice to be part of the run but unfortunately not meant to be   don't forget some photos.

I love supersport bikes but they are not practical as they are so uncomfortable to ride over any distance, I have the new Z1000 and for me it blows away anything, riding position is fantastic, it looks awesome, it sounds great, I love driving it and can not get enough of it!!

skybluestu, on 2012-02-02 16:38:14, said:

Stu, I would lose a nut for a current model RSV4. Stunnng bike. Love the engines and the race technology electronics fitted for the street.  

One born every minute.

Unnecessary in my opinion.

TheWalkingMan, on 2012-01-11 08:08:52, said:

x

You might want to say the there is a line up of ex pat's waiting to be scammed just so they can have some female company.
Common sense goes out the door.  Loneliness and thinking with the wrong head can lead to no money very easily.