Thailand Expats

Raval · #1 11-12-2005, 22:42

Hi to all the farangs living in Phuket,

On a Dutch forum I found this message. It seems the Thai government want to let farangs have some kind of exam before they can stay in Thailand for a substantial time. Anyone of you heard something of this and what do you think of it? Or did I not understand it correct?

Cheers,

Raval

Quote

Dr. Siripipthot Paakawallop gave an unexpected press conference today in the Rachadapisek Palace where the Interior Ministry has re-located all official functions related to the status of resident foreigners. (Note : resident foreigners, in fact all foreigners in Thailand, are usually referred to as 'Farang' and this is not a derogatory term, it's usually used quite affectionately).

He revealed that a secret academic select comittee had been working closely for over a year with the Interior Ministry to develop long-term guidelines for foreigners who wish to live in Thailand.

Dr. Paakawallop said : "We have come to the conclusion that it is best to have a 'living license' for all resident aliens here. The purpose is just like a driver's license : to help the Farang understand the 'rules of the road' and live safely alongside his Thai neighbors, avoiding accidental collisions."

Then Dr. Paakawallop introduced Dr.Suriyawong Chasayuttana, Clinical Psychologist famous for her forensic studies of Farangs in Thailand who have fallen off balconies under mysterious circumstances for some opening remarks:

Dr. Chasayuttana : "Some Thai people call Farangs 'MoneyBag,' 'ATM,' or other silly things maybe with a little jealousy because it is true so many crawling with money come here. But we are shocking to find that very few of these Farangs learn to speak Thai even up to baby-stop-pooping-pants level.
Many don't know about important things like standing up in the movie, like not putting your feet on display, not saying dirty words very easy. And yet these same Farangs get married and make babies and get houses and have cars. And some get in trouble."

She continued : "How can we help the Farang get basic orientalization in Thai : that was our question we pursue this whole last year. We interview 99 Farangs who have lived here in three groups : Group 1, lived here 1 year or less, but intend to keep staying. Group 2, lived here up to five years and intend to keep staying. And, Group 3, lived here more than five years and are staying. After analyzing their responses to our many questions we decide that the "L:iving License" idea will be create to have curriculum for Farang.

Farang will take an examination after one year on :

1. Thai social structure : The Sangha, The Royal Family, Family Life, Children, Marriage, Divorce, Inheritance, Government Structure
2. Basic Thai alphabet : Farang should be able to at least read street sign and traffic signs.
3. Polite Behavior and Thai Ideals : Jai Yen, Mai Phen Rai, Boon Khun, etc."

Then Dr. Paakawallop came back to the speaker's rostrum as Dr. Chasayuttana sat down and asked for questions.

A correspondent from Reuters asked : "What happens if the Farangs do poorly on the examination ... how are they graded."

Dr. Paakawallop commented that while specific details of the exams, the grading process, etc. were still being worked out, the whole idea was to give positive reinforcement to those who showed their motivation to be good resident aliens in Thailand, not to punish those who did not." After a pause and a deep breath he continued to say : "Of course, if the Farang has no motivation to learn to live here ... well, he or she should live somewhere else."

A reporter from The Singapore Straight Times asked Dr. Paakawallop how he could be sure that just "knowing" the answers to an exam meant that the Farang really had any real understanding of the deep cultural issues involved : couldn't the Farang just memorize answers, go to some kind of cram school."

Dr. Paakawallop smiled at this and said : "Well, you know the Driver's License has two parts, the written, and the practical."

The reporter followed up : "You mean, Sir, that there will be a test of behavior of some kind, a social test ?"

"Yes," Dr. Paakawallop said.

Quickly this AP stringer myself stood up and said : "Please Dr. give us some detail of practical test."

Dr. Paakawallop replied : "That is being out now with our consultants which
include the Halliburton Company, the Major Cinema Group, the
Charoenpopkhrand Chicken group, and others. That is the real challenge,
isn't it, to make the test something more than academic.

Quote

Dodger · #2 11-12-2005, 22:49

[quote=Raval,
Dr. Paakawallop replied : "That is being out now with our consultants which
include the Halliburton Company, the Major Cinema Group, the
Charoenpopkhrand Chicken group, and others. That is the real challenge,
isn't it, to make the test something more than academic.

Quote[/QUOTE]

What! the practical test is being advised on by the Halliburton group, a cinema group and a chicken group???? What sort of questions will be asked? who starred in King kong? How to pluck a chicken?

Only in Thailand!!!

LivinLOS · #3 11-12-2005, 23:18

If you cant see thats a piss take then I dont know what to say..

Youre not serious are you ??

Thai Kwan Do · #4 11-12-2005, 23:23

the halliburton group!!!

a bunch of big time con man!
ask mr.DENVER , they are also active in iraq

one of the owners is ........... [cant remember his name now]
but he is in the u.s. government

LivinLOS · #5 11-12-2005, 23:29

Actually its a public company so its owned by the shareholders..

Vice president **** Chainey was heavily involved with it and claims to have sold all his shares etc but is still closely linked..

As for the above joke... Dr Paakawallop say it all really..

faultytowers · #6 11-12-2005, 23:35

Was this posted on 1st April , cause someone somewhere is having a good laugh .

Wonder if Dr. Paakawallop is a "big hitter" in the government.

Denver · #7 11-12-2005, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterhol

the halliburton group!!!

a bunch of big time con man!
ask mr.DENVER , they are also active in iraq

one of the owners is ........... [cant remember his name now]
but he is in the u.s. government

He is the US Government Peterhol and I think you are refering to Mr Chainey (Excuse spelling if incorrect) I think Bush would sink without him personally. I don't work for Halliburton, just wanted to make that perfectly clear, I do know several people (Canadians) who do! I will however be as bold as to say that the Thai Government are probably paying quite well for that particular organisation to come up with an expat spolling tist, sorry, spelling test.
*(These are my own personal comments and in no way reflect the thoughts of my current Company, thank you)

I think most expats (Should the test be introduced) be capable of completing anything the Halliburton Group of Companies come up with for the Thai Government! 'The cat sat on the XXX? Please give another word for woven floor covering and attempt to spell it! That'll be 23 Million dollars please!! You think I jest?

In all, I think it (The Farang Exam) is a good idea actually and one I have thought should have been introduced into my own country some time ago. If you are going to live semi-permanently or permanently in another country then you should make an attempt to assimilate that countries language and culture. Only lazy b'stards don't in my opinion. They seem to learn words like "Benefits pliz! Where's is new house for me and family?" Need Taxi to Hospital for new Hip!" Etc

Anyway, before I get on my soapbox and tell the world what is wrong with that particular system in the UK at great lenght! (Did you spot it? - You passed) I would just like to say I have found a KitKat in my suitcase I didn't know I had and am now about to eat it.

Ivor Biggun-Pakawollap-Bighitta-Smackinthachops

Raval · #8 12-12-2005, 01:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

If you cant see thats a piss take then I dont know what to say..

Youre not serious are you ??

I'm not sure what to belief. Because my own government is trying to do the same, in the same stupid way. I'm not completely against it, In fact I think in a way it's good to let people who want to stay in another country learn about that country, but I think they should think it over thoroughly. In the first place equal chances for everyone. And no requirements nobody can fullfill. In my country they had the plan to let people already study dutch in there own country before they where allowed into Holland. No one was looking at the capacities and possibilities of the people involved.

Cheers,

Raval

Caerphilly · #9 12-12-2005, 01:27

hi

this sounds very same same as a UK government initiative a year or 2 back to try to entice immigrants to learn a little of UK culture......which if you agree is a good thing in your home nation you can't disagree its a good thing in Thailand.

If it were America don't you have to pledge allegence to the flag or something similiar?

Is the practical a girl/lady-boy identity parade??

Will it be retrospective to those who are already in town?

cheers

kjo2 · #10 12-12-2005, 02:53

I think we are missing a big point. To be farang in Thailand does not cost the country a penny (or Baht/bath) :-) this being contrary in the western country where all immigrants and asylum seekers want all the benefits as the native people.

Just my 2 satangs

Sirgezza · #11 12-12-2005, 04:28

Joke or not, to show that you understand Thai culture - just drop the examiner 1000 baht, that will ensure a pass

Thai Kwan Do · #12 12-12-2005, 05:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by gez

Joke or not, to show that you understand Thai culture - just drop the examiner 1000 baht, that will ensure a pass

that's Wat i wanted to know and read ~!!

thanks GEZ!

the bigboy · #13 12-12-2005, 07:53

well if i must do a test to see if i speak thai it is no problem.

khun phom nung singa
khop kung khap
tilac ladydrink?
tilac make boomboom
tilac first hapnam
smoke hamm
here is condom make boomboom