Showing 1 - 10 of 43
Only in the land of awe
News, Postbag, Published on 11/07/2015
» I refer to three letters in PostBag, July 9, regarding Gen Prayut backing the navy purchase of submarines.
No room for nepotism
News, Postbag, Published on 20/10/2015
» Re: "NRSA sets 20-month reform goal", (BP, Oct 19).
Smart move, Yingluck
News, Postbag, Published on 27/10/2015
» Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra deserves to be commended for warning the red shirts not to come out in a show of support for her on Nov 1.
The TEFL challenge
News, Postbag, Published on 14/11/2015
» The initiative to train Thai teachers in TEFL teaching to reduce the reliance on foreign teachers sounds promising, but the Ministry of Education is missing the point. English language tuition here is driven by the commercial sector, with parents paying enormous levies for their children to learn from native speakers, preferably Westerners. In other words, they expect a "white face" for their hard-earned baht. It’s superficial, and explains why there’s widespread discrimination against qualified Philippine teachers who work for lower wages, en masse, and solve the problem. But the TCT now expects them to have a Master's in Education before licensing them. In May, there was a crisis-like TEFL teacher shortage, which caused the industry to become flooded with gap-year students qualified with cheap "online" TEFL certificates. Those trained properly with a 120-hour practicum-driven course generally do a better job than locals, and teach using modern and effective methods. Thai teachers clearly have their work cut out for them if they are to compete.
Fighting losing battle
News, Postbag, Published on 24/12/2015
» How wonderful if, as reported, authorities will enforce strict measures to prevent traffic accidents during the holiday season and implement stringent measures against drunk drivers (BP, Dec 23).
Poor deserve the help
News, Postbag, Published on 14/01/2016
» The government will help rubber farmers by buying rubber at an above-market price. I suggest that instead of helping everybody in the rubber sector, which would be a next-to-impossible job, the government focus on the poorest.
Women are slaves
News, Postbag, Published on 13/02/2016
» Re: “PM’s gender equality stance stuck in the past”, (Opinion, Feb 3).
An amazing mess
News, Postbag, Published on 29/02/2016
» Someone needs to wake up in a hurry -- before it's to late -- and stop the destruction of Thailand.
A form of madness
News, Postbag, Published on 02/05/2016
» John Wells in his April 30 letter, "90-day form frenzy", suggests immigration officials invite ridicule on the country because of a recent form.
Senseless eviction
News, Postbag, Published on 03/09/2016
» This morning, I learned the street vendors working on Phahon Yothin near Soi 8 have been ordered to move out by the end of this month. Previously, they had been told they would have to leave the area by the end of the year, but for reasons not clear to me the deadline was accelerated just this week.