From another forum:

Bangkok, UPI Wire

07 12 05 10:37PM (GMT + 7)

"Living License" Proposed for Foreigners

by Len Wooshalla

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 "Living License"
idea will be created 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, Sin Sod, 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 UPI 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."

=====================

Any further comment would be superfluous.

Maybe what should have been asked if this a citizenship test or if you pass after one year can you own property etc.

Isn't it amazing how when you get the Psychologist involved thing get hazy. IMHO psychology is opinon only. Everybody has one. On another thread there was talk of politically correct language. This started with the Psychologist saying someone will get there feeling hurt.

Will most likely get jumped on for the above statement but sometimes you got to say what is meant.

Cowboy Logic: Do as you say and say what you mean! Quit beating the poor bush.

This is obviously a joke. Firstly a Dr "Paakawallop"
Don't believe that!!
Secondly, if I arrive in Bangkok with 5mill in my bag to buy a house, the Thais will let me out the door because I can't answer a few questions. No way. To suggest it is to show a lack of understanding of Thai motivation.Money, money!!!

Guess I have been hoodwinked. I just skipped over the names. Not been the first time, won't be the last.

Way to go Valentine.

Still meant what I said though.

Busted. Should have known better than to try and sneak one past Valentine. lol. Probably should have placed this one in Relationships. Might have caused more of a stir.

Anyway, found it humorous and copied it from another forum. The author's name should have been a giveaway. You will have to ask a Thai-literate person to define "Len Wooshalla".

Its interesting how psychologists are the fist to set up fascist systems. I think its anti-farang racism. Further I think when people talk about 'Thai culture' they are basically engaged in an intolerant preservation of a 'closed system'. That means anything that confronts Thai culture it is to be met with intolerance.

Jai yen stay cool, well what if someone does something wrong? Thats why no one cares here: because they are not worried no one would ever get upset about what they do. I suppose it's to the Thais disadvantage to go about preserving some of the absurdities of their culture, but we may as well understand what they are up to.

I understand this is a joke but......
I've been visiting Thailand at least twice a year (sometimes more) for at least a month at a time (sometimes longer) for the past 8 years. I go to the movies at least 2 or 3 times each visit including in areas full of tourists like Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. I have never seen people not stand up for an individual at the start of a movie, I've even seen people stand up and say what are we doing this for, although i have seen Thais talk through the whole thing

How do these 3 year old posts get dragged out of the cobwebs

I came here to live my last retirement days.I was positive to stay here and make a go of it. Live, and respect the style of living.For me, its all or nothing.It, for me, has to be that way.I forget about my country.I live here.I love this place.I am happy here.
Its no good to live in a alien country and expect rules and regulations same your own country.You accept it or not.
You cant dwell on your previous lifestyle.If you are here for your remaining days then why not go with the flow?
I get a buzz when I go out and about and chat with Thais.They appreciate the fact that you have shown an interest in their language and way of living.
I have been Thailand some time now.I have listened and learnt .But only because I'm interested this wonderful place.Way of life here is some good some bad.That's the way it is.
I have met some really bad bad people here.But also some really nice lovely people.
Bit like this forum really.Just a few are somewhat insulting and offensive..but most are great and a pleasure to listen to.On The forum ,or in person.
The main thing is,DONT TAR SOMEONE WITH THE SAME BRUSH! So important that.
I came here with full of intention of a new life.I dived in and never looked back! He maybe not MY individual but Thais love him so If I need to stand up when necessary I will! All about respect.

MORTIBOY ..........



Hear Hear.......................SO SO True for many of us living here in LOS

mortiboy wrote:I came here to live my last retirement days.I was positive to stay here and make a go of it. Live, and respect the style of living.For me, its all or nothing.It, for me, has to be that way.I forget about my country.I live here.I love this place.I am happy here.
Its no good to live in a alien country and expect rules and regulations same your own country.You accept it or not.
You cant dwell on your previous lifestyle.If you are here for your remaining days then why not go with the flow?
I get a buzz when I go out and about and chat with Thais.They appreciate the fact that you have shown an interest in their language and way of living.
I have been Thailand some time now.I have listened and learnt .But only because I'm interested this wonderful place.Way of life here is some good some bad.That's the way it is.
I have met some really bad bad people here.But also some really nice lovely people.
Bit like this forum really.Just a few are somewhat insulting and offensive..but most are great and a pleasure to listen to.On The forum ,or in person.
The main thing is,DONT TAR SOMEONE WITH THE SAME BRUSH! So important that.
I came here with full of intention of a new life.I dived in and never looked back! He maybe not MY individual but Thais love him so If I need to stand up when necessary I will! All about respect.

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

Can you imagine if it were true and all Falangs had to learn how to read and write Thai to be allowed to stay some of us have strugled a life time with English

Can you imagine if it were true and all Falangs had to learn how to read and write Thai to be allowed to stay some of us have strugled a life time with English

Just imagine if the citenship tests are applied to Thais for foreign countries they would go nowhere, as even basic english they struggle with. let alone the gneder of much french language, the hard guttural german and the almost incomprehensible eastern europe countries, notwithstanding some of the weird dialects in England. Thais would definitely be going nowhere.

Good job it was a joke but saying that teachers are supposed to undergo cultural trg, so the rot has started, how and when it is implemented is another question.

Khun Paul wrote:
Just imagine if the citenship tests are applied to Thais for foreign countries they would go nowhere, as even basic english they struggle with. let alone the gneder of much french language, the hard guttural german and the almost incomprehensible eastern europe countries, notwithstanding some of the weird dialects in England. Thais would definitely be going nowhere.

Not so, Thais, as well as other nationalities now have to satisfy similar requirements to the above before applying for British citizenship. They have to reach a competent level of English and take a test on what it is to be a British citizen. As for weird dialects of England, even I don't understand some Britishers in places such as darkest Norfolk or outer Aberdeenshire (ever been to Peterhead or Buckie?). I, as well as others on this forum, know a lot of Thais in UK and their level of competence in speaking phasa Angrit is commendable. I've yet to meet a person from LOS who visits the UK and expects me to speak Thai in my own country.

Refer to the link for the rundown on British citizenship. Source: UK Border Agency

http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/britis ... feintheuk/