Thai Geography 101

[sandman67]

This one made me laugh....from The Nation

This is hardly a time for Thailnad to get complacent
By Thanong Khanthong
The Nation
Published on October 10, 2008

ICELAND, a North Atlantic country with a population of 300,000, must be very concerned about the global warming issue. After all, the rising temperatures could melt away the whole country.


However, at present, its biggest concern is the financial meltdown.

What the hell do they teach in geography here?

I know its called Iceland but ....erm...... its not made of ice.

I wonder if they teach that the moon is made out of cheese and Greenland is bright green?

god I love this country

[lomuamart]

I've always wanted a globe over here, as much for my benefit as anyone elses'.
It's a big world out there

[Terry]

One of my pet 'Thai' subjects.

Most Thais don't know what is past the end of the Amphur - let alone what lies beyond these shores.

Their grasp of maps, directions, route planning etc is abysmal.

And I've lost count of the number of times I've seen a Thai driver at a road junction, totaly confused as to which way to go.

Again - it's down to education - perhaps the military influence here prevails - i.e. keep 'em ignorant of what's over that hill and then they won't have KNOWLEDGE.

Also explains why maps are so crappy - thank god, buddha, et al that GPS is becoming so popular.

I bought a globe some time ago and make my kids learn where all the other countries are.

As Lomumart said - it's a big world out there.

[Spitfire]

..What the hell do they teach in geography here?........

Erm SM67.........Don't think they teach it at all, disturbingly. Not really come across anything that would resemble 'geography' as we would describe it(not just maps but stuff like 'plate tectonics', 'formation of mountain ranges' etc) in any schools/colleges/universities I've worked at. They might do so in some places in Bangkok(ie international schools etc), but not sure.

Has anyone reading come across real geography here in a school etc? It would be interesting to hear about it.

[PeteC]

I've always wanted a globe over here, as much for my benefit as anyone elses'.
It's a big world out there

There's a beer bar on soi 7 Pattaya named Mini Bar, been there for ages. They have a globe there and it staggers the imagination to see once the girls find Thailand, their disbelief that it's so small in comparison to other countries. Ah yes, Bangkok is still the centre of the universe for many here. Pete

[sandman67]

just thought of another

wonder if they think Lapland is full of pole dancing clubs

the really scary bit is that article was written by a supposedly educated journalist

[lindosfan1]

Thought that was Poland or is that where the Poles come from

[Terry]

Nope

I'm told they come from England!!!!!!!!!

[hhfarang]

I've always wanted a globe over here, as much for my benefit as anyone elses'.
It's a big world out there

Lomu, I had one right before I came here and let it go in my garage sale. I was going to ship it with the rest of the stuff I brought over but after I looked at it I realized it was horribly out of date (U.S.S.R., Yugoslavia, etc.).

Who knew you have to buy a globe every few years to keep up with this changing world!

[Arcadian]

Perhaps that reporter was having a laugh, surely nobody could be that stupid, could they?

[Big Boy]

This all reminds me of the King and I, when Anna reveals the map of the world, and the Prince will not believe how small Siam is.

[Nereus]

..What the hell do they teach in geography here?........

Erm SM67.........Don't think they teach it at all, disturbingly. Not really come across anything that would resemble 'geography' as we would describe it(not just maps but stuff like 'plate tectonics', 'formation of mountain ranges' etc) in any schools/colleges/universities I've worked at. They might do so in some places in Bangkok(ie international schools etc), but not sure.

Has anyone reading come across real geography here in a school etc? It would be interesting to hear about it.

My 3 year old granddaughter attends an International Pre-school in Bangkok. They have model globes with "sandpaper area`s" on them that differentiate between the ocean and land masses. They are also teaching about Norway at the moment as part of their "theme" program.

3 years old may seem a bit young, but she often sits with me at the computer, and when she spotted WL`s rotating world avatar; "the world" was her immediate comment. She also regularly says: "what is that?", about all types of general things.

Do not know about higher level International Schools, and not too sure if I am ever going to have enough money left to send her, once she is old enough!

[sandman67]

Perhaps that reporter was having a laugh, surely nobody could be that stupid, could they?

Let me tell you a true story:

An ex of mine who was Austrian was in a bar with me in Palm Springs. We were chatting to this lovely American couple when the subject of Ruths strange transatlantic accent came up. "Ah thats because I studied at the American Academy in Vienna...."

"Ohhh you live in Vienna.....thats a beautiful city" the lass says. "But how do you get about?"

Ruth looks perplexed....."By Car"

"But what about all those rivers and canals"

Ruth looks confused..... "Im sorry....I dont understand what you mean"

"All those canals....the ones with those gondolier things...."

Ruth grits her teeth.... "Thats Venice. Venice in Italy. Im from VIENNA....VIENNA in AUSTRIA!"

true story.....

[dtaai-maai]

Perhaps that reporter was having a laugh, surely nobody could be that stupid, could they?

I have to confess I read it as a joke too...

[steve/m]

Unfortunately as i have mentioned before Thai are taught , Thailand is the centre of the universe.
And its bloody hard work trying to teach them otherwise.