Job Discussion Forums

[dudelebow]

Any news media about the JonBenet Ramsey case in Thailand? News coming in is that the prime suspect is a teacher there. I assume he will face an extradition hearing before he's sent back to the States. Still waiting on a pic here. Apparently the guy was arrested on sex charges.

[ontoit]

His name is John Carr. CNN has him in Thailand for 8 months and in jail for "an unrelated sex crime." The report said he entered Thailand as an English teacher.

So who knows this guy?

[shuize]

A pedophile English teacher in Thailand? Say it ain't so.

[Mallaien]

Here in the U.S. over night I have heard them play a recorded confession that he was present with her at the time of her death.

[voodikon]

yeah, there seem to be conflicting reports.

but here's an interesting quote from abcnews.com:

[Mallaien]

well now some of the things he is confessing to are not adding up to the crime. He said he had givin the girl drugs, but no drugs were founf on the autopsy. There is now talk that the confession may be a hoax. Are Thai prisons so bad that a person would confess to a nasty crime in america just to get out?

http://tinyurl.com/jglud for the artical

http://tinyurl.com/kkdew

[voodikon]

perhaps a more pertinent question: is this going to affect us as foreign/(and especially american) english teachers in asia?

[Sgt Killjoy]

I am not going to name names here, they are already named over on TeflWatch. Facts are this: There were allegations of misconduct while he was employed at one school in Bangkok, he taught at another one in Bangkok as well. According to AP, he taught at one of the schools for only two weeks but I have information that he was currently employed at the school.

[blondie10]

Did the story say what schools he taught at in the Bangkok area?

[Luder]

Hey, Sarge, I took a quick look at your website (and feel slightly dirty for having done so).

Have you ever heard of the presumption of innocence?

[shuize]

Now let this be lesson to everyone out there, when you set your kid in the middle of a pile of kindling and try and make a bonfire out of him, you really shouldn't be surprised when he grows up with ... issues.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=nation_world&id=4484815

Of course, having said that, they could have opened the door and dropped this freak out over the Pacific for all I cared.

[uberinflight]

[eek]

You know what uberingflight, I totally sympathise.

Intially, when looking into teaching in Thailand, my heart sank at some negative forums and blogs basically ripping apart western women, and written by western men. A single female looking to live in different country is an intimidating enough concept without the added pressure of wondering wither I will be discriminated against mearly due to my race and sex. Well, I began to try see it from a male perspective and read some more forum threads and blogs and eventually concluded that even if i end up being treated with distain id rather be a female in Thailand than male for practically the same reasons you state. You hit the nail on the head with your post. I had already thought to myself being female, viewed as a curiousity for being in Thailand (and the possibility of living life as a nun in the short term!), far outweighs being male in my eyes, where I could be viewed as a sextourist and possible paedophile.

But, regardless, dont worry. I think in reality things will never be as bleak. Whatever sex we may be, whatever colour our skin is, wither we are quiet loners, or gregarious and loud, or other countless possible reasons, there will always be a potential for discrimination. It will only really effect you if you let it. I am quite sure there are single, western, unmarried men in their droves in Thailand, all of which could fit a negative profile if someone intends to label them. Its good to be aware of the negative aspects, but focus on the positive ones, life is too short after all. I am sure you will have a wonderful experience, as I intend to have, for its all about your frame of mind, right?

As for:
[quote=Sgt Killjoy] There were allegations of misconduct while he was employed at one school in Bangkok, he taught at another one in Bangkok as well. According to AP, he taught at one of the schools for only two weeks but I have information that he was currently employed at the school.[/quote]

I dont know much about Thailand yet, all I have learned is from what I am constantly reading up on. But it strikes me that no references must have been checked and little was done when this man could go into another School to teach (if he truly has a sex offender history as is alligated). Are Thai schools really that desperate for Western Teachers that they dont check up? (I have even read that some have employed teachers when they have known them to have had 'incidents', but again I would not know for sure.) Even when teaching Out of School Art Clubs and Summer Clubs I had to apply for a disclosure certificate to prove I have a clean record to work with children. I realise laws in Thailand are different, but children are still children the world over and need to be protected. Regardless of wither Carr was responsible for JonBenets death or not, if he really was a known offender he should never have been allowed to continue working with children in any form.

[uberinflight]

Hello eek,

Do Thai men veiw western women in a negative light?

of topic:
Your avatar will surely disturb many a spiderman worshipper

back on topic:
Ironically, I read in a Japanese forum that a greater proportion of eastern woman date western men then eastern men do western women. Japanese men are interested in western women, but do not know how to relate to them.

I say in the interest of world piece, we create an international dating exchange website. For those who are adventurous.

I will be the first to sacrifice myself to the wile and mysterious ways of Japanese women, so that a Japanese man may find adventure with a western women

Ok seriously: it is very irritating when a few ruin it for others. That said I am secretly affraid of going to Thailand anyway. It looks too nice. I have run my life at a very rapid pace. The idea of settling down in paradise, and maybe running a small farm or business there (while ESL-ing - if falang are allowed to) is a bit too appealing. I also must admit that I suffer the same facination with woman of other cultures. Of course, it does not help when I rent movies like "Butterfly Man".

[uberinflight]

OK after first griping, and then being silly, I have watched a few news shows on this topic. Here is my serious response:

I expected more ...

I am at a loss, as to my unrealistic expectations of people.

This Teacher - Ramsey case has really disgusted me, even though I knew what was going to happen. I tuned into the TV today and watched the stories about this case.

So what do I find disgusting?

The fact that different shows are polling people as to the guilt or innocence of this guy. Let me say that again: They are polling!

All I can say is: This guy had better be guilty. There had better be absolute proof. If not there are several media people, who should be put on trial for inciting people, potentially creating a mob mentality. Prejudicing the case!

How low in character, does a producer have to be, to try to get ratings via interactive participation of viewers. Let's do a poll, on the guilt or innocence, of an individual? To my knowledge, all the evidence has not been released, to the general public. So how are they going to make a rational decision?!? MORE important: The last time I checked there is a system, that is supposed to objectively gather facts (police), and then there is supposed to be a fair court system (sorry have not seen a proper system based on objective assessment yet). It is there, that the case is to be tried!

Why does this irritated me so. If this guy is Not guilty, his life is already ruined!!!!

I would be the last person to want to censor the press. But the lack of good conscience, in this case as well as others I have seen, is nothing short of dispicable!!!!

There does need to be recourse for an individuals, who has been wrongly accused, in dealing with the press. There has to be accountability.

Maybe the threat of reprisal will get produces of news shows to take a more mature, responsible course, when dealing with people's lives.
Sure it is a story. Publish that verified facts in a natural fashion. Then wait for the legal process to do it's job. Hopefully the truth will out, and consequently justice served. Guilty or innocent.

Then publish the truth and make your ratings. NOT BEFORE!

Do I care about this guy ... no. I DO care about the proper methodology of a fair and impartial legal system ... for all people.