Job Discussion Forums

[AK]

Greetings all. I have a story for you:
PC= Pre-College. This is a department for students with too low of a TOEFL score to enter "Mahidol proper." I was hired to work for them a little over a year ago under good conditions.
The very first problem I encountered was in regards to a work visa/permit. When hired I was told that I would have to pass a three-month probationary period, after which I'd be provided the necessary documents to apply for a proper visa/permit. Well, in a few words, three months changed to a 10 months.
Nearly a year of knee-knocking border jumps while working for one of the most prestigious universities in Thailand!, along with a few colleagues in the same boat.
Hit number two came about one month ago when the acting "manager" called me to his office and said very tersely, and I quote,:
"You cannot come to work so happy! This is a serious place and you cannot....er...um,....cannot spread cheer!" <<<I think he looked up "spread cheer" in an English phrase book!
I am serious!
I nodded, agreed and left his office before cracking a joke unconsciously. After that brief meeting I wizened up to the best of my ability and kept a very strict stance on everything at work. My colleauges response was more laughter than before.
Finally, two weeks ago a friend and colleague of mine was chucked into the immigration detention center (IDC) for visa violations. (he had worked for Mahi. PC for the same amount of time as me but (unlike me) had not been offered a visa/permit.)
So there he was making good money...illegally and it finally caught up to him.
He said he could use my help, two tuesday mornings ago, (and since I speak Thai well, and he does not, and he's like a brother of mine) I promptly rescheduled my afternoon classes and set out to help my bro in distress.
When the manager discovered my plan he intervened and forbid me to go, after hurling insults at me regarding my full-on abilities and wants to help people (often.) "You think you are Superman!?"
I shrugged all of this off and went anyway. Upon entering the immigration building in Suan Phlu, it took me a full three hours to find him, gain admittance to visit and convince the immigration authorities that Mahidol was indeed responsible for his detaining.. They agreed to upgrade his jail cell and let him out 2-3 days early. (after which he was deported on his own dime without even a visit from any mahidol official) After all of this finished and the authorities decided I was funny and they liked my "spreading cheer" style, my manager had a farang call me (uniform inspector and chief butt-kisser at Mahi. proper)
Phone call loosely remembered:
Him: Yes, uh (name deleted)
Me: How can I help you?
Him: Will you meet with the manager?
M: yes, tomorrow, I'll do as he likes
H: Ok
-ten minutes later- 2nd call from BK
Him: Since you're going to be hard about this, you can just pick up your things at the reception desk.
Me; Wait minute, YOU are firing me!?
Him: Um,...er...yeah.
Me: You're not even my boss!
H: Hey!, Im just passing on the message!
M: From who exactly?
H: Um...the director and his boss
M: So, the director of Mahidol Inter. is canning me?
H: Right
M: Ok, thanks.

Since that phone conversation I've received no official reason for my wrongful dismissal (it should be noted that we can reschedule classes if we have a scratchy throat, but apparently not to hjelp a colleague get out of jail) It was all about face-loss (which I don't believe in)

I have not received two words from my director or the director of Mahidol regarding my dismissal (on the latter, three tactful, respectful emails have been sent by my me, to her, requestiing a sit-down session so that i might explain my side...all not replied to.)
And finally, the unprofessionalism I've encountered receiving my personal belongings (including my original college degree, which was only retrieved after a threat of a police visit by me) are completely unbelievable.
Mahidol PC dept. and proper, offer fair if not overly-fair amounts of money for teaching hours, so they will never be in dire need of qualified teachers, but since they've recently posted on ajarn.com for teachers I think it's only fair to warn you.
Yes, the money's good. Yes the manager of PC - Ajarn (and I use that term very loosely) Sanhapong (Gai) is a manipulative liar, who knows nothing of education, everything of brow beating students in the hallways for tailoring their shirts.
You probably will get promised a visa, and maybe now (since someone was thrown in jail, it will be provided. Yes, the staff (teachers) at PC are as solid as they come, but live in fear for their jobs often as the director uses teaching hours to get what he wants from them. He has a sort of George Bush style of management, and it seems to work for him. He won't listen to any complaints or suggestions...his people skills are nill, as is his use of the English language in any professional context or academic way.
I wish you luck if you are hired there. The money's good, the students are pleasant, the atmosphere is professional...just dont be too happy....and keep your nose on the check, and in your work. Do not get too close to Sanhapong (Gai).....step lightly and avoid him if possible.
Good luck to all. Mahidol Ingternational College PC (Salaya) department does willfully break the law in visa cases)...miscalculates pay from time to time, and quickly turns on you should you be so bold as to defy the manager's / directors direct orders.
There is alot more to the story, (I could write abnother few pages easily) but time is beating me down, as I'm off to Laos for a new visa soon (today). Perhaps i'll post again after my litigation suit is complete. According to the thai labor law they owe me some more compensation...hehehehe.
I'll see this one through to the end!
regards. and Chok Dee.
ak
(aka: Mong-kut)
Ex-PC teacher
PS: Feel free to call me (o6-300-1927) or email me for further "inside" information.

[sigmoid]

Thanks for sharing the info AK.

I don't want to put the blame on you or your friend and of course hindsight is 20/20 but I think it was a mistake to agree to this and accept the job:

[AK]

all fair points indeed. In my case, I thought 3 months was a reasonable amount of time,... a good chance for me to feel them out (as well as them me)....another country???....not anymore friend...done skipping..thai is home on many fronts...
thanks for reply.
For many the bottomline remains the all mighty dollarino.

PS: For the record: 800baht an hour...then 1000...plenty of OT avail.

[Sheep-Goats]

[AK]

why exactly??...nothing personal.....not receiving a phone call (out of my hands)...not believing/caring/worrying about the philosophy of what others think of me?....truth
_________________
Blessed Be,
Andy

[Sheep-Goats]

[AK]

man, why do so many farangs love to get their quills up??..im just sharing info. dude
1st off i didn't embarass him with the police...he succumbed to returning my original college degree after a threat of police...i happen to know many cops due to my 1 year old volunteer emt job...(ahhhh an indication of lengthy stay)
Secondly, i couldnt care two licks if he doesnt' want to contact or communicate with me, as a matter of fact i prefer it, as it hurts his litigation case further and keeps me from getting heated up...i wouldn't answer a call from him now if he begged by text first....tho my lawyers have said "communication is fine, just dont sign anything, esp in thai" (tho I read thai....2nd indication))
Next: face-saving is a practice followed by our elders and 2nd to 5th generation thais...talk to some youngsters..they've about had it with what others think of their actions....get with the program man.,...
lastly, my little fantasy land as you refer to it, is based on fact, loads of experience (3rd indication), a working knowledge of the language and culture (#4)...and a plethora of thai friends (5), who would not even be closely as critical as you are to other's simple thoughts and words....
and lastly, lastly,...i dont need a new job, im just gonna take one for the simple fact that i enjoy learning....im a singer by trade, (tho ive taught english for 8 years in 3 different countries...)
lastly, lastly lastly, siam is called thailand, cuz a the vets that started whorin around pattaya on break from nam.
get your facts straight, and plz, dont post unless its worthy
a

[Sheep-Goats]

1st off i didn't embarass him with the police

Yes, you did.


Secondly, i couldnt care two licks if he doesnt' want to contact or communicate with me,

So, you prefer behavior that you yourself labeled as unprofessional?


Next: face-saving is a practice followed by our elders and 2nd to 5th generation thais...talk to some youngsters..they've about had it with what others think of their actions

They don't run the country, though, do they? Nor do they sign your paycheck.


fact, loads of experience , a working knowledge of the language and culture and a plethora of thai friends

All this tells me is that despite your advantages you still made what is to me (and I assume most) an obvious and outright blunder and are now crying about it.


im a singer by trade, (tho ive taught english for 8 years in 3 different countries...)

If you've taught English for 8 years now I'd say it might be time to stop calling yourself a singer by trade. Though I might be wrong.


lastly, lastly lastly, siam is called thailand, cuz a the vets that started whorin around pattaya on break from nam.

Actually, it was either Rama IV or Rama V who offically changed the country's name in order to offer one more blockage to becoming either a British or French colony -- at the time Siam sounded like something that would be colonized, Thailand sounded like something that could toe up with the west.

If you don't want replies to your post, and just want to hurt your former employer as much as possible, try the Job Information Journal. I'm not saying that you lost your job for a good reason, but it wasn't a bad one either.

[AK]

[u][u]1st off i didn't embarass him with the police [/u][/u]

Yes, you did.
(((((((((((no, i did not...i embarassed him through the 'special immigration ivestigation unit' who decideed i was worthy of an 'interview' with me complete with bright light, after my visitation...[read the original post again]....there is a large difference between cops and idc unit guys.......mister devil's advocate boy.)))))))))))))))


[u][u]Secondly, i couldnt care two licks if he doesnt' want to contact or communicate with me, [/u][/u]
So, you prefer behavior that you yourself labeled as unprofessional? (((((((((at this point, since i have lawyers in tow, yes, i prefer no communication...we can talk it out in court.)))))))))))))))))))


Next: face-saving is a practice followed by our elders and 2nd to 5th generation thais...talk to some youngsters..they've about had it with what others think of their actions

They don't run the country, though, do they?((((((((((((no but they will))))))))))))))))((very soon)))))))))))))))))))

Nor do they sign your paycheck. (((((((((((what paycheck???....have you been reading this thread?))))))))))))))))))))


[u][u]fact, loads of experience , a working knowledge of the language and culture and a plethora of thai friends [/u][/u]

All this tells me is that despite your advantages you still made what is to me (and I assume most) an obvious and outright blunder and are now crying about it. (((((((((((crying= sharing info., luh kap?ooooohooooo, khun challat mach loey....)))))))))))))))))


[u][u]im a singer by trade, (tho ive taught english for 8 years in 3 different countries...) [/u][/u]

If you've taught English for 8 years now I'd say it might be time to stop calling yourself a singer by trade. Though I might be wrong.
((((((((((u are....if theres such a thing as "wrongness".....the singing (professionally/ often in front of 100s) has only recently begun,....and by the way...i'll call myself anything i like, so.... peeter off!!!! and get your own title(s))))))))))))))))))))))


lastly, lastly lastly, siam is called thailand, cuz a the vets that started whorin around pattaya on break from nam.

Actually, it was either Rama IV or Rama V who offically changed the country's name in order to offer one more blockage to becoming either a British or French colony -- at the time Siam sounded like something that would be colonized, Thailand sounded like something that could toe up with the west. (((((((((well aren't you the western civ. teacher...good luck with all that....to each his/her own interpretation of history books.))))()))))

If you don't want replies to your post, (((((((((((only useful/intelligible ones, thx))))))))))))))))
and just want to hurt your former employer as much as possible, (((((((((((not even a little bit, just speaking truth)))))))))))
try the Job Information Journal. ((((((((((not taking orders till after xmas, thx)))))))))))))
I'm not saying that you lost your job for a good reason, but it ((((((((((?????????? incomplete thought....my, my, my u r a wise one)))))))))))))))))))))))

[sigmoid]

from:
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Phibul%20Songkhram

During the Siamese coup d'�tat of 1932 which changed Thailand to a constitutional monarchy Major Phibunsongkhram joined the People's Party as its military representative. In 1933 there was a coup d'etat attempt called "Bavoradej" after the name of the leader, Prince Bavoradej. Phibun singlehandly led the army to defeat them and his power became very formidable. After prime minister Colonel Phraya Phaholpolpayuhasena resigned he was appointed prime minister on December 16, 1938. During his term he was promoted to Field Marshall in recognition of the modernizations of the country done by him. He renamed the country from Siam to Thailand, and also finally introduced the western calendar. Moreover, he and his renown scholarly subordinate, Luang Vichit, vividly boosted the so-called Siamese the people were ordered to wear the cloth in the western styles, especially a hat; Thais must not chew the betel; Thais must buy only the domestic merchandise; the national anthem was written and the people were ordered to stand saluting the flag raised at 8 o'clock in the morning and 6 o'clock in the evening.

[AK]

good stuff sigmoid...sorry i replied with anger (and w/o information)...u sir, would make a brilliant history professor...i only hope you ARE professing such historical facts daily.

[AK]

at Ajarn.com...same subject: "Unprofess....."
All negative nit-picky comments will be ignored., but useful information will be repayed in beer at later date.