Thai "logic" part 1- because there WILL be more parts!

Thai logic is a bit of an oxymoron! There is very little at use in this country!
1. English is mandatory in all Thai schools. However, they start by learning grammar and writing, then reading, then speaking and listening. Which explains why my oldest students have been taking English for 6 years and don't understand me when I as "Is this some of the students or all of the students?"
2. There is a helmet law for motorbikes- the main mode of transportation here- but it only applies to the driver. This means the 1,2,3,4, or 5 passengers which may include the infant in the basket on the front, the toddler on the stool betweent the driver and the handle bars, or the three women sitting side saddle on the back while the bike is screaming down the highway going the wrong way are not required to wear a helmet.
3. When I told my placement lady that my job was nearly impossible, that the children didn't need a conversation teacher because they can barely read, let alone say the words in the book, she told me that everyone has problems. She is a working mother and needs to balence her time between children and work. Her assistant spends 600 baht a week on gas. Everyone has problems?!? Gee, that helps.
4. Everything comes in at least two plastic bags, but napkins and trash cans are incredibly rare.
5. My school shut down classes for nearly two weeks to prepare for the presentation to prove they are the best school.
6. My minibus driver this morning had a completely full vehicle, but still pulled over and beeped frantically at every bus stop. Where was he going to put more people???
6. Speaking of drivers, some drive down the road beeping at nothing that I can see. They also flash their lights, a lot, in no dicernable pattern.
7. The sushi I buy at the street vendor is kept under a heat lamp.

That's all for now. Like I said, more to follow

*Love*