|
Si Racha
|
| Q |
The Lonely
Planet guidebook says......? |
| A |
This town is famous for fiery
red chilli sauce, seafood and amazing souped-up motor-cycle rickshaws. Well
the seafood is better further down the coast in Sattahip, the chilli sauce
is basically ketchup and the amazing tuk-tuks haven’t been in common use for
about 10 years. But I guess Joe has been too busy giving interviews to
Farang magazine and hanging out at Gulliver’s to notice. |
| Q |
In general, what are the
pickings like for an EFL teacher? |
| A |
There are several language
schools in town including ECC, BCC, English+ and Success. There are also
three large Thai Catholic schools (Darasamut, St Paul’s and Assumption) that
hire foreign teachers. Salaries range quite a lot. |
| Q |
How far from Bangkok or
civilization? |
| A |
One and a
half to two hours to Ekkami or Morchit, and 20 mins to Pattaya. Ko Samet is
also close (1 hour to Ban Phe?) |
| Q |
Is there any
entertainment or do you invite friends round for Scrabble? |
| A |
There are
LOADS of Thai bars/pubs. Many are very good, with cold beer and excellent
Thai food. There is one night club of dubious worth, but I’m told it’s
actually ok. I just hate clubs! There isn’t a lot of choices for western
food. There is an excellent Italian restaurant and a plethora of Japanese
places. Otherwise your standard Thai chains and local stalls/noodle
shops. We also have a lot of house parties. Balloon chasing anyone? |
| Q |
How much to rent a house
or basic apartment? |
| A |
A house can
cost anywhere from 1000 a month for a pokey, dingy place way out of town, or
6 – 8000 for a nicer place closer in. Apartments vary, but can be very
expensive, especially if you look Japanese. Reckon on about 6000 for a one
bedroom place, possibly with a sea view. |
| Q |
Shopping malls,
department stores? |
| A |
There is a
Robinson with attached mall. All the usual stuff, just not as swanky as in
Bangkok.
There is a new “Chatuchak” opening up in the centre of town. Still being
built (November 2003), but we’re all very excited. Go to Pattaya for Tesco
x 2/Big C x 2/Carrefour, or to Chonburi for Tesco. |
| Q |
Internet cafes?
(snail-speed Hotmail default page or fatties playing Ragnarok?) |
| A |
Lots, some
slow, some less so. 20 baht an hour and share with the Ragnorak on line
crowd, 30baht an hour and your ear drums live for another day. |
| Q |
Will you be stared at?
and what's the likelihood of a good beating? |
| A |
There aren’t
many farang in town, but a few of the expats with families live here rather
than Pattaya, and there are some resident teacher types. Never had any
major problems with the locals. They tend not to stare at me, but they all
seem to know who I am. But that’s more because I have a Thai wife who broke
her foot a while back (people STILL ask her if its better) and I often take
my Golden Retriever for walks round town! |
| Q |
Taxis, buses....or horse
and cart? |
| A |
Tuk-tuks
20-30 baht for anywhere in town, motor-cy for 10-20 for the same. All are
fairly sane and will even take it slow if you ask them! Busses to Bangkok
are 70 or 74 baht, and direct. Busses to Pattaya are 20 baht and all
stopping. You can also take a songthaew to Pattaya which is slower and the
same price. Go figure! We also have a train station, but I’ve only ever
been there to book trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. |
| Q |
Main advantages of living
there? |
| A |
Far enough from the
madding crowd to keep your sanity, but close enough to go wild every now and
then. And for those in search of the “real Thailand”, a small
industrial/fishing town going about its business is about as real as it
gets. AND you can buy cheese here too! |
| Q |
And what are the
downsides? |
| A |
It’s a very
small town that can get a bit boring after a while. |
| Q |
Any local attractions? |
| A |
There’s the
eponymous Tiger Zoo, Khao Kieow Open Zoo, and Ko Loi. There is also a
waterfall nearby, but its quite hard to get to without wheels and its not
much to write home about as far as water goes! Ko Si Chang is also only a
ferry ride away. |
