The Great Escape

Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I first visited Thailand in 2008 and fell in love with the country. On the same two month trip, I also visited Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. I decided Thailand was the superior of the four. Since I had been an English teacher in USA for ten years and I was frustrated with public education in America, I thought it would be nice to experience teaching in Thailand. I returned to Thailand a second time in July 2009 for two months and interviewed at several schools. I returned to the states with my mind made up to get my affairs in order and return a third time to Thailand to try teaching there. I arrived in Thailand for the third time in February 2010 and found a job and got my work permit.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

I worked in Thailand for 14 months.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

My main reason for moving was that I had a motorcycle accident that left me badly injured. I learned the hard way that traffic laws and roads and safety, etc. in Thailand are extremely inferior compared to the USA. I would have left after 14 months of teaching in Thailand anyway because schools are not well administered there. I also was unhappy with the daily drama of working in the foreign languages department with my unhappy colleagues. The students act as if they understand basic English when in fact they do not, and they are easily bored with any teacher who tries to actually teach them to speak, read, and/or write English. I also might as well add that the salary is far too low for the amount of work that is expected of teachers. Though the Thais seemed to feel that we foreign teachers are overpaid, they do not take into account many financial facts.

Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?

Much higher pay, good air conditioning, better regulated government (read: less corrupt), better social programs, etc. It is also nice to be around people who can speak English.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

I miss the beautiful islands and beaches, the mountains, the temples, the physical and cultural geography, the delicious food, and the gorgeous, friendly, and available women. Not to mention all the wonderful massages.

Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?

No, I would not advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand. I would advise a new teacher to acquire teaching experience in a better developed country in order to learn appropriate teaching methods and gain positive experiences. Thailand is not a well educated country, and its schools reflect this.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

I would love to return to Thailand one day, but not to teach. The best reason to come to Thailand is to have an excellent holiday.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

In conclusion, Thailand is an excellent country to visit for a nice long vacation, but I would not want to live and/or work there.