The Thai Floods
When tomorrow never comes
With the Asian Tsunami of 2004, the lack of a decent education, the rampant corruption, the near civil war last year between the Red and Yellow Shirts, and now the floods, you have to feel for the average Thai who seems as a resilient and flexible as on old leather bag. No sooner has one disaster come and gone, but another floats along like an abandoned Styrofoam tray.
Here’s looking at you kid
How do those wonderful Thai folk really see us?
Have you ever wondered what the Thais in your life think about you? I mean really think about you? Your girlfriend? Your Thai boss,? Your maid? The guy who washes your car? The motorcycle guy at the end of your soi? It may not be what you think!
Thailand’s new marriage laws
Marrying foreign men over 50 in Thailand – new laws
Some may have read recent newspaper reports stating that the Royal Thai Government (RTG) is about to change the law regarding the rights of Thai women to marry foreigners in Thailand. This blog addresses this issue and examines the ramifications if such a law is passed.
Skirting around the problem
Why focus on issues that have nothing to do with problems in education?
Why are these banal topics regularly raised when so many critical and more pressing problems are evident in the Thai education system? What about the huge shortfall of qualified teachers? The embarrassingly low salary offered to them?
Government initiated projects in Thailand
What is being done to help people in times of economic hardship?
Past and present efforts by the Royal Thai Government (RTG) to initiate projects to help the unemployed in Thailand.
To queue or not to queue?
The changing nature of cultural norms in Thailand
With such a high volume of people visiting these shores, with all their cultural as well as normal baggage, there was bound to be some repercussions, some changes in the way Thais behave.
Featured Teachers
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Raymond
BA (1)
British (male, 43 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Branko
Phd (1), BA (1), Diploma (1), MA (1), Certificate (1)
Australian (male, 62 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Moiwo
BA (1)
Cameroonian (female, 31 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Charles
Certificate (3), BA (2)
British (male, 34 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Paul
Certificate (2), BSc (1)
American (male, 44 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Steve
Certificate (1), BA (1)
British (male, 40 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Alex
BSc (1), Certificate (1)
South African (male, 24 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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George
Diploma (1), Certificate (1), BA (1)
Canadian (male, 49 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Sarah
Diploma (1), Certificate (1), BA (1)
Canadian (female, 30 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Matt
Certificate (1), BA (1)
American (male, 33 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
Ajarn Guests
Going Home
I possess ten years of classroom EFL teaching experience, plus a solid education, and this was the type of work available to me. There were many moments, such as when I was cleaning a toilet bowl, or when a housekeeper ordered me to do something, that frustration welled up inside me.
Teacher nightmares part two
More stories from teachers in Thailand who have found themselves in difficult situations often through no fault of their own. Can you offer them some good advice?
Fear of change?
In Thailand the government has set 2012 as English Speaking Year with a goal of encouraging students to converse in English every Monday. Such policies are useful but the major leap of enacting legislation to make English an official language for Thailand is also needed
About Ajarn.com
Ajarn.com was started as a small hobby website in 1999 by Ian McNamara. It was a simple way for one Bangkok teacher to share his Thailand experiences and pass on advice. The website developed a loyal and enthusiastic following. In 2004, Ian handed over the reins to Phil Williams and 'Bangkok Phil' has run the ajarn website ever since.
Ajarn.com has grown enormously and is now the most popular TEFL site in Thailand - possibly even South East Asia. Although best-known for its vibrant jobs page, Ajarn has a wealth of articles, blogs, features and help and advice. But one principle has always remained at Ajarn's core - to tell things like they are and to do it with a sense of humor. Thailand can be Heaven or Hell for an English teacher. It's always been Ajarn.com's duty to present both sides of the equation. Thanks for stopping by.
Friends of Ajarn
Hi, I’m Tony Dabbs
I was a licensed life and health agent in the USA for many years and now I'm ajarn.com's health insurance expert.
Fun Quiz
Find out how employable you are in Thailand as an English teacher. Is it a case of 'welcome aboard' or "Mom, I need you to send some money again"
The cost of living
How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to survive in Thailand? We analyze the facts.
E-mailing for jobs
E-mailing potential employers in Thailand can be a very frustrating experience. Teacher Chris is on hand to give you some top tips.
Fancy teaching freelance?
How easy is it to cut out the middlemen and rake in the cash teach students at their own homes?
Renting an apartment?
Before you go pounding the streets, check out our guide and know what to look out for.
The Region Guides
Fancy working in Thailand but not in Bangkok? Our region guides are written by teachers who actually live and work in the provinces.
