An artists portrait
A portrait of the artist as a young ajarn
Make eyes with the hot one who’s there selling som-tum. She’s thin with a hot bum and smiles at me long-taam!
New year best seller’s list
A list from my beloved Isaan
All of these titles are available in hardback, paperback, or 7-11 plastic bag (straw optional).
Blake’s theory of unnatural selection
Our unpredictable choices of mate
Give me the girl in braids, or cornrows, or secretary glasses, or a tight military uniform. Give me the girl with a cool personalised tattoo that suggests a spark of originality, or the girl who’s so confident about some part of her body that she’ll deliberately dress to show it off.
Abandon all logic
Thailand's unfathomable logic
One of the great joys of travel is to experience the exotic; to find oneself immersed in a culture which holds little or any resemblance to that which we call home.
The isaan spirit
Isaan images
And what about the Isaan people themselves? When was the last time you went out in a western economy, err sorry, country, and had a table of strangers ‘cheers’ you, and ask your name?
A dark and cliched night
A motorcyclist with no particular place to go
Moto-sighing around my recently adopted Isaan homeland, armed only with a camera and a smile, I have seen some wondrous sights and been privileged to meet some of the most beautiful people imaginable.
Featured Teachers
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Karolina
Certificate (2), Diploma (1)
Pole (female, 27 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Calum
Diploma (2), Certificate (1), MA (1)
British (male, 60 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Ronald
BA (1), Diploma (1), Certificate (1)
British (male, 32 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Daniel
Certificate (5), Diploma (3)
British (male, 27 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Jamie
BA (1)
British (male, 28 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Jenni
Certificate (4)
Australian (female, 46 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Marc
Certificate (1)
British (male, 41 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Adekunle
Certificate (1)
Ivorian (male, years old, native Yoruba speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Dewaal
Certificate (1)
South African (male, 24 years old, native English speaker). Currently living in Thailand.
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Lennon Joh
BA (1), MA (1)
Filipino (male, 25 years old, native Tagalog 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
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 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.
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.
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.
Fancy teaching freelance?
How easy is it to cut out the middlemen and rake in the cash teach students at their own homes?
The cost of living
How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to survive in Thailand? We analyze the facts.
Renting an apartment?
Before you go pounding the streets, check out our guide and know what to look out for.
