The market is flooded

How have the floods affected Bangkok's property market?

6th November 2011

Tens of thousands of townhouses and detached houses - most no more than three storeys high - have been inundated by up to two metres of flood water. And it's even deeper in some areas!

Pets and Thailand real estate

Is it a good idea to bring your pet with you to live in Thailand?

17th July 2011

When you plan to leave home to travel thousands of miles to the other side of the world, it presents a huge emotional strain. There's the strain of leaving family, friends and loved ones - people who you may not see again for months or even years. Some of these loved ones have four legs, tails or even fins. So do you opt to leave them behind or do you bring them with you? It's a big question for some people!

Property possiblities on the BTS Sukhumwit extension

Only a few more months to go until the long-awaited Sukhumwit extension

16th May 2011

I'm sure if you live in Bangkok it would not have escaped your notice that the popular BTS system is receiving a long overdue extension in the Eastern part of the city center.

Across the riverbank

Are Krungthonburi and Wongwian Yai the new Silom and Sathorn?

4th March 2011

Has the area just over the river, namely Thonburi, become the new Silom and Sathorn since the opening in May 2009 of the new Krungthonburi and Wongwian Yai BTS stations?

Let’s play Bangkok monopoly

What would the Bangkok edition of the Monopoly board game look like?

4th January 2011

Recently I was asked to play the Thai edition of the game, first produced in 2005, but I was disappointed to discover that the game is not based on Bangkok, but on Thailand, with the likes of Samui, Phuket and Pattaya dotted around the board

Perils of the Thai property market

Some pitfalls to watch out for in terms of after-sales service

4th November 2010

There are reputable and quality players in the Thai real estate markets, but there are also many ‘me-too' entrants. Politely and in the nicest possible terms these people can be referred to independent agents or freelancers.

A dream lifestyle in Thailand

Does Chiang Mai offer the perfect place to live and work? Well, live anyway

1st September 2010

I'll put my hands up and admit I've been somewhat unkind to Chiang Mai in past blogs. On past visits, I've usually had the job of playing tour guide to my ageing parents and a couple of their friends. It's never easy to move a group of elderly folk around a sizeable Asian city without having every tout and unofficial tour operator descending on you from miles around

Is Ratchadaphisek the new Sukhumvit?

An area of Bangkok that is rapidly gaining in popularity as a place to live

25th August 2010

So what has happened to Ratchada to transform it into this now arguably superior status? Well obviously it has benefitted immensely from the MRT stations and metro line and this has given Ratchada not only a new lease of life, but has encouraged others to come and live in the area.

Buying condos in Bangkok

A brief look at investing in Bangkok property

23rd July 2010

One teacher I was recently talking to who lives and works in Sukhumvit, has recently bought two studios near On Nut station. He'll probably be able to lease these units out for approximately 12,000 baht each and this will cover the mortgage he obtained in his Thai wife's name

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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

Software for student tests

The integration of internet and computers with education and English learning is something students find normal, and classrooms without some access to educational software may seem quaint. Some students may even feel they can get more ‘professional' teaching from the numerous online ELT sites if a school is behind in IT.

Whatever happened to the shopping mall teacher?

They are the shopping mall English teachers - gliding like pale, undernourished phantoms amid the hordes of weekend Thai shoppers. The main reason I empathize with the shopping mall teacher is because I was once one myself. I know how desperate and soul-destroying it can be.

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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.