TCT waiver/exemption letter glitch

Sent in by Jim

19th January 2012

My TCT waiver/exemption letter dated Jan 25, 2010 is for 2 years, but in 2011 Mukdahan Immigration only gave me my new visa until Jan. 25, 2012. I had to get a new TCT letter (another 2 years) to allow me to finish the current academic year in early March.

May I see your passport?

The joys of international travel with a Thai partner

28th February 2011

Despite the fact my wife already has three Schengen visas and three UK visas in her passport from past visits, applying for a visa to visit a new country is always stressful.

British nationals transferring a visa to a new passport

Sent in by Catherine Brown

27th February 2011

Just thought I would let you know about a recent problem my husband had transferring his visa to his new passport. When he arrived at immigration the staff refused to transfer his visa as they said they had no proof that his old passport had been cancelled.

Heads up on the 90-day “yes, I’m still here’ form

Sent in by Dave Patterson

30th September 2010

Beware of the 90-day reporting rules. They can change from one year to the next.

The color is grey

Sent in by Peter

1st April 2010

Sometimes, the red tape here in Thailand seems insurmountable

Information on the Laos visa run

Sent in by Name withheld

15th January 2009

Overall it appears that the Thai embassy is trying to become a bit more farang-friendly They actually have a separate bathroom for men and women and they've even put a new Canon photo copier right near the windows where you submit your application. I think this is a long overdue but a welcome change.

Talking business

Does Eikaiwa make any cents

1st February 2008

I wrote about the death of Nova previously. The rest of the industry is not more than an ailing patient, perhaps destined for a Novaesque demise. Nova's glitz and glamour was all surface show founded by its ponzi-scheme approach to moneymaking.

My tears and your legacy

A letter to President-Elect Lee Myung-bak.

1st February 2008

Recently the laws of South Korea were modified to improve the vetting process in the hiring of foreign English teachers. Analyzing my blood and urine for specific diseases and pre-existing conditions is one thing.

Land of a million elephants

A recent trip to landlocked Laos

1st December 2007

Contrary to visiting Thailand, which is only a package tour away for most international tourists, holidaying in Laos takes some more time and planning. Also, it isn’t (and will hopefully never be) the ideal destination for tourists seeking to stay exclusively in four or five star hotels.

Why don’t you just go home?

Do the Thais really want foreigners here?

1st August 2007

When I hear farangs crying into their beer that the country won't lay down a red carpet to welcome the unqualified, ignorant, often lazy and uncaring section of the foreign teachers community, I ask myself a simple question........why don't they just go home?

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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.

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.