Dear Phil (“Supply and Demand” – Postbox 31st March) Kudos for recognizing my facetious use of an embellishment. As my mother used to say, “I’ve told you a million times not to exaggerate.” Of course we all form our opinions based on personal experience. Subsequently, my personal experiences have given me a somewhat different opinion than your own. It does make me happy to hear that you can recall working as a teacher, and that you enjoyed such a rosy time of it. Like yourself, I can recall the “halcyon period” you refer to. However, I personally know of at least six good language schools that closed up shop in fear of these “nonsensical” rules when they were first implemented. How dare the Thai government expect the guests that they pay to teach their children should actually have to learn something about the culture of the students or, even worse, to pass an “impossible” competency test.

Having spouted my sarcastic rant, I would like to reiterate the main point of my original reply to Ronald. Namely that, supply and demand will always dictate the price of any product including labour. Of course any intelligent debate must have a basis in disagreement, and I do ever so enjoy educated criticism. Although you and I may “disagree completely” as to the reasons Phil, I’m sure you must admit that there are simply more candidates for teaching jobs now than in the past. Not only does the increase in traffic volume that your website has enjoyed attest to this, but yes, “statistics are available” to those willing to research them

Further, because or although we differ in our life experiences, I personally feel that these rules to which we both refer have been greatly relaxed and ignored of present, while you may not. The fact, in my opinion, is that due to the rampant, government sponsored racism that exists in Thailand, practically any unqualified, white farang can get a job teaching English here while many competent and educated teachers of dark skinned races cannot. The tone of the majority of letters posted on your site would seem to bear this out.

I would venture that, as myself, those of us still presently teaching English here in Thailand can think of current examples of this disparity. As well, I would go so far as to suggest that most of us have worked with, or know of, at least one holder of a “Khao San Road diploma” whom presently is teaching English here. This of course adds to that age-old market determiner of supply and demand, and is the point I was attempting to make.

Surely you must agree Phil that it is “always dangerous” for any party to force their opinion on others, but even more so for one in an editorial position. But that’s just my “distorted perspective” and I do concede, and strongly defend, your right to form your own.

Dan