Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I moved back to South Africa in December of 2013, just before Christmas.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

I worked in Thailand for almost exactly 2 years (teaching at 2 different government schools in Isaan for a large and well respected agency). I also completed a contract for 3 months in Burma at an international school during the summer holiday in Yangon. This was by far the most rewarding teaching experience I had in Asia.

The staff at the Thai schools I worked at never even entered my classroom to see what I was doing. They couldn't have cared less about my qualities as a teacher. It was all about my appearance and being rolled out for the obligatory photo-shoot on the important days.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

I could not tolerate the working conditions anymore and ended up being fired for essentially speaking my mind at the school A big no-no but this was the second year they'd stuffed me around with the October break and I was in danger of not seeing my family again due to being unable to book flights without firm dates. I couldn't contain my ire and was sacked the next day.

Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?

If my current employer had treated me the same way I was treated by my agency I could've taken a year off with the compensation I would've received. I'm taken seriously and now enjoy what I do every day. I don't miss teaching at all. It's also great to be earning some real money again. 35 000 Baht a month was barely enough to cover my costs, even up in Isaan. Living hand to mouth without savings is incredibly stressful.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

I miss the food and the low cost of living, I miss the beautiful women and parts of the culture. I'm lucky enough to live in a very beautiful city now (Cape Town) so I don't want for a trip to the beach when I need it.

Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?

Only for a short period, perhaps a semester or two, and only if you don't have the qualifications to secure a better position elsewhere. Thailand is best experienced as a tourist in my opinion. I was much happier there when I was one!

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

I do, I'm planning a holiday there in December and can see me spending more time there when I stop working in 10 - 15 years. Annual holidays at the very least. I love Thailand I just didn't enjoy working there as a teacher.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

Being treated as a second class citizen becomes tiresome after a while. The double pricing, the police constantly trying to find ways to extort money from me and being referred to as a 'Farang' (which I feel to be insulting) also wore me down. I also found some aspects of Thai culture to be distasteful. The racism and xenophobia combined with an inability to admit wrong were constant areas of concern for me. Even had I not been fired, I had had enough, I spent a year too long there in my opinion.

Having said that, I had some of my loveliest experiences in Thailand when I first arrived. This was no doubt due to the novelty and beauty of the islands. I hope I feel the same way again when I return on holiday. It's sad how badly teachers are treated at government schools in Thailand. Until things change (which I doubt they will) I could not recommend it as a viable long term move.