Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I moved back to Australia a few years ago.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

Five years I reckon. That was on and off though. It wasn't the whole five years straight.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

Family reasons for one but I also got tired of the ways of so-called international schools.
I worked for two of them. Th first school hired some British nut job who took over a decent, albeit underpaying international school and took it to bits brick by brick. He bombed out all the existing staff for no good reason other than to feed his own ego. I’m a good teacher I tell you and I deserved better, so I gave another international school nearby a go. That was ok but still not to the standards I was looking for.

The second school is doing ok now from what I am told but the first school is losing students and kids - and still the mighty bird sits on his throne. The Thai staff were actually ok there. It was Chinese-owned but the boss had no interest in education or staff. This sounds like some sort of review but I'm just trying to highlight how your career can be cut down like a tree with the introduction of a rotter like I met.

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

Security and protection. Employees have rights and the Australian law is there for a good reason. I also prefer the Aussie climate because I’m a fitness freak so no more having to train in 35 degree temperatures.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

I miss the people and much of the Thai food (but certainly not all of it). I enjoyed the nights out as well. There was no better way to spend a Friday night than on Walking Street with a tinnie.

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

Yeah, but steer clear of people like the one I worked for. There are some crazy people in the Thai education business and some of the foreigners are far worse than the Thai staff and school owners.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

Sure, why not. I’m a man who’s taken more blows than most blokes my age have, so I can take most of what Thailand throws at me.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

Give Thailand a try and if you don’t like it, just move on. No contract is worth a dirt out here so there's nothing keeping you there if it's not your scene.