Q1. Where did you move to and when?

Back to the UK in July 2014. I now teach ESL at a university here.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

All in all, over 5 years. Most of it happy, but all of it biting my tongue.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

I got sick of the general dishonesty of the country; lack of career opportunities; the Thai education 'system' is a complete joke.... there are other reasons, also.

Unlike many other people, I never found the visa situation a problem, but I got out just before things went crazy. Having said that, the visa situation does seem to 'trap' you in one job for a year.

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

Better pay, better motivated students, better working systems, students who know they CAN fail and respond accordingly.

I can run a car and save a similar amount of money that I did in Thailand, but also have the security of the health service, and some sort of a pension in the future, as well as building career credibility with every month I work here.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

My friends and loved ones, the weather, my condo/gym/swimming pool, also there are many aspects of Thailand and Thai people that I DO like.

I also miss living in the great city that is Bangkok.

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

You would have to have experience to get my current job, so Thai experience would be better than nothing. If you are trying to get into teaching seriously, Thailand is probably the last place you should start in. You simply cannot stay there for multiple years and NOT become contaminated with bad working practices, no matter how much you try.

If you are just passing through, for whatever reason, it can't do too much harm. But working for less than 40k a month in Bangkok is just survival, whilst harming your long-term prospects. And that assumes no large medical bills...

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

Only for visiting. Working there is just too demoralising / career damaging.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

Thailand's future seems pretty uncertain at the moment. There will be some 'inevitable' shocks to come in the future. I can see things getting even worse than they are now.