Are you a teacher who once taught in Thailand but decided to seek out pastures new? Has the grass been greener on the other side? Maybe you swapped Thailand for the financial lure of Japan or Korea? Read about those who have left Thailand, and their reasons for moving...
Dan
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I returned to Australia in May 2023.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Four years at a large government high school in Chiang Mai.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Lack of recognition of advanced skills and generally incompetent colleagues, both Thai and farang. Of course, the school celebrated the incompetents so long as they were yes men. Pointless routines like morning assembly. I attended assembly once in four years but really felt for the students who had to attend, even though they knew it was a waste of time.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I'm not working now. I'm living off investments.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Good, cheap food, affordable laundry service, the wonderful and inquisitive Thai students and the mountains around Chiang Mai.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
I'd say establish your career in a country that values your abilities. If later in your career you want a break, then sure, try Thailand. So that's a no from me for new teachers.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I'm currently on an extended visit to Thailand and nearby countries.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Most of my more advanced students had a plan to get out of Thailand and I can't blame them.
John
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to America on August 4th, 2023
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Three years
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
1. Low salary - about $1000 a month ( I have a masters' in math and 10+ years experience
2. The directors complaining about the "high salary" of farang and scolding them.
3. Students who would rather complain than study
4. The school cancelled the paid holiday in the Summer
5. There was no respect for my legitimate expertise or experience
6. Competing with cell phones and iPads
7. Everything needs to be "easy" and "fun"
8. Constant in-fighting between teachers
9. Being disrespected by "leadership"
10. Missing the food I have loved and cannot find or have to pay so much for in Thailand
11. Gate duty at 0700 am to 0830 am
12. Being constantly told what clothes to wear
13. Despite the fact that there is an entrance exam, many students who could not speak English found there way into the program and there was no warning.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
1. Much more salary, and many many holidays
2. I am teaching at a university, so I can actually get through a lecture
3. Money going into a retirement fund
4. Teaching classes I am more suited for and also a lighter load
5. I don't have a set schedule except for the classes I teach
6. Like a grown man, I can dress myself
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
1. I will miss how polite most people are in public
2. How will miss how kind the people are in general
3. Economical and sincere entertainment
4. The friendliness in general
5. The modesty inherent in some of the culture
6. The way that people respect their flag and country (for the most part)
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
It depends on the what the teacher is looking for. I would say if you are an English teacher, life may be a lot easier than a STEM teacher in a bilingual or EP program. If you are a STEM teacher (especially mathematics) I would say that I had a great time teaching students in China and the pay was much higher!
Q7. Anything else you'd like to add?
Remember, it's always hot in Thailand. If you are not a morning person, you will suffer. Going to work at 7 am in the jungle heat to be met by mosquitos in your desk is not great. Get used to the 'mai pen rai' attitude. If you want something mellow and stable, where there is just minimal effort required of students (and possibly you) it's fine. I imagined what it would be like to become a fixture in this school and stay for a long time, but I suspect your commitment, devotion and dedication will have to be their own reward.
Q8. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I will visit, but I will never work for a high school again. Perhaps it's a possibility if I could teach at a university for a much larger salary.
Kate
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to China in June 2023
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I was there for two years and worked at both a government school in Central Thailand and also as a corporate teacher on a local industrial estate (but that was only a couple of evenings a week)
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I simply wanted to give another Asian country a go. When I left the UK in 2021 once the pandemic had eased off, I set myself a goal of working in four Asian countries in six years. I'm still not sure whether I got too comfortable in Thailand and should've moved on after a year but too late to stress over that now.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I haven't been here all that long but the school is much more organised. The admin staff are really on the ball when it comes to letting you know about schedule changes and new course dates, etc. There is none of that flying by the seat of your pants, which becomes second nature in Thailand. I earn a better salary too and get a more than adequate housing allowance. It's not a great deal more than I was earning in Thailand too be honest but I do fewer teaching hours. I'm not quite so exhausted come Friday nights.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I miss the stress-free nature of life there. From Friday 4.00 pm to Monday 8.30 I could completely switch my mind off teaching and focus on enjoying the weekend.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
You will love Thailand if you are a 'go with the flow' kind of character. Start getting uptight about minor annoyances and you're in for a whole world of trouble. From admin not telling you about a classroom change and suddenly finding your 40 students are waiting for you in the next building, to having to sit through a two-hour meeting (mostly in Thai) that doesn't require your input and has no bearing on your job whatsoever. I could list twenty other scenarios that you'll need to simply grin and bear. But at the end of the day, the positives of living in Thailand far outnumber the negatives.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Not sure about that. I'm going to give China a year and then assess the situation and decide if maybe I want to stay for a further term or perhaps give Vietnam a try.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Thailand never struck me as a place to build a teaching career (or a future) unless you are super-qualified and pulling in the equivalent of a UK salary at least. It's a great place to experience life in a SE Asian country for a year or two and then move on.
Seeker
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to South Korea in February 2023.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Five years.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Looking for greener pastures, mostly a more secure financial situation, seeing that Thailand doesn't really offer that much for foreigners in this regard, except if you're super rich.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I guess the quality of life is higher in Korea. And they say the salary is better but it's so expensive here in Korea. It doesn't seem as if the higher salary makes much of a difference.
In Thailand I was exposed to many different teaching spheres. Not only English, but many different subjects in English. I taught one grade as a homeroom teacher.
In Thailand, administration related to work permits and visas are quite a mission and it gets frustrating. In Korea it's a breeze.
Here in Korea I only teach English and there is a lot of pressure on me. I have to teach grades 3-6 at three schools and the schedule took some getting used to. I still long for the convenience of having my one class. One box.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I miss the warmth and friendliness of the people! I miss the respect of the students and people in gneeral. I miss the freedom. I miss the food. I miss the fact that one could easily live a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle whereas here in Korea it's such a challenge.
I miss that life is so simple. I miss the Buddhism and the authenticity thereof.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
If they are looking for a meaningful and enriching experience then Thailand ticks the box. If you love being a robot, if you love the status quo, a modern and monotonous lifestyle and cold weather, then come to Korea.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Most probably yes.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Thailand isn't perfect. But which place is? But through all the imperfection, you learn to see the beauty and eventually fall in love with the place until you get to the point that you call it home.
If Thailand could provide more benefits for foreigners in terms of social security, welfare or even easier citizenship procedures, it would be the perfect permanent home for me.
Rosalyn
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to China in April 2023.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked there for two years at a primary school in Chiang Mai Province.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I moved to earn more money and to escape the pollution, which seems to be becoming more and more of a problem. I also thought Chiang Mai was getting too expensive for a teacher on a 30K salary. When you are budgeting for 700 baht a day after paying rent and bills, you have to watch the pennies.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
The school I work at is run very professionally and the company cares about keeping its teaching staff. I'm often asked if I'm doing OK and if I have any problems that need talking over. I don't think the school in Thailand once said that to me in two years. As long as students didn't complain, I was deemed to be doing an OK job. Oh, and I also earn almost three times what I did in Thailand so there's ample opportunity to put money away for a rainy day.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I miss getting on my motorcycle and riding off into the surrounding countryside but where I am in China is every bit as scenic. I also miss the Chiang Mai coffee shop scene I guess.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
By all means come and work in Thailand because you'll have a great experience, but don't stay more than a couple of years as a low-paid English teacher. It's just too much of a month-to-month struggle. If you are thinking of staying for the long-term, then get better qualified!
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I'd certainly come back for a holiday but it's very low on my list of priorities when it comes to teaching. I can't see teacher salaries improving any time soon, especially in towns and cities outside Bangkok.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Go to Thailand for a year or two and have a wonderful time. Choose your foreign friends wisely because there are an awful lot of trapped expats with plenty to moan about, believe me. Just don't contemplate a long-term teaching career in Thailand unless you can get in at a top international school.
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