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...
Zach
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Moved back to America in 2012
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Two years. May, 2010 - October, 2012
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
It was a job, not a career. The sweet spot seems to be about 2 years. Anything more than that, and you need to ask yourself what you are doing. Costs are going up. I am not talking about 5 baht more for street food, etc. Everything is going up at a much faster pace than inflation.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Salary of course! I calculated it out and I am now making about 257% more at my job here in America. No matter how much people can try and justify it, teacher salaries in Thailand are embarrassingly low. Not something you want in an environment of rising costs. Teacher salaries in Thailand have barely moved in 20+ years!
Flexibility: Believe it or not, my hours in America are more flexible, Generally done by 3:30 pm weekdays and home by 3:45. I get two weeks paid holiday, which is more than I ever received in Thailand.
While only working 22-28 hrs a week looks good on paper in Thailand, it doesn't factor in commuting time, marking papers, etc. I worked harder and longer for less money in Thailand.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Culture - I am a big fan of Thai music, and really enjoyed going to live Thai music venues 2/3x a week.
(Cheap) Food - Of course it is good, but it is widely available here as well. Honestly, a lot of it is not that hard to make either.
Beaches - They are nice. A little overrated, and there are certainly thousands of nice beaches in the world, but I always had good experiences visiting Thai beaches and islands.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
No, I honestly wouldn't. It was not a bad experience for me by any means, but more often than not, teachers get trapped in Thailand. They stay too long, and spend their time poorly. Many teachers put in half the effort as well, and the job was always challenging, even on "easy" days.
If someone is reading this and wants to try it out, then by all means, go for it. Don't feel you even need a TEFL or CELTA - A lot of the times you don't. Teachers put in too much time and effort for certifications they don't need.
Just make sure you are aware of the pifalls, because there are a lot of them. Also, most of the teachers I worked with were alcoholics, who were always searching for the nearest British-style pub or Western-style food outlet. Why come here if you are looking for all these familiar comforts?
Avoid crap like Full Moon Festivals, Khao San Road, etc. Just massive tourist traps that bring out the worst in people. Also, most "real" friendships are people I have known here in America. Thailand is a land of fakes.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Maybe within the next 3-5 years, but honestly, there are a lot of other places I would probably rather visit.
I am not really sure "why" I would go back to visit.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Don't come to Thailand if you are young and looking to live here long-term. I can't tell you the number of times I heard people aged 20-25 talk about retiring here, with no short-term or long-term plan at all.
Come here to be a teacher for a year or two, gain some experiences, and have an exit plan. As mentioned earlier, most people stay here way too long, and when they return home, they have a tough time gaining meaningful employment because of the "Thailand years" on their CVs that employers want to know more about.
Also, don't buy a condo! It looks like a decent option on paper, but it is riddled with extra costs, loopholes, and pitfalls. Just don't even consider it.
Do local things if you come here - put away the Lonely Planet guidebook, go to Thai music venues, eat Thai Southern Food, explore the markets other than JJ and ones that aren't floating, meet local people. Go to local parks, events, etc. Explore the hills/mountains, eat street food, and just explore!
Bottom line: Have a plan to leave after a specific period of time. Also, for the male readers - don't "fall in love" I know some people might disagree with this, but you will truly enjoy Thailand and your travels a lot more independently.
Chris Kennedy
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to China (Beijing) in 2015 by way of one year in the UAE (never again!)
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
From 2006 -2015 but during that time I also did a stint in Qatar (that felt like a prison sentence)
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
The salary. I have a family to provide for. Plus it was the opportunity to work at a top quality IB school.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I save 2,500 pounds a month and I get to teach IB.
Beijing's parks are delightful, (Bangkok only has Lumpini, Rot Fai, Rama 9 and Benjakiti for the whole city!) Beijing also has cheap and efficient public transport. Chinese high-speed rail is awesome!
Beijing does get hot in summer but not the intense sweat-box that is Bangkok. Once you get to know it (takes some work) Beijing is very ex-pat friendly. There is no price gouging of foreigners.
All food tastes are catered for (some very good value) but strangely Thai food in restaurants in expensive. Having a Thai wife who shops at markets and Carrefour means we live frugally yet eat healthily.
There are IKEA stores here for all your household needs. Wine is much cheaper here than in Thailand. And for those who like to get out and see places, there are hidden gems here such as the Beijing botanical gardens, fragrant hills and Olympic Park.
Plus Beijing now has direct flights to Manchester!
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
In many ways there are parallels between my current school and my last Thai school - well organised HR, delightful children to teach. lovely school grounds. My current school is right next to a lovely park.
The food in "northern" China is no match for Thai food, however my wife is an excellent improviser and you can get all the ingredients you need here to make delicious Thai food.
Beijing's winter is ferocious, and can be -15c before wind chill at seven in the morning! When I went back to Thailand at Christmas the thought of going back to winter in Beijing was not fun. Beaches in China are naff and there is nothing akin to the diving scene in Thailand.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Depends. Undoubtedly a job in a top drawer paying international school in Bangkok is the best of both worlds. Beijing is not the fun capital that Bangkok is for new teachers.
My last school - I would say a 1.5 tier school - provided singletons with a great lifestyle but you need to be a fully qualified teacher in your home country.
As a family man I save four times the money in Beijing as what I did in Bangkok - even at a good school! As a TEFL teacher I would go for Thailand and enjoy the ride but don't do it long term.
There are just as many sharks in the TEFL industry here and they are backed up by Chinese law as well. As with Thailand, there are some very iffy international schools in China so be wary. And make sure you have a Z visa before you go.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
There are loads of flights between Bangkok and Beijing. And if I can give a plug to Thai International, they have the best luggage allowance, best aircraft and often the cheapest fares!
For the long term future we are setting up home in the UK. The head rules the heart and the UK is far better for our child's education and future.
But we still hope to get back to Thailand for vacations.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
If you have a Thai (or Asian wife) be very wary of any job in the oil rich gulf countries. My wife is very 'international' but refuses to even change aircraft there!
If you can't get that well-paid job in Thailand then China is a far better place to save. I freely admit I was wrong to have misgivings about working here. I love the outdoors and Beijing provides ample outdoorsy stuff if you get proper clothing.
Sure the pollution can be bad and the spitting is gross but this is a minor issue compared to life in a Gulf country.
Hong Kong and Singapore are great places but you don't get the saving potential you do here.
Oh, and in China, you need a serious VPN here to cope with the great firewall.
Alex
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I've been moving in and out of Thailand for 11 years now. Most recently was about 2 years ago. I've moved to work in Qingdao, China and currently work in Kunming City, Yunnan province, dubbed "City of Eternal Spring".
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Overall I worked about 7 years in Thailand, at four different schools - two of them were for English programs at government schools and the other two were second tier international schools in Bangkok and Phuket.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
No reason, other than trying to work at different establishments and see different parts of the world, while also being on the lookout for better paying jobs.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Kunming is truly the City of Eternal Spring. It never gets too hot or too cold here. True, there were moments last December when even the heater didn't seem to help, but that was an anomaly. Temperature usually rises to 18-20 degrees during the daytime in winter and goes down to 0-5 degrees during night-time.
The salaries are higher but one has to be certified to get true benefits like 12-month contracts and bonuses at the end of each year.
I am currently on a 10-month contract but the salary is still higher than when I was working at international schools in Thailand. Also, pollution-wise, it's a real winner, especially when compared to other Chinese cities, that are full of smog/dust/coal emitting factories, cars, etc...
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Kunming is only 2 hours away from Thailand, so I really don't miss that much of the country, since I travel extensively there during my holiday time. We get the whole of February off and so the numerous Thailand beaches await!
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Interesting dilemma. I would dub my current city as " Chiang Mai on Steroids". There are 10 million people living in Kunming and it continues to grow. A subway line has been introduced a few years ago and there are another five lines in the works, projected to be completed by 2020. Still, the city has that envious feeling of being essentially a "big city village".
If you are a new teacher, by all means try Thailand first, but also try to work in Yunnan, China. It's nice and laid back there. And Chiang Mai is only an hour away by plane.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Sure, my girlfriend is from there, so obviously we spend our holidays together. Work-wise, not sure at the moment, but anything is possible.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Like many new teachers, I started at the basic 30,000 baht salary in Bangkok, and slowly moved towards the higher paying jobs by getting proper teaching qualifications. Do yourself a favor and get certified, and then the world will be your oyster.
Syner
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2010.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Four years, 2005-09; two years in the South, a year in Bangkok and a year in Ayutthaya.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Greener pastures. The government salary in Thailand is high, but were not followed by the agencies and centers I have worked with as the contracts were changed to their maximum benefit (48k baht monthly, I got only 20-24 of that); the workload does not compensate the salary and the overall package in the schools I worked with is... is... you don't wanna know.
Moreover, there is a common local addiction to white native speakers, professors or backpackers alike (sorry guys, am not against you, but just saying about my experience), and a very slim chance for a Filipino like me to get a job, especially during those times of interviews when a native would just happen to pass by -- he gets the job at first glance.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
The starting salary is average for a Saudi institute, and is higher than a Thai government school. There is a fixed biannual increase; an increase when position moves up aside from the biannual increase; monthly housing and transportation allowance; a yearly bonus that is three times the basic salary, and an annual 30 days paid leave with a two way air ticket. Best, the workload is not as heavy as Thailand schools, with 25 max students in a room, 35 teaching hours weekly classes in September - November and the rest of the year is 15 hours max for a week!
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Saudi, especially Jeddah is a bit expensive and the people have a common challenging attitude. And so I miss the respectfulness of Thai people, the cheap food and the expat and local friends I have come to love there.
I miss the 10 Baht a kilo Rambutan in the south or even 30 Baht in Bangkok (10 Riyals for ten pieces, that is, 100 Baht!); Padthai and authentic Tom Yum, Kaw Pat Thale, cheap clothes in Pratunam or Bayoke Tower, the lovely beaches of Phuket and the simplicity of Songkhla.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Thailand has good schools too, and one can find if he is not as impatient as me in searching. On the other hand, there are greener pastures outside Thailand which are really competitive and make one think to get serious with, as life doesn't really grow young. In all, it doesn't really matter where we find a job, as long as the package is worth the volume of work, decent, livable and can take care of our families.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
For a short time visit to friends, old schools, locals, church, yes. Or, a long time ministry or a better work pay and contract (learning that many schools are getting more interested with hiring serious teachers with serious pays), it would be wonderful.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Mabuhay Ajarn.com ( Long live!)
Brian
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved from Thailand to Shanghai, China then back to the UK.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked in Thailand on and off for about three years mostly in government schools.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Better career options. I felt I had gone as far as I could go as regards the teaching scene in Thailand and wanted to try another country to experience something new.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Well right now I'm back in the UK and have been struggling to look for meaningful work. So I've decided to become a full-time student again and embark on a career in social work for a new challenge.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Almost everything: the weather, the people, the lifestyle and the excellent quality of food. I also miss being able to be on an beautiful beach only a couple of hours away from where I used to live.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
I would advise a new teacher to gain a starting position in Thailand and possibly stay for one or two years but don't stay too long as you can get stuck in a bit of a rut. At least that is how I found it at a government school. Maybe it is a little different working for an international school.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yeah, certainly. Myself and my partner plan to return to Thailand on holiday but not sure if I would like to teach in the country full time again. Almost everyday I think about returning for a few weeks in order to recharge my mental state.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I think Thailand is a great place to begin your teaching career but don't stay too long in the one position. If you are planning on staying for the long haul I would recommend doing the PGCE and trying to gain a position in an international school. I would also recommend China if your fancy a change of pace and scenery. It is a country that is so diverse and has a lot to offer the new or mid range teacher. On the whole I found the teaching environment to be a lot more professional and student focused.
My last piece of advice would be not to return to the UK without a real career plan in place. I thought I would pick up work quite easily with my experience but it has proved to be a long difficult slog and something I would not want anyone else to make the mistake of repeating. Also the reverse culture shock is something that has hit me hard and to a certain extent effected my mental health.
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