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...
James
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
America in 2013 but looking to go back to Asia soon
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked in Thailand for one school year
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I wanted to see new countries before I move back to America to start a proper career. I may move to another Asian country and teach for a bit more experience teaching abroad. Also, Thailand was a freak-show at times, with the ladyboys and the open gayness.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I'm not a farang, I'm not viewed as being "fat" by everyone (lol), and although the job market here isn't that hot, there's better earning opportunities long-term compared to being a TEFL teacher in Thailand. Also (as other teachers alluded to), I don't have to deal with the joke which is known as the Thai Educational system. It's sad but true, but after three months living in Thailand, I knew as much of their language as my students knew of mine, and they've been learning ENG since kindergarten. Also, if I end up moving to Japan, I know there will be a bigger emphasis on learning. In Thailand, you walk by the Thai teachers' classes, and the students are sleeping, talking amongst themselves, texting, and the Thai teachers don't do anything about it. Then some of them envy the farang teachers' pay, although the farang teachers actually work for theirs.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
The cheap beers, pretty scenery, smiling Thais, and the low cost of living, as well as my friends. Overall, I enjoyed my time in Thailand.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Get used to the provincial Thais calling you "farang" 50,000 times. Also, don't stress when it appears no one gives a damn about the lack of student discipline, lack of respect, or lack of trying by many students. Also, get used to dealing with taxis/tuk tuks and their BS fees or general laziness. I think the Thais are much better than the Vietnamese for example, but many of them are lazy and think if you have white skin and round eyes you must be insanely wealthy. Also, many students give farang teachers less respect since, well, they're farangs. I worked at a ghetto school in Isaan, and no one was ever cruel to me, but I got so tired of them calling me a westerner when they knew my name.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yes, I like Thailand, but teaching there is stressful for the low pay, unless you teach at an International school.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Overall I had a great time in Thailand, but don't teach here if you're looking for good pay and an easy job. Also, as I said earlier, get used to dealing with lazy/crooked people who want to overcharge you since you're a farang and therefore "rich" (But that's more a SE Asia thing). If you come to Thailand just to get drunk and boom-boom and teach, you'd be much better off in Vietnam, where the pay is higher, although the people are much ruder (But, in Nam I was never called a farang, merely an American). Who knows, maybe I'll stay another year in Thailand now that I'm used to it, but it gets tiring at times!
Seb
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to England in 2013
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Three very, very happy years
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I am planning to pursue a teaching qualification so I can return (asap) to teach in an international school.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Very few; my teaching job in Thailand made me happy to get up each day. I taught lower primary and found it to be such a rewarding experience . I had great classes for three years straight. Here I am in England having to settle for temp jobs.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Pretty much everything. I miss the great weather and the area I lived in. I rented a nice house in Rangsit on a gated village. I had a very nice lifestyle. I also miss my students, they always came with a smile and a great attitude to my class. It was also nice to get of work early and then sit around the infinity pool chatting with friends over a few crisp, icy Leos!
I could write an essay for this section!
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Come to Thailand, but come with an open mind and a willingness to work hard. Teaching can be hard work and you have to be prepared to give 101% to your students. Also, new teachers would do very well to learn Thai. Not only is it helpful to you, but it also puts you in your student's shoes. The more Thai you learn the better you will understand why some students find some language concepts very hard.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
That's an easy question! Yes! I hope to secure employment in a decent international school.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
My time in Thailand has been my happiest time yet. I met some amazing people. Taught some fantastic and studious kids. I really believe that Thailand is what you make of it. You could moan about the place all the time OR you could enjoy it for what it is, focus on the positives and just enjoy life in this part the world in general. If you hate it, go home!
Chris
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Japan in 2012
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
8 years
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Dealing with Bangkok taxi drivers was causing traumatic psychological stress. That along with low pay for qualified teachers, ridiculous Thai culture course requirements, unfriendly customs, political instability and rising costs led me to consider other options.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Lots more pay but living costs can be high. The Japanese know how to make a line and are not taught to rip off and steal from foreigners at every opportunity, so you can let your guard down for the most part when shopping. Public transportation is very good and employers will pay for your transport to and from work. Culture in Japan is much more polite and unselfish, especially where money is concerned, but the English level in Thailand is much better than in Japan.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I met some amazing people in Thailand, both Thai and farang so I think that's the one thing I miss the most. Thai food is also amazing and I would really love to down a bowl of 30 baht street gra pao right now. I also miss how you can travel around the country for very cheap and see some amazing beautiful places like Krabi for example.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
For a new English teacher trying to start a career in ESL, I would recommend moving to Korea and doing an MA in TESOL online while working for a school there. They pay for both your apartment and airfare, and cost of living in Korea is incredibly cheap. They will also take anyone with a bachelors degree. After you get an MA in TESOL, and a couple of papers published, move to Japan and land a sweet university teaching position teaching 12 hours a week and making 60-70k usd a year with 3 months of paid vacation. Then just use that fat wad of cash and that paid vacation to hang out in Thailand a couple times a year if you want.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Probably not to live but I will definitely visit again.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Thailand can be a great experience but its a dead end unless you have good qualifications to work for a real international school, that is to say a school with an international accreditation that pays a western rate of salary.
Brian
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Ireland in February 2013
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
7 years
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Thais are never going to be able to speak English. It's a complete joke. If it wasnt so tragic, it would be funny. Very nice people though - but with no work ethic.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
My Thai wife and I are actually both unemployed but we have a much higher quality of life than we did in Thailand. Our son can go to nursery school and he's much happier.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
The weather, good looking women and the students smiling faces - but not thai teachers that are so bad, they deserve to be punished for their lack of interest in their students education and well-being.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Come to Thailand for a year if you're looking for a good laugh and are not that interested in achieving anything. If you stay here for a long time with no second income you will definitely regret it unless you are happy enough living from month to month and never starting a family.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Of course I'll probably come every year for a holiday and even maybe retire here. It's a great place to live but a terrible place to educate.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I can't believe no one is willing to stand up and call a spade a spade. The Thai education system is so ridiculous. it's a disgrace. Anyone who thinks their students are making progress are either deluded or retarded. It's a double standard - If a Thai can answer a few questions, their English is good but if a European answered the same questions, his English would be considered poor.
Rachel
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to South Korea a month ago to work for the EPIK program.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked for 3 wonderful years in Thailand!
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Even though I loved Thailand I wanted to try living and working in a new country and of course the huge pay increase was very tempting!
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I live in Seoul so getting around is so easy and it's very hi-tech. The pay is almost double what I earned in Thailand.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I miss everything about Thailand but in particularl the 'mae pen lai' attiude. Koreans are a much more serious people and you have to be early to be on time. I miss the Thai people, the weather and the beaches! Also Thailand's sense of vibrant fun.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Yes, definitely! I think Thailand is a wonderful place to work! The lifestyle is great and all the long weekends make for lots of fun. The children are adorable too! I really think it's a great place to start teaching :)
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yes! I want to return to teach after this year in South Korea. I really didn't think I'd miss Thailand so much!
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
As a British girl I think I have a slightly different and more positive viewpoint on Thailand than some of the previous commentators. I think if you're a girl especially, Thailand is a wonderful place to work and the kindness of the Thai people will stay with you for a long time after you leave! You only get out of the experience the amount of time and effort you put in!
Showing 5 Great Escapes out of 331 total
Page 46 of 67
