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...
Samuel Sherwood-Hale
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Benavente in Northern Spain, about two weeks ago.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
About a year: 6 months in Chiang Mai on the TEFL circuit and 6 months in Chiang Rai in an EP at a government school.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I didn't move from Thailand to Spain directly; I left Thailand, after I felt like I travelled SEA enough, and went back home for Christmas. I wanted to keep teaching English as a foreign language and was interested to see if it's just as easy to get a teaching in Europe as it is in Thailand.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Well the wages, but that's a given. The demands are higher and obviously so is the cost of living, so relatively it probably works out the same. If I was looking to save then this country would be better than Thailand but as I like to travel it'll be hard to make my wages stretch to the same extent I could in Thailand. In Thailand most of the mid-range western style pubs and restaurants were aimed at expatriates/tourists which could be annoying sometimes, whereas here everyone's part of the same community.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
The people of course, I suppose I was slightly spoilt being in Chiang Mai so there were lots of other young Westerners around teaching and travelling. But it was definitely an easier country to live in, that's always the first thing people say and there's a good reason why. All the other usual suspects, the food, the weather, pace of life etc.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
If this is a new teacher then we're assuming they're quite young so I'd always say Thailand, It's a young person's place up North so I'd always say go for CM or around that area. If you're looking to make a positive career move then, unless you're a proper teacher, Thailand might not be the best choice. If you're all about lifestyle and quality of life then Thailand every time.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Never say never, there are lots of countries I'd like to visit but I know how much I enjoyed Thailand so yes I will probably return to work again. Also I think it'd be a waste if I didn't capitalize on what I learnt whilst I was there.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I don't think I'm who this section is aimed at! I haven't been here in Spain long enough to really say which country I prefer. Maybe I'll do this again in a few years when I feel like I really have made a great escape.
Gary
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
My family and I moved to Japan in March ... about 6 months ago. I had spent about 9 years living in Japan off and on over a twenty eight year period before moving to Thailand. It was an easy transition for me.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I lived in Thailand for 3 years and worked the last 2 years. I taught P5 at a private bilingual school.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
My main reason for leaving was my new job provided free annual tuition to the tune of $22,000 a year for my daughter to attend middle school. They also provide a $50,000 a year housing stipend and $10,000 a year cost of living allowance. All on top of my salary.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
For me saving a lot more money is the primary advantage. Other things include not having to worry about a coup or what's going to happen when the king isn't around anymore. As far as transportation goes, the trains and bus system are first class. And if you can get a license to drive, the Japanese are far superior drivers to the Thai.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I miss the students most of all and I miss the friends I made. I'm from the USA and it was an awesome experience having friends from Australia, England, France, Philippines and a few other countries. I don't miss much about Thailand beyond that.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
I'm not a teacher anymore but I would probably recommend teaching in Thailand over Japan. It's far too expensive to live and enjoy yourself in Japan on a teacher's salary compared to Thailand. But if you're a properly credentialed teacher from the USA then the teaching jobs at schools like the one my daughter attends here in Japan are a far better deal.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
No immediate plans to return for anything other than a holiday. I bought land in three different places in Thailand and have a house in two of the locations. They're in the wife's name and I'm not too concerned about them. But, it's possible we might though.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
If it's possible you are much better off to get the proper teaching credentials from your home country before embarking on a teaching career in foreign lands, unless you absolutely know TEFLing is just going to be a 1-3 year adventure.
Steve
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Abuja, capital of Nigeria. Moved in 2008.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
6 years. To be absolutely honest I loved every minute of it. Maybe I was lucky in that I worked in well managed Thai schools.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Better salary and benefits. Like most folk here I started life as a 'Tefler'. I ended up enjoying teaching so much that I took 2 years out to do my PGCE and NQT back in the UK. Ended up back in Thailand at a 'proper' international school. My decision to move to Nigeria was because of the opportunity to be a Deputy Head Teacher at a brand new British curriculum school. Apparently no one else wanted the job!!!
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
There is only the one advantage..........my salary is far greater, I have a company BMW, free housing and utilities, medical etc etc. Thats all though. The corruption in Nigeria has to be seen to be believed. It makes Thailand look like a novice in this respect.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Everything! My (Thai) wife and son are with me here and despite the fact that they are like a fish out of water.......they have stuck with it. Bless them!
Posters here talk about how bad Thailand is etc.........how dangerous etc. Give me a break! Ever worked in Africa??
I used to complain about the internet speeds in Thailand..............until using the internet in Nigeria. Can you imagine paying the Thai baht equivalent of 4000 a month just to receive speeds of 15-20 Kbs on a good day?
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
To work in Thailand? Yes of course...............I know that lots of posters say its ok to come in your 20's .....I actually came here in my late 30's. Never regretted it. Met and married a wonderful lass and now have a son. Despite all the difficulties in Nigeria they never once complain. Thailand gave me the opportunity to be where I am now. Thailand is what you want to make it. I personally would not advise coming to Nigeria unless you are absolutely certain that you are here for 2-3 years just to make some serious good money. Life can be dangerous here. We NEVER go out at night.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Oh sure!! The thing about Nigeria is just to bank lots of dosh. We will be back at the start of the new year, ready for challenges new!
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Thailand is what you make it. For every poster who gives a bad report on life, the school, the rip-offs etc............there are lots more who think that this is wonderful. They just don't see the need to post it. I mean..........how many people would go online just to say, "Hi.......just wanna let you know my school is great, Thai staff are supportive and the students are actually pretty good?"
Cel
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
To South Korea in 2007.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
For about two and a half years.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Several reasons: to earn and save more money, see another part of Asia, and get away from the pollution in Bangkok. Another reason was that Thailand was in a post coup period, and I wanted to get away from the political mess. I figured that it would take the Thais a year to sort things out. It's still going on in 2010Last, I did not want to be in Thailand when a certain Thai exits stage right. The mother of all Thai chaos.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I am able to save each month what I was earning as a salary in Thailand. There are four seasons in a year, I got tired of every day feeling like summer in Thailand. I think that Korea is beautiful in the Spring and Fall. I get a free two-bedroom apartment, with my rent and most of my utilities paid for. I just pay for my cable and food. All other expenses, my employer bears the cost. Fast internet service, hiking, fresh air, and an inexpensive, clean, and extensive subway system that covers Seoul and a lot of the surrounding areas.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Thai food and my few good friends there.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
If they just want to spend a year or two and take it easy, go to Thailand and have fun. After that, get back to the real world and earn and save some money for the future. If they want to make money, come to Korea. The public schools pay more than schools in Thailand. Part time work is available that allows you to save more. I live off my part time work and save my full time salary.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I would say maybe, when I am ready to retire. Other countries in Asia make it much easier for retirees now though. I will have to take a close look and see which would be better for me. For vacations, Thailand is great.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Nothing else comes to mind.
Kanadian
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Just arrived back in the land of tea. Yes that's Jiangxi Province China
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked in Thailand for a few years and after the lack of school support, I felt Thai schools were becoming a liability.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Thai students are lazy, the educational system failed them, nobody wants to change the educational system, ask a simple question to a Thai college student eg "what's your name" he replies in Thai. But his comment in Thai was I've been learning English for 10 years.. NO NO that's impossible !
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I can take my lowest student at my college in Jiangxi and he can teach Thai teachers English.. God I love it when I can have an intelligent conversation with a college student who can actually hold his own.. cool !
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Good beaches and friends.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Thailand will always attract uneducated "English teachers". However those who have a degree should never teach in Thailand. You will waste your energy.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Only if the plane flies over the country.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
What a waste of time and energy. I know many foreign teachers who are very good at their job, and all have gone with no intent of returning.
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