Why come to teach here if you don't respect Thai people?

Postbox letter from Ajarn Ploy

One teacher say to me before, “I just want to travel, teaching is not important.” I feel shocked. You teach students! You have a big responsibility.


The dreaded teacher conflict

What can you do if you don't get on with a Thai teacher at your school?

It’s worth trying to build rapport outside the classroom. Sharing a meal in the canteen, participating in school events, or simply asking about a colleague’s family or weekend plans can help strengthen the relationship.


A foreign woman in the Thai workplace

If you’re a woman thinking of working in Thailand, don’t worry if things feel unfamiliar at first.

Over time, I noticed that the Thai teachers appreciated when I asked questions respectfully and showed that I wanted to learn, not just change everything.


Why I stopped smiling at the school director

Pay me on time. Treat me like a professional. Stop using me as a mascot. Then maybe you’ll see some teeth.

I’m Louise. I’m 34. I’ve been teaching in Thailand for six years. And I’m tired of pretending everything is “sabai sabai” when I’m being treated like a decorative plant.


Is making Thai friends easy or impossible?

Postbox letter from Cathy

Is making local friends in Thailand actually hard, or am I just going about it the wrong way?


Worn down by the politics

Postbox letter from Donna

When I first arrived in Thailand to teach, I braced myself for all the classroom challenges I could think of. What I didn’t expect was how much of my energy would be spent navigating the politics outside the classroom.


You know you're a foreign teacher in Thailand when...

I'm sure you can think of a few more.

The job may be unpredictable, but the laughs are real, the students are unforgettable, and every day is definitely not boring.


Which partner will 'yield'?

Deciding which country to live in with your Thai partner

Cross-cultural relationships are challenging in the best of circumstances. One party within the couple needs to have a strong desire to take on the other party’s culture, language and lifestyle. Even where the Thai partner speaks good English or the Westerner has learnt Thai, one partner often needs to ‘yield’ more than the other


Teaching in the sticks

31 cool and awesome things about living and teaching in rural Thailand

Before we get into the list I just want to mention that everything is written in good fun. Expats and Thailand veterans will understand more than first timers. Certain sentences and parts reflect my own specific experience more so than the general one. Some of it might come across as sappy, but I've had a very positive experience in Thailand and the glass is half full for me.


Your girlfriend Nan......

.....and her words translated

I'm dangerously unstable when provoked and I'm also insanely jealous. That's not a figure of speech - I really am bonkers! If I think that you aren't channeling your entire life towards me, I'll fly off the handle and my sulks can last for days


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Featured Teachers

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    British, 44 years old. Currently living in United Kingdom

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    Russian, 35 years old. Currently living in Thailand

The Hot Spot


My Bangkok suburb

My Bangkok suburb

Overviews for different areas and suburbs of Bangkok, written with the help of teachers who live there. Let us help you find the perfect Bangkok neighborhood for your lifestyle.


Contributions welcome

Contributions welcome

If you like visiting ajarn.com and reading the content, why not get involved yourself and keep us up to date?


The cost of living

The cost of living

How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to live in Thailand? We survey various teachers earning different salaries and with different lifestyles.


The region guides

The region guides

Fancy working in Thailand but not in Bangkok? Our region guides are written by teachers who actually live and work in the provinces.


Air your views

Air your views

Got something to say on the topic of teaching, working or living in Thailand? The Ajarn Postbox is the place. Send us your letters!