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
