Great to be here Phil. I first came to Thailand some 18 years ago and loved it. I made the actual move here nearly 8 years ago with the intention of spending more time with my brother who had settled here.

I have traveled around, but my base has mainly been Bangkok.

I ran that business for nearly 15 years. I loved it and it was quite successful and provided a great way of life.

The main reason I gave it up was I could see the bubble about to burst. Another tour operator that I had dealt with over those years had been asking me to sell to them for a few years and I felt the time was right.

My other reason was family. As I said my brother was already here and I found my trips out here were becoming more frequent each year.

My intention when I got here via Kenya was to be a beach bum and doss around different places. After about one year of doing this I must admit I got a little bored. I looked at various business opportunities and they didn’t appeal due to the red tape involved. If I pay for it. I want to own it 100%, I don’t understand how people throw away their life savings on a business they can’t own 100%.

So I ended up taking a TEFL course in Bangkok to pass some time and I was away.

Well, I am doing a couple of things at the moment. I teach private students and I also teach online.

Most of my private students are word of mouth and the great thing is they rarely argue about price because of the recommendation. The online teaching is something I enjoy. My business was online based and for me it fits like a glove. The students come from all over the world and each class is great fun.

Both of these allow me freedom to choose my hours and also the students. If a student is willing then teaching is easier. That said, those that know me will tell you I work stupid hours because I hate not being busy.

Phil, I can honestly say that if I step foot in a school again you can call me a Liverpool fan forever. Honestly, I didn’t hate the job, just the idiotic system and politics.

Teaching is great and for the most part the students were good fun. I am sure there are great schools out there in the private sector but the government system here sucks. Most of it depends on the Thai teachers who run language departments.

I always have a laugh when I see that stupid “world class school “sign outside of these schools. They are more like third world class. Considering the money that goes into education here in Thailand most of these schools are a sad reflection of education centers.

Bad boy Phil, Well where do I begin? Let’s start with Twitter shall we. These kids are always on there saying how marvelous it is that they are coming to teach lovely little kids English. Most of these kids can’t even boil an egg FFS.

Then you have a 19-22 year old 'teacher' stood in front of a M6 class trying to teach them English and life skills. What life skills does a young kid have? Most of these students just look at them and see boyfriend and girlfriend material or don’t listen because they see a brother or sister in front of them.

Taking these kids on as teachers is an insult to those that are qualified teachers and also those that take the role seriously and work hard at their jobs.

The main reason I have a problem with these upstarts is that they have driven down salaries for the genuine long term teachers.

They take a salary of 30k as that will support their activities whilst here in Thailand and to them that’s enough. How on earth is a man or woman supposed to support a family on that kind of wage?

And why a teacher who has experience should be paid the same wage as a kid who has just jumped off a plane for a six-month stint trying to “find themselves” is beyond me.

I did my backpacking when I was younger but the damage being done here in Thailand taking on these kids, will take years to repair. I could go on but as you gathered, backpackers should stay well clear of a classroom and go and save the forests or the ocean. Like I did at their age.

If they feel inspired to come back later in life to teach then great because they will have at least gained some life experience to teach the students.

I have to be careful here because no doubt people will suspect who I am.

I think we have all worked with the nut jobs who quite frankly shouldn’t be let near a school, let alone teach in one.

I remember one particular chap who could have gotten away with murder if he wanted to. He basically had or probably still has a drink and drug problem.

I remember his second day very well. He staggered in smelling like he had just rolled out of Nana Plaza. When I asked him if he had been drinking, he just said 'only one for breakfast today'.

That basically set the tone for the year. He would turn up stoned, drunk or both and just fall asleep and often miss his lessons. When he did teach, his lesson subject was the same each time.

The reason he got away with this was simple and yet clever on his part. He got himself romantically involved with a senior Thai teacher and as such nobody said anything to him.

When it was mentioned it was laughed off. This story unfortunately didn’t have a great ending so I will leave that one there.

Then you have the world savers. They arrive fresh off the boat and want to change the unchangeable. They moan and groan about anything cultural that they may have to do and proclaim they aren’t Buddhist so they won’t join in an activity.

What these morons don’t understand is that their actions reflect on everyone. Most schools collectively call us “The Falang Teacher” so stupid stubbornness and constant complaining about Thailand brings everyone down.

And then there's the borrower. Every school has one. Half way through the month they are borrowing to pay for their next drink or whatever, without a care in the world.

When they don’t have any money, they became a pain in the butt.

I must admit I have been a little soft with some people but that’s my choice. I never give them more than I can lose but if I don’t get it back, I make sure they never ask again.

I hate racism period. This is one of the things that brings Thailand back into a third world nation.

I have seen African teachers being laughed at because of the colour of their skin. It sickens me to be honest.

Then you have the Filipino teachers. Most of them are treated like dirt by the Thai staff because somehow Thais think they are superior.

Then you have ageism. How do these people think? You are 44 years old one day and the day you are 45 you are ready for the knacker’s yard!

The ironic and moronic thing about this is that the person who makes the decision is usually some teacher in their late fifties who hasn’t thought how stupid his or her comments will sound to someone younger.

I have worked with some great teachers who have “life experience” - something solid to offer these students - but somehow they are not good enough anymore because they are in their mid-40s.

Too many of these teacher agencies are the scum of the earth in my opinion.

I have been lucky because I researched any that offered me work but some of the stories you hear are shocking and downright criminal.

The last agency I worked for were great and to be fair they tried to support me in my last school but the bottom line is always the same. They are only interested in how much they are raking in from the school.

I haven’t been in a position where my salary hasn’t been paid but I know teachers who have had to wait weeks for payment and then it’s never the full amount.

I have no doubt that some agencies are genuine but most of them are far from it. I don’t know why a school can’t employ direct and have a localized center to deal with paperwork.

Let’s be honest here, this is the main reason most schools use these agencies and the agencies rarely do the correct paperwork anyway. I have only had two agencies get me a work visa. The rest have made excuses that border on stupid and the sad thing is, people believe this bullshit.

One agent I worked for a couple of years ago offered to take her teachers back last year on 5k less a month and blamed the schools. These teachers are hardworking folk who deserved better. Thankfully most told her to shove it and from what I heard they are now out of business due to her dodgy dealings.

In the end though I have to concede that there is a place for the good ones and as a starter in Thailand they serve a purpose. Anyone reading this should note, I would love to name names but I respect Phil’s position.

Just do your research and remember this - whatever the agency tells you, prepare for the worst case scenario and if they come through you can treat it as a bonus.

Well, I have heard this argument so often it’s become boring.

If you are a non-native English teacher, then deal with it. The schools have a criteria and they stick with it. I am not saying that as a non-native you are not good enough. That is the last thing I would say because I know some amazing teachers who are non-native English speakers.

The difference between those great non-native teachers and the majority who moan and groan, is that they came here to teach knowing the system.

I once had a French guy telling me he was a native because he could speak English. Native Frenchman maybe but not a native English speaker. No matter what was said to him, he couldn’t get it into his head.

Then I look at the Filipino teachers. I have no idea why you guys accept a pittance of a wage. The fact that you do and then complain gets little in the way of sympathy from me or most other people that I know.

I am convinced that in the next few years most of the English teachers employed by government schools will be from the ASEAN community. That may well make some non-natives happy but don’t think you will be raking the money in. The school owners and agents will pay you just the same as they do now and keep more for themselves.

I love the job and I honestly feel privileged in that I have run a business that I loved and although not planned, I have now found a career in teaching.

Working for Thai schools is not my thing and some will scoff at my comments - but I accept that.

Teaching or any job is about enjoying it first and thinking about the rewards later.

I fell out of love with teaching in schools and I wasn’t prepared to live a lie just for a few extra baht every month.

I love the craziness and the variety of life. Each day is different.

I could go all cliché and say it’s the culture, food and the weather but for me it’s just the fact that Thailand and Thai people are just plain crazy and the locals don’t actually care what you do as long as you don’t harm them.

I love the fact that people pop down to the corner shop in their pyjamas, I love the fact that after only a few days of living somewhere, the motorcycle taxi drivers know where to take you. I love the fact that everyone is as crazy as me really.

I was full of hope when he arrived but now I have this sinking feeling that my beloved team are in a comedy show run by the great Louis Van Gobbledygook and his amazing philosophy.

Let's get rid. And fast!