Well, news has been filtering out about next year and Thailand's wish to align the school year with other Asean countries. So, let us get this straight - at the end of this school year your school will say "thank you teacher we love you and your teaching so much, you will stay with us next term?"

Well I would love to thank you for wanting me to stay. "OK, teacher see you in 3 1/2 months and hope you survive with no salary and can live on nothing." "What, you want some retainer or salary?" "Oh, no, only Thai teachers can have a salary. You farang, you come back on June 10th after 102 days without any money".

I think it is plain to see that Thailand has to change the way it operates. The fat cat agency owners are making a killing ripping off teachers. The school directors are pocketing money to buy their Mercedes instead of buying what the school needs. The way things are I am afraid Thailand is destined to remain at the bottom of the league for English and pretty much an isolated bubble on the world stage. Unless it drags itself out of the corrupt mess which is rampant here.

I hope the politicians take a good look at themselves, though I doubt it. They should start putting the children of the country first and give them some chance of a future. More than a promise of a poorly paid job or selling themselves to the tourists.

There is so much wrong with this I wouldn't know where to start, but someone's got to try and start somewhere. All change next year for teachers except the international school bunch. I can't see many of them taking a 100+ day holiday and going back for a pittance. Good luck Thailand - you will certainly need it.

Jonathan