I’m sympathetic to the problems AN’s school has recruiting teachers (North Eastern Woes, 7th August) but you have to be realistic. Hardly anyone wants to live in these remote parts of Thailand, and those that have a romantic notion about it soon discover that it’s not as wonderful as they first thought (they probably didn’t think it through in the first place).

AN suggests retaining 10% of the salary until the end of the contract. The first problem with that potty idea is that salaries aren’t high enough to live on if you deduct 10% every month. If the salary is over 40K then sure, but where do you get that much outside Bangkok? You’re having problems recruiting now and you want to make it even harder by telling candidates that they won’t get their money until next year. This brings me to my next point. I’ve hear of many horror stories about teachers who are expecting to get either a bonus, withheld salary or simply their final month’s salary only to be told to get lost as their contract won’t be renewed next semester and we’re not going to pay you your money. By the way we cancelled your work permit a week ago.

Sorry AN but this is just yet another way to screw the teacher. If I hear anything like what you suggest at an interview I’ll get up and walk out. I’d like to suggest to ajarn.com that schools advertising teaching positions state any subversive contract clauses to avoid wasting people’s time.

Mr John