Are you a teacher who once taught in Thailand but decided to seek out pastures new? Has the grass been greener on the other side? Maybe you swapped Thailand for the financial lure of Japan or Korea? Read about those who have left Thailand, and their reasons for moving...
Jon
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
A city on the outskirts of Hanoi, Vietnam in October 2024
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Just over two years.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
A couple of reasons. I'd heard that Vietnam pays more than Thailand, is cheaper and is a step up on the career ladder. I also felt that a change of scenery would be nice.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Honestly, very few. While it's true that Vietnam pays more than Thailand, a lot of the positions are zero-hour contracts meaning no work-no pay, especially bad during the long, unpaid Tet and summer breaks. I heard that some of the salaried gigs are better but they're few and far better.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Almost everything.
I hated Vietnam pretty much since I got off the plane and emerged into the dirty, noisy, traffic choked streets of Hanoi but I'd already committed to the move, sold my things in Thailand etc and it wasn't easy to just go back.
Work didn't get better. I moved to an ugly industrial area an hour's drive from the lights of Hanoi. It's filthy, dreadfully polluted and with little to do besides drink. I got scammed by three different companies since coming to Vietnam and am so burnt out with the place. Thailand isn't without it's problems but Vietnam (or at least the north) makes Bangkok look like Singapore.
I miss everything. The tasty and abundant foods, the 7-11s, the affordable modern apartments with pools, the sunshine (Hanoi is so dreary and polluted you often can't see what the sky looks like), the friendly people, nightlife and the friends I had there.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
I understand I sound negative and I won't dismiss all of Vietnam because I know people who came and loved it - but I can't leave quickly enough and I wouldn't recommend Vietnam for new or experienced teachers.
Teachers here really need to do their research as there are so many scam employers, a better question would be where is it safe to work. Yes, pay is overall higher but the quality of life is less. Even international schools aren't safe from the trickery as evidenced with the recent scandal at a well-known school in Saigon.
If you are a new ESL teacher, start out in Thailand and have your fun before moving on to the big bucks in China.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Definitely. I'm planning to move to China in August and take regular holidays back in Thailand.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Not that I can think of.
Kerryn
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I returned to South Africa in 2022
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Five months
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I was having a hard time obtaining a non-B visa.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I was born here and lived here for most of my life so it's a country I know well.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Cheap accommodation and food, fabulous markets and various cultural events. It is also easy to travel around, plus I miss the friends I made while I was there.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Definitely Thailand
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yes, but only for a holiday.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I loved my short time spent in Thailand and I would have made a plan to stay if I had not been offered a job in my home country.
Francesco
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to the Philippines about six years ago, but I am not Filipino.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked there for several years
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I had had enough of jumping through hoops, all the visa games, and schools ignoring contracts.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Now I only teach European students online.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
The Philippines is actually not that different to Thailand when it comes to day-to-day life.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
If they want to teach students in a classroom setting then I think Thailand would be better than the Philippines, but the Philippines is good for those that want to teach online.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I'll certainly come back again, but only to visit.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Six years down the line and I persuse the job ads and things haven't changed in terms of salaries offered, which is crazy considering inflation and how much more expensive Thailand has become these days.
Jean-Pierre
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I returned home to France in 2019.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Let's just say it was a good few years.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Unfortunately, when I turned 60, I was unable to find a new teaching position.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
There are no advantages at all in being where I am now. Thailand was always the greatest country to live and work in.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
The monarchy and the respect of Thai people for their country, Buddhism as a daily way of life, the genuine kindness and honesty of thai people and the coherency of thai society, the respect of thai students for their teacher. And of course the food and the smiles!
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Thailand 100%
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
It is like the deepest wound when I’m far away from Thailand. I would dearly love to return one day and I would go anytime.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I’m afraid that thai people lose their souls if they welcome too many strangers. There are too many Chinese and Westerners coming into Thailand just for the drugs, the drinks and the prostitution industry. I feel also extremely sad when I see gay pride processions in Chiang-Mai or Bangkok. Thai people should protect themselves from the vices of other countries and their woke ideology.
Alex
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Back in 2022, I went back to the chilly winters of Canada. After five years of teaching in Thailand, I decided it was time for a change. I packed my bags, said goodbye to my students, and went back home to study for a master’s degree in Educational Technology. It was a huge step, but I was ready for a new challenge.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I spent five largely enjoyable years teaching English at a couple of schools in Chiang Mai. At first, it was just meant to be a short-term thing - maybe a year or two - but I guess Thailand pulled me in, as it does so many others. But eventually, I knew I wanted to take my career in a new direction.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I loved teaching, but I started getting interested in how technology could be used in education. I wanted to learn more about things like digital learning platforms, AI in the classroom, and how tech can make education more accessible. Canada seemed like the right place to do that, so I decided to apply for a master’s program. It wasn’t an easy decision, but sometimes you have to take a leap.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
The biggest difference is the work and study culture. Things are a lot more structured in Canada, with clearer career paths and professional development opportunities. In Thailand, things felt more relaxed, which was great, but I sometimes felt like I was just floating along. Here, I feel like I’m working toward something bigger. Also, the exposure to cutting-edge education technology has been mind-blowing. Back in Thailand, I was using a whiteboard and markers most of the time. Here, I’m learning about AI-driven lesson plans, virtual reality classrooms, and all sorts of cool innovations that I never even thought about before.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Where do I start? The food, obviously! Thai street food beats overpriced, bland sandwiches any day. I miss grabbing a bowl of noodles or a plate of pad kra pao. I also miss the weather. Winter in Canada is no joke. Some days, I look out the window afetr a heavy snowfall and wonder why I ever left the sunshine. But more than anything, I miss the people. Thai culture is so warm and welcoming. I miss the easygoing vibe, the constant smiles, and the fact that there was always something happening, whether it was a random festival, a street parade, or just a casual night out with friends.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re just starting out and want an adventure, Thailand is perfect. The lifestyle is great, and you’ll get tons of teaching experience while enjoying an amazing country. It’s also a great place to figure out if teaching is something you really love. But if you’re looking for long-term career growth, you might eventually want to move on. There are fewer opportunities for promotions in Thailand, and salaries can be limiting if you have long-term financial goals. If you’re serious about making a career in education, especially in tech or curriculum development, then countries with more structured career paths might be a better fit.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Definitely! I don’t know when, but Thailand still feels a bit like home to me. I’d love to come back and work on education projects, maybe something that brings more technology into Thai classrooms. I’ve also got a list of Thai islands I still need to visit, so a long holiday at some stage is definitely on the cards.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
A great pal of mine recently passed away suddenly at the age of 38. He never drank or smoke and lived a pretty healthy lifestyle. Stuff like this changes your mindset. If you’re thinking about making a big move, just go for it. It might sound scary at first, but you never know where life will take you. When I first moved to Thailand, I had no idea it would shape my career and introduce me to some of the best people I’ve ever met. Life is short. I implore you to take the leap!
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