Q1. Where did you move to and when?

Back to the UK in September, 2013.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

About 6 years

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

I had no degree and my school could no longer work their magic in getting me another waiver. They had their methods, all of which were legal, but these loopholes disappeared. The school also offered to keep me on (if I worked on a non O without a work permit), but I didn't fancy that.

I returned to do a degree in Education. I graduate in a few months time and plan on returning to 'do things properly'.

Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?

Well, I only work part-time as I'm a full-time student. Main advantages are no red-tape with visas/permits etc. And what the boss says, is usually true (no grey areas, like in Thailand). However, the only part-time work available for most full-time students in the UK is bar and shop work.

Having old pals seeing me stack shelves in the local supermarket (after they thought I had it made etc) has been a bit soul destroying, but I just remind myself that I'm about to graduate with a degree in Education to console myself.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

1. My wife. I couldn't afford to bring her over on a student's income. She works in a school in Thailand as a receptionist (not one I worked at). The separation has been really tough for us both.
2. The weather.
3. The food.
4. Old friends (Thai and western).
5. And of course...teaching in Thailand in general! (not for everyone, but I loved it).
6. Riding to work on my Honda Wave (seeing the monks collecting alms on the way to work etc).
7. The friendliness of Thai people in general.
8. Footy Saturday nights (beer and watching Premier League footy with friends)

Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?

Depends. Overall, I think a young teacher would be better off getting a few years experience teaching in their own country and then applying for a job at a top international school in Thailand.

For older guys (over 40 or so) then I would try and get a degree in Education (or post grad in Ed) and try for some of the lower level inters or Bilingual schools. Perhaps even a few years in the middle-east (although that is getting risky nowadays) if the retirement fund needs sorting out?

I would always recommend Thailand over the UK as a place to live, but you need to be earning a decent salary for it to be worthwhile. At least 60k per month in my opinion. This may include private work/second job in a language centre a few nights a week for many in Thailand.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

This year. Probably in September (to live and work, of course).

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

Thailand now has some of the toughest requirements in the world for foreign teachers. The days of teaching with no degree and doing visa runs is well and truly over.

Don't cry and moan about it (like I did at first). Thailand owes you nothing. It is what it is. Life is about sacrifices and to stay in Thailand long-term (as a teacher), you'll need a B.Ed or PGCE/M.Ed or similar. A degree in Business Studies won't do anymore (long term).

If you love teaching in Thailand, don't wait for your waivers to run out. Get on a course as soon as you can (by distance learning or at a Thai university if you really don't fancy going back 'home').

And if you are teaching with no degree and are not making moves to do a degree (in Thailand/by distance or at a university in your own country), then your days are well and truly numbered unless you take your head out of the sand.