Q1. Where did you move to and when?

Saudi Arabia - two months ago.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

Six years over three stretches.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

The small salary with no yearly increase. I got married two years ago and got a child last year. Even though my wife and I had a joint monthly income of just over 50k baht in the semi-countryside, we were always just surviving with a slowly but constantly increasing credit card bill. We decided to get a car to make things easier and for taking care of the baby. We also lived in a spacious five bedroom house (monthly expenses left just 22k for my wife and I and our nappy-happy baby). We lived Thai-style so managed to keep it generally even month-to-month.

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

Teaching expectations (rules, curriculum, disciplinary support, weekly lesson-pacing schedule etc.) very clearly set out. The general level of English is much higher than in Thailand, so problems can be discussed with management/concerned parties directly, also without shyness and shame playing an overwhelming role. Problems are discussed maturely and generally and openly with the staff, and in the classroom, students are not afraid to make an effort to use what English they have.

The salary is three times higher here (around 100k Baht+ for an English-related degree holder with TEFL), with a return flight each year, fully paid luxury accommodation/bills included with a gym, recreation area and swimming pool. Generally the only thing you need to pay for is food and personal toys such as computers, tablets, books, etc. so it is easy for a single person to save 70-80% of their 100k Baht salary each month.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

The open social interaction. Even though Saudis are on the whole very polite, calm, friendly and respectful, they are very private. Everything happens behind high walls and there is a strict code of public behaviour - women have to be covered from head to toe and may generally not interact with men other than their own family. There are separate areas in restaurants/banks etc. for single guys and women/families. Basically all your friends will be in a family or be single guys. It's possible but tough for women to come to Saudi alone. That being said, things are generally very relaxed in the foreigner compounds (little villages where foreigners live) and even Saudis follow an unwritten rule that you're allowed to do what you like as long as it's in the privacy of your own home and not seen.

So I miss the eye candy and general freedom found in Thailand compared to here. It's also strange having to get back in the kitchen after six years of great Thai market meals, but it is nice to have all the western foods available again.

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

Thailand would provide a suitable testing ground to be able to make forgiven mistakes while you get used to the teaching profession, but the general lack of structure and clearly visible expectations, redundant work tasks and passing failed students, etc. might leave a sour taste in one's mouth. I would advise this only for a short-term learning experience - there is generally not a lot of money in teaching in Thailand, hardly any rewards (it could actually be seen as a disadvantage) for staying at the same school and learning the language.

Saudi Arabia gives the structure (schedules, books, communication lines) to be able to work things out, communicate and self-educate yourself. It is quite difficult to get into Saudi, and it's not for everyone, schools seem to have some difficulty in finding teachers and so that does make it slightly harder to get laid off at a whim. If you don't have ulterior motives and genuinely want to teach, I would advise seeking work in Saudi - the benefits are superb, money is good, problems are solved respectfully and they have salary reviews and rewards for people who re-sign contracts.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

Definitely. We have farmland in Thailand so would at least go there on holiday / to check up on things. It is still undecided as to where we will live after Saudi Arabia, as my wife and I would prefer for our son to grow up in a less restricted society. We will be fine until he reaches grade 1 (6-7 years old) as before this time kids in the kindergarten are not segregated. If I get my teaching degree sorted in the next 5 years, I would certainly look at working in Thailand again - at an international school or university with a higher salary and proper benefits packages.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

A lot of this great escape information is from what I hear from colleagues, but also my personal experience over the last two months.

I'm quite happy here in Saudi. It offers the perfect opportunity for teaching career advancement (I have heard that having Saudi work experience on your CV is also recognised favourably in Thailand), the possibility of saving up tons of money, loads of free time in the afternoons (work at my school is from 7.30 to 3pm with no more than five 40 minute lessons per day) to spend time on other projects such as studying for a masters/Ph.D, exercise, online work/blogging.

Petrol is incredibly cheap (150 baht to fill up a 40 litre tank), but it can get insanely boring for people who need mixed social interaction. You can go on trips to alcohol free night clubs with other single guys if it comes to that (it hasn't yet for me, despite my colleagues' gloomy predictions, but I don't expect it to!) - on the other hand, it's perfect for internet/gadget/movie junkies or new families taking care of babies/toddlers.