Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I didn't leave Thailand but I left teaching. I left my job in a Thai school in 2013 and moved to Phuket.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

I worked as a teacher in a government school for 2 years. Now I work as a journalist.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

A few: Had enough of Bangkok - a city I love but that is quite exhausting , especially since my baby daughter was born. I was also tired of my job and my girlfriend got a decent job offer in Phuket. I still love living in Thailand and I'd like to stay here for the rest of my days - just not in teaching or at least not in a Thai public school.

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

My job is way more interesting - I deal with educated adults with whom I can talk about things other than food. I don't earn more but I don't hate my life on Monday mornings - there is some reason to what I do - the reason I lacked after two years of teaching. There is some space for growth. I can call what I do a career which I couldn't say about teaching.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

I get much, much fewer holidays in my current job. This is the best part of teaching in Thailand - number of days off, canceled classes, short working hours. Now I often work 6 days a week, evenings etc. Still - would't want to go back to school.

Getting a visa was also easier at school - at least in my case because I know many others who were not so lucky.

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

If you're here to enjoy the beauty of Thailand and get to know it better - go for a job in a government school - it's a complete chill out, no expectations, no stress - just show up at work and enjoy the time with kids. All the paper work, all the exams - all this is fake, useless and made to make your life miserable - don't let it.

If you're a serious teacher try to get a job in Thailand while still abroad - in an international school, through a recruitment agency. Get educated, get a teaching degree. A professional teacher working for an international school in Thailand can have the best of lives!

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

I don't plan on leaving the country. But I don't have plans to go back to teaching either. The only way I see myself back at school is when I open one.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

Teaching is a great way to get your foot in the door, learn a bit about the country and move up from there. Just go with the flow, don't try to change the system, don't try...well, teach Thais how things should be done and you'll be fine. Relax and enjoy the beauty of this country - there's so much more to it than just teaching!