Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I moved back to England and do not regret it for one moment. It was the end of September 2012 when we arrived back in England, I brought my Thai girlfriend with me and she is loving it here in England.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

I worked in Thailand for exactly six and a half years, maybe I stayed too long because in the end I hated it in Thailand.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

After working at several schools for different agencies it was clear nothing was ever going to change. Same old arguments with the Thai teachers when it came to exam times, nobody can fail. What a load of old bollocks that is. I remember one school where I had a class of 43 girls in my M4 class, 8 of the girls would do each others hair with hair dryers may I add. I approached the Thai teacher responsible for this class, but nothing happened until I failed them all. They all got a big zero because that what they did. As usual I was told I must give them a pass mark, I flatly refused to do it and the class was taken away from me, and this was not the only problem class. Thailand deserves the low educated people it has, because until corruption is wiped out in the education system and kids who are lazy and stupid buck their ideas up, nothing will ever change. Glad to be out of it. Even worked in a very well known private language school and even there it was no one fails because they pay.

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

In England where I am now I pay more tax and insurance, bills are higher but I earn a decent salary. Back to being among people with a work ethic unlike Thailand. It was difficult getting up and running in England but I have many qualifications so I got a job straight away. My girlfriend can't understand why companies really check up on you before you get a job and the hoops you have to jump through to rent houses unlike Thailand. She is gradually getting to grips with things though.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

To be perfectly honest I don't miss Thailand at all and will probably never come back, not even to visit my friends and family. The fact that I can drive without the police stopping me for tea money and what else? - stupid useless dangerous Thai drivers, unintelligent people who think they are better than anyone else because of their brainwashing, also that Thais think Thailand is the only country in the world. Thais live in a goldfish bowl so will never improve in my opinion unless corruption is wiped out and this will never happen.

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

In my opinion, anyone who is doing okay in their own country - stay there! You will never make a difference in Thailand. Save your energy and work hard at what you are doing now. If you are on the dole then maybe it would be a good option for you, or if you are not very well educated, get a TEFL certificate and someone will employ you for a pittance. For anyone in England the grass is not greener on the other side. Stay where you are.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

None whatsoever. I may have to come out to help with my girlfriends settlement visa, but if I don't have to I will not be coming back to Thailand. My salary is more than enough for her visa requirements so hopefully we can get it fairly easily as we can provide all the correct documentation. She is here on a six month visitors visa and has settled in very well. We have a nice house, car and I have a good job, so she is very happy here. Also we are lucky enough to live within a few minutes of some fantastic beaches, which she loves walking to.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

For those of you thinking of moving out to work in Thailand, think very carefully. It can be hard work and you will have to work more than one job to get a half decent living. Things are getting expensive in Thailand very quickly so your money won't go so far unless you live like a local, eating cheap street food. This is not a good idea. Make sure you always have money spare for emergencies. Do not go for all the wrong reasons - bargirls, gogo bars, cheap sex. My advice is find a decent girl if you can but they are few and far between as many have been prostitutes at one time or another. Glad to be home in a civilised country.