Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I moved to Bangkok in 2004 and stayed there for a year with my then-girlfriend (now my wife) whom I had met in Australia in 2000. After that I went back to the Philippines and tried getting a job as a designer -- that lasted three months due to shitty wages and equally shitty management. So I went back to Bangkok and stayed with my wife and eventually got a job in an English program at a government secondary institution 30 minutes away via the beaten-up-blue-bus-system : )

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

I worked there for eight years. Lived there for nine-ish.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

On my seventh year of teaching I did a distance PGCE from the UK which made me realise the evils of the Thai education system (and other systems around the world for that matter). Because I had two sons with my wife at this point, I realised that it would probably be best if they were educated abroad rather than succumb to the institutional brain-washing that Thailand uses to keep its people in their designated place. It was like an epiphany.

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

I'm now in the USA, and there are a few things that are better. For one, you have 401k's, insurance and all the other benefits Americans are used to. Unfortunately for me I've never lived long enough in the States to build up my credit and all -- so currently I'm the equivalent of someone fresh out of college (minus the thousands of dollars of debt in student loans). Eventually I will get to the level where I'll enjoy taking out loans for cars and houses and the sweet life of paying all those off. As a foreigner you can't do that in Thailand, unless you want to risk ending up as another statistic splattered on the front page of ThaiRath.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

The simple life I guess. There's a lot of crap being said about Thais, like how they drive and how they cheat people but I don't think that's fair or specific to Thais. Here in the USA I've had my debit and credit card information stolen FOUR times in less than six months (I've been here eight). I've also had to deal with the craziest people I've ever met in my entire life -- here in the USA. I've had some frustrating experiences in Thailand for sure but the reverse culture shock I've experienced here in the USA trumped so much that at one point I wanted to go back to Thailand (also because my kids and wife are still there).

I guess the biggest thing I miss in Thailand is the spontaneous nature of things. You will experience the most bizarre things everyday. Oh and the malls! Those are the best... the ones here in Virginia don't even begin to compare!

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

I would definitely advise it for single people. For people who have to support families though, if they're lucky enough to get into an International School that supports their kids, then why not?

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

Definitely. I would definitely like to retire in Thailand. As I have in-laws and property there, I can live MUCH more comfortably in Thailand and my retirement savings will go a much much longer way than it would in the US. The beaches are better, the tourist destinations better and all more affordable. There's no doubt I will return to Thailand when I'm old and wrinkly and single again ; ) You can still live the life of a 30-year old at 60 as long as you have the cash.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

Thailand is a great place for single people to experience the best Asia has to offer, whether that be crazy politics, entertainment or technology (and for men... women). It's a great place for a family vacation, but not a great place to bring up a family. Thailand has a reputation for its bars and girls for a reason, and rightly so. This isn't because foreigners give it that reputation, but really it's what the Thai government itself creates: without freedom of expression and proper education, the Thai people are limited in what they can achieve in life -- and the government knows full-well that there's money in population control, which is why Thais will never be able to break out of this stereotype, if left in their lands. Many expats debate over it and fool themselves into thinking that it'll ever change: it never will. So if you're bringing your family over, stay, be safe, and leave. Otherwise let the single budding teachers and the old retired expats enjoy what Thailand has to offer to its long-term residents.