Q1. Where did you move to and when?

Back to the UK in October 2018

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

14 months (this time!) This is the third time I have worked as an ESL teacher in Thailand.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

Family reasons really. We needed to get back to the UK to register our daughter for primary school and also my wife never really settled back to life in Thailand.

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

Pay is far better, with real benefits. There are also policies and procedures to follow, including protection for minority groups and an equal opportunity to succeed. People generally get jobs based on their ability, rather than their appearance or who they are in with. Lets also not forget free and comprehensive healthcare, free and better education for children, a vote and generally a lot more freedom to speak your mind on any subject!

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

If I am honest, pretty much everything. People, weather, food, learning a language etc. Everyday things like popping down the local market on the motorbike, watching the local football team with a beer in my hand or getting a Thai massage. Being in a foreign country, every day feels like a bit of an adventure. Its such a diverse place with something for everyone. It's also generally cheaper and more accessible to do most fun activities.

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

If you are serious about being a career teacher, get certified at home and possibly consider teaching elsewhere. Teaching in Thailand can be fun, but the pay is low and so are the standards. Look at it as a working holiday really, unless you have the qualifications and can get a job in an international school.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

Of course! I love the place and it really is my second home. I will be back for regular holidays until I can work out another plan to live there again. Probably when my daughter has finished secondary school and flown the nest.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

I met so many teachers in Thailand who have no confidence getting a good job back home and therefore felt trapped. If you want to go back, look at your transferable skills and sell yourself to employers. You may not get a great job immediately, but good things can happen in the long run!