Are you a teacher who once taught in Thailand but decided to seek out pastures new? Has the grass been greener on the other side? Maybe you swapped Thailand for the financial lure of Japan or Korea? Read about those who have left Thailand, and their reasons for moving...
Bruce
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I haven't quite gone yet but you might say my suitcases are packed and I'm just tying up a few loose ends. I should be moving back to Scotland in July at the latest.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I did five years, most of that time was spent teaching at a good university in Bangkok. I said goodbye to the students and staff early in March.
Q3. What are your main reasons for moving?
I don't really see a career path here anymore and I felt my teaching was becoming a bit stale because in truth, my heart wasn't in it. When I first started five years ago, I felt like I was in a teachers' room full of like-minded, qualified professionals. We shared ideas with each other, encouraged each other and became a tight-knit little group. Sadly, I've watched most, if not all, of those guys leave over the past few years and I haven't really developed the same bond with the teachers that have replaced them.
Another reason for moving back home is that I feel the cost of living in Bangkok has skyrocketed to the point where it's just another expensive capital city. Even though I was on a decent salary of around 80,000 baht a month in my final year, I think you need far more than that to live at a certain level and to save for the future, etc. I guess the whole teaching in Bangkok thing has run its course and it's time to go.
Q4. What will be the advantages of working back in Scotland compared to Thailand?
I worked for the local council before I came out to Asia and I've been very lucky inasmuch as I've been basically offered my old job back. I suppose it's a bit of a pen-pushing, office job and it wouldn't suit everyone but it's a chance to get my foot back on the employment ladder back in Scotland before I hit thirty. Obviously, I'll get all the benefits from working at a regular job back in the UK (pension, sick pay, etc)
Q5. What will you miss about life in Thailand?
I don't honestly think I'll miss a great deal. I know this sounds a trifle bitter and perhaps it's a jaded soul talking but I think Thailand as a country for a foreigner to live and work in is vastly over-rated. I don't perceive Thailand to be anything special or unique in what it offers.
Don't get me wrong, I've had some wonderful times here and made some amazing friends but let's not get carried away with Thailand being the be all and end all. I'm sure I'd have had just as good a time in Vietnam or China or Japan, possibly even better.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand?
Yes, why not. If you're a new teacher just looking to gain some experience abroad as a TEFLer, it's a decent choice. If you're a qualified, professional teacher looking for a career path, frankly I'd look elsewhere unless you're qualified to work at the top-paying international schools. Teach at the lower end of the spectrum and there's a more than fair chance that the system is going to beat you down.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Not at all. Unless I tire of those sub-zero Scottish winter temperatures and those perpetual slate-grey skies.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I'm looking forward to being back among family and friends. Important birthdays, anniversaries, births, weddings and the odd funeral, I've missed an awful lot in five years. It's going to be nice to be home.
Scott
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to Canada in February, 2020.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked in Chiang Mai for a year.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I think the biggest factor was that I missed home. Canada isn’t perfect, but I’m learning to see just how fortunate I am to live here. There is a limit to how far you can go in Thailand. Aside from teaching, there aren’t many industries accessible for non-Thais.
Another reason was the salary, which averaged between 25,000-30,000 baht a month. That would have been a lot of money ten or fifteen years ago but costs in Thailand have steadily increased since then. Turns out I left just in time because all hell broke loose when the coronavirus turned the world upside down.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
The pros definitely outweigh the cons. In Thailand, foreigners with a teaching job have to report to immigration every three months and the work permit ties them to one employer. Since I’m working in my own country I can do what I love. I’m pursuing photography and other artistic endeavours.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Not very much to be honest. I think many foreigners working in Thailand would agree that their status is rarely on solid ground. Government regulations can change overnight and you never know what’s going to happen.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Thailand has a lot going for it: delicious food, lower prices and sites of historical interest. However, the paperwork and visa fees are substantial. If you’re aiming for the higher paying positions (between 60,000-80,000 baht a month), they’re not as plentiful as you might think, and you should expect tough competition.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I would like to when the mandatory quarantine has been lifted. I’m not travelling all the way over there just to sit in a hotel for two weeks.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Nope!
Pete
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Moved to Los Angeles, California in September 2020.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked on and off for three years doing part-time hourly teaching in Chiang Mai. My wife's family owns multiple tour companies with zip-line courses, restaurants and other things so I would usually just hang out with her family.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
No tourists around right now, so my wife wanted to leave for a bit.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I don't work here. Los Angeles is a covid mess and would likely be hard to find a "good" job right now. I just ride my mountain bike everyday. CA is amazing for outdoor sports like biking, and that's an advantage to being here.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Nearly everything. Life is good in Thailand. My wife's family is gold. I love just chilling, getting off my head most days and I cruise around with my wife's dad "checking" on businesses, which typically turns into more drinks.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Yes to work in Thailand. Being a teacher in Thailand is a rewarding experience for all parties. As for Los Angeles, I'm sure it's great to work here and it seems like a lot of people are working around here - but being a teacher here would be different.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yes, I can't wait for my wife to get bored and want to return to Chiang Mai. I'm going to build a mountain bike course down one of the mountains her parents have land on. I keep telling her let's go, I'm ready to go build some trails in Chiang Mai and go shred on the mountain bike. She loves the USA and wants to travel all over here once we get our vaccines. Not sure how long I'm stuck for this time.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Thailand is my second home. I will always go back and forth between my home country and there as long as I am able to do so. Teaching in Thailand is great. I also taught in Cambodia on a voluntary basis and I also highly recommend giving your time to Thailand's neighboring countries as well.
Phil
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to China in October 2019
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I studied then worked in Thailand for around 7 years in total.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I just got married and started reassessing my priorities. Although I absolutely love Thailand, the salaries offered have a limit. It seems for the vast majority of jobs it ranges from 30K-60K. Getting jobs with a higher salary requires serious qualifications and are very far and few between.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
The number one advantage in China is the salary. An NES teacher with a BA and TESOL can get their first job here for 90K baht per month (20k yuan), and after a few years experience this can rise to 110K baht (25k yuan) per month. Add a masters degree and you're looking at around 140K baht (30k yuan). On top of this, health insurance and housing are provided for free and living costs are as cheap as Thailand for the most part if one doesn't have any vices.
Clear career development with a more professional environment and opportunities for getting regular salary raises made China the sensible next step for me personally.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Absolutely everything! I have a Thai spouse so have permanent connections with the country.
Luckily I have minimum of three months paid holidays every year here in China and in non-covid times went back (and will go back) to Thailand at every chance. Surprisingly I seem to enjoy it more as a holiday destination for now as when I do return I have a good amount of savings and don't need to resort to eating 30 baht kao pads everyday as I used to do when I lived there. I have been broke in Thailand and that is one thing I DO NOT miss. So having money to properly enjoy my three months there when I go back makes me enjoy it much more than living on a budget for the full 12 months of the year.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Thailand is a great place to transition into the ESL industry. It is an excellent destination for starting out and getting your initial two years of experience. Beyond that you will soon hit a ceiling in your earning potential. For some this is OK and I'm not judging that. But personally I am focused on advancing to the highest level I can in my career and saving some money since I'm a late starter.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I will visit Thailand during all of my holidays - it's just a 2-hour flight from China. And if I ever wanted to take some more time off I can always return on a marriage visa. Furthermore I have plans to buy property in Thailand and eventually use that as one of my main retirement locations. At that point I may teach for a few years (for fun and to get citizenship).
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Make a long-term plan of what you would like to accomplish in your life.
Thailand can definitely play a role in that, but it might be wise to look beyond it too for certain periods in your life when you need extra income such as when you are married and/or have kids and need to save money.
The COVID situation has taught us that we need substantial savings to be secure in our lives as things can change at any moment, so we should use this opportunity to invest in our future to make sure we are in a good place when the next catastrophe hits the world. Good luck to all in your paths.
Lothar
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to my small home town in Germany (near Hamburg) at the beginning of 2020 (just before Covid-19 became a major problem)
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked there for two years at a large private school in Khorat Province.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Although I loved the school where I taught at, I started to feel like I was just ghosting through every day and the work was no longer a challenge. It didn't really matter if I did a good job as long as I showed up and just did an OK job then that was enough. I began to wonder how many years I could continue in this way until I went crazy. I'm not saying the school was one of those that just needed a warm body in the classroom but it began to feel that way to me. And when you begin to lose interest in the classroom, it's sure to rub off on the students and I didn't want that.
Another reason for returning home was that my father wasn't in the best of health and my mother was struggling to cope with taking care of him. It was time to do my bit for the family I guess because I am an only child. There are no other siblings to call on.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Well of course with looking after my parents combined with Co-vid bringing the world to a standstill, I haven't really bothered to look for any work since I got home. I've helped out a few friends with some casual work now and again (construction work, delivery driving, etc) but only for a bit of pocket money. Staying with the family means I don't really have any expenses anyway. I suppose I'm like millions of other people right now - I'm waiting for the world to get back to normal.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I miss Khorat Province in general. It's a lovely place to live and work. As well as being a vibrant city with plenty of restaurants, nightlife and things to do, you have some gorgeous countryside and national parks just a short drive away. When I first arrived in Thailand, I thought about teaching in Bangkok but I hated the place so much I didn't even do a job search. I think I went into Bangkok twice in all the time I was in Thailand. I have no idea how anyone can live there but I'm not really a city boy anyway.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Well I'm not living in a TEFL destination at the moment so that part of the question doesn't really apply to me. Would I seek work in Thailand? Yes, why not? The teacher salaries are not the best (especially for a non-native speaker) but outside of Bangkok, you can live pretty well on 40,000 a month. I was earning almost 50,000 actually and found it to be more than enough. Thai red tape (visas, work permits, etc) can get a lot of teachers down but my school had staff who were brilliant at taking care of those things so it was only ever a minor inconvenience. I guess it's important to work for a school who is strong in this particular department.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I genuinely have no idea what the future holds at the moment. I'm still in my twenties so there is plenty of time to figure out my next move.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Just because you are a European or non-native speaker, don't approach things with the attitude of being 'second best'. I think more and more Thai schools are coming to realise that the non-native speaker is just as employable and do just as good a job in the classroom. I got paid the same salary as the native English speakers at my school and there was never any resentment. We were all on an equal footing.
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