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...
Lance
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Back to the USA (Las Vegas) in May of 2017
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
5 Years
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Family concerns, as my mother is struggling. I mentioned this in my <a href="http://www.ajarn.com/help-and-guides/cost-of-living/lance" title="cost of living survey">cost of living survey</a> I did (November 2016). I have no other family who can help out and it was either put her in a senior home or move back and help.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Work - fair pay, a proper pension and labor laws being followed. No 90-day check ins or work permit hassles. I can drive to work and own a nice car for far less than what it costs in Thailand. Able to be in a management role without being micromanaged. Also, my wife has more job options and makes more than she did in Thailand.
I used to work in sales and marketing (My best year was pulling in 145,000 USD) before I got stressed, my health was getting worse and I was sick going to work. So I went back to University/student teaching to get a teaching license and went overseas. Now that I am back in the USA I chose a less stressful job managing a recreation center. Yes the pay is only 50,000 USD a year but I have my evenings, weekends and sanity.
Life - The variety and affordability of food, cheap buffets at the casinos, being able to drive to California on the weekend and there is far more entertainment in Vegas than in Thailand. Also, no state tax is a huge plus.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
My brother-in-law. He is amazing and we’d kick back with some beers on a Friday night and attempt to talk in each other’s native language. He taught me how to fly drones and fix minor computer issues. Just a great guy and I could not have asked for a better brother-in-law. Hopefully he can visit next year.
I also miss the simplistic way of life and was less stressed in Thailand. Yes, Thailand has it's fair share of problems but no country is perfect.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
If you are qualified and have a teaching license then yes. At the very least get qualified to be a substitute teacher in your homeland before seeking work. Also, before you go to Thailand do some tutoring or coach youth sports too as it really helps to have some background in education to build up your resume.
Going to Thailand with few skills and qualifications, you will have a rougher time I feel.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Of course, as my wife and I plan to retire there. Depending on my mother's situation, maybe we will return earlier.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
My wife loves the USA and I enjoy seeing her find new things of interest. Such as “WOW! They have slot machines in the airport?” “WOW! Brittney Spears performs every night?” and when we stopped at a 7-11 en route to California and she bought the largest drink possible just because “It looked like a fun American thing to do”.
I was worried she would not adapt to the USA and Vegas would be sensory overload for her but she has adapted quite well. Her English has got a lot better, she enjoys her job too and has made new friends.
We don't plan to be in the USA forever so our attitude is just to enjoy the experience for now.
Alec
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Back to my home town in Kentucky, USA. June 2017.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Three and a half years in various cities.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Money. I was making good money in Thailand and really enjoyed life, but I wasn't making much progress toward planning for a future or a real safety net. I'm now in my mid-20s and the reality of not having a concrete financial plan and savings was starting to sink in.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I went back to work for the same company I worked for before moving away. So the money is good, I have a long relationship with the company, no hassles with visas and the uncertainty that goes with life in a foreign country.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Everything! I miss the food, as cliche as that is. American food is just too heavy now. I miss how easy it was to travel, I miss the cheap cost of living, the laid back attitudes, my friends and the places I became familiar with. Three years isn't a very long time, but I can say that Thailand absolutely felt more like home than where I went back to.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Yeah. I moved there as a teacher and did my time to work up the ladder before eventually getting out of teaching. But I'm forever grateful to those years I spent teaching, especially as a 21-year-old looking for something new. I met good people, made great memories, and loved every second.
Thailand is what you make it. Some people aren't cut out for work there, whether it's teaching or whatever else.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yes. My intention is to spend my time in America getting on solid feet financially and building my own work. I love living in Thailand but I am over working there. Ideally I would like to live there whilst still doing what I do now.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Teaching in Thailand was a great experience, as was working for other Thai companies. But one can easily fall into the comfort and the fun of living there while neglecting any sort of forward planning.
If you're young and looking to spend a few years abroad, or if you're older and at a point where work isn't necessarily a requirement, then I think it's a fantastic place to be.
I've struggled to re-adapt to life in America, but "going home" isn't actually as bad as I was anticipating. I truly love Thailand and I'm glad I took a step toward getting myself in a position to live there with less stress than before.
Daniel
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I returned to Texas, in the U.S.A.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I was there for 5+ years at AUA.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
My mother was getting on in years. I was also worried about continuing to build a pension.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Currently I've been looking for work in the IT field but have found it difficult to get in to. I'm still looking.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
The simpler lifestyle. The lack of stress.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Yes. It's an experience worth anyone's time.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
If I can't find work in the next month or two, then yes.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
If you're abroad and thinking of returning home, think on it a bit more. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Plus there is such a thing as reverse culture shock. Even now I'm trying to figure out why we live the way we do in The USA. The high cost of living, high insurance premiums, the need to drive a car, and worst of all the high price of Thai food.
Isaac
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back home to Seattle, Washington in January 2017
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
About a year and a half in two different secondary schools.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Two reasons. Firstly, as the months passed, I realized from everyone back home all the weddings, funerals, parties and graduations I had missed in just under two years. I wasn't homesick in any way because I did like the life I was living in Thailand but I felt like I was missing out on moments that I will never get back.
Secondly, I thought about the future. I'm still in my twenties but I'm not saving anything worth bragging about. I don't get a pension and I can't own land? No sir.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Its very different. I only see two advantages. First being I'm contributing to my pension and social security again. That was one of my main concerns upon leaving. Secondly, I'm working in the field I studied in to begin with.
Other than that the work is harder and the expenses in The U.S are much higher.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I miss the weather and just the simple life in general. I miss the currency. It was weird using US dollars again. I also miss the hospitality. You're not 'special' once you return home if you know what I mean.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
It would depend on the situation. We don't all live the same life.
If you're a qualified teacher sure, but if you're a potential ESL teacher like I was, then know when to stop.
Set other goals for yourself and don't get stuck. I met many older English and Americans, particularly in Northern Thailand, living from paycheck to paycheck, some with marital problems with their Thai spouses, others fighting with the mother of their children on who gets what. Seriously, who would want that?
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yes, I've always said the next time I return to Thailand it'll be as a tourist. There are still many places I haven't been to and I wouldn't have been able to go to to begin with given the salary I was getting.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I enjoyed my time in both Esaan and Bangkok while I was there. I accept the experience for what it was but it's not a place I would ever stay long term. Some find their niche and make it work while others just get stuck in a rut.
There's lots to do in Thailand but work-wise there are better options elsewhere and you gotta know when to tell yourself it's time.
Trevor
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to Macclesfield, England in April 2017.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I was there for about a year, working at a large secondary school in Khorat.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
My parents are getting on in years and both beginning to suffer from serious ill health. I felt more than a little guilty that the responsibility of looking after them was falling on my sister's shoulders. She already has a full-time job to hold down and three kids to take care of. Me lazing around on a beach and living the life of Riley in Thailand just didn't seem fair with my sister having so much on her plate so I made the decision to return home.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Well, I haven't actively looked around for any work yet. I'm kind of taking things day by day and seeing how things unfold. I'm living rent-free with my parents at the moment and my needs are few. I can't carry on like this indefinitely though.
In my early twenties, I used to do evening and weekend bar work. I wonder if history might repeat itself?
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Is there anything I don't miss? I dream about Thailand and being back there every night.
I was very lucky to work for a great school and they really looked after me. There were only three foreign teachers including me. The students were great and I didn't do all that many classroom hours to make a 32,000 baht salary (which was enough to live on in Khorat)
Life outside Bangkok is not for everyone but I really enjoyed it. After several months, a foreign teacher in a rural town becomes something of a celebrity. I enjoyed that aspect of things if truth be told. I met some great Thai people during my time there and I can't bear the thought of never seeing them again. We will meet again one day!
I loved the simplicity of life in Thailand. OK, the visa and red tape stuff can be a pain, but it's like all you have to worry about most of the time is having a roof over your head and food in your belly. I've been back in the UK only a matter of weeks but life seems so much more complicated - and far less fun. I realise that my current situation is contributing to that though.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Oh absolutely! Don't hesitate. Go with a positive mindset, don't let the small stuff irritate you, and you'll have a blast.
Had my parents not fallen ill, I could have seen myself staying for three or four years at least. I feel like I only scratched the surface and Thailand has now become 'unfinished business' to me.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I would go back tomorrow.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
As much as I loved Thailand as a place to live and teach, I wouldn't consider it a long-term gig. I met with several teachers from other schools who had been there for between five and ten years and I got the impression most if not all of them felt 'trapped'. They had burned their bridges back home wherever they came from and it was almost like they had no option to return. I wouldn't want to ever be in that situation. That said, I think if you go with the intention of making Thailand your home for one or two years, you won't go far wrong.
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