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...
Terrance
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Moved back to the USA (San Jose, CA) in October, 2016
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Just shy of 4 years.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Salary of course. Also, I am 33 years old and don't want to be an English teacher my entire life. It was never the long-term plan, but the years were tacking on one-by-one and I had to break the cycle. Regardless of several bargains, there is no denying that teacher salaries have barely budged in Thailand in the last 20 years, yet the cost of living is increasing everywhere.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Contrary to what a lot of foreigners complained about when they talked about "back home" and being tied down to a job they don't like, I actually have more flexibility with work, less overall hours, and a shorter commute, despite being in Southern California.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Meeting new people, especially Thai friends. I never understood my co-corkers who went to the British pubs on weekends to "get away and relax." If I wanted to be around the familiar sights of home, I would have just stayed in the USA initially.
I miss the cheap massages, street food, and exploring new places.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Have an exit plan and stick to it. I can't stress that enough. It was a lot harder to leave than I thought it would be initially, but once I committed to it and followed through with it, my quality of life has improved significantly.
Don't become a farang statistic in Thailand. Learn to speak Thai while you are in Thailand - It isn't too hard to learn if you practice. Make friends, but try to make more Thai friends instead of just surrounding yourself with fellow Westerners. Expect a low salary, and if you accept a position, don't whine and complain about the long hours, low pay, etc. It is what you signed up for!
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Maybe. I would want to come again and visit new places and experience new things. Maybe scuba diving or rock climbing, or some new motorbiking routes. It would be pointless to keep revisiting the same country to visit the same places and do the same things over and over. It's a big world.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
If you want to be an English teacher in Thailand, be committed. You need to have at least a little interest/passion in actually being a teacher and improving the lives of children. Too many teachers I worked with in Thailand just wanted to "live the dream" and became teachers because it was the only job available. So sad.
Matthew
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Back to my hometown of Boston, Massachusetts in 2011.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I began teaching in Thailand in 2005 after moving from Sri Lanka where I'd started out as an English teacher just under a year previous.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
A few main reasons wrapped up together: wanting to do an MA but deciding not to do it there or distance/online, my wife being interested in living abroad at least for a while, and some level of dissatisfaction with things there professionally.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
A much more professionalized work situation. A lack of power politics and pomp and circumstance being front and center. Feeling less like a cog in a wheel that you have zero influence on. It's not necessarily better as a whole, but different in ways that are satisfying to me. I've worked really hard to go from teaching to primarily teacher training and I do feel like other opportunities are out there, when I'm ready for them.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
A lot of things! The weather, the friendly people, the food. The appreciative students and culture of respect for teachers.
Although I mentioned opportunity above, I do think Thailand also offers a lot of great possibilities for folks to grow and advance. But you really need to be a) proactive & hardworking b) creative & flexible and c) careful! Laws can change, language and culture barriers can hack best laid plans.
Back to what I miss though...I have to mention the music! I'm a big fan of Thai traditional and country music.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Thailand is well-known as a suitable place for TEFL newbies to get a start. There's a lot of work and it's a fun place to live. But it's also easy to get cynical about teaching there, and there's a definite lack of quality professional development support and opportunities for foreign English teachers in Thailand.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yes. I'd really like to open a small school and also work with new and practicing teachers in Thailand to help my adopted second home reach its English language proficiency goals.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
For teachers currently teaching in Thailand wondering whether a move might be warranted, a thought: there's a big world of amazing teaching opportunities out there waiting for you. Sometimes I felt so content in Thailand that the thought of ever leaving seemed absurd. But if you're young and mobile and love this educational niche, don't settle too early. Keep the wheels turning and keep finding new challenges so you can grow as a professional. If you're getting that in Thailand, great. But if it seems you're 'stuck' at all, a change of state (both physically and psychologically) might be just what the doctor ordered. Thailand isn't going anywhere. :)
Nodd
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to the United States to teach English in 2015.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked in Thailand for 10 years across all levels in Bangkok, Chumphorn and in Sriracha.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
It was a once in a lifetime opportunity given to a Filipino like me to teach English to American students . Likewise, I also have to think of my children's education as it is free here in the US.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
It is very systematic and people value professionalism as well as your qualifications. I am not judged here because of my color rather the quality of my work and my passion for the profession.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I miss the food, massages and the beaches a lot. It is very expensive to have a massage here in the US.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Definitely, just be passionate with teaching and a lot of things will come along your way.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
For sure, my family misses it so badly and hopefully I won't be discriminated the next time I look for a job at an international school there .
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Not really.
Mick
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to Saudi Arabia eleven months ago.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Four years.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
The extra money. I couldn't continue to live on 32,000 baht a month.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I get 125,000 baht a month teaching approximately 10 hours per week. I sign in at 6.30 am and sign out at 12.40. The commute back to my apartment is just 15 minutes, so I'm back home for one o'clock in the afternoon. I have a fully furnished apartment etc all paid for. The company takes care of all the travel arrangements too. They're also very generous with the holidays and I get approximately 3 months per year. I'm based in Alkhobar, Dammam, which is just 30 minutes from Bahrain.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
My wife is Thai and still lives there so being separated from her is difficult. I'm only working in Saudi now so that I can secure my future in Thailand. I love my life there, and have been back for three holidays over the past 11 months. There are so many things that I miss about Thailand.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Most jobs in Saudi require 4 or 5 years experience, so I'd recommend Thailand as a place to start your teaching career. Although, you must have a plan and know when to move on.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yes, of course. I've travelled to a lot of places but you can't beat Thailand. The quality of life, the food, the weather, the beaches. The grass isn't greener elsewhere.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Whether you're working in Thailand or Saudi Arabia, if you treat people with respect, you'll find that they are friendly and helpful.
Gary
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to the UK's south coast three years ago.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
A total of ten years. I worked in Bangkok for two and then in Nakhon Pathom for eight.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
My kids education. They were six and four at the time. And also to put some stability back into my life.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I'm an engineer by trade so the money is better but probably the most important thing is stability - I know exactly where I'll be working and how long for. The contract you sign actually means something!
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
The weather and the general chilled out feeling. No rushing around.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Working in Thailand was great until more responsibility came my way. (kids) If you're free and single Thailand for a few years is great. If you're married and have kids I would think of somewhere with more security and long term prospects.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I still have a house there, so definitely. However it would only be to visit for holidays for the time being. I would like to retire in Thailand but we shall see. I've still got thirty years left of work yet! I don't think I could ever work in Thailand again though.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I was petrified of leaving Thailand. I had lived there for 10 years and really couldn't imagine living back in the UK. Three years after leaving I know I made the right decision. My kids love it here. The education is great and our lives feel a lot more stable and safer, if a bit more boring.
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