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...
Percival
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to teach in Seoul, Korea in November of 2014 so I have been here for almost half a year.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I did two years in Thailand at two different government schools. One was in Nakhon Si Thammarat in South Thailand and then for a change of scenery, I moved to work in Ayuthaya, which is about an hour from Bangkok.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I was kind of caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. I hate large cities so working in Bangkok was totally out of the question. I honestly don't know how anyone could work there. However, I got tired of small town life as well after a couple of years. Even though NST and Ayuthaya aren't that small, you rather get tired of seeing the same old faces and everyone knowing your business. You also crave new surroundings and get tired of the same old small-town routine.
I suppose you might say I needed a change of scenery and a friend of mine from way back had moved to Korea and seemed to be enjoying it. I'm in my late-50s and only teaching English as something to do. Changing countries at my stage in life is hardly a career move anymore. I'm sure once Korea loses its appeal, I'll be moving on again.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I heard lots of horror stories about schools in Korea, particularly those outside the capital, but I love the language school I'm at. The management are very organised, they listen to any day-to-day problems the teacher might have and they are always available. The school helped me to find accommodation and to settle in. I've made some good friends among the teaching staff here as well. Oh and there is also a fantastic resource library.
I teach mainly teenagers and young adults in the evening and I do the occasional immersion course during the day. It adds up to about 25 contact hours a week - probably a little more than I would ideally like but it's not too stressful.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
To be honest, not a great deal. I don't think Thailand is quite the bargain it once was and even in the two years I was there, I noticed prices creeping up steadily. I always managed to survive on my 30-35K salary but there wasn't much left over at the end of each month.
I suppose I miss the Thai street-food and the fact that no matter what time of day or night it is, you can always find a food-stall trading somewhere. I befriended a number of stray dogs in Ayuthaya as well and used to feed them most days. I know it sounds silly but I miss them a lot.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
It very much depends on what kind of personality you have. If you're an easygoing type of guy like I am, Thailand won't cause you many problems. But you have to roll with the punches for sure.
If you're the type of person who likes everything organised and everything to run to a schedule, Thailand will test your patience to the limit.
But generally speaking, it's a great country to spend a year in and the people are very helpful to foreigners. I don't know if that applies to Bangkok though.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
That's a good question. I would never rule it out. I wouldn't mind giving somewhere in the north of Thailand a crack, maybe even Chiang Mai.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I enjoyed my two years in Thailand but knew when it was time to leave - and leave I did. I met many teachers who had grown resentful towards life in Thailand and frankly, they should have moved on rather than just moaning about their lot all day and every day.
It's a big world out there and there are loads of countries looking for good English teachers. When you feel that it's time to move on - it probably is.
Steve
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to my native Castleford, West Yorkshire, England. I moved back on the 29th September 2012
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I was there for 6 and a half years.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Just got fed up of the visa system and having to bite my tongue when I saw how badly things were going at school. I taught at government and private schools.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I am an engineer by trade. Now I get paid very well with all holidays paid unlike some schools in Thailand. I get free health care and my pension once I retire.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Nothing really, I was lucky enough to meet a really nice Thai girl and we are married. She is also in England with me working. She loves life in England.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
England is a good place to work so long as you have good credentials, otherwise it is difficult.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I will return to Thailand when I retire. We are currently looking to buy a property there and some land near her parents home. I will not be looking to work.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I feel the Thais ask too much of native speakers and the Thai teachers would help themselves if they weren't so stubborn. I have seen them struggle along and if you offer to help it's like you have committed treason, but us native speakers look for help to make our working life easier. If the Thai education ministry want their subjects to learn English they have to listen to us when we are trying to help them. Learning English is not all about money but a willingness to learn by all Thais.
Neil
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Back to the UK in July 2014. I now teach ESL at a university here.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
All in all, over 5 years. Most of it happy, but all of it biting my tongue.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I got sick of the general dishonesty of the country; lack of career opportunities; the Thai education 'system' is a complete joke.... there are other reasons, also.
Unlike many other people, I never found the visa situation a problem, but I got out just before things went crazy. Having said that, the visa situation does seem to 'trap' you in one job for a year.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Better pay, better motivated students, better working systems, students who know they CAN fail and respond accordingly.
I can run a car and save a similar amount of money that I did in Thailand, but also have the security of the health service, and some sort of a pension in the future, as well as building career credibility with every month I work here.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
My friends and loved ones, the weather, my condo/gym/swimming pool, also there are many aspects of Thailand and Thai people that I DO like.
I also miss living in the great city that is Bangkok.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
You would have to have experience to get my current job, so Thai experience would be better than nothing. If you are trying to get into teaching seriously, Thailand is probably the last place you should start in. You simply cannot stay there for multiple years and NOT become contaminated with bad working practices, no matter how much you try.
If you are just passing through, for whatever reason, it can't do too much harm. But working for less than 40k a month in Bangkok is just survival, whilst harming your long-term prospects. And that assumes no large medical bills...
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Only for visiting. Working there is just too demoralising / career damaging.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Thailand's future seems pretty uncertain at the moment. There will be some 'inevitable' shocks to come in the future. I can see things getting even worse than they are now.
Jay
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to the UK in 2006.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
3.5 Years
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Well, at that time I felt I had gone as far as I could go within the Thailand TEFL circuit. I was also missing family and decided to return to the UK and resume my old career as an engineer.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
You can never compare the life style and weather in the UK to that in Thailand, but the main advantage here is that I am now working as my own limited company on a freelance basis. I'm currently earning over 55K per annum, which allows for a very decent standard of living. I also take two whole months in every year to visit Thailand, where I still have a property. My work allows me to take one month off in every 6 months - so I get the best of both worlds.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I actually miss the madness of it all, the amazing beaches in the south, and also the feeling of complete and utter freedom.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Definitely but maybe take a look around you after two years and if you're not heading in the right direction - think about moving on.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Well, two months in Thailand every year isn't bad I suppose.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Thailand is a great place when you're someone in your twenties and thirties but I think it could get more difficult as you get older and then perhaps it becomes easier to get 'trapped'.
Kim
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Moved back to the UK in 2012
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I lived in Thailand for 8 years. I worked for 7 years in a private school and language school at weekends.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
My daughter was 2 years old at the time. I wanted to put her in nursery and send her to primary school.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Working here in England has better salary increases and benefits. You also have a chance to progress in your career.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
The cost of living is so much cheaper then living in England. My salary pretty much goes out on bills every month leaving little to save. I was on a good salary before I left Thailand and could easily save between 20,000-30,000 baht a month!
I also miss the great weather and the amount of school holidays we used to get. I could set off to an island,or if I fancied visiting another country I could do it.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Yes I would definitely advise people to go and work in Thailand. I would recommend they try to get a job in an international school though if they were looking to teach and had the right qualifications. These places would have much higher salaries,great benefits and a school which would support and look after their teachers.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Sure,I've been back on holiday a few times. My wife is Thai and we have a little girl who has dual nationality. It's nice for them to go back and visit family and for my daughter to pick up some Thai! I'm hoping to complete my PGCE,once I have finished it would be nice to return and live there again.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
A beautiful country and had an amazing time there! If you plan to move there and you are thinking of working in Thailand, then go for it! Just don't get sucked in! You might end up staying too long!!
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