Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I recently moved to Hanoi and then to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

Two years. I did a six-month contract with an agency at a public secondary school in Ratchaburi. Then a one year contract at a university. Finally, I moved to Bangkok and did another six-month contract at a Thai high school.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

I was tired of the Thai education system and I needed to make some better money.

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

First, people are held accountable a lot more. Also, people actually learn to speak English as opposed to just going through the motions of learning. You can actually have a meaningful intellectual conversation with Vietnamese students. There is still a lack of critical thinking skills in Vietnam but it isn't as extreme as in Thailand. Lastly, the money is double what I made in Thailand.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

Walking around freely without worrying about being safe. Also the food and friendly people. I've never been invited to anyone's home for dinner in Vietnam. I was invited to EVERYONE'S home when I lived in Thailand.

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

If you're looking for fun and adventure for a year, then by all means go to Thailand. Vietnam can be as adventurous as Thailand, but there are a lot more Thai holidays than in Vietnam and you meet other young people in the same situation. I made lifelong friends in Thailand. Vietnam is a little more serious than Thailand, but there are other benefits to being in Vietnam, such as the pay, having a motorbike, and most language schools are relaxed. You don't have to work 8-4 everyday. I only go in when I have a class and you don't have to deal with any workplace 'mind games' BS.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

I visit for holidays all the time but I would only work in a foreign-run international school if I ever went back to Thailand to teach again.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

The social life in Vietnam is better than that in Thailand I've found, especially in Hanoi.

Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I moved to Bangkok in 2004 and stayed there for a year with my then-girlfriend (now my wife) whom I had met in Australia in 2000. After that I went back to the Philippines and tried getting a job as a designer -- that lasted three months due to shitty wages and equally shitty management. So I went back to Bangkok and stayed with my wife and eventually got a job in an English program at a government secondary institution 30 minutes away via the beaten-up-blue-bus-system : )

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

I worked there for eight years. Lived there for nine-ish.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

On my seventh year of teaching I did a distance PGCE from the UK which made me realise the evils of the Thai education system (and other systems around the world for that matter). Because I had two sons with my wife at this point, I realised that it would probably be best if they were educated abroad rather than succumb to the institutional brain-washing that Thailand uses to keep its people in their designated place. It was like an epiphany.

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

I'm now in the USA, and there are a few things that are better. For one, you have 401k's, insurance and all the other benefits Americans are used to. Unfortunately for me I've never lived long enough in the States to build up my credit and all -- so currently I'm the equivalent of someone fresh out of college (minus the thousands of dollars of debt in student loans). Eventually I will get to the level where I'll enjoy taking out loans for cars and houses and the sweet life of paying all those off. As a foreigner you can't do that in Thailand, unless you want to risk ending up as another statistic splattered on the front page of ThaiRath.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

The simple life I guess. There's a lot of crap being said about Thais, like how they drive and how they cheat people but I don't think that's fair or specific to Thais. Here in the USA I've had my debit and credit card information stolen FOUR times in less than six months (I've been here eight). I've also had to deal with the craziest people I've ever met in my entire life -- here in the USA. I've had some frustrating experiences in Thailand for sure but the reverse culture shock I've experienced here in the USA trumped so much that at one point I wanted to go back to Thailand (also because my kids and wife are still there).

I guess the biggest thing I miss in Thailand is the spontaneous nature of things. You will experience the most bizarre things everyday. Oh and the malls! Those are the best... the ones here in Virginia don't even begin to compare!

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

I would definitely advise it for single people. For people who have to support families though, if they're lucky enough to get into an International School that supports their kids, then why not?

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

Definitely. I would definitely like to retire in Thailand. As I have in-laws and property there, I can live MUCH more comfortably in Thailand and my retirement savings will go a much much longer way than it would in the US. The beaches are better, the tourist destinations better and all more affordable. There's no doubt I will return to Thailand when I'm old and wrinkly and single again ; ) You can still live the life of a 30-year old at 60 as long as you have the cash.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

Thailand is a great place for single people to experience the best Asia has to offer, whether that be crazy politics, entertainment or technology (and for men... women). It's a great place for a family vacation, but not a great place to bring up a family. Thailand has a reputation for its bars and girls for a reason, and rightly so. This isn't because foreigners give it that reputation, but really it's what the Thai government itself creates: without freedom of expression and proper education, the Thai people are limited in what they can achieve in life -- and the government knows full-well that there's money in population control, which is why Thais will never be able to break out of this stereotype, if left in their lands. Many expats debate over it and fool themselves into thinking that it'll ever change: it never will. So if you're bringing your family over, stay, be safe, and leave. Otherwise let the single budding teachers and the old retired expats enjoy what Thailand has to offer to its long-term residents.

Q1. Where did you move to and when?

Ireland at the end of September 2013.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

Six months

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

The main reason I left is because I wanted to move to Australia and to do so I needed to go back to Ireland for a few months to save money for my move as I found it difficult to save anything whilst living in Bangkok. Also because I am now approaching my late 20s I felt like I needed to settle somewhere and that somewhere wouldn't be Thailand. As good an adventure it was I was only there for a short lived experience which I definitely got :)

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

Well since I'm currently still working here in Ireland at present I would say the biggest factor is the lack of communication barrier. This makes life a lot easier obviously. I am not currently teaching here I am working in childcare but I would say there is definitely a lower amount of unnecessary paperwork that needs to be completed. The amount of paperwork that needed to completed at the school I worked at in Bangkok was ridiculous and wasted a lot of valuable time (obviously its not like that in every school). The wages are also higher but then the cost of living is also higher so that obviously balances things out.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

The weather, the food, crazy nights out on Khoasan road, carefree living (most of the time), friends, meeting people from all locations and walks of life almost daily. Also knowing your only a couple of hours away from a dream Island location. The feeling that everyday living in Thailand was an adventure - you would never know what would be in store for you each day.

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

I would advise someone looking to teach abroad just for the experience and also looking for an adventure to definitely come and spend some time in Thailand teaching. But to those serious about teaching I have always been told to go Japan or South Korea where they actually take teaching seriously. I found they don't take education very seriously here and as a teacher, that can be very frustrating, especially when you spent hours creating lessons plans, checking work etc. If you really want to get a serious teaching job in Thailand I would advise coming here with full teaching qualifications from your native country along with some experience and you could easily land yourself a job in one of the International schools - which are very well paid.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

On holidays or as a backpacker, most definitely yes. To teach? Probably not - but never say never!! :)

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I didn't leave Thailand but I left teaching. I left my job in a Thai school in 2013 and moved to Phuket.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

I worked as a teacher in a government school for 2 years. Now I work as a journalist.

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

A few: Had enough of Bangkok - a city I love but that is quite exhausting , especially since my baby daughter was born. I was also tired of my job and my girlfriend got a decent job offer in Phuket. I still love living in Thailand and I'd like to stay here for the rest of my days - just not in teaching or at least not in a Thai public school.

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

My job is way more interesting - I deal with educated adults with whom I can talk about things other than food. I don't earn more but I don't hate my life on Monday mornings - there is some reason to what I do - the reason I lacked after two years of teaching. There is some space for growth. I can call what I do a career which I couldn't say about teaching.

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

I get much, much fewer holidays in my current job. This is the best part of teaching in Thailand - number of days off, canceled classes, short working hours. Now I often work 6 days a week, evenings etc. Still - would't want to go back to school.

Getting a visa was also easier at school - at least in my case because I know many others who were not so lucky.

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

If you're here to enjoy the beauty of Thailand and get to know it better - go for a job in a government school - it's a complete chill out, no expectations, no stress - just show up at work and enjoy the time with kids. All the paper work, all the exams - all this is fake, useless and made to make your life miserable - don't let it.

If you're a serious teacher try to get a job in Thailand while still abroad - in an international school, through a recruitment agency. Get educated, get a teaching degree. A professional teacher working for an international school in Thailand can have the best of lives!

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

I don't plan on leaving the country. But I don't have plans to go back to teaching either. The only way I see myself back at school is when I open one.

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

Teaching is a great way to get your foot in the door, learn a bit about the country and move up from there. Just go with the flow, don't try to change the system, don't try...well, teach Thais how things should be done and you'll be fine. Relax and enjoy the beauty of this country - there's so much more to it than just teaching!

Q1. Where did you move to and when?

I moved to Vietnam in October after securing a job from Thailand.

Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?

I was there for exactly one year. I came to Thailand with the objective of working for just 12 months,

Q3. What was your main reason for moving?

Even though I could happily have stayed in Thailand for longer, I'm on a personal journey to try and teach English in ten different countries. I've taught in Korea and Japan, Thailand was my third country and now Vietnam is my fourth.

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

I was fortunate to secure a fairly well-paying job with one of Vietnam's top international language schools so I'm earning 50% more than I was in Thailand for doing fewer contact hours. One of the main advantages is that the school itself is very well-organised and well-managed. There are no secrets or horrible last-minute surprises (and teachers in Thailand know all about those)

Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?

I'm still settling into life in Hanoi and while there are many things I like about the place - it certainly isn't Thailand. What can I say about Thailand? I mean, it's so laid-back and easy to get along with from day-to-day. You can live well or 'well enough' on an average TEFL salary and apart from the visa stuff, it's a very 'sabaay, sabaay' lifestyle. But what makes Thailand special is the people. I think the Thais are fantastic.

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

Don't miss Thailand whatever you do. I had a fantastic year there and I'm sure I'll end up back there someday. Be careful though - I could see how teachers got sucked into the Thai lifestyle and remained there for years and years when perhaps they should have cut and run well before. As I said, I've sampled Korea, Japan, Thailand and now Vietnam. If I could choose just one country to teach in, it would be Thailand.

Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?

Actually, I'll be over in the New Year for a short holiday. I've still got plans to teach in China and Mongolia and then do a stint in Eastern Europe, but Thailand hasn't seen the last of me. I'll be back for a longer stay within the next ten years I hope,

Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?

I took about one month to decide on which teaching job I wanted to take in Thailand. That doesn't mean I found it difficult to find a job - far from it! I was 29 years old when I arrived, I had a degree and a TEFL certificate and two years of good experience. I am also about as 'farang-looking' as it's possible to get (blonde hair, blue eyes, pale skin, big nose) I knew very early on that I ticked every box in terms of what schools were looking for in a teacher so I interviewed at about ten different places and played them all off against each other. I literally sold myself to the highest bidder - and with at least six schools desperate to hire me, I was able to secure a far better salary than they originally offered. I just guess that my timing was right.