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...
Cel
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
To South Korea in 2007.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
For about two and a half years.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Several reasons: to earn and save more money, see another part of Asia, and get away from the pollution in Bangkok. Another reason was that Thailand was in a post coup period, and I wanted to get away from the political mess. I figured that it would take the Thais a year to sort things out. It's still going on in 2010Last, I did not want to be in Thailand when a certain Thai exits stage right. The mother of all Thai chaos.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I am able to save each month what I was earning as a salary in Thailand. There are four seasons in a year, I got tired of every day feeling like summer in Thailand. I think that Korea is beautiful in the Spring and Fall. I get a free two-bedroom apartment, with my rent and most of my utilities paid for. I just pay for my cable and food. All other expenses, my employer bears the cost. Fast internet service, hiking, fresh air, and an inexpensive, clean, and extensive subway system that covers Seoul and a lot of the surrounding areas.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Thai food and my few good friends there.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
If they just want to spend a year or two and take it easy, go to Thailand and have fun. After that, get back to the real world and earn and save some money for the future. If they want to make money, come to Korea. The public schools pay more than schools in Thailand. Part time work is available that allows you to save more. I live off my part time work and save my full time salary.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I would say maybe, when I am ready to retire. Other countries in Asia make it much easier for retirees now though. I will have to take a close look and see which would be better for me. For vacations, Thailand is great.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Nothing else comes to mind.
Kanadian
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Just arrived back in the land of tea. Yes that's Jiangxi Province China
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I worked in Thailand for a few years and after the lack of school support, I felt Thai schools were becoming a liability.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Thai students are lazy, the educational system failed them, nobody wants to change the educational system, ask a simple question to a Thai college student eg "what's your name" he replies in Thai. But his comment in Thai was I've been learning English for 10 years.. NO NO that's impossible !
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I can take my lowest student at my college in Jiangxi and he can teach Thai teachers English.. God I love it when I can have an intelligent conversation with a college student who can actually hold his own.. cool !
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Good beaches and friends.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Thailand will always attract uneducated "English teachers". However those who have a degree should never teach in Thailand. You will waste your energy.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Only if the plane flies over the country.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
What a waste of time and energy. I know many foreign teachers who are very good at their job, and all have gone with no intent of returning.
Scott
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Vietnam, but have accepted a contract to move to China this summer
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
10 years or so
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Career advancement and higher wages
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I have accepted a position as a professor, US wages, summers off, research support. This just isn’t available in Thailand, I wish it were.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
So much, I really do love Thailand and will still spend time here and maintain a home here. I guess like most, I have a love hate relationship with the country.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
It depends, what is right for me might not be right for someone else. What was right for me at a different point in my life is not the best option now.
In making a very broad generalization, Thailand is a great place to teach English for a 20-something without spectacular prospects to spend a few years enjoying life and getting some international experience. It is also a great place for those changing careers into teaching later in life.
However Thailand does not offer a large number of opportunities for those seeking advancement and a professional career. I am not saying professional “success” can not be found in Thailand, but there are limited opportunities for foreigners, at least as far as paid work goes for those wanting a career outside of being an English teacher. Thailand is what it is and has the opportunities it has, if this fits your career plans and opportunities than it is a great place to live.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Oh yes, I will maintain a home here and expect to spend my summers here "researching" and doing other stuff. Right now I expect to retire in Thailand.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Working in Thailand has been a great experience, but so has working in Vietnam and Japan and I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life in China.
I am not sure it makes much sense to compare one place with another, instead it is better to enjoy what each location has to offer. My advice is to take all advice, including mine, with a grain of salt and realize the “right” place to work is an individual matter based on personal preferences, opportunities and career plans.
Stevie G
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Korea - last year
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
5 years
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
restlessness
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
kimchi? Being openly despised instead of passively-aggressively?
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
-ridiculous immigration rules
-ridiculous paperwork
-double pricing
-involuntary "deposit" donations
-farang management that think they are now Thai - so they treat other lesser farang accordingly..
-being talked about in not-so-pleasant fashion continuously - everywhere.
-fruit
-sun
-getting laid
-pathetic wages
-the sense of knowing that you are NEVER hearing the truth - ever!
-the dream of one day being able to afford the same mobile as my kids....
-being treated like a low-life sex tourist - really miss that.....
-driving to a national park and being told it costs 800 baht to enter....and 20 baht for a Thai!.....awesome.
-Employers choosing alcoholics/sex-slavers over "real" teachers - cos they can understand and trust their mind set better. Great role-models too.
-Priests/nuns that have gone over to the dark side...... hehehehe
How could you leave?
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
Definitely Thailand - enjoy what is on offer - pensions are good too......
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
to work? Miss the fruit though.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Dont get excited - this section was crying out for some humour.
I love Thailand - we all do. Working for Thais is a slight challenge though!
Peace.
Stanislaus Moss
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
Moved to China, In Jiangxi Provence to the capital of Jiangxi called Nanchang about three years ago
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
About five years
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
The children i was teaching were more in it for the social status rather than the value of English and secondly there was too much color discrimination....and the misunderstood phrase, "Native Speaker"
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
Here it is a hassle free enviroment
Teaching university students in China is a lot more fullfilling than teaching students in Thailand...Chinese students have a genuine want and thirst for the language. No lesson plans and unit plans no signing IN and OUT....Teach your class and then you are free ..no need to stay at work till 17:00hrs...all overtime is paid and on time....not much interference from the Chinese teachers or management...just 100% class teaching 45 min periods and only 16 periods per week. Anything above that is overtime and even English Corner is paid...nothing you do is for free...so financially it is more profitable
....
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Everything except the teaching as I am married to a Thai national and she is also enjoying herself more her in China than in Thailand...also much cheaper!!!!
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
I would advise them to teach here in China
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
Yes as my wife's family lives in Thailand
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
If you do decide to come and teach in China then remember this....you are a guest here...don't try to change China..accept her ...good and bad...she is employing you so respect her .... do in Rome as the Romans do... If you want it to be like back in your home town then you are not ready for China or Thailand
Showing 5 Great Escapes out of 335 total
Page 59 of 67
