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...
Warren
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to Madrid, Spain at the end of last year, so I'm coming up to a full 12 months here. I'm not a teacher anymore though.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Just over three years. One year was spent in Chiang Mai engaged in TEFL activities followed by a couple of years in Chiang Rai involved in an EP program at a government school.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I didn't transition directly from Thailand to Spain. After exploring Southeast Asia sufficiently, I returned home for Christmas. My intention was to continue teaching English as a foreign language, and I was curious to see if securing a teaching position in Europe would be as straightforward as it was in Thailand. I ended up abandoning the teaching idea and went to work for a computer software company.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
The pay is obviously higher, but that's expected. Living costs and demands are higher here, so it kind of balances out. If I want to put away some cash, this place beats Thailand, but since I love traveling, stretching my salary has proven to be tougher. Back in Thailand, lots of places targeted expats and tourists, which got annoying. But here, it feels more like everyone's part of the same group, with no outsider vibe.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
The people, for sure. I guess I got used to being in those northern towns where there were plenty of young westerners teaching and exploring. Thailand was definitely a breeze to live in; that's what everyone says, and there's a solid reason for that. Everything else—like the food, the weather, and the relaxed pace of life—was pretty fantastic too!
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
For a new, probably younger teacher, I'd recommend Thailand, especially up North in places like Chiang Mai. It's more geared towards the younger crowd. However, if you're aiming for a significant career step forward, unless you're a fully qualified teacher, Thailand might not offer the best opportunities. But if your focus is on lifestyle and overall quality of life, Thailand wins hands down every time.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I'd never rule it out completely. There are plenty of other countries on my list to visit, but I can't deny how much I loved my time in Thailand. So, yes, I'd head back there to work again if a decent opportunity came along. Plus, it feels like a missed opportunity if I don't put to use what I learned during my time there.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
If it's feasible, it's definitely better to acquire the proper teaching credentials from your home country before starting a teaching career abroad—unless you're absolutely certain that teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) will only be a short-term adventure lasting one to three years.
Steve
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I initially moved to the UK and then took a job at a university in the Middle East, after 7 months of being back.
In Thailand, I refused to be experimented on in 2021 and as a result, I haven't had any issues with my health. Due to making this decision, a friend and I were shown the door, right before Christmas, from our so-called 'international' school.
When I got to the UK, things were bad. I found myself living in my brother's garage and wages were stagnant and inflation was high. I was also shocked by the state of schools in the UK and by the standard of education there, nowadays.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I was there for just over 8 years. Initially, I arrived with nothing more than a diploma and a TEFL certificate, but I managed to do a BA in TESOL and an MEd, during my time there. I worked in a range of different schools from kindergarten to high school. I also worked in all the low-end establishments and also through agencies. plus I worked for private schools and at government schools.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Apart from having the audacity to make decisions about my own body, I was sick of the appalling management, the lack of gratitude and respect for foreign teaching staff, and the hardnosed sense of entitlement from Thai schools.
In the 8 years I worked there, I worked at many schools, even spending a couple of years as a substitute teacher at an agency. In all that time, I only visited a couple of schools where either I wasn't abused in some unnecessary way or I didn't witness the abuse of other foreign staff. You're often made to feel unwelcome.
In addition, to the contempt and the passive aggressiveness, you also have to contend with the lack of resources provided and you're often expected to fork out from your own paltry salary.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I am paid at least 3 times what I was making at a supposed 'international' school in Thailand.
My expertise and experience actually means something where I work now.
I don't have to deal with archaic, feudalistic management. The managers here have their egos in check.
The local staff aren't passive-aggressive and are unlikely to stab me in the back.
You get paid for overtime and extra work.
Pay rises are a thing here.
You can actually get promoted where I am now and progress in your career.
I'm not expected to compete in the job market with people who have the same level of English as my students.
Almost all of the teachers here are NES and there's no bitching and moaning about nationality or ability.
I don't know what the government thinks of foreigners here because they don't try and make outsiders feel unwelcome. The same can be said about the local press.
I'm not constantly having to fork out and grease palms.
Visa runs are few and far between and are paid for.
The rules aren't changing every five minutes.
My apartment and utilities are provided free of charge.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
I miss the food more than anything else. The nightlife has become quite expensive and is no longer what it once was. I also miss riding around on my motorbike.
The banks are a lot better these days in Thailand.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
No, absolutely not.
5 years ago, I would have recommended to a teacher without a degree that they enrol in the same programme that I did. However, that course is now twice as expensive and salaries are basically the same as they were 20 years ago. I would recommend that new teachers think about other regional countries to start their careers or take their gap year. They would likely be paid more and treated a lot better. Most of the things that allure would-be teachers to Thailand can be found in neighbouring countries.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I have been back twice and plan to go again at Christmas. My girlfriend works there as a Filipino teacher and has just been hired at a top international school.
I cringe at the thought of having to work there again in a Thai-managed school. There's basically no stability and it only takes one vindictive member of staff to ruin everything for you.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
I think that there's a massive sense of entitlement in most schools in Thailand. You're offered crappy, stagnant salaries and schools have no shame in demanding the most prestigious of qualifications to apply for such roles.
Many schools are more interested in your age or appearance than your qualifications and experience.
When I arrived, 10 years ago, most foreign teachers were native speakers, who could at least speak English fairly well.
I basically only survived the first 5 years because I was on an Ed visa and could walk out of a school that day if the games started.
Over 8 years, I watched the standard of foreign teachers drop considerably.
Many of the places I used to work are still advertising the same salaries they were offering a decade ago.
For these reasons, I don't see salaries rising and I would urge NES with qualifications to consider looking elsewhere. Have a bit of self-respect because there are much better deals abroad. Don't get sucked in.
Cathy
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved back to England in July 2023
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
I was there for just one year, working at a large primary and secondary school in Chiang Mai.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
I never really felt settled and friendships were too transient. You would make good friends with someone only to see them move on to somewhere else after a term. It's also well-known of course that the pollution in the north is awful and Thailand doesn't seem to have a solution. I didn't want to experience all that wheezing and coughing for another burning season. I would also add that a 35K salary didn't quite stretch as far as I thought it would. There are a lot of temptations to spend money in Chiang Mai.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
More security and stability and I can put away some money for the future. Being close to family instead of the other side of the world is nice too.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Not as much as I thought I would. I guess Thai street food would top the list and of course I miss many of my students and seeing their smiling faces in the morning.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
I would certainly recommend any teacher to consider travelling and working abroad but be sure to do your research on the schools before you start work there. Try and talk to the current foreign staff if at all possible but avoid any obvious negativity from teachers who have been worn down by years and years in Thailand. Always have an open mind
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I'd certainly include it on any travel plans around Asia and hopefully I'll do that some day. Would I work in Thailand again? Probably not.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Try and seek out the positive foreigners as friends. Negative people can suck the life out of you. Thailand suits some people and not others. I'd always recommend it as a place to visit and, if you can look past the many challenges, it's an amazing place to spend a longer time.
Dan
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I returned to Australia in May 2023.
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Four years at a large government high school in Chiang Mai.
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
Lack of recognition of advanced skills and generally incompetent colleagues, both Thai and farang. Of course, the school celebrated the incompetents so long as they were yes men. Pointless routines like morning assembly. I attended assembly once in four years but really felt for the students who had to attend, even though they knew it was a waste of time.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
I'm not working now. I'm living off investments.
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
Good, cheap food, affordable laundry service, the wonderful and inquisitive Thai students and the mountains around Chiang Mai.
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
I'd say establish your career in a country that values your abilities. If later in your career you want a break, then sure, try Thailand. So that's a no from me for new teachers.
Q7. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I'm currently on an extended visit to Thailand and nearby countries.
Q8. Anything else you'd like to add?
Most of my more advanced students had a plan to get out of Thailand and I can't blame them.
John
Q1. Where did you move to and when?
I moved to America on August 4th, 2023
Q2. How long did you work in Thailand?
Three years
Q3. What was your main reason for moving?
1. Low salary - about $1000 a month ( I have a masters' in math and 10+ years experience
2. The directors complaining about the "high salary" of farang and scolding them.
3. Students who would rather complain than study
4. The school cancelled the paid holiday in the Summer
5. There was no respect for my legitimate expertise or experience
6. Competing with cell phones and iPads
7. Everything needs to be "easy" and "fun"
8. Constant in-fighting between teachers
9. Being disrespected by "leadership"
10. Missing the food I have loved and cannot find or have to pay so much for in Thailand
11. Gate duty at 0700 am to 0830 am
12. Being constantly told what clothes to wear
13. Despite the fact that there is an entrance exam, many students who could not speak English found there way into the program and there was no warning.
Q4. What are the advantages of working where you are now compared to Thailand?
1. Much more salary, and many many holidays
2. I am teaching at a university, so I can actually get through a lecture
3. Money going into a retirement fund
4. Teaching classes I am more suited for and also a lighter load
5. I don't have a set schedule except for the classes I teach
6. Like a grown man, I can dress myself
Q5. What do you miss about life in Thailand?
1. I will miss how polite most people are in public
2. How will miss how kind the people are in general
3. Economical and sincere entertainment
4. The friendliness in general
5. The modesty inherent in some of the culture
6. The way that people respect their flag and country (for the most part)
Q6. Would you advise a new teacher to seek work in Thailand or where you are now?
It depends on the what the teacher is looking for. I would say if you are an English teacher, life may be a lot easier than a STEM teacher in a bilingual or EP program. If you are a STEM teacher (especially mathematics) I would say that I had a great time teaching students in China and the pay was much higher!
Q7. Anything else you'd like to add?
Remember, it's always hot in Thailand. If you are not a morning person, you will suffer. Going to work at 7 am in the jungle heat to be met by mosquitos in your desk is not great. Get used to the 'mai pen rai' attitude. If you want something mellow and stable, where there is just minimal effort required of students (and possibly you) it's fine. I imagined what it would be like to become a fixture in this school and stay for a long time, but I suspect your commitment, devotion and dedication will have to be their own reward.
Q8. Any plans to return to Thailand one day?
I will visit, but I will never work for a high school again. Perhaps it's a possibility if I could teach at a university for a much larger salary.
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