Bangkok or up-country? Which is best?
Are you a city boy or a country bumpkin?
Ajarn.com attempts to answer that burning question - is it better to live and work as a teacher in Bangkok or out in the boonies? We've decided to divide Thailand into two sections - Bangkok and everywhere else. Even the Thais refer to every city, town and village outside the capital as 'up-country' so who are we to argue?
The ajarn.com guide to renting an apartment
How to find a place you can call home
If you're searching for an apartment in Bangkok - or anywhere else in Thailand for that matter - know exactly what to look out for and what questions to ask when you go apartment hunting.
The value of a bohemian life
Free time v the pursuit of extra income?
As teachers in Thailand, we all try to maximize our earnings by taking on extra classes during our evenings and weekends. However, if we have no dependents or financial worries at home, is this really the best way to go about living in a laid-back place like Thailand?
An ideal home
Some thoughts about renting in Thailand
Choosing a 'home' is a balance of positives (what you want) versus negatives (what you are prepared to put up with) Where you eventually decide to set up base camp in Thailand won't be the same as where your colleagues would choose.
The ties that bind
The strain of living miles away from ailing parents and loved ones
Listening to family members tell you about their serious health worries never ever makes for a pleasant telephone conversation and I'll admit to putting down the phone on such occasions and becoming a little emotional. You can offer all the support you can over the phone or even via Sype webcam but nothing ever beats being there with them in person.
Little victories - then and now
How things have changed for me over the years
I was a young and gregarious 'know-it-all' forty-year-old when I came to Thailand and I'm now in my late fifties. My life has changed enormously since the heady and adventurous days since my arrival
Reasons to be cheerful?
Postbox letter from Jeff
Foreigners working in Thailand, mostly as teachers, will often say that the low salary is okay for them because they love the lifestyle and love living in Thailand.
Bloody well turn it down
Noise pollution gone mad
At the risk of sounding xenophobic..., what the heck, I'll say it: Thai people don't hear noise in the same manner as foreigners. Could it be that Thais have some sort of innate (spiritual?) ability to 'tune it out'. More realistically, the reason is; Thai people 'bear it'. For them to show disdain for loud noise would be a sign of weakness.
The ajarn.com guide to renting a house
When you've had quite enough of apartment living.
For those getting tired of apartment life and the world and its uncle knowing your business - then perhaps renting a house could be the answer. It's not going to be the easiest thing you've ever done - but nothing is impossible.
Our story
Two teachers in love and planning their life together in Thailand
Suffering or no suffering, this time we are doing it. We are Thailand bound and excited, if somewhat distracted for the time being. Sun, smiles, a detachment from most of what and who we know. New friends, new haunts and new experiences. A different perspective on life. Success or failure, this foray into the relative unknown will shape the rest of our lives.
