Job Discussion Forums

hutch1225 · Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 2

I'm currently working in Korea, and have been offered a position in Hat Yai starting in October/November 2005. Any advice as to whether or not I should take it, or what I can expect from it, or the city.

I believe the money is good. 30,000+ baht per month. But I've never taught in Thailand before and don't know what to expect from the city. I've read that it is near Songklha, and that has some beaches. Are they nice?

Any impressions or advice anyone can give is appreciated.

tedkarma · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:45 pm Post subject:

For Thailand, that money is okay. Not great, but okay - as long as you are not in BKK or Phuket where the cost of living is higher. Realize, of course, that B30,000 is probably less than you are saving every month in Korea.

The schools are having trouble finding teachers down south - due to the political problems in the area - but generally Had Yai is considered to be semi-safe. There are some regular posters here who can give you more detail on the city and situation there.

Good luck!

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Hello hutch1225

Here's an excellent source of info from a TEFLer who lives there:

http://blog.louisminson.com/ (Songkhla South by Louis Minson aka LDMA)

And 4 more links with general information:

http://www.south-thai.com/ (South-Thai)

http://www.hatyaitoday.com/ (HatYai Today)

http://thailand.sawadee.com/songkhla/ (Songkhla)

http://thai.sawadee.com/ (regional map of Southern Thailand)

tedkarma's right. The separtist violence in the south is an issue.

It hasn't rolled over into HatYai in a major way, but it could.

Read the news and consult the travel advisory webpage of your embassy in Thailand.

Ask your prospective employer about how they are

handling the safety concerns of their teachers -

before jumping too fast on a job offer.

That's the best advice I can give you.

In HatYai, 30,000+ baht per month would be fine,

although compared to 2 million Won in Korea, it's peanuts!

Are they offering a housing allowance on top of that 30K?

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

Louis is an hour or two away from Hat Yai (there's a thread about the same on Ajarn).

I have a couple of friends working in Hat Yai....no problems there at all from what I can gather!

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Hi kenkannif!

I'd agree that Hat Yai is basically safe; probably safer than a lot of places these days.

The more serious (and more frequent) violence is much further south.

Still, I'd want to at least be informed - before rushing into a major decision.

On the 3rd of April 2005, bombs exploded at a Hat Yai supermarket

and in the domestic arrivals lounge of Hat Yai airport injuring several and killing 2:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4407721.stm (from the BBC news archive)

Let's hope they were isolated attacks.

To stay informed, I'd suggest reading this now & then:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/ (The nation)

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

Sorry Kent I wasn't aware of those incidents, my bad!

I'm not sure if I can link on here (apologies if I can't) but a similar thread is on Ajarn here:

http://ajarnforum.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=6576&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

^ no problem.

fyi

This was on BBC's front page today (05 July 2005)

with reference to the violence in southern Thailand.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4651711.stm

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

Gotcha, sorry I just got the impression it wasn't that near, maybe he lives the other side of Songkhla or something???