Job Discussion Forums

[AnchorMan]

I've finally decided on Text-And-Talk as my certificate trainer, and the location is likely to be Bangkok (September arrival).
I say likely because I'm not sure. This esteemed forum may be able to help me out.
Does the 'fresh air, mellow traffic and the peace and quite' of Patong Beach compensate for it's sleazy environment? Is the description of Patong Beach just total hype by T & T?
I wonder too about their Pattaya location. How sleazy is it here? Could the fresh air, mellow traffic and peace and quiet be found here?
How about the Bangkok location? My guess is that fresh air and mellow traffic would be a wistful hope, but could peace and quiet be found here? I couldn't even find this area on The Rough Guide maps. This might be a good sign, but what is the area like? Is it sleazy or liveable?

Thanks

[Sheep-Goats]

You're splitting hairs.

Puket is less sleazy than Pattaya, but Pattaya is one of the sleaziest cities on Earth (in some reguards -- it's fairly safe there at least). All three will have more traffic than you want and little to no fresh air.

You go to Puket to eat sausages. You go to Pattaya for cheap hookers. You go to Bangkok for variety. The beaches on Puket and Pattaya would both be very nice (Puket is a little nicer) if they weren't inundated with fat rich Eurojerks.

Ok beach + sausages = Puket
Ok beach + cheap girls = Pattaya
Worldclass variety but no beach = Bangkok

[AnchorMan]

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

I'd consider doing my CELTA in Phuket town.

Affordable and when you have the weekends you can jump in a taxi or rent and ride your motorcylce to the beach.

My vote would be Phuket over Bangkok.

[Ajarn Miguk]

[PKB]

Is there much advantage to taking the course in the area you intend to work? Suppose you know you will seek work in Bangkok, but think that Phuket might be a nice area to go for the TEFL certification. Is it significantly more beneficial to take the class in Bangkok instead, so that you can make local contacts?

[kenkannif]

I'd say studying where you plan to teach will definitely help a bit, but not the be all or end all IMO!

I'm pretty sure T&T will let you spend time in each location's classes...why not do that and then pick the one you feel most comfortable with?

[oxfordstu]

I'd say Phuket. As mentioned above, Pattaya is one of the sleaziest cities on Earth. And I found Bangkok just dirty and polluted. Chances are the school where you'll be training at will not be next to a Patong go-go bar (although I could be wrong). You can get a CELTA in Phuket town, or you could get a TESOL from TEFL Int. in Phuket town as well. Just my 2 cents.

[tedkarma]

Actually the TnT school in Patong is nicely placed and about six storefronts down from some of the best ribs and TexMex you'll find in Thailand.

Try the TexMex at the BBQ Hut and if you find better in Thailand - I"ll pay for it!

Generally, I'd suggest taking the course in the town where you intend to work - but . . . if you plan on working in BKK - you might want to enjoy a little island life before hitting the concrete workplace called "the Big Smoke".

[AnchorMan]

I guess part of the problem with Patong is that I would feel ethically ambivalent about having fun in such a place that only six months ago had a heap of tragedy thrown at it. But still it's comforting to know that there's some tasty alternatives to the sea food that's usually abundant at such places.

TnT make a back-hand suggestion that the cheaper accomadation is found in Phuket Town. Would it be a big logistical problem commuting from the Town to the Beach up to 10 times per week? I know you've mentioned elsewhere that the local transport isn't the best.

[sigmoid]

[Rice Paddy Daddy]

[PKB]