Job Discussion Forums

[Volodiya]

I searched this theme and didn't come up with anything so, if you don't mind-

If you're happy here, in Thailand, can you tell us why; and, if you're not, why not? (I'm based in China, but often think about relocating to Thailand.)

[Stosskraft]

Good question volodiya, I am wondering the same thing. I am going to Thailand this January and I would love to hear how people feel living/working in LOS. I Have done a year in China and now I am finishing my year in Japan and I think Thailand is exactly what I am looking for.

Also can anyone compare Thailand to some other Asian countries they have worked in ?

[tedkarma]

I love Thailand. My wife (also an EFL teacher), home, kitty, motorcycle, truck, and most everything I own are there.

I will retire and die in Thailand (I am an "older" teacher). It is my home and where I feel at home - after being out and about in the world since 1989.

That said, it's a hard place to save money - so right now I work seven months a year in Korea, spend the other five on Phuket. When my finances are just right - in the not too distant future - I will return to work and live full time on Phuket.

I think Thailand is a great place to live - the people are upbeat and friendly and pretty much leave you alone to live your own life. It is one of the few countries where I can be in a large crowd of people, or a mall, or anywhere - and forget that I am the only foreigner in the crowd.

The year and a half that I taught in Thailand I found the students delightful - and full of fun - more so than anywhere else I have taught. (Korea, Botswana, Taiwan, Saudi)

The general quality of life is good, prices low, medical care good - hard to beat!

That said, it also has some downsides: so/so wages, a larger percentage of "oddball" co-workers than in other countries (just MY opinion!), just too hot sometimes.

But, geezzz, if that is the worst I can say . . . it pretty much beats everywhere else I have considered living.

Gave serious thought to Mexico one time as I am from Arizona - but the crime level and cost of living compared to wages in the coastal areas (I MUST live near water!) just didn't work out right.

[kenkannif]

I'm more happy than not happy here, for various reasons (wife, kid, reasonably good job, etc.).

Then again I am from the UK

[sigmoid]

I think Ted Karma just about sums it up: great place to live, difficult to save money.

But at the same time, if you're looking for the "perfect" place you may be disappointed as there are a lot of anoyances in Thailand as well.

[Volodiya]

Thanks, Sigmoid. I wonder if you could flesh out your comments, just a little? I understand "difficult to save money" as meaning the earnings to living expense ratio approaches one:one. (You're not the only one who has mentioned that, on this forum. Seems to me SheepGoats said much the same thing.) Isn't that a negative, long-term? What practical ways are there to get around this problem, if any, without leaving the country. (I read Tedkarma's response where he said he works much of the year in Korea, as a solution for him.)

You said there were "annoyances". Would you mind elaborating somewhat on that?

[tedkarma]

You are right, if you are young (or any age really) and not financially set - or have no back up resources - living your life in Thailand can be problemmatic and perhaps a bit irresponsible.

I am cautious about my finances and have some resources from years of planning and investing. When I left Thailand to teach in Korea it was only because I felt I needed a better financial cushion in event of emergency. Once that cushion is as fat as my paranoia says it should be, I will be back full time.

When I get old, or even next week - I don't want to worry about if I can afford another beer with dinner or not. Or whether my wife can get the operation she needs . . . There are some who have those worries - and do fine with them. I don't.

[sigmoid]

...

[tedkarma]

Big downside: chickens next door. Always happens to me. Even in the middle of Riyadh.

As Sigmoid said - all developing world stuff - but you get used to it - find humor in it - and let it go. It IS what makes living overseas interesting.

There's a guy in my neighborhood who drives a Wall's Ice Cream samlor - who always wears a big lion's head (like from the Wizard of OZ). Where the h*ll else would you see something like that?! Or the guy driving around with a monkey on his motorcycle (picks coconuts). Or the cute pooches in the motorcycle baskets . . . I could go on the days.

My wife and I often comment that EVERY DAY you'll see something that will make you break out laughing. Even after four years working where she works - she says you find yourself walking around with a BIG SMILE on your face - because the Thais she works around are so upbeat - in such good moods ALL the time.

Lots of downside things - can become upside things. Lack of efficiency often equals kick back lifestyle for example. I DON'T WANT things here to be like back where I came from. I can go there and get that. I'm happy to take the so/so with the great.

Geez, I'm almost a salesman . . .

[Gordon]

Ted, you're tempting me to come to Thailand now. You made some really good points about saving for retirement too.

Just curious, how do you work it out that you only do 7 months stints in Korea? Do you always return to the same job or different ones each time?

[tedkarma]

Good university job - 16 weeks on - ten weeks off - twice a year. Fly back and forth. Not easy jobs to come by - people (obviously) protect them jealously. Requires minimum master's degree - and experience. Same job for the last three years - we'll see . . .

But . . . had a similar jobs in Korea 93-94, in Taiwan 95-96 (only three months paid leave ).

[Gordon]

Thanks Ted. I guess I could do the same from Japan. I get 9 weeks off spring and summer, something to think about. Those 16 weeks alone in Korea must get pretty lonely if your wife stays in Thailand.

[bluffer]

At the moment unhappy because of the MOD EDIT in my school. I actually have some kids on medication for ADHD. Am I trained for that? Nope, but I am expected to deal with them. How? MOD EDIT if I know. Been told to take it easy on them. Wow, that will really help the rest of the class if I let them run around all lesson and annoy the other kids and do nothing to stop them.

This week is the last week before the end of the semester and all the ankle biters are bouncing off the walls.

Add in the virtual no discipline policy, the cheating in exams, the being told to falsify reports, the lack of respect from some kids, the general visa, wp situation / process then at the moment I am definately unhappy.

I work in a "good" EP program in a "good" school.


And yes, I am probably a grumpy MOD EDIT at the moment because I need a holiday but that is 3 weeks away 2 weeks of in house summer camp and writing sweetened reports card before that .

[tedkarma]

Uh . . . all the more reason to get a graduate degree and teach adults . . .

Gord,
The 16 weeks are okay - I have good friends in Korea - and typically work very intensively on some extra projects (websites, books) and try to further my education/credentials. Then intensively kick back on the island.

[Gordon]

Ah, intensive relaxation. You need that after the rat race in Korea.