Job Discussion Forums

tedkarma · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:00 pm Post subject:

To some degree I enjoy bouncing back and forth between the extremes. In Korea, I often work (on my days off) for 14-16 hours a day on writing a book or working on a website - and in Thailand - do nothing except eat and drink. Overall - there is a good balance.

KarenB · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 227 Location: Hainan

I always love visiting Thailand -- we've lived in China for 5 years and usually spend a month in Thailand during Spring Festival. In our case, we've stayed in Phuket, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai. Like some of the others here, we've occasionally considered making a switch. Here's some specific questions we have:

1) Do schools usually provide housing or are you on your own?
2) Anyone in these forums live in Chiang Mai and how do you like living there?
3) How about education for your own kids -- Thai school? International school? Home school?
4) Do you usually get what you're promised with Thai employers (that's sometimes a problem here in China)?

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

Sawatdee khrap to everybody:

I just wanted to pop in here tonight and say 'hi' to bluffer.

Having 'special needs' kids in a large class is no fun.

I feel your pain, my friend; been there, done that.

Now cheer up, dammit !

You'll get through it OK.

Or come on down to Sukhumvit 71, Soi 42 and let me buy you a beer!

Remember; what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Oh yeah ...

almost forgot to answer Volodiya's question:

If you're happy and you know it ...

<- me

bluffer · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 9:23 am Post subject:

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

^ As a cunning linguist,

I prefer the word imperative.

I see we're posting smiley faces today? Mr. Green

Volodiya · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 7:23 am Post subject:

Hey, I don't work here, so I probably shouldn't be posting, but I'm in Patong (Ko Phuket) at the moment, and am reminded how many things I like about Thailand.

Siggy is exactly right, there is no perfect place in the world, but Thailand sure has a lot of the things that make me happy, especially the gentleness of the people.

I forgot to pay for a salad I had at lunch today, and had to go back.

Do you think the girl who made the salad (streetside service) "made a scene" when I, without realizing I hadn't paid, 1) thanked her for the salad, 2) said good bye and, 3) in a leisurely fashion, rode away on my motorbike? No way. She was even a little embarrassed (for me, I guess) when I came back, ten minutes, later, to pay.

Gotta love it.

bluffer · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 5:13 pm Post subject:

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

OK. How 'bout this one?

Perhaps you're feeling romantic?

PS

Volodiya, my dear friend: (a.k.a. Joe on the beach in Phuket)

Didn't you know that there's no free lunch ? Laughing

and that includes salads !

AnchorMan · Joined: 21 Nov 2004 Posts: 45 Location: Bangjak, Bangkok

I've been here in Bangkok for three weeks. In NZ I was averaging 52k Baht / month, but here a realistic figure is more like 25k / month.

The following compares very favourably (percent of monthly income):

Thailand-------------------- >New Zealand
Serviced Apartment 32% -----> 89%
Quality and tasty food 13% -----> 40%

Compares quite favourably
Beer 6 cans take-home 0.5% -----> 0.25%
Beer 6 stubbies, nightclub 2.6% ----> 1.4%
"Soapy" massage 6.4% -----> 6.7%

So some activities here aren't as cheap as they are often reported to be.
Also if staying here for some time I would advise that Kiwis should equate 10B to 1 $NZ. My serviced apartment lobby shop charges 30B per can of local beer. Would you pay $3 for a can of beer back home? I know I wouldn't. And the locals here wouldn't pay that much for a beer either!

tedkarma · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:40 pm Post subject:

For KarenB above:

1. Housing not usually provided, but generally inexpensive. Good housing (I like a house not an apartment) is not cheap - but not expensive either.

2. Live on Phuket, so don't know . . . but I bet they like it.

3. Luckily enough, don't have kids, but on local wages - international schools would be impossible. The local educational systems are not perceived as being of high quality - which pretty much leaves you with home schooling. Some people I know send their kids to their native country for education.

4. Two employers - no real problem with either one. Can't vouch for anyone else. But, generally, have heard from others that you get what you agreed to. Haven't heard stories of blatant cheating or deception as you might in countries like Korea.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

No Moss · Joined: 15 Apr 2003 Posts: 1995 Location: Thailand

Great thread, great emoticons from Kent, great "sanuk".

I'm in China now, with a comfortable apartment, lots of great students, easy money, nice lifestyle. But in my heart of hearts, I love Thailand the best. Soon I'll be able to retire on a decent, if not luxurious, income. Should I stay in China and teach 3 days a week and take my vacations in Thailand, or just move to the LOS and be done with it. The only thing I'm worried about is that Thailand would lose its charm if I lived there. Love to visit, though.

Any thoughts? And Kent, you've inspired me to hunt down some emoticons. I love that "if you're happy" bit.

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

^ I can't help it. I'm a happy guy !

And just for you, because I care ...

The Mother of All Smiley Websites:

http://jm.g.free.fr/smileys/