Job Discussion Forums

[communicator]

I am African-American and considering teaching English in Thailand. I have scoured the web for teaching information in general and the specific pros/cons of teaching in Thailand. One thing that I have consistently seen in most country threads (not just this site) is the preference for white teachers. I have spent a reasonable amount of time in Thailand recently and have not felt much overt racial discrimination, however that is not to say that it doesn't exist. I'd like input from people teaching there now about the potential for discrimination in hiring based on race. I'd like to have a clear picture of potentially what to expect should I choose to pursue employment options in Thailand. I am very open minded and would greatly appreciate honest responses.

[Brodsky]

well there are many on here with more experience of thailand, im quite sure, but in my experiences there is a huge amount of ignorance here. The bottom line being that a lot of people don't understand that a black person or someone of asian decent can be a native english speaker.

Only recently i heard a thai member of staff at my school confused about a Black british guy and asian british guy on a teaching video.

It's also true of many schools that insist on a photo with an emailed enquiry just so they can ensure they only pursue those who are white, and i also know of people who have been asked this question on the telephone,

It's not all positive, someone did tell me of a british asian teacher at a school here, parents complained, but the school stood by the teacher, explaining that they were a native speaker and a damn good teacher too.

If you are in thailand, then go for it, it's a chance for people to be educated, and to realise that native english speaker doesnt mean white, and would be good to see!
Good Luck.

[isanity]

I think that you will encounter racism of this type anywhere in Asia- certainly more so than in Europe. Having said that, if you're thick-skinned enough to take an above-average level of rejection, you should find a job somewhere. You could consider it a useful way of filtering out place you wouldn't want to work anyway.

[tedkarma]

I saw more African-Americans working in Korea than I have in Thailand. Racism is much more overt in Asia than it would be back home. In a way that is helpful - at least you know what you are dealing with.

If you have a degree - might as well head to somewhere where you can make some decent money (Korea). If no degree - then China, Thailand, and Indonesia are the places to look.

[communicator]

I certainly appreciate the feedback that I have gotten from those of you who have responded thus far. As indicated in my original post I have not encountered much overt racism during my recent visits to Thailand, but perhaps that is because myt visits were tourist related. I have heard so many negative things about Korea, that I was startled to hear Tedkarma indicate that he has seen more African-American teachers in Korea than in Thailand.

I suppose that in their everyday encounters, the bulk of the Thai population does not display such racist tendancies. However obviously I am saddened by the fact that race is such an issue for teaching in Thailand. Thanks again for those of you who have responded and if anyone else has opinions, I'd love to hear them.

[tedkarma]

I'm don't think that you should count out Thailand - in spite of my previous post. So much of Asia - Thailand included - relies heavily on personal contact and personal appearance. If you show up in person looking for a job - and look sharp and present yourself well - most barriers can be overcome.

In Thailand, if you come across friendly and have a big smile - things can happen.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Thais aren't racist; they're just proud & stubborn,

and this can often be confused with racism;

just my opinion of course.


I worked with a very professional African-American last year

on a 48 hour company contract at KAO Corporation in Bangkok.


He was employed full-time at a Thai University

and did some part-time work with us on the side.


I can tell you this much based on my personal experience:


He was well-groomed, articulate, good with students and smart.

Skin colour was never an issue for my boss (an Australian)

nor was it ever brought up as an issue by the client.


That doesn't mean it's going to be smooth sailing at every school,

but I thought I should add this to the comments above,

for whatever it's worth.





Good luck !

[kenkannif]

I've certainly seen it become easier for African Americans/English etc. and Asian Americans/English etc. to get work here.

[laben18]

my school has a couple black teachers

is that what u mean?

[kenkannif]

No, as at the moment we don't. I meant what I said It's getting easier!

And black could mean African...which we've not employed and which is harder to get employed (they often pretend to be African/American instead).

[frankly speaking]

I will disagree with more African american teachers in Korea. The majority of the African americans in Korea are military, especially in soul. I personally have found that in Thailand you will face some ignorance but no more than they treat other foreigners here. Most of the men that I know have integrated very well. Many have wives and girlfriends and sucessful careers. I worked for a school in Korea where I had to screen all of the teachers and they told me that anyone that looks Asian, Hispanic or dark skin in general just to ignore their resume. I said, what about me, there reply was, you are a good teacher.
I agree with TedKarma though. If you dress well and are quite articulate they will be impressed.

[kenkannif]

I know a couple of African/American teachers in Korea that seem to be doing okay!

[mapraopenrai]

My girlfriend is from the northeast part of Thailand and has dark skin compared to many of the upper class Thais. She was disappointed at getting too much sun when we went to the beach yesterday, she wants to have white skin like me.
She's a good girl, really, but she has a tendency to say things like, "it just got dark in here" (I don't know where she got that) when she sees black people on TV, even famous people. Don't hang up on me here, because I've got more of a point. I've scolded her for saying that, but she just thinks it's funny.
When I went to Thailand 3 months after 911, I met a nice girl, who later became my girlfriend (different girl). She was a more educated Thai with a good apartment. She let me spend a night in her apartment after we got back to town late from the north. Her sister was there, so no danger for her. As my clothes were dirty, she give me a shirt to sleep in. It was a shirt that was very popular with Thai vendors at that time, although probably not with American tourists as it diplayed an airplane crashing into the world trade center. For some reason she didn't consider that I would be bothered by that. Thais have a strange sense of humor. They just think some things are funny, for whatever reason.
But when seeing a movie in Thailand, you must stand up in the beginning to pay your respects to His Majesty the King. They do not take disrespect of their king lightly at all. It's strange to me that they can be offended so easily about their king, but it doesn't occur to them that I would be offended about the t-shirt...
What's my point? Thai people just think in a certain way. I don't think they mean to be hateful. Part of the adventure of going there would be to try and figure out why they think things like this are funny or not.
I don't know if you have experience in other asian countries, but I've been in Japan for a number of years. I know what it's like to be adored for being white, and then to realize how completely shallow and fleeting it is. Black culture tends to be popular here now, but from my experience, the kind of adoration that you would receive has a bitter taste to it, assuming you wish to be treated as a human and not a commidity.
What would be the difference between Thailand, and say, Japan or Korea? I think if Thais are going to make black jokes, they will do it to your face. You may feel affronted by it, but I actually think it's more harmless than the other possibility, which would be considering you inferior, but not saying it to your face, or saying things that really ARE intended to undermine you, suggesting in an indirect way that you are inferior. These are the kinds of things Japanese do, and I would guess Koreans would be very similar.
Yes, racism, sexism, age discrimination are abundant in Asia.

[joe beets]

^My experiences concur with yours.
Thais have cultural taboos; they're just different from ours.
In some ways, they are way more likely to, if you will pardon the expression, call a spade a spade.
If you're fat, expect to hear about it (as if this might be news to you or something?).
Questions about your age and salary are commonplace.
They really aren't trying to be rude.

Honi soit qui mal y pense.

Evil to him who evil thinks.


Back on topic -- I don't get that Thais are any more racist than any other more-or-less ethnically homogeneous pack of naughty little monkeys.


jb

[isanity]

The argument that "Thais aren't really racist/rude/etc. because they don't mean any harm" is weird. Almost all racism, rudeness, etc. is caused by ignorance rather than malice.