Job Discussion Forums

[dreamingofthesunshine]

Hi everyone! I'm headed to Thailand in September 2010 and am just writing to see if anyone else is headed that way as well? Also, if anyone has any great tips about teaching, living, and working in Thailand I am all ears! Have a great day

[beckersteph]

That's a good time to go as schools will be hiring for the second semester in September. There is a 2-3 week break in October and you won't get paid for a month once you start, so bring $$$. You'll have to go in person to the schools. Most are in Phuket Town. Be professional in dress and in attitude. You cannot be too polite there. Smile.

Get a book and start learning basic Thai-ordering in restaurants, transportation, shopping and greetings being the core stuff to know.

I assume you have all your education certificates (a bachelor's degree and TEFL certificate are needed for the best schools/hotels), transcripts, police record, passport and visa. Get the 90 day non-immigrant B before you go. It's worth not having to do a long visa run. Any good school will pay for your work permit. If you have an actual teaching degree, you're golden and will bank good money at an international school.

I was there for almost two years. Lived on the beach and had a great time. I wish you the same.

[Andy123]

I know many Farang who speak Thai and would not be caught dead going there. Avoid the police at all cost. I could tell you some real horror stories.

If you don't mind getting ripped off everyday and have money to burn it can be a great place. Enjoy.

[Pauleddy]

I'm afraid that Andy is right, IMHO.

Phuket is one of the most expensive places in Thighland. There is a huge rip-off culture, going on for so many years that it is now 'normal'.

It starts as soon as you arrive at the airport, where all sorts of taxis and 'limousines' will jostle to charge you a lot of money for a 40 minute ride.

Public buses don't run after about 7pm, so you end up paying large sums to motorbike gangsters.

A canadian guy recently got into a fight with a tuk tuk man who asked 10 dollars for a 200 meter ride to a store. The guy left the island in disgust.

Phuket Town is a smelly ugly hole. Patong Beach, the 'main' beach, is like a small version of Pattaya.

Some years ago, I fell in love with brochures about Phuket. I got a job and a condo and etc. but left after one month.

Sure, there are some nice beaches in Phuket where German millionaires have villas. Each to their own. Some people love the place.

Eddy

[beckersteph]

well geez, didn't think I'd hear so many slams on Phuket. Sorry you didn't enjoy your time there. Yes Phuket is expensive when compared to the rest of Thailand, but cheap when compared to anywhere in the US.

I lived on the beach for 2 years for $275 a month including water and electric.

Yes, the motorbike drivers and tuktuks will try to take advantage of the fact that you are foreigner because you have a lot more money than them, but just buy a motorbike and then you can pay $3 for gas a week.

I thought Phuket Town was dirty at first, then it grew on me and I found tons of places I love to eat and party at. There are tons of places you can eat good food for $1-3 for a meal with a drink.

If you travel enough, you'll find that there are going to be challenges to the odd man out everywhere. But that's the adventure and why we travel and teach, yes?