Job Discussion Forums

roadrunner · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 22 Location: London, UK

I am interested in teaching English in Thailand.

Rather than teach in Bangkok, I would prefer a more authentic Thai experience in a smaller town, where I can uncover the real Thailand, whatever that is! In doing so, I hope to gain a different perspective on life, maybe learn about Buddhism etc...

The main concern I have is whether, living "out in the sticks" so to speak, I might be lonely. Obiviosuly my social circle would generally be limited to fellow English speakers, but would there be a reasonable number of them in most provincial Thai towns? If not, would the students at the local university be a good bunch to befriend a curious person from a far-away place?

Thanks for your insights.

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

You can get by alright on the bog-standard Rajabhat salary (25580 baht per month) and there are Rajabhats all over the Kingdom. A friend of mine worked at a Rajabhat in Chantaburi and he thought it was satisfactory. Granted, he's fluent in Thai...

roadrunner · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 22 Location: London, UK

What's a Rajabhat?

I am not fluent in Thai... In fact I can't say a word... yet.

Are students themsleves willing to spend some of their spare time with their teachers, exploring the locality, further afield, relaxing etc?

Thanks for your reply.[/i]

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

Greetings roadrunner:

Rajabhat is a network of universities & institutes found throughout Thailand.

Here's the link to their homepage. If you scroll down a bit, you'll find some links & information in English. Try the "Foreign Teachers Employment" link for details and contact info:

http://www.rajabhat.ac.th/ (Rajabhat University homepage)

Will you be lonely? I sort of doubt it. Wink

Thai students are quite willing to spend free time with their teachers, at least in my personal experience.

Living out in the provinces should be an interesting adventure. One of these days when the pollution & traffic of Bangkok finally gets the better of me, I might do the same thing.

Good luck with your plans!

_________________________________

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

roadrunner · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 22 Location: London, UK

Thanks for the advice and the link.

roadrunner · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 22 Location: London, UK

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

I am interested in teaching English in Thailand.

Rather than teach in Bangkok, I would prefer a more authentic Thai experience in a smaller town, where I can uncover the real Thailand, whatever that is!

As for an authentic Thai experience, Bangkok is just as real as any little town you come across. Authentic Thai has nothing to do with rustic. It's fine if you want something outside of a city, but claiming that that thing which you want is Thailand is a bit presumptuous. Remember, one of the reasons Thailand is Thailand (and not Cambodia, Laos, or Burma) is because it has a developed urban center / trade hub with good hospitals and an international reputation. Don't forget that in Cambodia and Laos and Burma most of their imported goods are imported from Thailand, making this country the corporate avatar for the region (along with Singapore). To exclude Bangkok from what you consider to be Thailand is a bit amiss.

If you want to live with simple country folk, fine, Thailand has them in spades (as do America and England). If you really want a country that's a backwater, there are more and more positions opening in Vientiane (the capitol of Laos) these days -- though you'll proably have to be there to find them.

In doing so, I hope to gain a different perspective on life, maybe learn about Buddhism etc...

First point is valid. As for learning about Buddhism, the place a Thai would probably tell you to go is Buddhism University, in Bangkok. There are plenty of country temples and such, but while some monks are well educated outside of Buddhism and speak English many don't and therefore won't be able to help you that much. All of the tourist areas have a farang monk (or at lest Buddhist specialist) or two who runs seminars on Buddhism.

The main concern I have is whether, living "out in the sticks" so to speak, I might be lonely. Obiviosuly my social circle would generally be limited to fellow English speakers, but would there be a reasonable number of them in most provincial Thai towns? If not, would the students at the local university be a good bunch to befriend a curious person from a far-away place?

Depending on the town there probably won't be many other native speakers around, or even any fell-off-the-edge Germans. All Thais are happy to make friends with you (especially in the North, though they're friendly and open everywhere) but they won't speak a lick of English. This absolutely includeds university students (except the best of those, who are studying at upper crust schools in Bangkok).

roadrunner · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 22 Location: London, UK

Thanks for the insights and the link.

I have much to ponder.