Job Discussion Forums

richie122 · Joined: 15 Nov 2004 Posts: 101 Location: Seattle, Wa, USA

Hey everyone,
I have posted a few times on this forum asking random questions about thailand and my vacation there. Well I just finished my trip to paradise, and am now back in China.
Originally I figured i'd take a week to leave China and get some sun, enjoy the beaches... etc... However, once I arrived my destination I realized that I ever didn't want to leave. I know that where I went (Pattaya) isn't truly Thailand (because it caters to Farangs), but I want to experience the country.
I am starting my second year in China, and until now it was a great Idea. Now all I foresee is misery in China. Is there anyone out there that has had the same experience (making a short trip and it changes everything). Or the opposite?? Living in thailand and falling in love with China. I'm sure that most of you don't really care, but 7 days changed my life..

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

You should carefully consider the fact that teaching for a year in Thailand will bear little resemblence to a week of partying in Pattaya unless, I guess you get a job teaching in/near Pattaya which is possible although difficult.

Overall you'll probably be making/saving less money than in China.

Have a look at:

http://www.teflasia.com/work/jobs/thailand/index.html

to get an idea of what kind of jobs are available in Thailand.

You can always go back to China if things don't work out.

filiusterrae · Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 12

I'm looking at making the opposite move. from everything I've read on these forums, thailand or china is six of one or half a dozen of the other. same or similar problems with admin, students, government, etc. different set of advantages though, so just a matter of choosing your poison. be sure to do your homework first - don't want to accidentally take a job near the Laos border if you're after beaches.

Welshguy · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 143

Yeah,

Went to Hong Kong to see my old mate for a week and didnt get back for four and a half years, via Thailand, Taiwan and all points east. As you do!

Go for it, but in my humble opinion there are certainly better places than Pattaya to go to it.

W

moot point · Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Posts: 441

You are comparing working in a country which you had a great time in as opposed to one you are living in. I have the same feelings every time I visit somewhere from my current residence in Japan.

The thing is, you are on HOLIDAYS so that destination will always seem like a better place.

For myself, and I'm as much a sucker for a good time as yourself, is that I realise I can travel for 6 weeks or so a year and still able to save $10,000 a year. I don't think you can match that kind of figure in either Thai or China.

Boy Wonder · Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Posts: 453 Location: Clacton on sea

smilingsams · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 9

Do you have the Bargurl's number? Rolling Eyes

Reality check Shocked

I live in BKK. and I enjoy it, but if you think being on vacation and living here equate to the same thing, you're going to be in for a big shock. I've taught in both Korea and china (small c because I'M still fighting the cold war) before moving here and think that Thai students, with the exception of EP programs, are a surly bunch. So go ahead pak your gear, don't head on down to Khao San Rd., find a dump to live in, get a non-bar-gurl gf, live in moderation, and yes, you too, can experience the plight of an English ajarn in the city of smog-ingesting angels. Shocked

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Spiderman Too · Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 7:37 am Post subject:

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

Excellent point spiderman!! Sounds like China's the place to go.

Everyone should go teach there and forget about Thailand.

Sgt Killjoy · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 438

I have been doing the China equation myself for awhile as well.

I spend 7k per year on visa and work permit, 12k baht on internet access, 72k per year on a place to live....basically of my 30k per month salary, I spend 10 k on rent and utilities and the cost of living in Thailand, leaving me with just 20k per month, like $500, which is the low end of the salary in China. Everything else I spend my money on is the same price or less in China according to a Thai teacher friend who just came back from a 3 month exchange program in China.

China rates highly as my next port of call....

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

Why do you spend so much on WP and Visa? It should only really be 3,000-3,100 Baht for a WP and 1,900 for the extension???

Sgt Killjoy · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 438

I wish, Ken. I wish. The work permit has been 5000 baht now for awhile. The visa extension is 1900 baht, add on pictures and you can safely say it costs 7,000 baht.

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

No the WP is not 5K mate, it's only 3,000-3,100 they're taking more money than they should be from you.

I renewed mine in October.....3,100 Baht!

You might want to have a chat with them about this, but for sure that's how much it costs.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

There are quite well paid jobs in China if you go thru a company or college in your own country.

You can get jobs of 50k Australian and frankly speaking if you are going to go to China you should get compensated for it.

A lot more opportunities in China than Thailand.

Thailand is great for holidays thou.