Job Discussion Forums

[thaipulse]

Hi - I'm currently in Thailand and not making enough. I'm still able to save some, maybe 15,000baht per month on average. I live very comfortably but still I'm looking at Korea and Japan as possibles for saving more. I read MANY posts here about the differences between the two - and the usual questions were answered in compaing them -but, many were not. Here are some specific questions that I'm hoping to get comparisons on - Japan vs. Korea.

Safety of teachers... I'm from America. Any problems with that in either country? I read that Korea sometimes had race riots... between who? Any insight on whether my wife and I would be safe. She is Thai - 24, and cute. I'm not sure what she'd be doing there except what she usually does here - eat, sleep, shop, make food, wash, take care of all errands, etc. I'm wondering - is she safe walking around big cities by herself? Do the police hassle Thai girls that are alone - thinking them possible prostitutes? Would she be ok in a small town?


Do they like Thai people in general or have a problem with them?


Safety of belongings... robbery... Are there frequent robberies of expats homes? Here in THailand it's getting pretty ridiculous. Half of the people I know have been robbed here. That is a large number. Whether it was cell phones taken out of pockets or motorsai baskets... or homes broken into while they were sleeping... and there have been MANY of those...

Does this happen in Japan or Korea? Much? Is it a serious problem like here? I carry my 40k baht camera, phone, and laptop all over for fear someone will break into my home while I'm gone!


Do most apartments have full kitchens? In Thailand a house will have it, an apartment - nope. Most - nope. People here eat out every meal usually. I don't I eat inside every meal but lunch, and even that my wife will cook day before from home.


If you get a VISA to stay - is it valid if you leave your job or if you are in-between jobs, or, like Thailand - does it expire immediately?



If traveling outside of the country and you have a Visa and are working there - like if I'd visit Thailand from Korea/Japan and return - are there fees for returning - or free? Is leaving the country limited with a certain number of times with a VISA or no?


Are there places to mountain bike??? I really love it and haven't found much here in Thailand and nobody seems to do it.

Surfing in either country? Bodyboarding? Body Surfing? Waves of any sort?


Is there a LOT of drug use among the foreigners that teach or live in either country? In Thailand for instance, I'm one out of 12 in the office that does not smoke pot.


Hmm, I think that's it... OH! What about internet - broadband? I know Korea is wired. But, Japan? Is it fast? Is it expensive? Do they have wireless? Is it reliable?


Ok, if anyone could answer any of this I'd be so much better off...