Job Discussion Forums

prairiemaker · Joined: 22 Nov 2006 Posts: 13

Hello,
Is anyone working in south Thailand especially Prince of Songkla University in Pattani? I am considering taking a job there in late September. I am working in Korea presently. I want to know about safety issues. My wife is from Zamboanga, Philippines and we go there quite a bit which is supposedly more dangerous, but we use extreme caution, common sense, and I travel with an armed guard. It seems much safer in Pattani town. The university assures me it is safe, which does not comfort me much. Anyone down there, especially in Pattani that can give me an up to date account? I would also love any feedback on Prince of Songkla if anybody has any.

I have read everything I can find on the internet on both. There are quite a few accounts from around 2006, but I would really like to get a feel for the area now. We also are aware it is a small town, hot; far from civilization etc. This is what we are looking for. We need a break from concrete. Thanks
.

seattle · Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 12

Student killed this week. Press coverage stifled. Heavy pressure to define crime as apolical. 7 bombs today in narathiwat/pattani/yala. mostly banks.

If see a more recent post i would be happy to discuss the school, political situation, faculty etc.

Prefer email. Ta.

seattle · Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 12

This will give me 5 posts so i can send receive pm's... Very Happy

Gypsy King · Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 77

Pattani really has nothing much to offer in the form of teaching English. It is an isolationist province in the far south of Thailand where frequent bombings, kidnapping and extortion run rampid. If you are seeking a year of living dangerously than this might be for you....and hopefully you'll survive it! Shocked

seattle · Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 12

muslim thailand has it's up sides.

kidnapping and extortion are out of vogue but the bombing is a persistent issue especially in the rural areas.

frankly, i think the place is less dangerous than it is boring at times.

different strokes, eh?

Gypsy King · Joined: 05 Mar 2010 Posts: 77

Most people in Pattani are poor and are heavily discriminated against by the "Bangkokian" government elite. Kidnapping and extortion are common but you won't hear about it as much as the day-by-day bombings and murder of innocent people. Again if you decide to teach in Pattani it is your decision but I believe one's life is more important than the extremely low pay in offer for ESL teachers in this dangerous and extremely chaotic seperatist Thai province! Shocked

seattle · Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 12

I agree about the discrimination toward Muslim residents of Pattani by "Bangkok".

Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala are dangerous. 4,000 dead cant be ignored.

"Extremely chaotic seperatist Privince" is unfair. Many Muslim people have no desire to fight and are simply caught in the middle of the military and those few involved in what is in effect revolution-lite.

Link for a Pattani kidnapping/extortion in the last two years?

You are painting with too wide of a brush, imo.

seattle · Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 12

pm returned.