Job Discussion Forums

[Seuss930]

What is, in your opinion, the best "smaller" city to live
and work and why?

[Pauleddy]

Chiang Mai is often named as the "2nd city" after BKK in terms of leisure and entertainment. Inland and cool in winter, it is quite different from the sex-tourist places (Pattaya, Patong etc)...although it still offers its fair share of love-for-sale. Unfortunately, the salaries are typically low up there: a lot of westerners contest the jobs. The city is more relaxed than BKK, but draws a lot of tourists as well.

Hua Hin is right by the beach and about 3 hours from BKK (more on the train, but a beautiful scenic ride). It is also busy and quite expensive. Plenty of western-style restaurants, and attracts a "posh" Thai crowd.

Sri Racha is a large coastal town about 90 min from BKK by bus, direction Pattaya. Some folks like it because BKK is do-able, and there are shopping malls and Tesco while retaining a small-town feel. There are a few schools and universities in the general area.

Rayong is similar but about 4 hours from BKK. Some folks like it, but I find it a bit dismal.

I don't know the southern cities, apart from Phuket Town and Krabi Town.

I have always felt that, apart from the tourist honey traps and big old BKK (and maybe CMai), a "typical" twenty-something adventurer looking for fun and frolics will swiftly get bored in your average small Thai town. IMHO. Some people travel at weekends to escape. Sure, you will always get someone who wants to scuba, study sea gypsies or help Burmese people in border villages for a year or two, but...

Older people may get married or settle down, and the problem is less acute then, although...

Alcoholism is said to be a problem amongst older westerners living in boonies towns like Udon Thani (so I hear), simply because some people get hitched and end up in a place where there is nothing to do and where even a newspaper in English is hard to get. A friend of mine lives in Udon, and there are at least 10 western-style pubs/bars in the town centre (I've been in some of them, and seen the drunks). If you are prone to idleness, as I am, be careful about choosing your destination/new home, and make sure that you look around.

Loads of folks are attracted to Thailand (because of its obvious attractions, relative cheapness, leisure etc), but it can "bite you back" in unimagined ways unless you keep busy and keep your clarity and sanity. The deep background culture is very different to what some folk expect. For the first few months they see beach, beer, buddhas and beauties--but living here entails much, much more, and can be quite a different story.

Eddy

[PattyFlipper]

Wise words from Eddy.

Anyone contemplating a move to Thailand should ensure that they always keep a reserve of sufficient funds to purchase an air ticket out and establish themselves somewhere else. This may sound like extraneous advice, however you would be surprised at the number of expats (not only TEFLers) who eventually find themselves loathing their life in Thailand, yet are unable to 'escape' - even to another country in the region - due to lack of funds. To the tourist or casual visitor Thailand seems to promise much, yet in actuality often delivers very little, and it is easy to become trapped in a cycle of penury.

[Pauleddy]

Here are just some of the downsides of Thailand (no upsides today!):

1. 95% of the people will be a lot poorer than you. That includes love-partners. The 5% who are rich-er will not bother you and are very smug already with their Armani and Mercedes. Some are much, much richer than u will ever be, and will not be interested in you unless you are George Clooney in looks and money, or a surgeon. Status is a big thing here.

1a. It is completely normal that you will be seen as a provider, unless the partner is professional/rich/etc. Many people, including very streetwise and clever ones, have ended up buying cars or house extensions for the wife's family. Even those who said "no, not me, never". Believe me. You are seen as an ATM. get it tatooed on yr head if u want. Of all the couples I know, straight or gay, less than 10% are like "normal western people" where both work and contribute and save up for a sofa etc etc etc.

1b. If u meet a nice girl and want to marry her, most families will want a dowry. Could be 20,000usd or 100,000usd. Some (a few) modern or wealthy families don't ask for it. ALL poorer, traditional or rural-type families want it, along with rings and bars of gold AND a nice wedding which you pay.

2. The government is always unstable. There have been at least 10 coups since the 80s. The current gvment has a lot of problems but keeps sweet with the army.

3. Wages are bad, unless you are a Harvard PhD in a "want-you" job/ a very well qualified high school teacher// and/or and have a pension or plenty money. The normal teacher salary is about 35,000b a month. About 900-1000 usd. People in studio apartments who eat rice CAN live on this. people who like to have pizza, taxis, trainers and parties have problems.

4. The visa system s--ks. Even Malaysia and Korea make it easier to stay. Please, check the visa sites. I am no expert, but you CANT stay here permanently unless you have a f-t job or are retired, or marry. I am retired, but I still have to queue up every 3 mths to prove I am here.

5. People really think that you can arrive and head into a job under palm trees right on the beach and have massage all day. That stuff is fantasy.

6. Most schools and universities have terrible/disorganised administration. You won't be asked for opinions or given options. If you are seen as non-conforming, they will get rid of you. As a teacher, you are often an "edu-tainer", and you have to have "fun". Like a clown. In some places, you must give all kids a pass grade. ALL.

7. For all its image, Thighland is very non-PC. If you are NOT white, well-dressed, native, cute and young-ish--you may not get a job. Dark Thai people and black/afro/dark Indian people are 3rd class here.

8. Bangkok, and most of Thailand, are very hot and humid. With the pollution, Bangkok is always warmer than, say, Kuala Lumpur in steamy Malaysia (I know both places well). Some people can't stand the heat, especially in April/May. The aircon is 90% always on, but it's not do-able for some folks.

Have Fun

Eddy

[Seuss930]

I haven't seen an English newspaper in years (offline that is)

With my combined salaries now, I'm richer than most people here. (here - being China - where I've lived and worked for 5 years - got married - bought a house, car, and run my own little school on the side). The ones with more money have WAY more money.

As for that partner stuff - my wife and I are currently discussing divorce - which is why I'm currently discussing Thailand. I'm not worried too much about getting caught in that trap. Also, after (if) we sell our house (she will get the car - arrgh) I should have around $15k - this isnt much but it will get me back to China if things go wrong. I know how to make a decent living here and quickly put money back in the bank but I need a change - 6 months or forever I haven't decided yet.


this may sound crazy but i have chosen destinations at random before
and I've found that most places are ok to live if you are ok

and you're right about keeping busy, I like working and I usually run
around 35-40 classroom hours (50 or more after preparation - and this is only possible if scheduling falls neatly into place) and I find this suits me well - all that devils hands business (idle?)

although I COULD see myself ending up at the Thailand version of CHEERS with people calling my name (or something in drunken Thaiglish - HOOKALOOGI!!!) when i walk in and having my sangkooptingdong poured for me by the time i sit down - aahhhhh

anyway thanks a bunch, I might should have asked what cities to definitely NOT LIVE in, lol

[Pauleddy]

Sorry ladies. I have been told that my post is very male-biased, even for a not-straight man.

Younger ladies-- gap year or backpack travel types form the majority here; some come with BFs. If you are young and tough, you may be OK in pairs or alone. Some ladies come here to do a CELTA, and may stay a while.

30-plus ladies-- 40 -plus ladies. Not many here if single and looking. Why?

Whatever your age, you may be fair game for some Thai men. The "worse kind" are macho. Philandering is common, and even normal. In traditional Thai society, middle or high class men kept "minor wives"--2 nd or 3rd "wives". The man would feed and clothe the minor wife, and even pay for her apartment. He would then "visit" her once or twice a week. This still happens today, just less so.

Keeping a minor wife, or visiting brothels, was a sign of status and potency. The main wife would run the house and know the score.

I knew one western woman who discovered by accident, after four years, that her Thai husband kept a girl as well.

Of course, there are exceptions, and there are some very caring and loving Thai men. But, as I wrote before, the "deep culture" is very different. What you "expect" in Manchester or Minnesota is not the same here.

Eddy

[PattyFlipper]

Single Western women in Thailand often complain that they are ignored by Western males, most of whom are far more interested in pursuing the local 'talent', and generally feel marginalized by the expat community. Thailand is definitely not an easy place for a single Western woman, though on the credit side, if she is a teacher, she should have an abundance of job offers from which to choose.

[Hod]

[Seuss930]

uh hmpf (clears throat)

best smaller city?
or if thats too open ended,
worst city you know?

[Sadebugo]

[winthorpe]

[Knexus]

[Tainan]

Chiang Rai, anyone?

[JZer]

[Pauleddy]

Sure, but in Thailand the Number 1 wife accepts that there are minor girlfriends. In rich old times, all the girlfriends lived in the big house or palace.

In america, most wives don't accept and want fight/divorce etc. Tiger Woods is very rich.he has a lot of problems now--but in Thailand no problem, pay money, have girlfriends, normal for very rich man.