clarebangkok

I'm not a Buddhist but the Buddhists need to reclaim Thailand. And I'm not a Christian but there's a lot of Westernisation in Thailand that needs to be stopped, because those liberal values are the ones that fuc_ked up the west, that's why I'm going to Thailand.

I'm starting to worry about this wee, naive thing rolling up in the Big Mango.

It scared the <deleted> out of me the first time and I was 40!! The hustle and bustle and traffic and smells and Nelly the elephants!! And I was only there for three days!! And staying in a good hotel.

LOL

makes me remember when i came to israel to stay with my potential husband the kibbutznik (now ex...) . i dont know what i was thinking, it just seemed a good idea at the time. but mind u, i wasnt running away from anything, and this girl, i still say, seems real spooked about men and england so i can only hope that she is in good shape to deal with culture shock once the exotic wares off...

why do i think that? cause she mentioned not being able to deal with all the people on a uni campus in england (guess she hasnt thought what bangkok is like as far as crowds, people of all sorts, and the rude males hanging out around the 7/11 staring at the white woman (anon sent me down to buy something while we were staying with freinds in workers' apartment /hotel area... all those viroon on motocy's ... and im was 40+ yr old dressed like a thai matron from issan (t shirt/three quarter lenght jeans) when i went down... not even a young fresh looking girl in western dress...my duaghter got looks looks hassled and in bangkok was also aproached often. we were in the non touristy areas, and often with anon who would do the thai male protective thingy of huffing up and grabbing us and walking fast (driving my daughter nuts as she's super independant and confident).

she mentions not going out after dark and about feeling safe in bangkok. ... boredom boredom boredom if u are loccked in your little four walls every nite. and it also means that she is afraid of something that could happen after dark...she mentions many times about feeling safe... well, that just makes my 'housemother' alarm bells ring that she just wants to be anywhere but home. and if thats the case, who will be around to bail her out when, as someone put it, the shit hits the fan.

clare u also mentioned about feeling pressured in to doing things u dont like....? perhaps in england someoen pressured u in to doing thing su dont like? at any rate, to be an 18 yr old in a foreign city that borders on the bustling combination of first and third world, ... come on vacation for a while, or move some wehre else in england, change your name, leave no traces, and start a new life... changing places doesnt change your luck. it might make it worse.

i think most people on both your threads (the one in general of course is degenerating down by the GOM) have given u enough firm advice and also some real warnings....

my offer still stands: come to kibbutz here, volunteer in the grape vinyard working along with thai workers, work for your stay and some pocket money, travel, meet nice people your age, get experience living on your own while still being in a slightly protected and safe environment, and we are just 13 hours by thai air away from bangkok.

bina

I'm sure she'll be fine. What could possibly go wrong?

THere's another wee boy on the general forum says he's 18 and coming to Thailand; I reckon she'll last longer than him...

They're both from Britain - I wonder if they've met?

SC

Is this the '18yo coming to Thailand' one on the General forum? Isnt he an American? He says hes never left the United States before.

And oh yeah I love the rain here and Ill definately miss the snow too... but I wont miss certain English people lol.

I know I couldnt do without air conditioning in Thailand, and Im more worried the humidity might make me ill than I am about the heat.

Bina : I know I dont like men much but I dont trust people in general, I keep to myself thats all... its hardly like I hate men lol. And I think being with most people is *more* boring than being on my own, unless I share interests with them or something. I dont mind staying in on my own when I have something to do thats why Im worried about finding the right books and DVDs.

^might have an easier time in Vietnam or Cambodia - least for teaching aspects. They are more lenient on visa(s) and working. Not to mention costs are significantly cheaper....

However I might add I think this is a bad idea all around especially if you are planning to try this very soon. Lot of planning, preparation, and thought needs to be done on this or I'm afraid you will be up sh*tes creek without a paddle.

I know I need to sort out things like bank accounts and health insurance before I come... and itll take months to do that. But Ill have to sort out my accommodation when Im in Chiang Mai or wherever Ill end up... Ill want to see it first now I know how bad the rooms can be.

Now I know how expensive air conditioning is, Im a bit worried about the temperature and humidity indoors without it... its a bit worrying because when I was in Bangkok all the buildings were air conditioned.

I think its more difficult to move abroad than I realised...

I cant contact Gecko Books by email either because theres no email address on their website, does anyone know it?

Someone like me ends up at the less famous universities though... I had to walk through one when these lads were all coming out of the buildings and I didnt feel safe, like when you walk past high school and everyones coming out together and shouting... I didnt get any trouble but I felt I might be shouted at or something its how they were behaving.

And I hated school and it feels wierd if Id be called a teacher lol... but teaching adults in a language school isnt the same thing is it... and I just want to get out of England to Thailand in some way, and teaching English with a TEFL degree is how most people get into Thailand.

But learning Thai in Thailand is probably a better option if I *need* a university degree...

That is just what it was set at in my hotel room, if I knew how to change it Id have set it slightly warmer... and Ive no idea how much it costs.

No-one has answered anything about health insurance, so here you go....

If you are arriving on a tourist visa, I would recommend you first of all getting insurance from home. Although more expensive than Thai based insurance, it usually has exceptional cover and will pay for medivac-ing you home if necessary. After this, and if you are feeling settled here, you can look into Thai based insurance.

I have had one lot with Ayuddhya insurance and one with Bupa. Both were around 1000 baht a month but were arranged through my school so I presume they were discounted for bulk purchase. The cover is good, but will not cover you for transport back to your home country. Also I am pretty sure you need to have a work permit to get these types of insurance.

As I have been here 4 years, I feel comfortable having Thai insurance as I know which hospitals to go to which will over me the best value (you get set allocations for each service you use, beyond that, you have to pay), and I also have a very good support network here if I was seriously ill, who would be able to look after me in hospital and communicate with my family. I think if you are freshly arrived though it is good to know that if anything happens to you, you will be taken home, hence why I would recommend insurance from home.

In terms of meeting other people, there are quite a number of sports clubs and the like in Bangkok, and I presume in Chiang Mai. I wouldn't recommend anywhere particularly small, especially while you are still learning the language and the culture. A word of warning though, the expat scene here, almost without exception, is very *ahem* social, lets say. Even if you don't drink yourself, you will probably have to put up with nights with drunken people if you are to establish a network here!

You sound like you are fairly young. If you have never lived on your own before I can't help feeling you may be throwing yourself in a little at the deep end with your current plan. Thailand can be a lonely place, especially when you are just starting out here. A tefl course would be a good start as you would be most likely to meet others in a similar position to you who you can go on and look for jobs with. Or an intensive thai course at a Thai university, where you will probably meet other international and Thai students of similar ages (google 'intensive university Thai course).

It does worry me that you don't have a degree. Teaching without a degree means you are illegal. This puts you at the mercy of your school and immigration. I have a list of stories as long as my arm about people getting screwed over in a similar situation. A TEFL in your situation will not make any difference, it will only make you feel more prepared for teaching. Why don't you go for the intensive Thai course first, then you can reassess at the end of it and see if teaching is a risk you are willing to make. Even better stay at home and do a degree, you will never regret it and the time honestly does fly by. Then you can come and work legally.

Thanks about the health insurance I was worried about that... £249 pounds a year doesnt sound too much but I suppose it adds up with my accommodation and living costs.

I hated school so much Id hate going to university here in England but its probably better in Thailand so Ill google the intensive Thai courses.

God I hate sports... is there nothing else lol and I dont like feeling pressured to do things I dont want to like drinking... Ive seen what it does to people here where people drink too much. I think the best way to find friends in Thailand is probably through epal sites before I come, then Ill already know English speaking Thais who have similar interests. The problem is I dont know where Ill end up in Thailand, and they dont always say where they are in Thailand either.

<br />Sorry but anyone that doesn't need a fridge is a Troll.  <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

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If I living simply I can do without a fridge because air conditioning keeps things cool enough in the room. In my hotel room it actually was 17 degrees when it was 31 degrees outside and I just kept my water and orange juice by the bed. And fresh food is best used on the same day anyway.

Clare I hatr to burst your buble but if you had a brass ball air conditioner that actually can keep the room 22 degrees the food & milk will spoil without a fridge. Even camping in Tahoe at 50 degrees Fahrenheit about 16? degrees food stuffs spoil.

22 degrees? Im my hotel room it was 17 degrees inside when I checked but the news that day said it was 31 degrees outside... I didnt think some air conditioning might be better than others.

lol, you're using the wrong forum if you are not a troll you are about to be insulted by depraved sex tourists ( mainly dribbling oldies who have purchased wives in some way) from around the coutnry, if you are a troll you are probably doing good.

Go to ajarn.com instead, at least the majority of posters won't insult you and won't be sex tourists

I was going to suggest ajarn.com (ajarn is Thai for Teacher) as you are going to get much better advice, more relative to your circumstances... Thai Visa is over represented with dribbling oldies, but I think calling the majority sex tourists is going a bit far...

Just a comment, you do seem to have your priorities a little be arse about... before you worry about having anime to read, worry about where you would like to study and live... Unless you have money, Bangkok is a tough city... Chiang Mai is much more laid back and cheaper... Phuket is like being on holidays 24/365... Chiang Mai is a very big city, so there isn't much you can get in BKK that you can't get in Chiang Mai... lots of supermarkets stocking imported stuff...

Before you worry about how to cook your food, worry about how you will earn enough to stay... You will earn nothing as a teacher without a degree (even with TEFL)... You will earn even less with ONLY TEFL, because most decent places just won't employ you... Thailand is overun with backpackers extending their stay by doing TEFL and taking up teaching... OVER RUN... You have a lot of competition...

Before you worry about whether you need a fridge or not (this I just don't understand, if you can't afford a f^cking fridge, how do you expect to buy imported anime magazines?), worry about how you will get home to your fridge-less appartment without getting raped by the Taxi driver/tuk tuk driver... If you can't afford to live in a decent area, personal safety might become a real problem for you...

I am not saying don't do it... I am sure most of the penniless teachers here are having the time of their lives (granted most are young guys screwing their students, lots of their students)... and I am sure in 30 years time, they will still be living of their tales of living in Thailand while it was still a 'Less Developed Country'... I am sure half of the old dribblies here wish they had done it at 18 instead of 68... but you need to do a bit of soul searching... If you were to move 1 street way from your parents, how often do you think you would be running home to mum and dad for a hand with something??? Doing it in Thailand is about 10 times harder, with no safety net...

Daewoo

I guess youre right... Ive never left home before so I asked the questions that seem most important to me.

Its not that I cant afford a fridge its that I reckoned I dont need one... I might be wrong in the hottest months.

Im not really bothered about safety because I felt safe in Bangkok. I saw the safety tips in the womens forum and one or two of them were about cultural differences like not sitting in the front of the taxi but most were common sense... I dont go out after dark in this country anyway.

Clare, my advice would be to look up a TEFL course online. They are a little pricey but everything is usually taken care of. They even meet you at the airport so your not alone. Like Ian has mentioned Chang Mai is an option along with Phuket. A course may last about a month with a possible job placement at the end.

Just out of curiosity whereabouts are you from in the UK?

Like my full name Im not giving where I live on a public forum but Im from up t'north lol... if youre English and you know the towns there, you should know why I want to get away lol

Theres too much drinking and violence... I felt safer in Bangkok.

i guess it depends what you're cooking, smell, heat, condensation are all considerations. I think the main reason is that food is so cheap and readily available outside you probably wouldn't need to cook

I did notice lots of street food but I dont know what a lot of it was... anyway a lot of people think Im a fussy eater lol. I dont eat meat or fish, so most of the street foods seemed to be things I wont eat.

And the reason I asked about Tops Market in Chiang Mai before, is I went there in Bangkok and I saw ingredients I know.

Thanks Ian and llso... and everyone else helpful.

I think Chiang Mai mignt be better, is there a Tops Market or something like that there too? And what about somewhere like a camping shop to buy a *cheap* stove for my room?

No need for a proper stove. You can buy a little electric hot plate at one of the big supermarkets and use it to boil water for tea, or warm up some noodles for soup. You are unlikely to go camping on your own, so I would leave the little propane stoves at home. The big superstores have camping supplies such as sleeping bags and tents at a reasonable cost. I wouldn't do much cooking INSIDE your room, though. I'd get a room with a balcony for that.

The group tour hikes usually arrange for cooked meals at specific locations, and cover normal needs such as accommodation. It's been my experience that the group tour hikes usually have a lot of young people, and most speak English. The tours have ALREADY picked out the more scenic areas to visit and you needn't try doing it on your own. Once you've done a few then you'll know which ones you might want to return to on your own. It's also been my experience that most young travelers from all parts of Europe can speak pretty good English, so it's not a problem in conversing with them.

Hi

I wasnt thinking of going hiking or anything Ian lol. For some reason I never thought of an electric hot plate, maybe because we dont have one but we have the butane stove?

Wouldnt you cook indoors because of the smell or the heat or some other reason?

And lol at the kettle!

Do you have a uni degree? (bit of a requirement for teaching these days)

No I dont... but I was told it doesnt really matter even if its technically illegal in Thailand, as long as you have a TEFL and a visa.

^how do you plan on making dosh?

After I do the TEFL Ill be teaching English? Or I hope I will... someone (Ian?) reminded me Ill need a return ticket just in case lol...

Old Croc gives good advice, Clare. Don't worry so much. There is enough of an English speaking infrastructure in Thailand to help you get your feet under you, so long as you stay near tourist centers. It's only when you want to travel into rural Thailand that you might need help. And, even then you can do okay by traveling with a group.

I'm not familiar with the books and DVDs you want, but you could consider asking George at Gecko books in Chaig Mai. Considering that you are young, then learning the Thai language should not be too hard for you. I've known a few young people who learned to speak basic Thai in 3 or 4 months. It's harder for us old folks.

Come and have the adventure of your life. Don't worry too much because Thais are very helpful... even if they DO send you in the wrong direction some times. Just have a few backups such as a return ticket and some money saved for emergency. A Garmin GPS with Thai maps installed can be a saviour when traveling on your own. It's easy to get turned around if you can read the road signs.

Thanks Ian and llso... and everyone else helpful.

I think Chiang Mai mignt be better, is there a Tops Market or something like that there too? And what about somewhere like a camping shop to buy a *cheap* stove for my room?

clare made the error of posting in general and got the warm welcome of the grumpy men there.

books in bangkok are easy to find, they weigh alot so i woudln't bring any, same as dvd's.

clothes depend on your size.

here is a good spot to find clothes sizes

http://bangkok.angloinfo.com/countries/thailand/conversions.asp#clothes

Most of the grumpy old men were just messing around lol... I got offended at one of them though I still dont know if it was a joke or an accusation, Im not bothered now though. Some of the replies I got were useful... but most of them werent lol.

Im a shoe size 6 over here, but that site isnt clear what size Id need in Thailand? And the links from that site didnt help me find my Thai bra size either they didnt mention the bra sizes in Thailand.

<br />Hi Clare<br />there are many second hand book stalls around Bangkok where you can buy good quality books and they give you half your money back when you return them<br />

But thanks to everyone whose tried to help.

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<br />Clare, Claire, Clare.<br /><br />(sorry, don't know how to spell your name, as usual Ian has muddied the waters <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />' /> )<br /><br />A number of queries - emigrating by visa runs? Have you checked? <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />' /> <br />You want to make friends here before you come! Good luck.<br /><br />You got the responses you were looking for here I suppose. <br />I noticed you placed a couple of threads in the Ladies forum with no bites yet. <br />The people there are very astute,and frankly scary (I generaly stay away). <br />If you are a troll, 5 out of 10.<br />If you are not, go back to your boyfriend.<br />

<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I guess one letter isnt important but its Clare not Claire.<br /><br />Theres no point posting here I guess... God knows why people think Im a troll for asking sensible questions here... I thought they were sensible anyway... I tried registering at Lonely Planet instead but for some reason I cant...<br /><br />When I looked into getting a TEFL course in Thailand with a visa it was clear its not a *real* emigration, but its lpossible to stay by doing visa runs to neighbouring countries, and Thai embassies in some of those countries will just do it for you.<br /><br />I suppose I should try penpal sites to contact people there before I come... I know theres Thai manga and anime fans on them who speak English, but I dont know if theyre genuine so I didnt email them... maybe Im paranoid. But noone answered where young people go if they dont speak Thai and dont drink or like bars, or where I can pre-order books or DVDs. I suppose that depends where I end up though and I dont even know if Ill go yet.<br /><br />And I dont have a bf right now lol<br />

<br />There are a lot of people who think you can't exist in Thailand if you don't speak the lanquage. Most on this forum can't. It's not a problem.<br />Maturity and confidence are important.<br />If you have a very good reason for wanting to live here, and the will to make a life on your own, without someone holding your hand, then you can have a good life here.<br />Think carefullyh before you commit.<br />

Thanks.

Itll be a few months before I decide... but Ive never lived alone before, thats why I wanted contacts in Bangkok or Chiang Mai or wherever *first* before I came, especially people close to my own age so I could talk to them more. But when I visited Thailand I felt safe, there I was only scared of getting lost... I did get ripped off by a taxi driver because I wasnt used to paying in baht but I *felt* safer than I do here.

<br />Clare, Claire, Clare.<br /><br />(sorry, don't know how to spell your name, as usual Ian has muddied the waters <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> )<br /><br />A number of queries - emigrating by visa runs? Have you checked? <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <br />You want to make friends here before you come! Good luck.<br /><br />You got the responses you were looking for here I suppose. <br />I noticed you placed a couple of threads in the Ladies forum with no bites yet. <br />The people there are very astute,and frankly scary (I generaly stay away). <br />If you are a troll, 5 out of 10.<br />If you are not, go back to your boyfriend.<br />

I guess one letter isnt important but its Clare not Claire.

Theres no point posting here I guess... God knows why people think Im a troll for asking sensible questions here... I thought they were sensible anyway... I tried registering at Lonely Planet instead but for some reason I cant...

When I looked into getting a TEFL course in Thailand with a visa it was clear its not a *real* emigration, but its lpossible to stay by doing visa runs to neighbouring countries, and Thai embassies in some of those countries will just do it for you.

I suppose I should try penpal sites to contact people there before I come... I know theres Thai manga and anime fans on them who speak English, but I dont know if theyre genuine so I didnt email them... maybe Im paranoid. But noone answered where young people go if they dont speak Thai and dont drink or like bars, or where I can pre-order books or DVDs. I suppose that depends where I end up though and I dont even know if Ill go yet.

And I dont have a bf right now lol

When I come to Thailand, which Thai clothes and shoe sizes are the same as the English ones? If I come to Thailand, Ill need to know this sort of information.

Hi I was told I should post here instead of on the general board... I got into an argument there and ended with -2 rep lol.

Im thinking of moving to Bangkok, or now one of the smaller cities where people speak English, like Chiang Mai or somewhere. I have been to Bangkok before so I have *some* idea of what its like but Ive never lived on my own before so I might run into trouble there.

From the other thread I started, I found out that I can rent accommodation in Bangkok from £495 a year, that its cheaper in Chiang Mai, and Id probably find it easier in a tourist type city because theres more English spoken there and Id be less likely to get lost there.

But noone offered advice about cheap health insurance and wether I should get it here in the UK or after coming to Thailand, or where I can preorder English-language books and DVDs in Bangkok, or where I can meet other young English-speaking people in their teens or early 20s in Bangkok if I dont drink or go to clubs. Or where I can preorder books and meet other young people in Chiang Mai or wherever I go and live.

Of course I might not even come yet... but Ive got too many bad memories here and most things about England make it

horrible to live here... so I feel like a foreigner here anyway. And I felt safer in Bangkok.

If I do come Ill be on a visa while I take a TEFL course or a Thai language course, and I probably will live in Chiang Mai or somewhere like that.

&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;b&amp;gt;quote OP : &amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;Id especially like to contact other young English speaking people &amp;lt;u&amp;gt;aged from their early teens&amp;lt;/u&amp;gt; to their early twenties&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;end quote.&amp;lt;/b&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; &amp;lt;img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='&amp;amp;lt;_&amp;amp;lt;' /&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;

Because Im 18yo and I prefer peoples company if theyre a few years older or younger than I am? As well as why I have no degree from a university?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;

I didnt realise I was on trial lol<br /><br />

Actually that post just is just being *deliberately* rude, imo... and paranoid.

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<br />Sorry but anyone that doesn't need a fridge is a Troll.  <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />' /><br />

<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If I living simply I can do without a fridge because air conditioning keeps things cool enough in the room. In my hotel room it actually was 17 degrees when it was 31 degrees outside and I just kept my water and orange juice by the bed. And fresh food is best used on the same day anyway.<br />

<br /><br />Oh dear do you think it might be cheaper to have a fridge in your condo or have the aircon on all day and night to chill your drinks? Evere been here to  Bangkok in April when its a  bit warmer?<br />Have you done any research at all on staying in Thailand, youv'e got a  degree right???<br />

No Ive never been to Bangkok in April so I dont know what its like, is it much worse?

And I wont want the aircon *just* to chill my drinks, I just preferred leaving it on so I found it had that effect too. So why run a fridge at the same time?

I havent got a degree, so Ill be hoping to do a TEFL while Im in Thailand.

<br /><img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> My Advice< STAY HOME!<br /><br />LL<br />

Can I ask you why?

It cant be worse than living in England... for me anyway.

<br />Sorry but anyone that doesn't need a fridge is a Troll.  <img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

If I living simply I can do without a fridge because air conditioning keeps things cool enough in the room. In my hotel room it actually was 17 degrees when it was 31 degrees outside and I just kept my water and orange juice by the bed. And fresh food is best used on the same day anyway.

<br />Claire, do you have some special reason to choose Bangkok for your place of residence? If not then I would suggest Chiang Mai where there is a solid base of English speaking expats of all ages. Accommodation is also much cheaper in Chiang Mai.  Bangkok is a huge city and it can be confusing for a first time visitor. By contrast you can walk just about everywhere in Chiang Mai and not get lost. When you get your feet under you then that is the time to venture out to other parts of Thailand. There is lots to see everywhere.<br />

Hi Ive only thought of coming to Bangkok because its where I thought English is spoken the most and I dont speak Thai yet, and Ive been to Bangkok recently. And Im fussy what I eat but the ingredients I like were available at Tops Market there, and I dont know where I could buy them in Chiang Mai. Is it as easy to get a metered taxi there?

Ive only thought of moving to Bangkok before.