brewsterbudgen

TEFL teachers in the UK are not paid much more than TEFL teachers in Thailand, and as the cost of living in the UK is significantly higher, they're likely to be worse off. Mind you, TEFL work in the UK is mostly for foreign students and asylum seekers, so it's hardly surprising they'd prefer to teach in Asia (or anywhere else!).

Thailand has better beaches, weather, available girls/guys and a very relaxed atmosphere. Western countries are what most people are escaping! The OP is spot on. Not needing the local language is a huge bonus about living in Pattaya (or Bangkok for that matter). And there are plenty of western food options anyway!

Prostitution itself (the act of paying someone, or being paid for, sexual services) isn't illegal. Underage prostitution is.

In my experience (and I've been teaching English in Thailand since 2005) there are both good and bad native-speaker teachers in Thailand, just like in any profession. Thailand does attract more TEFLers than a lot of other countries and inevitably some are teaching for the wrong reasons. That said, even the less committed ones can make a difference with pronunciation, fluency and getting their students to be more confident about speaking English. However, the vast majority of teachers of English in Thailand are Thai. Hence the problem.

There is nothing to back it up; it's just that some are obsessed with sex! Anyone would think teachers shouldn't have sex!

Tourists by definition are not here long enough to make a difference. Even so, I would hope a native-speaker sex-tourist teacher would not teach "have you ever went to..."!

There have been some posts on this Forum about some fairly big claims being made. But, it's usually the problem claims that get the publicity!

Absolutely. Based in Bangkok/Pattaya. I've been using him for over 10 years now.

I would just go up to the roof and enjoy the fireworks. Take a bottle of wine/champagne with you. What are they going to do - throw you out (or over the side)?

Indeed. Having a broker you can trust helps too.

I have no idea. Who do you suggest? If they're as dodgy as you suggest, surely there would be publicity as they're doing tremendous business in the expat market.

And???

My broker was fine with renewing WRLife for another year; he's normally quick to suggest alternatives if they benefit him!

I hope their "interrogation" is at least sympathetic. But preventing child trafficking has to be a prime concern. I feel for you.

Not really surprising. What an odious shambles this government is.

Not really surprising as Thai food is full of sugar.

No, not that Forum, which no longer exists. But his Forum does cover the areas you mention; a similar infrastructure to this one but different content. Mind you, this Forum is changing and becoming more like Bryan's every day!

It's fantastic. Can't wait to take my son there again after Christmas.

Herpes is present in a huge percentage of the population, so must inevitably spread through the Pattaya boys and girls. Not curable, but more of an annoyance than a disease.

I would think most consumers of Pattaya's most popular product would have to admit that they have - although maybe not here, as it's not that kind of Forum! Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and herpes must be rife!

I genuinely don't think that's true. I know many Bangkok-based Thais who love visiting Pattaya for the weekend with their family. Perhaps you need to experience a little more of the city and its environs.

I think it's a group with a number of successful bars, news websites and a Forum not dissimilar to this one.

Yes, in its US guise it probably isn't, the Cafe/bar anyway, but that's what makes Pattaya such a family friendly place!

Define "successful"? In the bar world, Bryan from the Nightwish Group probably meets the category. Or 'Mr Egg' (Phil) from Le Pub and other enterprises. The owner of the Rock House has also had a successful long-term business.

If he doesn't enter on his British passport he'll need a visa!