aussiestyle1983

What I post is my opinion based on my experiences there. I did not have many bad experiences, but I saw some foreigners who did, and me wittnessing such experiences allows me to comment on them as I wittnessed and thus experienced such events first hand in a way (i was legally teaching without a degree, that is pretty crusiy to me). Just because my time in Thailand was cruisy, doesn't mean that I have to just ignore and forget about the bad things that go on there and happen to others. Why should I join the band-wagon that is going around painting a rosy picture about teaching in thailand? I am just expressing a different view, a view that also happens to be true. I do have to agree that everyone's experience there will be different, but I think it is fair to warn people about the negatives as well as inform them of the positivies. How can you plan for the worst if you don't know what the worst is? By knowing what to expect whilst in thailand, I was able to in a sense control the experiences I had. However, those who don't what to expect will quickly become shocked if they go there with the idea that everything will be cloud nine.

Just to add something positive, my wifes spouse visa was approved in 22 hours. We lodged one afternoon and I got a call at lunchtime the following day saying the visa was approved. Back then, the letter we got when we lodged said to expect a lot more than a 3 month wait; it think it was 9 months. Sorry, I cannot help you with the interview stage as neither of us were interviewed. Just keep in mind that if you lodge a complete application, your visa will most likely be approved a lot quicker. If there are any troubbles, contact your local MP.

Your experience doesn't reflect mine or the vast majority of foreign teachers in Thailand. Some people have bad experiences but I would say that a foreigner contribute to the way Thais react to him/her. In Thailand you will have a positive experience so long as you are smartly dressed, washed, shaved, not too old or too young, and have a positive attitude towards Thailand.

Loaded, you know me, and maybe I was always too old, or made the mistake of trusting the Thais too much. Maybe things are far better in 2008 than in 2003 to 2005. I did not have positive experiences about visas, work permits, or contract renewals, but maybe I got the bad luck.

(addressed by Loaded, to Aussiestyle)

Your posts are full of negativity towards Thais, their country and their culture. You hated your time here I guess, so why not walk away and start anew. It may be a cathartic experience for you to release your emotions here, but it doesn't really help anyone except yourself. Spread some naam jai and jai dee.

I agree about this. I renewed my annual visa this week with full intent of staying the course. However, working again for a Thai government school again is another story.

You sound like you have been in Thailand for a long time, and done a lot there. Why would you need to re-new your annual visa? Surely there must be some better option for those who intend to stay the long term and put in the hard yards

Implicit in your question is the unrestrained anger you have against all things Thailand and even those non-Thais who have made a decent life here and enjoy their time here. There are many reasons one would have to renew their annual visa or choose to do so even though there are other options available to them. In point of fact, not everyone's experience in Thailand is a negative one and some of us manage to live and work happily here even if you didn't. You need to move on emotionally and put your unsatisfactory Thai experience behind you as obviously it is eating you up. Nothing to be gained by that. If you truly believe you are living in "the best country in the world," then stop being obsessed with this one and enjoy that one. Leave this place to those who will find here what they will even if it is better or worse than what you found here. Good luck.

I am very interested to know what these other options are?

If there is an option for one to remain in thailand long term without having to be subject to the annual renewal processes, I'd be interested to know what it is.

BTW, If you read my other posts more carefully before jumping to conclusions, you would see that I did nin fact enjoy most of my time in thailand. I would actually teach there again if some things changed. All I do is express my views and opinions to questions asked by others. If you only like reading posts in which teaching in thailand is painted to be a rosy experience, well I suggest that you either stop reading my posts or find a different forum to browse through instead of taking the bait

As you obviously missed it, "obsessed" was the key word in what I wrote.

There is a difference between being obsessed and having too much time on your hands

Good luck to you aussiestyle. Hope you are finding your happiness! I Have been following this (and other) posts with some interest. I think that the general consensus is that you are a little bitter from your Thai experience. That"s unfortunate.Ranting about your negative experiences is one thing, but your over generalizations make you sound less than credible. Cheers!

Thank you for your input. You also sound like one who is has become blinded to the truth. Undergeneralizations also lack credibility.

Your experience doesn't reflect mine or the vast majority of foreign teachers in Thailand. Some people have bad experiences but I would say that a foreigner contribute to the way Thais react to him/her. In Thailand you will have a positive experience so long as you are smartly dressed, washed, shaved, not too old or too young, and have a positive attitude towards Thailand.

Loaded, you know me, and maybe I was always too old, or made the mistake of trusting the Thais too much. Maybe things are far better in 2008 than in 2003 to 2005. I did not have positive experiences about visas, work permits, or contract renewals, but maybe I got the bad luck.

(addressed by Loaded, to Aussiestyle)

Your posts are full of negativity towards Thais, their country and their culture. You hated your time here I guess, so why not walk away and start anew. It may be a cathartic experience for you to release your emotions here, but it doesn't really help anyone except yourself. Spread some naam jai and jai dee.

I agree about this. I renewed my annual visa this week with full intent of staying the course. However, working again for a Thai government school again is another story.

You sound like you have been in Thailand for a long time, and done a lot there. Why would you need to re-new your annual visa? Surely there must be some better option for those who intend to stay the long term and put in the hard yards

Implicit in your question is the unrestrained anger you have against all things Thailand and even those non-Thais who have made a decent life here and enjoy their time here. There are many reasons one would have to renew their annual visa or choose to do so even though there are other options available to them. In point of fact, not everyone's experience in Thailand is a negative one and some of us manage to live and work happily here even if you didn't. You need to move on emotionally and put your unsatisfactory Thai experience behind you as obviously it is eating you up. Nothing to be gained by that. If you truly believe you are living in "the best country in the world," then stop being obsessed with this one and enjoy that one. Leave this place to those who will find here what they will even if it is better or worse than what you found here. Good luck.

I am very interested to know what these other options are?

If there is an option for one to remain in thailand long term without having to be subject to the annual renewal processes, I'd be interested to know what it is.

BTW, If you read my other posts more carefully before jumping to conclusions, you would see that I did nin fact enjoy most of my time in thailand. I would actually teach there again if some things changed. All I do is express my views and opinions to questions asked by others. If you only like reading posts in which teaching in thailand is painted to be a rosy experience, well I suggest that you either stop reading my posts or find a different forum to browse through instead of taking the bait

As you obviously missed it, "obsessed" was the key word in what I wrote.

There is a difference between being obsessed and having too much time on your hands

I agree. Most of the Thai employers look at the country of birth rather than the nationality. I had a good Aussie mate, who held 4 PHd degrees and was born in KL, but had lived in Australia for over 40 years, well, he got treated like shit because he looked as Chinese as you can despite actually being Australian.

Your experience doesn't reflect mine or the vast majority of foreign teachers in Thailand. Some people have bad experiences but I would say that a foreigner contribute to the way Thais react to him/her. In Thailand you will have a positive experience so long as you are smartly dressed, washed, shaved, not too old or too young, and have a positive attitude towards Thailand.

Loaded, you know me, and maybe I was always too old, or made the mistake of trusting the Thais too much. Maybe things are far better in 2008 than in 2003 to 2005. I did not have positive experiences about visas, work permits, or contract renewals, but maybe I got the bad luck.

(addressed by Loaded, to Aussiestyle)

Your posts are full of negativity towards Thais, their country and their culture. You hated your time here I guess, so why not walk away and start anew. It may be a cathartic experience for you to release your emotions here, but it doesn't really help anyone except yourself. Spread some naam jai and jai dee.

I agree about this. I renewed my annual visa this week with full intent of staying the course. However, working again for a Thai government school again is another story.

You sound like you have been in Thailand for a long time, and done a lot there. Why would you need to re-new your annual visa? Surely there must be some better option for those who intend to stay the long term and put in the hard yards

Implicit in your question is the unrestrained anger you have against all things Thailand and even those non-Thais who have made a decent life here and enjoy their time here. There are many reasons one would have to renew their annual visa or choose to do so even though there are other options available to them. In point of fact, not everyone's experience in Thailand is a negative one and some of us manage to live and work happily here even if you didn't. You need to move on emotionally and put your unsatisfactory Thai experience behind you as obviously it is eating you up. Nothing to be gained by that. If you truly believe you are living in "the best country in the world," then stop being obsessed with this one and enjoy that one. Leave this place to those who will find here what they will even if it is better or worse than what you found here. Good luck.

I am very interested to know what these other options are?

If there is an option for one to remain in thailand long term without having to be subject to the annual renewal processes, I'd be interested to know what it is.

BTW, If you read my other posts more carefully before jumping to conclusions, you would see that I did nin fact enjoy most of my time in thailand. I would actually teach there again if some things changed. All I do is express my views and opinions to questions asked by others. If you only like reading posts in which teaching in thailand is painted to be a rosy experience, well I suggest that you either stop reading my posts or find a different forum to browse through instead of taking the bait

Um... white = caucasians.

We dont call fair skinned Asians "white".

We dont call them black either

Notice the 'asian' in 'caucasian'. Does anyone know the origin of this word and how it came into being?

I was once called a 'white boy' to my face by a South Korean smart ass at an old job. I just laughed in his face and held up a white sheet of paper and said 'which one of us has a skin tone similar to this white sheet of paper?'. He did not reply, from that day on, whenever he called me white boy, I called him the 'paper boy'. He eventually got sacked for discrimination for calling the wrong person 'white boy'. He tried to get me sacked for discrimination as well, but the boss just laughed with me and said something along the lines of 'you know, as well as I, that calling someone 'paper boy' is not discrimination'.

To all of you saying that a BA is not a must for a teaching job --- obviously that only applies to white people right? or native-English speakers at least? I did a lot of research before coming here and lost all hope. Please tell me I made the right decision not to seek a teaching job!!!

Been here for 3 months, staying for another 3 months, then going back to university to continue my studies.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a lot of Asians actually have whiter skin than farangs! I assume you are referring to Western, native English speaking people as 'White People'.

Your experience doesn't reflect mine or the vast majority of foreign teachers in Thailand. Some people have bad experiences but I would say that a foreigner contribute to the way Thais react to him/her. In Thailand you will have a positive experience so long as you are smartly dressed, washed, shaved, not too old or too young, and have a positive attitude towards Thailand.

Loaded, you know me, and maybe I was always too old, or made the mistake of trusting the Thais too much. Maybe things are far better in 2008 than in 2003 to 2005. I did not have positive experiences about visas, work permits, or contract renewals, but maybe I got the bad luck.

(addressed by Loaded, to Aussiestyle)

Your posts are full of negativity towards Thais, their country and their culture. You hated your time here I guess, so why not walk away and start anew. It may be a cathartic experience for you to release your emotions here, but it doesn't really help anyone except yourself. Spread some naam jai and jai dee.

I agree about this. I renewed my annual visa this week with full intent of staying the course. However, working again for a Thai government school again is another story.

You sound like you have been in Thailand for a long time, and done a lot there. Why would you need to re-new your annual visa? Surely there must be some better option for those who intend to stay the long term and put in the hard yards

At the rate the Thai system works, I doubt that you will have everything sorted out in a year. After all, you are only going to be there for a year, right? It took me 8 months from the start of the application process unitll I had both a work permit and teachers licence. However, I was allowed to work according to the officials upon lodgement after getting a receipt. Anyway, you will be going through a lot of hassel, just be prepared.... Also, be prepared to hear offers from potential employers that suggests that you follow another normal path, the path down the dark side

That is all I will say because I don't want to be banned for speaking about one option that employers might suggest, as true as it is, because lets face it, not many schools will go out of their way to assist someone who will be buggering off in 12 months

Your experience doesn't reflect mine or the vast majority of foreign teachers in Thailand. Some people have bad experiences but I would say that a foreigner contribute to the way Thais react to him/her. In Thailand you will have a positive experience so long as you are smartly dressed, washed, shaved, not too old or too young, and have a positive attitude towards Thailand.

Aussiestyle

Your posts are full of negativity towards Thais, their country and their culture. You hated your time here I guess, so why not walk away and start anew. It may be a cathartic experience for you to release your emotions here, but it doesn't really help anyone except yourself. Spread some naam jai and jai dee.

I would have to say that it was a longer process for me that for some moslty on the schools part; the process was delayed according to the MOE because of the school's failure to provide them with some necessary papers. Unlike quite a few of the farangs there at the same time, I had showered and did not smell like a sweaty pig. I also was wearing a tie, and at the time I applied, my attitude to Thailand and the Khun's in general was a lot better than it is today (most likely because I didn't know better back then). You, and other cynics, can continue to call most of my posts, which express the true, negative, just because in the past I have gone on for long ranting sessions which I admit to. However, when newbies such as the OP get to experience the system first hand for themselves, they will find out that there was a lot of truth in what I posted. I actually enjoyed most of my time in Thailand, in fact, the only part I didn't enjoy was hearing frequent comments from certain Thai's and Filippinos that I worked with; comments that reflected their jealous and hypocritical nature. My attitude towards Thai culutre changed for the worse only when I returned to the best country in the world and was able to refelct on many experiences there. I even see Thai people here that are being held back because of certain characteristics of Thainess that they cannot shake for the best. It's quite sad actually, some of them have a lot more potential but will get nowhere until they stop hiding behind their ego. Thailand is certainally in the state that it is in today because of Thainess, just as how most countries are in the state that they are in because the way things are done there. Like I said, some of my posts might reflect negativity, but they also reflect truths. I know lying to save face is the Thai way, but I am not going to lie and paint a rosy picture about the process it takes to become a legal teacher in Thailand, especially for someone who intends to be there for only 12 months, when part of the experience might not be rosy. All I am doing, is warning a future farang. That is all. I would expect the same if I asked for such advice.

BTW, make sure you have insurance in Thailand, if you have an accident, most likely as a foreigner, you will be blammed at fault, regardless of who is actually at fault, because as a foreigner, if you were not there, the accident would not have occurred. That is the sort of mentality you will be dealing with. Chok Dee Khrap!

At the rate the Thai system works, I doubt that you will have everything sorted out in a year. After all, you are only going to be there for a year, right? It took me 8 months from the start of the application process unitll I had both a work permit and teachers licence. However, I was allowed to work according to the officials upon lodgement after getting a receipt. Anyway, you will be going through a lot of hassel, just be prepared.... Also, be prepared to hear offers from potential employers that suggests that you follow another normal path, the path down the dark side

That is all I will say because I don't want to be banned for speaking about one option that employers might suggest, as true as it is, because lets face it, not many schools will go out of their way to assist someone who will be buggering off in 12 months

Unless Thailand is the only place you want to TEFL teach in, I'd do your TEFL in your home country. I know Greece is not a native english speaking country, but I found that the TEFL courses in Thailand include a lot of components strictly related to Thailand. The TEFL I did in Sydney was not taylored around the specific needs of one location, it was broad in that sense so I feel that I can use it wherever I go.

How hard is it to get work as a english teacher? Just walk down the road. That was how I got into teaching. I wasn't even planning on teching, I just did a TEFL as a back up plan knowing that if I did venture into teching it would come in handy, but when a Thai techer who worked at a language school approached me one day as I was strolling down a bangkok street, I was soon working as a legal techer.

1. I am an Australian male.

2. I legally work as a teacher for a Thai government institution & have been doing so for 2 years.

3. I do not hold a degree of any type.

4. I do have "Trade" qualifications, which I submitted to the MOE. These qualifications were accepted.

Well put elkangorito. This is Thailand and nothing here is set in stone. I work with a guy who has been teaching at my school (Govt. school) for 5 years. He is over 55 years old, has a diploma, trade background (like yourself), and is totally legal (visa, WP, and TL) . Anything is possible in this country.

Well said.

In Thailand, if the Thai's like you and think you are a good person, you will usually get what you want.

I was legale for 2 years with only a diploma in TEFL plus 3 or so trade certicifates and a few vocational caetificates as well. I shaved, had tidy hair, smiled, and always wore a tie; that was all I needed to do.

I am actually beginning to feel a bit sorry for the OP, but I do think that his comment in regards to the fake degree was asking for trouble. My advice to him would be to make preparations to begin a legitimate degree course if he wishes to make a serious career of teaching. He doesn't want to end up all bitter and back in Australia, driving a tram, like aussiestyle He will likely find work in Thailand without a degree, but it might not be legal.

Just to clear things up, I drive a train

Perhaps he shouldn't go to Thailand, I never used to be as bitter as I am before I went to LOS. It must of been all those sour Thai fruits I ate?

The people who produce fake degrees seem to be in a category of their own on the honesty scale.

Nonetheless, a catagory which also includes the Thai or Foreign recruiters / department heads that in many cases encourage them to get such false items

The OP asked a simple question, then was called rude, and un-deserving names by certain members of this forum who think they are above the rest. The OP never mentioned fake degrees in his first post, in fact, the conversation about fake degrees was started by the same members who think they are above the rest of us who started the name calling. The OP has never taught in Thailand, so you can't really blame him for following up on fake degrees after the way people on this forum made it sound like it was a norm in Thailand to do. As far as I am concerned, here I what I have seen:

OP asks a question.

People mention about the use of fake degrees.

OP follows up on the use of fake degrees after others brought it up.

The OP, with no experience in Thailand, gets called all sorts of names and gets called a cheat for no reason.

The OP did what was right; he asked a simple question, a question along the lines of 'would you hire me based on X?'

I don't know why some fell the need to call him a cheat for following up on an idea that he didn't suggest. But then again, those who started the name calling are probably those stuck in a situation that they are unhappy with.

To the OP: Ignore the comments other than the answers referring to your first question. IMHO, you would easily get a job with what you have, or don't. You have 1 year more uni experience than many foreign teachers in Thailand. Don't get a fake degree, it is illegal, and you don't need it. I was legal there without one for two years, and my salary was the same as the farang degree holder who worked with me who eventually got sacked for being drunk one night and breaking a window at the school.

Not all Sarasas schools are created equal, either.

Here, Here!

I guess the whole 'When in Rome...' saying has gone over your head. Having said that, if you look anything like the pic in your avatar then I could understand why that may be the case

I understand exactly what was meant when it was said 'When in Rome......' My point being is that if this OP wants to con, trick, deceive, etc..... an employer for a position it is a way to say that he is immoral, unethical, and irresponsible..... as well as a low life bum that wants something for nothing. I sure wouldn't want to hire someone of this caliber in my organization. As I have learned, past actions will reflect on future actions. With saying this I don't believe the OP is trustworthy and as I said I wouldn't hire him to lick the sweat.........

(By the way, it's just an avatar, I am actually in a lot better shape than the country bloke shown in this post who you are apparently trying to side with...)

...and another thing, I have been coming to SE Asia for many years (particularly LOS) and having met many successful Thai businessmen/women I don't think that they would even consider, nonetheless think about, falsifying employment documents such as education or a resume. This is something that the western countries have conjured up over the years to try and beat the system. So tell me why say or even think, 'When in Rome.......'?

Sorry to dissapoint you, but the Thai businessman (perhaps woman, who knows in LOS?) who happens to own one of the largets private, Catholic school chains in the country, who would therefore be worth a lot, actually encourgaed me to go to a place called KSR to get a fake degree because it would 'be better for everyone'. I managed to get a job, wp, lt, elsewhere without needing a degree (real or fake). Nonetheless, not all Thai business people are as rosy and legit as you make you

There is no difference between using a fake degree yourself or encouraging someone else to do so.

Question for the OP.

Why Thailand?

Because I know the Country a little bit, and feel it would be a nice place to teach while at the same time enjoying my time there.

My diploma is just for one year of tertiary study. I don't think it would be to hard to find a fake bachelor's degree on the internet if I had to go down that road.

I just love it when everyone is a con and only a few want to work hard and reap the rewards afterwards. Typical young person: Lazy but wants all the benefits. Give me, give me, give me!!!!

You are a big man on the internet....

My diploma is just for one year of tertiary study. I don't think it would be to hard to find a fake bachelor's degree on the internet if I had to go down that road.

The fact that you are so desperate that you would even consider fraud suggests that maybe teaching is not for you.

I do not think that your motives for joining the teaching profession is that important, but that somebody is willing to use illegal means to do so is important.

Far from desperate. My motives? thats funny, out of my post you have made two assumptions that are totally incorrect.

He is a big man. Anyone with a name like ding dong must be big, don't you think?

Don't worry about some of the saddist posters who call you a bum for doing the right thing by asking before you come. If you live by "When in Rome..." when in Thsailand, you will be fine. Just don't copy the actions of male Thai teachers and you'll be fine.

And please remember, here in Thailand if it looks good, it is good! Things to look for: A library (books are optional, but should have a room). A computer room (computers optional). Etc., etc. .

Well said. Just have a look around, no need to ask questions. If it looks good, it is...

Despite having foreign techers who were arrested for holding fake degrees, Kornpitak Suksa school at Bangbon is without a doubt the best education institution in Thailand. Some teachers there even dress up as Micky Mouse and Donald Duck

I just love it when everyone is a con and only a few want to work hard and reap the rewards afterwards. Typical young person: Lazy but wants all the benefits. Give me, give me, give me!!!!

No no...... its being culturally correct. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Culturally correct would be: Me peeing in the streets, wearing a winter coat during the day time, driving with my eyes closed, etc. etc. etc.... The OP is nothing but a lazy bum who wants something for nothing and I wouldn't hire him to lick the sweat from my b@lls.....

By the way, we're (at least me) not in Rome...

I guess the whole 'When in Rome...' saying has gone over your head. Having said that, if you look anything like the pic in your avatar then I could understand why that may be the case

Perhaps you should leave Thailand too if you cannot accept how it is? You seem to be annoyed at a type of attitude that you have no control over and that will never change; that being the attitude of others. Why don't you just bite the bullet and leave now? Rather than turning into a whinger like me

Aussie, I am not so much bothered with accepting all the views of my fellow westerners. I do feel though that it is important that I least make an effort to accept how things are done in Thailand.

Don't you mean you make an effort to respect how things are done in Thailand? Accept means something different, and I don't acept what is done in Thailand, I do however try to respect it (don't laugh, I try to bite my tounge for as long as I can)

No, I mean that I accept that this is the way things are here. If I could not accept things as they are then I would leave.

If all farang teachers had that kind of attitude and accepted the <deleted> that goes on in the Thai education system, the system would be doomed forever. Those who offer some sort of resistance keep the idea that the system could oneday change for the better alive

Perhaps you should leave Thailand too if you cannot accept how it is? You seem to be annoyed at a type of attitude that you have no control over and that will never change; that being the attitude of others. Why don't you just bite the bullet and leave now? Rather than turning into a whinger like me

Aussie, I am not so much bothered with accepting all the views of my fellow westerners. I do feel though that it is important that I least make an effort to accept how things are done in Thailand.

Don't you mean you make an effort to respect how things are done in Thailand? Accept means something different, and I don't acept what is done in Thailand, I do however try to respect it (don't laugh, I try to bite my tounge for as long as I can)

Perhaps you should leave Thailand too if you cannot accept how it is? You seem to be annoyed at a type of attitude that you have no control over and that will never change; that being the attitude of others. Why don't you just bite the bullet and leave now? Rather than turning into a whinger like me

Wow, with all the problems that I've encountered at this school and with most replies from ex pats that have lived here for quite some time, it is no wonder of the state of pedagogical progress in this country.

You hit the nail on the head!

I often hear the comment on this forum (and other forums) that westerners should not really be considered proper teachers because of their motivations for joining the profession. Another favorite complaint is that the Thais do not respect the western teachers and this is why we don't need to act like professionals. Let's look at both these points.

The idea that your motivation for joining a profession should determine your ability to become a member is a joke. Have these people ever met any professionals? The idea that people in the West join professions out of a pure noble-calling is the stuff of fairy stories. I was in a profession before arriving in Thailand and I met many people from other professions and the usual reason for joining was job security or trying to please their parents. I met many nurses who joined the profession in the hope of meeting a rich doctor, but this did not stop them from being professional. How is this different from somebody joining the teaching profession in Thailand because they wish to live here? I can think of far sinister motives for joining a profession.

The second argument is less idiotic but more damaging. It is my conviction that respect needs to be earned and if you want to be treated professionally then you must act like a professional. The argument that, 'if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys' just does not suffice and is ultimately self-defeating. There are constant complaints about the Thai administration and regulations but much less examination of our own standards. A professional group should try and self-regulate instead of waiting on the governments to regulate. If the problems were solved internally then there would be less need for the government to meddle. If western teachers were more professional there would be less need for the Thai government to attempt to impose professional standards.

I recently needed to attend the culture training course. I felt a bit annoyed with the TCT for this, but decided to make the most of it. The attitude of some of my fellow westerners at the course moved my anger away from the TCT and more towards our own behavior. The pure open lack of respect for Thailand was embarrasing. Teachers arriving in beach-clothes and when they weren't bithching were sleeping off hangovers or trying to flirt with the instructors as if they were hookers. This is no way to gain respect as a teacher. So I would say that the reason that Thai people do not treat us like professionals is because we don't act that way.

I believe that if we want to improve the situation we need to concentrate not only on our own behaviour but also protecting the profession as a whole. The way you protect a profession is by not encouraging bad elements into joining it. I think that it is important for us to only encourage those with suitable personal qualities and academic qualifications into the profession. Of course, ultimately it is up to school administration but we need to ensure that we are not part of the problem. Encouraging anybody and his dog into becoming a teacher in Thailand is not the way to go - in my opinion.

The keyword in the title of your topic is 'want'. Not everyone wants or cares to be respected as a professional in all circumstances. I'll give you an example, in Australia, whatever I do, sometimes I feel good when I get respected even though I don't really care. This is because I belong to the culture in which I live, so in a way, if I am not respected, I must be doing something wrong. In Thailand, after learning about Thai culture, I did not care about being respected and in fact, I did not want respect. If I was respected in Thailand, it meant that I was doing something right in their eyes which also meant that I was doing things differently to the way I believe they should have been done. By earning respect in Thailand, I was in a sense, forgetting about the things in my culture that I hold to be important and in a sense, disrespecting myself. One example which I loved to lose respect over was standing up for myself andf throwing the face saving device that Thai's deploy out the window. However, you also mention: 'Another favorite complaint is that the Thais do not respect the western teachers and this is why we don't need to act like professionals. ' This is rather interesting. To me, teachers in the West are far more professional than Thai teachers could ever be. To be recognised as a professional teacher in Thailand you must need to be following a lot of the dodgy practices that the Thai education practices. If being a professional teacher in Thailand means I have to pass students that fail, use 50% as the lowest grade, spend more time at the front gate and meausring the size of my check marks on graded papers to make sure that they fit between the 12mm and 15mm guidelines that the school insists on, and so many other timewasting practices, I'd have to say that I hope I wasn't a porfessional teacher in Thailand by Thai standards. Only when Western commonsense in forced on the Thai education system, which will most likely never happen, is the day I would want to be called a professional teacher by a Thai. I'd rather spend less time checking the size of my ticks on the paper and more time in the classroom, even if it means I am a stubborn farang whose does not respect the system; a system not worthy of respect.

"Encouraging anybody and his dog into becoming a teacher in Thailand is not the way to go - in my opinion." - You're right, it's not the way to go, but it's the way it's going