tonititan

I think that sounds like a more realistic way of ending up at a decent/good school in Thailand. Sometimes you have to "pay your dues" in less desirable locations before ending up where you really want to be. Not being from the UK, I can't really comment on the PCGE/NQT issue because I am not familiar with your requirements, or how that could affect you in the future.

So did you accept the job in Saudi Arabia, or are you still considering applying for the Heathfield job?

I don't know a whole lot about it, but from what I have heard, it's a so-so lower tier international school. There are a few reviews on the ISR website that was already mentioned, and none are glowing reports. A couple are quite negative. I had a friend who was offered a position there last year, and the salary & benefits package wasn't very good - about 30-60k baht/month less than what qualified teachers with only a couple years of experience could get at other international schools, and with significantly less benefits. You should definitely check on the benefits (flights at the beginning/end of contract, flights home in the summer, housing, insurance, visas, etc.).

You're right, it may be a good stepping stone to move to better international schools. Many of the good ones value international experience, so people often have to start at less desirable schools. But, just keep in mind that if you specifically want to be in Thailand and remain here, taking a job at Heathfield may not help your chances of moving to a better international school in BKK - it may actually hurt your chances. Most of the better schools prefer to hire internationally, and they either won't hire someone already working locally, or they will put you on a "local hire" package, not an overseas expat package. Some schools do make exceptions for highly valued/needed candidates, but primary teachers aren't in high demand, especially those with minimal experience. There is a free forum on the ISR website, and there is actually a discussion about this issue of moving schools going on right now (specific to Bangkok).

For me, yes, it is definitely worth it. I've got pretty long legs, and the extra legroom (not to mention the slightly wider seats) are worth the extra cost. I usually travel alone, so I personally like the large divider armrests between passengers. Couples might not like it because you can't share space, but for me it's fine. Someone on the other thread correctly stated that you can't move these armrests to lay down if your row is empty, bug again, that is fine for me because I don't like to lay down across the row.

But in addition to that, I like the dedicated check-in line (hardly ever a wait), increased baggage allowance (helpful because I'm always hauling a lot), and the ability to pre-board if I want (avoiding the chaos that ensues when they announce general boarding). They say that the food is supposedly better, but I can't tell for sure, and that's not too important to me anyway. I don't fly for the food. It's edible, and that's sufficient.

The other thing I really like is that it's a small section - maybe somewhere around 40 seats? That section has its own toilets, so there's not usually much of a wait, if any. Due to the small size, the section seems quieter, and there are usually less children in that section than in economy (although I have seen it). And it's just more pleasant to be in a smaller section - I don't get that herded-like-sheep feeling.

It's definitely no business class, but it's a good option for people (like me) who can't afford business or first class. When you're used to flying only economy, the EVA Elite/Evergreen feels like luxury!

Is that a 10 digit number? I think I have one at the top of my annual pay/tax statement. I didn't have to do anything to apply for it, though, I just got it through my employer when I started working. Do you have a job? If so, I'd ask someone from HR.

in 2009, i was adamant about not paying for services. met a bkk gal at a club and spent the nite with her (no money exchanged). possible bar girl who gave a lucky farang free services. lucky me. i'm nothing special.

at the time, i was dating a woman in america. things didn't work out.

Shocker.

I was looking at the seat map for some longhaul Air Asia flights (maybe Air Asia X). I notice that in the back several rows, instead of being 3 seats on each side, there are only two (with the middle seat missing). Does anyone know what that's about? Are those good seats? It would seem to be, because you don't have anyone sitting next to you. But maybe the map isn't accurately representing the situation. If you've been on one of these plans and have some insight, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Thanks but no thanks..sick of all the bull with AA....you dont even know which airport you will fly from or even into in BKK

Umm, what?

She must have been about 5 foot 10 tall and was a size 28 dress size easy. 280 lbs of female coming down the path ( I could feel it vibrate ) and to make it worse, she was wearing a cloak ala Dracula.

Ok, now you're just making stuff up. A 5'10" tall woman weighing 280 pounds would NOT wear a size 28 dress.

Even if it's a separate ticket, I'd suggest asking if they can check your luggage all the way through to BKK when you check-in at your departure point in the US. I've often booked separate US domestic flights and then an international flight to Asia. I've been able to check my luggage all the way through every single time, because the airlines happened to be connected in some way (even if they weren't in the same rewards network). It doesn't hurt to ask.

The problem that I find as a 6-10 times per month flyer is the inconsistency. You just never know when the hour or 2 queues are happening.

I think that's the key - the inconsistency. I travel a lot for work. Some people have reported very short lines in immigration in the past week, while on the same days, I waited 1-2 hours each time. As has been stated, you never know what to expect. We don't want to have to show up 3 hours early every time JUST in case it happens to be one of those times when there's a long line.

I've only ever payed 40 baht, and never showed ID. Usually I've been in a songtaew with a bunch of other foreigners (who all live/work in Thailand), and we just flash them one work ID and that's enough. But like someone else already said, when I take a speedboat directly to my hotel, I don't pay a park fee.

Well, I'm already headed to Malaysia, so I'm looking for a cool hotel there.

GoldenPalmTree - 20 mins from KL Airport

Berjaya Langkawi resort - Fly to langkawi from wherever

Lexis port dickson 1.5 hour

Pangkorlautresortdotcom 4 hour including boats

The hibiscus water homes on stilts port dickson coming soon

Sipadan Water Village Tawau sabah West msia

Mabul Water bungalows sabah

Thanks for the suggestions!

Pangkor Laut.

That's one I'm seriously considering. Have you been there?

I'm looking for a special occasion hotel in peninsular Malaysia. I've always wanted to stay in a hotel that has individual rooms/bungalows on stilts over the water. Anyone know of one?

I found one (Golden Palm?) that is near KL, but it's too big (400+) rooms, and the beach area doesn't look very nice. There's a beautiful one on Pulau Pangkor Laut, which is nice because it's only 3 hours driving from KL, but the rooms are pricey (400-500 USD/night for a room over the water). I'm willing to fly from KL if necessary.

I'd love any suggestions about a good place to stay!

I agree - book a van instead, if you have specific plans. They'll be more comfortable, and sometimes they actually work out to be cheaper (like when booking a van vs. a taxi for the entire day).

I think those people looking at you are jealous.

The guys want to be you and the women wish they were her.

Not necessarily. When people see a person with a disability or deformity, what do they do? They stare. When they see someone who is severely obese or anorexic in appearance, what do they do? They stare, and sometimes giggle. Or when they see someone giant-like? Or a midget. Or covered in tattoos/piercings. Or anything else that's different. They are not staring because they are jealous, but because they are intrigued/curious/disgusted. There's a chance that this is the case with the OP and his girlfriend as well. (And no, I am not saying that this guy's Thai gf is like a physical flaw, I'm saying that the "they're just doing that because they're jealous" line that our moms told us when we were kids often doesn't apply, even though we like to tell ourselves that.)

But to the OP, your girlfriend is right, it does sound like you're acting like you're embarrassed of her. That's not fair to her. If you want to date this girl, go for it, but part of accepting her is being proud to be seen with her. If you want someone who already fits into your social situations and who you don't have to teach English to, then there's plenty of other women. Every potential partner has pros & cons. It's up to you to decide what is most important in a relationship, but please don't make your girlfriend's life miserable along the way.

I'm usually going to the "baggage drop" line (the 2 that are on the far right), but occasionally I've been in a regular check-in counter. They've all told me the same thing.

so do the right thing and check-in at the front desks, even if you have no luggage, because you could potentially delay the departure time if you do not - it's only a few minutes in the queue.

I don't disagree with you. I always stop by the check-in counter because I'm too chicken to take the chance on just going to the gate. For me it's not worth the risk. But as I said in my previous post, in Bangkok they won't LET me check-in at the front desks! When they glance at my boarding pass, they tell me just to go to the gate.

Benefits will vary from school to school, and will depend on the type of school. The term "international school" is so overused these days and is no longer descriptive enough. I don't know what you would get at a Thai "international school" that has all Thai kids and a handful of foreign teachers. But at the top paying 6-10 international schools in Bangkok, you will most likely get free housing (or a housing stipend), flights to/from Bangkok at the beginning and end of your contract, annual trips home in the summer (or every 2 years at some schools), insurance, professional development money, signing/re-signing/completion bonuses, relocation allowances, & shipping allowances (sometimes). Salary at these types of schools may range from 70k to over 120k/month for a teacher with only 2-3 years of experience. (Keep in mind that at many schools, teachers pay taxes that can be up to 20% or more depending on your income.)

I agree that unless you have a specific reason to be in Thailand, it's wise to be open to other countries/regions. Putting all your eggs in one basket often doesn't work out in the international teaching field. Also note that a lot of schools in BKK don't hire locally. They recruit from other countries, and if you're already living/working in Thailand, they either won't hire you, or they'll give you a "local hire" contract which means you'll get paid less and earn less benefits. So moving to Thailand to get your foot in the door won't necessarily pay off more than recruiting hard from your home country.

There IS fierce competition for good international school jobs, but as someone already mentioned, science teachers are always in demand, so that helps. Your marketability may also depend on your family situation. Schools seem to prefer married teaching couples or single teachers. If you have a "non-teaching spouse" and/or dependent children, you may not be as desirable to schools because hiring you costs them a lot more money.

Good luck!

I've never had a problem with maintaining a US credit card. If you can receive & pay your bills online, then the address isn't an issue. I kept my US address on my accounts because I knew this wasn't a permanent move, so when I make purchases, I continue to provide my US billing address. All correspondence is delivered to me electronically, but the address listed on my account is my permanent address (relatives live there), so they get anything that slips by. I've had both my family & my credit card company send new cards in the mail to Thailand, and so far, no problems.

When I'm in this situation, I usually have friends who have to check-in, so I wait in line with them. Every time it's happened in BKK, they tell me that I don't need to do anything, and that my documents will be "verified" at the gate. In Kuala Lumpur, they have a "Verify Documents" desk in the gate area of the LCCT. I've never been sent back to the check-in area....only told to verify my documents at the desk near the gates.

That's what I thought. I already have some hundreds, but local banks don't seem to have $20's, I want at least 5 $20's for hotels to start out.

I was in Myanmar about 4 months ago. I was also concerned about having only large bills, but it turned out that they were fine, if not better. One, if you want to exchange for kyats, you get a much better exchange rate for large bills. (More like 800/dollar vs. 715/dollar for smaller bills.) Two, I was never once turned down when trying to use a $100 bill, whether it be for hotels, meals, souvenirs, etc. The people seemed quite happy to get a 100, actually, and to my surprise, even the tiniest vendors had change for a $100. I'm sure there are situations in which people wouldn't want your 100, but if it's for something small you can use kyats. I would think that most hotels would be fine with taking a 100.

I would take way more $100 bills than you think you'll need. If you run out of money, you are up a creek since there's no ATMs and almost no places accept credit cards. And they are VERY picky about which bills they will accept. Any tiny tears or fold (even ones I couldn't see) and they won't take the money. I guess I did get $100 bills rejected, but it was because of their condition, not the fact that they were 100s. Luckily I had plenty of 100s so I could just use a different one. When I got back to Thailand, I just exchanged the rejected bills for Thai baht.

Have fun!

You cannot get U.S. currency out of an ATM at SBIA, only Thai Baht. The ATM fee is 150 baht.

Not true. There are a couple "international currency ATMs" (called something like that) in Suvarnabhumi. The one I used recently is near the information counter where concourses E-F-G-H intersect. It's right next to the purple Siam Commercial Bank money exchange stand. Be warned, though, that you can only use SCB cards or debit cards from your home country. If you have another Thai bank, it won't work. The US dollars I withdrew were in excellent condition, sufficient for the Myanmar standards.

However, I would agree with the others and recommend that you get them ahead of time if at all possible. If the international ATM is broken, doesn't work, or won't give you enough money (I know there was a limit, but don't remember what it was), it is very difficult to leave the concourse and go all the way back out to the check-in area to find a normal Thai ATM . And if you fly to Myanmar without cash, you're screwed.

I usually use Air Asia or Bangkok Airways for that route, depending on which is cheaper. They both seem safe and comfortable. One "warning," though. I flew to Chiang Mai not long ago. I booked with Bangkok Airways, which was more expensive than Nok Air. It turns out that some of their planes were damaged at DM in the flooding, so the plane they substituted was a Nok Air airplane, with Nok Air employees, and gross Nok Air food. The plane felt about a million years old and seemed like it was going to fall apart. Not the "boutique airline" experience that Bangkok Airways promotes. I don't know if the plane substitution was listed on the website when I originally booked (which was after the flooding). If it was, I missed it.