Realistic plan or a flawed fantasy?

[Grecian]

I'm a mid fifties male. Planning on moving to Thailand. 

15 years teaching experience but not for a few years.

50k baht a month income from the UK and naturally frugal.

I miss teaching english. I was quite good at it before.

 

So, if I brought my degree and tell cert with me would the experienced hands on this forum think I could.....

 

Get a job anywhere including some provincial Thai town.

Have an enjoyable teaching experience with kids at least somewhat paying attention and respectful.

Don't mind a low salary but do mind being bored with absurd office duties and requests.

 

I really like the idea of contributing, helping even just a few students realise their potential, being part of a community.

I have no obvious vices or inflated ego.

 

Realistic?

 

Edited June 6, 2021 by Grecian

[OneMoreFarang]

9 minutes ago, Grecian said:

I have no obvious vices or inflated ego.

Why is Thailand on your mind?

You write about teaching but you don't write why you want to do it here.

[Grecian]

Attachment to the country and one particular lady living in it.

[WhiteBuffaloATM]

yes; post -covid the TEFL schools will reopen to pay at least the average monthly thai salary 25k baht (with work permit) which combined with your 50k uk pension earnings, would be a sufficient basic in - country operating budget ( not capital costs like intl. travel, vehicles,& property purchases) especially outside the tourist areas, consider ( briefly) basic personal poverty level here is 2k monthly..point is there are all sorts of possible individual,survival / living levels here.....depending on personal standards & means......no state aid though except cheap govt hospitals..... obviously you would need to make a detailed living plan & related budget before setting out, covering intl. travel, insurances, accomodation, food, transport, utilities, entertainment, tax, clothing, contingency, etc. ........

you should also strongly consider other relatively freeSE Asian countries like Malaysia (recommended) or Philippines (Not rec.)........

[scammed]

50k is enough already if you dont spend it on others

[OneMoreFarang]

8 hours ago, Grecian said:

Attachment to the country and one particular lady living in it.

What a surprise...

I think it would be better if you rethink that one.

Would you still want to live in Thailand without this particular lady?

And more precise: Do you still want to live in the village of that particular lady?

 

Many of us are here because we love those cute girls - or even one specific one only. 

Personally I live in Bangkok. I lived here before I had my Thai gf and now together with her. If she wouldn't be around anymore I would still live in the same place and I am sure I would find another cute girl.

 

How about you? What happens if she tells you to behave like this or that if you live with her together somewhere in a remote area? Would you walk away? Can you afford to walk away?

 

Obviously you might be happy with her. But I think it doesn't hurt to look at the other option - just in case. ???? 

[allane]

To the OP:  Get your degree and transcripts authenticated by the appropriate part of the British govt. before you leave.  Unlike most other western govts, your Embassy in Thailand will not do this for you here.  Search online for more information.  Sorry I can't help you more; I'm not British.

[Grecian]

6 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

What a surprise...

I think it would be better if you rethink that one.

Would you still want to live in Thailand without this particular lady?

And more precise: Do you still want to live in the village of that particular lady?

 

Many of us are here because we love those cute girls - or even one specific one only. 

Personally I live in Bangkok. I lived here before I had my Thai gf and now together with her. If she wouldn't be around anymore I would still live in the same place and I am sure I would find another cute girl.

 

How about you? What happens if she tells you to behave like this or that if you live with her together somewhere in a remote area? Would you walk away? Can you afford to walk away?

 

Obviously you might be happy with her. But I think it doesn't hurt to look at the other option - just in case. ???? 

Yes, if I were celibate I would still consider Thailand a main contender.

No, my gf lives in Bangkok and would follow me if I found a job elsewhere.

No, doesn't mean she is a bargirl. She is a PhD gov worker.

 

[Moonlover]

25 minutes ago, Grecian said:

Yes, if I were celibate I would still consider Thailand a main contender.

No, my gf lives in Bangkok and would follow me if I found a job elsewhere.

No, doesn't mean she is a bargirl. She is a PhD gov worker.

 

What are you waiting for? ????

 

[bwpage3]

20 hours ago, Grecian said:

Attachment to the country and one particular lady living in it.

So really you need a job to support yourself.

[worgeordie]

Just do it, life's too short to think about it , you have

a lady, money , and a way to earn more,then there's

the weather......

regards worgeordie

[ChrisP24]

12 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Just do it, life's too short to think about it , you have

a lady, money , and a way to earn more,then there's

the weather......

regards worgeordie

 

Agreed.  This sounds like something that you won't want to look back on later in life as something that you wish you had done, wondering how it might have worked out.  Sure there is plenty that can go wrong but the experience sounds wonderful (even if it does go wrong if you embark with the right perspective).  Still it's a big step and it'd be prudent to avoid overcommitments such as marriage or buying property, at least until after you've given it a full year or more to prove it out as something that is good for you.  Also don't burn any bridges back in the U.K.    And have a solid escape plan (finances/emergency reserve, logistics, etc.) covering how you would extricate, move back and re-engage in your home country if the move does not work out.    We read about far too many expatriation plans that go wrong and result in someone unhappily trapped in a situation that they didn't envision. 

 

With the above precautions, do it if you have the opportunity! 

 

 

[Scott]

This is a forum for and about teaching in Thailand.   Continued off-topic unsolicited remarks about teachers and teaching will get you suspended.  

 

[puchooay]

20 hours ago, Grecian said:

Yes, if I were celibate I would still consider Thailand a main contender.

No, my gf lives in Bangkok and would follow me if I found a job elsewhere.

No, doesn't mean she is a bargirl. She is a PhD gov worker.

 

I have been married to a wonderful lady for over 20 years. I have introduced her to many friends, colleagues and family members.

 

Not even once have I found the need to explain her occupation either past or present. Neither gave I found the need to boast about her level of education.

 

Do you do this all the time or just on forums?

 

[BritManToo]

On 6/7/2021 at 12:21 AM, Grecian said:

Get a job anywhere including some provincial Thai town.

Have an enjoyable teaching experience with kids at least somewhat paying attention and respectful.

Don't mind a low salary but do mind being bored with absurd office duties and requests.

1) Yes, if you're prepared to work cheap enough.

2) Probably not, usually only the first row are interested.

3) No chance at all in avoiding boredom and absurd requests.

[chalawaan]

On 6/7/2021 at 9:12 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

What a surprise...

I think it would be better if you rethink that one.

Would you still want to live in Thailand without this particular lady?

And more precise: Do you still want to live in the village of that particular lady?

 

Many of us are here because we love those cute girls - or even one specific one only. 

Personally I live in Bangkok. I lived here before I had my Thai gf and now together with her. If she wouldn't be around anymore I would still live in the same place and I am sure I would find another cute girl.

 

How about you? What happens if she tells you to behave like this or that if you live with her together somewhere in a remote area? Would you walk away? Can you afford to walk away?

 

Obviously you might be happy with her. But I think it doesn't hurt to look at the other option - just in case. ???? 

OP should take this to heart. It takes a special breed to leave the west and go live in some bush-league ville cold-turkey. 

A holiday here is light years from the often harsh reality. Men are broken and bankrupted by bad actors with sweet smiles here daily. Even the old-timers.

[Scott]

Troll posts and replies removed.

 

[cyril sneer]

a lot of jobs in provincial towns are being taken by non-natives now on a lower salary, schools using covid as an excuse and profiting off it

 

with experience and related degree i'm sure you could find a decent job but might have to be in a city if looking for over 50k

[kynikoi]

On 6/7/2021 at 12:38 AM, Grecian said:

Attachment to the country and one particular lady living in it.

 Attachment?

 

But you've never been here. That is correct yes?

[kynikoi]

7 hours ago, cyril sneer said:

a lot of jobs in provincial towns are being taken by non-natives now on a lower salary, schools using covid as an excuse and profiting off it

 

If he's an actual teacher and has a credential and he won't be competing with this lot.

[Quack]

With your 50K baht pension and a minimum 30K teaching salary you will be quite comfortable here. And you'll certainly land a job fairly easily, especially outside of BKK

[connda]

If you have a Masters in Education and experience then it's worthwhile teaching here.  Salaries in the 100K range.

If you don't have a MEd then you'll be teaching at a school that has no respect for you while being paid slave wages.  I'd bypass public schools and at least gravitate to private language school where the teaching conditions and pay is better.

If I had to do it over again?  I'd teach in Korea or Japan.  They still have no respect for you but you'll be paid well.

[jingjai9]

I would suggest you come to Thailand and work as a volunteer. Then you do not have to deal with bureacracies and the Thai institutional hierarchies. It is frustrating if you are not used to it. You have enough money from you pension to live on.

 

You could get the satisfaction of teaching without getting involved. You could get more flexible hours. Many foreigners come to Thailand to teach. They sign a contract and become quite unhappy. Contracts do not have the same meaning here in Thailand as they do in the west.  

 

You say you do not want hassles so I would suggest volunteering at least for awhile. You have a luxury - you do not have to work, use it.

 

 

[connda]

On 6/7/2021 at 12:21 AM, Grecian said:

Have an enjoyable teaching experience with kids at least somewhat paying attention and respectful.

Don't mind a low salary but do mind being bored with absurd office duties and requests.

Then scratch public schools off of your list immediately.

[connda]

14 minutes ago, jingjai9 said:

I would suggest you come to Thailand and work as a volunteer.

I have yet to see a "volunteer" teaching job that isn't being offered by a supposed non-profit who wants to charge you some outrageous amount of money, like thousands of USD, for the privilege of you providing them with free labor and your skills for their personal use.  And then you are more than likely working illegally without a work permit.
Best of luck with that.

[Stevemercer]

It is certainly feasible. You will have no difficulty getting a job teaching high school students.

 

However, the kids can be rowdy. But nothing you can't handle if you have taught before.

 

Just remember Thai people go by presentation and first impressions mostly. Content is a distant second.

 

You will find school management haphazard, confusing and frustrating. But everyone is in the same boat. Just do your best and concentrate on teaching. You will be rewarded by some attentive students and will be able to have a positive influence on their education.

[Colabamumbai]

Teaching in Thailand A. Clark on sale on kindle amazon now. 

[J Town]

If you have to ask then you have not done your homework. Even in the best of times teaching in Thailand is nothing more than a muse, a way to cover your mongering expenses. At your age, you would be in the international school system.

[youreavinalaff]

2 hours ago, kynikoi said:

 As soon as you cross the bridges and leave Bangkok the outside world takes a step down in modernity and Technology as well as efficiency. Some people might not like big cities and Bangkok is not a likable City but it's not a bad place to earn a buck especially considering what living in the sticks brings. 50% of the wage and a host of inconveniences.

You really do need to get out more. Broaden your horizons.

Edited June 9, 2021 by youreavinalaff

[kynikoi]

13 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

You really do need to get out more. Broaden your horizons.

 

I have spent three decades in Asia. Traveled well enough in the North. Honestly I find it a bit of a bore ...if that's what I'm looking for I'll head to Lao. In the early 90s I lived in Cambodia for a number of years. I have traveled extensively in the South and still do including provinces as remote as a Satun. Used to travel thru Narathivat. Even been to Yala.

 

I've traveled extensively through 45 of other countries and lived in six as well. I spent almost two years in Indonesia and perhaps more than that in India.

 

Think that's a fairly objective view despite it meeting with your disfavor.

 

All roads lead to Rome.

Edited June 9, 2021 by kynikoi