Teaching In Southern Thailand

[fredovitch13]

Hi,

A public school in Hatyai would like to engage me as a teacher.

Do u think this area unsafe?

http://thailand-daily-news.blogspot.com/20...n-separate.html

Thanks for your advice !!!

[jdinasia]

the story you posted was from Narathiwat ... a different province.

There has been some violence in HadYai town but not much yet. Personally I think Songkhla is pretty safe overall but that would just be an opinion and things could always change rapidly

[observer21]

Hi,

A public school in Hatyai would like to engage me as a teacher.

Do u think this area unsafe?

http://thailand-daily-news.blogspot.com/20...n-separate.html

Thanks for your advice !!!

Teaching in the south - dangerous, Hatyai has had trouble. Wasnt there some bomb in a nightsclub during the newyear.  what does your gut tell you?

[bhoona]

Hi,

A public school in Hatyai would like to engage me as a teacher.

Do u think this area unsafe?

http://thailand-daily-news.blogspot.com/20...n-separate.html

Thanks for your advice !!!

Hi,

Obviously there is a big element of risk involved with working as a teacher in any of the southern provinces, if you are Asian then you can blend in alot better, it would help if you where not the only 'foreigner' there and you then could keep each other in touch with reality and not get into the 'it wont happen to me' frame of mind.

Is this job your first over here? don't go rushing in accepting the first one to come around.

Don't want to go on and on, so if the money is good and you feel as though you can cope with it then who are we too stop you, hope you enjoy what ever you end up doing.

[nakhonsi sean]

bhoona Posted Today, 2007-06-15 02:48:17

Obviously there is a big element of risk involved with working as a teacher in any of the southern provinces

I think this is overreacting a bit. Yes, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are not that safe, though no foreign teachers have yet been targeted. Songkhla has dad a few bombs, but is generally pretty safe.

To say that any of the southern provinces are dangerous is just wrong! I have yet to hear of any problems in Nakhon, Surat, Samui, Phuket, Krabi etc.. These are all southern provinces and are no more dangerous than any where else in Thailand.

[meme]

bhoona Posted Today, 2007-06-15 02:48:17

Obviously there is a big element of risk involved with working as a teacher in any of the southern provinces

I think this is overreacting a bit. Yes, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are not that safe, though no foreign teachers have yet been targeted. Songkhla has dad a few bombs, but is generally pretty safe.

To say that any of the southern provinces are dangerous is just wrong! I have yet to hear of any problems in Nakhon, Surat, Samui, Phuket, Krabi etc.. These are all southern provinces and are no more dangerous than any where else in Thailand.

Agreed,

I have worked in Trang and I am returning to work there. I have not experienced any problems.

While there is currently a lot of violence in the deep South(Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat) and there has been violent incidents in Hat Yai including bombs, as Nakhonsi Sean pointed out, many of the other Southern provinces have not had any problems. I do not see why it is a bigger risk teaching in the South (not including the deep South) vs. Bangkok.

Edited June 15, 2007 by meme

[Scott]

I've worked in several war zones and in areas of low level conflict. I wouldn't teach in that area unless I had certain security assurances and a financial package that made it well worthwhile.

It's not about whether the area where you are working is safe or not, it's that the violence has a good chance of spreading in that direction.

As for the security assurances, the gov't just doesn't seem to be able to protect schools and teachers and if they do manage to do it in the "red zones" then the attackers will move into less secure areas and cause problems. So basically, unless you have your own security measures, be very careful.

The financial package isn't just about the money you make. You need to have enough to take good care of yourself (security) and be prepared for work interruptions.

[nakhonsi sean]

Scott Posted Today, 2007-06-15 11:54:46

I've worked in several war zones and in areas of low level conflict. I wouldn't teach in that area unless I had certain security assurances and a financial package that made it well worthwhile.

It's not about whether the area where you are working is safe or not, it's that the violence has a good chance of spreading in that direction.

As for the security assurances, the gov't just doesn't seem to be able to protect schools and teachers and if they do manage to do it in the "red zones" then the attackers will move into less secure areas and cause problems. So basically, unless you have your own security measures, be very careful.

The financial package isn't just about the money you make. You need to have enough to take good care of yourself (security) and be prepared for work interruptions.

I really can't see it spreading to Nakhon or other areas. The problem is in the three provinces which are historically not part of Thailand. There are no security issues here or in other areas of southern Thailand. There has never been a hint of a problem here, have lived in Nakhon for 5 years now and been comming here for 30. The insurgency is concerned with getting their sultanate back and breaking with Thailand, of which, they have only been part of for 100 years thanks to us Brits (or our ancestors).

[Scott]

Nakhonsi Sean, thanks for the post it does help to clarify things. The problem with insurgencies, is that they tend to spread. If they clamp down hard enough in the 3 provinces, then those responsible for the problems may take their cause elsewhere (including BKK). That said, you seem to have a better handle on the geography of the problem, or lack of it, in your area.

[gregybn]

G'day all... (and to Nakhonsi Sean - I might visit you one of these daze, when I get up your way)

I have been living and working in Songkhla province now for about 8 months.

I'm about 30 km south of HatYai, but go to the city regularly. I keep my eyes open, but I never worry.

Although incidents of violence have been increasing to the south and east of late... HatYai is still as safe as almost any place in Thailand

This is with the proviso you do NOT go wandering around the streets late at night (there, or anywhere in the world) - the sole farang causality was outside a downtown bar, at night - simply the wrong place, wrong time

Media (mis)representation always tends to be alarmist... but any person with a good degree of common sense and awareness could survive and thrive in this environment

Songkhla province and neighboring Satun are great places to live, work, vacation... unfortunately, they get tarred with the same brush as the other 3 deep south provinces.

Bottom line OP... choices and compromises... if you are swayed by the media and feel you might be in danger - I guess we won't see you down this way

But remember... wherever you go in Thailand, or the world... there are hazards, dangers and nasty people - use your own common sense and due diligence and try to be safe and happy.

All of the above comments may come to naught - if and when the violence EXPLODES all over the south in particular and Thailand in general.

In such case... I will probably reevaluate my own position here.

Until then... this is a fine place to live and work... I will probably retire in Satun.

Chok Dee Krap

[DragonQuest]

the more south you go the more risk you take goodluck.

[gregybn]

the more south you go the more risk you take goodluck.

Of course, that really depends on the east (bad) or the west (good)

This is a major distinction that many people miss!

[jdinasia]

the more south you go the more risk you take goodluck.

Of course, that really depends on the east (bad) or the west (good)

This is a major distinction that many people miss!

Don't try and sell that to the folks affected by bombs in Hat Yai, Songkhla province!

[gregybn]

1) Have a brain that is not put in idle .....

OK...

the more south you go the more risk you take goodluck.

... was a generality

Of course, that really depends on the east (bad) or the west (good)

This is a major distinction that many people miss!

... was also a generality

If you, or anyone you know has been "affected" in this specific place (Hat Yai)... please tell us your tales (or let them tell their tales) and offer their perspectives - it will most certainly be welcome - by the OP and everyone else.

Isn't that the intent of this thread?