General Reports

[QUOTE=Old Thai Hand]Am I to understand you make $80K with your PhD, as a teacher in Thailand? Where for God's sake???? If that is indeed the case, that kind of salary is news to me. That's nearly 250,000 baht/month. I suppose it's possible. But, you'd have to be working your ass off to get that kind of money - I'd say 6 days/week at a top university like Chula with a teaching load of about 35 hours/week; an almost impossible thing to do, given that for every hour taught, you need to prep 1 1/2 to 2 hours, and most Thai universities require you also do about 20 hours of non-academic work per week. Only a first-tier international school administrator would perhaps make 250,000/month and there are less than 6 of those in the country. If you're one of those, you're very atypical.

If you're working for some multi-national, the salary would be plausible. But, teaching, I doubt it.

Just curious.[/QUOTE]Hi OTH

Depends on the International School, but there is one in central Suk area where the teachers (at the top of the scale) are on ~ 175000K Bht per month.

With bonus (paid yearly) the salary is a tick under 190000 K Bht per month. These are teachers with extensive experience, high level of qualification etc etc (not your TESOL english teacher) and at one particular school (there is no salary scale across schools) but .....

Skeeter

[QUOTE=Luvnlife1970]Longtime reader, I have actually been to Thailand a few times this year, found a cool, fun girl, her english soso my thai soso. All in all thinking of having her come visit me here in U. S. For a few weeks I have spoken to a friend and he advised they will not give her a visa on grounds of "why would she return to Thailand" is this true as I have been told that only students get approved for visas to U. S? I have looked at the Thai Visa website and does not seem that any restricitions really, As I plan on going back soon and am wondering if I should book her ticket or not (No refunds).[/QUOTE]You haven't indicated how far your relationship has progressed but if you feel ready for it, you might consider sponsoring her on a fiancee visa which would lessen the burden on her side. This BKK-based [URL=http://www.mythaifiancee.com/]law firm[/URL] seems to have a solid reputation. I've contacted the proprietor and although I decided not to use his firm's services, he was very direct and immediate with his response to my query.

As far as relocating to Thailand, if you already have the wanderlust and your girlfriend, then, is a catalyst who will merely pull you through the door you had already opened, then by all means, go for it. You'll have a blast. Conversely, if you're basing your decision to relocate solely on the blossoming relationship you have with this girl, then are you willing to uproot your current life, sacrifice a much higher standard of living, even briefly, on the chance that something may develop between the two of you?

When I was in my mid-20s, I did the latter for a girl in Seoul. I don't regret my decision but in hindsight I made life a bit more challenging than was necessary. ;)

In your case, why not bring her over first and then if things work out, head over to Thailand with the support of a solidified relationship (or marriage)?

I realize this is short on practical suggestions about actually living in Thailand, but hopefully the questions will spur you towards decisions that will make the most of your current situation. Cheers.

[QUOTE=Skeeter]Hi OTH

Depends on the International School, but there is one in central Suk area where the teachers (at the top of the scale) are on ~ 175000K Bht per month.

With bonus (paid yearly) the salary is a tick under 190000 K Bht per month. These are teachers with extensive experience, high level of qualification etc etc (not your TESOL english teacher) and at one particular school (there is no salary scale across schools) but .....

Skeeter[/QUOTE]

First of all, I teach university, not at an international school.

I'm quite aware of salaries available at international elementary/high schools. The school(s) in question that pay top salaries(more around 90,000-120,000 except for the long-term, highly qualified teachers) are NIST, RIS, ISB and Bangkok Pattana. All teachers making the top salary are recruited outside the country. But, for that you have a shit-load of work (much more than I have to do at the uni level) - easily 60++ hours/week. Also, those jobs require PCGE teaching qualification as well as a minimum BA. Jobs like this are generally few and far between. Therefore, they're not really worth mentioning for most who are thinking about teaching here. Most international schools (elementary and high school level) require the same qualifications and workload and pay, on average 60,000-80,000/month. For me, it's simply not worth it, unless you really like teaching bratty, rich kids.

[QUOTE=Taumaoe]Old Hand: sorry if I misled you. No, here I am not a teacher. The market is too depressed economically. Although I taught uni for 10 years and have good edu quals, candidly, I could not find one here that pays enough? No, I work in an executive position with a multinational firm.[/QUOTE]

OK. That makes sense, then.

[QUOTE=Orange Sunshine]You haven't indicated how far your relationship has progressed but if you feel ready for it, you might consider sponsoring her on a fiancee visa which would lessen the burden on her side. This BKK-based [URL=http://www.mythaifiancee.com/]law firm[/URL] seems to have a solid reputation. I've contacted the proprietor and although I decided not to use his firm's services, he was very direct and immediate with his response to my query.

As far as relocating to Thailand, if you already have the wanderlust and your girlfriend, then, is a catalyst who will merely pull you through the door you had already opened, then by all means, go for it. You'll have a blast. Conversely, if you're basing your decision to relocate solely on the blossoming relationship you have with this girl, then are you willing to uproot your current life, sacrifice a much higher standard of living, even briefly, on the chance that something may develop between the two of you?

When I was in my mid-20s, I did the latter for a girl in Seoul. I don't regret my decision but in hindsight I made life a bit more challenging than was necessary. ;)

In your case, why not bring her over first and then if things work out, head over to Thailand with the support of a solidified relationship (or marriage)?

I realize this is short on practical suggestions about actually living in Thailand, but hopefully the questions will spur you towards decisions that will make the most of your current situation. Cheers.[/QUOTE]I have to admit the prior threads have been most interesting, and open, and honest which I APPRECIATE, this is the information that I am really looking for from those who are actually living in Thailand. I do think that all in all its worth it, I love the country, the people, the food, the lifestyle. And I say to those who are burned out, you can get burned out anywhere, you really need to look inside and just ask yourself if this (teaching) is really what you want to do. I am in sales and could sell a 3 leg camel in a desert, but that is neither here nor there. Its about what you enjoy doing, and I Hope everyone her e is doing just that. Cheers and hopefully we will enjoy a pint or two! As I will be going for it.

I have 10 days in Thailand, I wanted to know which is better Bangkok or Pattaya.

[QUOTE=Zzeal]I have 10 days in Thailand, I wanted to know which is better Bangkok or Pattaya.[/QUOTE]Do five each and next time you will know what you want to do.

[QUOTE=Zzeal]I have 10 days in Thailand, I wanted to know which is better Bangkok or Pattaya.[/QUOTE]

How about "Hello?" and "Please?"

Where are you coming from? Are you here for mongering only? how important is the Beach to you?
My advice would be to do 2 days in BKK head to Pattaya for 3 or 4 days and then do another 2 to 3 days in Bangkok

[QUOTE=NicFrenchy]How about "Hello?" and "Please?"

Where are you coming from? Are you here for mongering only? how important is the Beach to you?
My advice would be to do 2 days in BKK head to Pattaya for 3 or 4 days and then do another 2 to 3 days in Bangkok[/QUOTE]

Since he appears lacking in the social graces, I would suggest he spends his vacation in Soi 6 Pattaya. He will be in good company there!

[QUOTE=Zzeal]I have 10 days in Thailand, I wanted to know which is better Bangkok or Pattaya.[/QUOTE]


You should go for the full mongering effect and go to Pattaya.. Though soi sex is right in the middle of things.. You also did say when you were going..

[QUOTE=Zzeal]I have 10 days in Thailand, I wanted to know which is better Bangkok or Pattaya.[/QUOTE]

Neither. Go to Nakhon Ngee Ngow (Thai: นคร งี่เง่า ) Bus departures are erratic, so print it out and show the taxi driver. Better still, take a tuk-tuk and transfer to buffalo cart once past city limits. Due to inflation you can bargain the fare down to a bag of premium grade jasmine rice. Bring bug spray and watch out for UXO.

[QUOTE=Luvnlife1970]I have to admit the prior threads have been most interesting, and open, and honest which I APPRECIATE, this is the information that I am really looking for from those who are actually living in Thailand. I do think that all in all its worth it, I love the country, the people, the food, the lifestyle. And I say to those who are burned out, you can get burned out anywhere, you really need to look inside and just ask yourself if this (teaching) is really what you want to do. I am in sales and could sell a 3 leg camel in a desert, but that is neither here nor there. Its about what you enjoy doing, and I Hope everyone her e is doing just that. Cheers and hopefully we will enjoy a pint or two! As I will be going for it.[/QUOTE]

Since you seem hell bent on coming here and teaching, despite the meagre financial prospects, I've decided to attach some non-financial but still interesting benefits in the form of a just-captured Camfrog screen-shot.

I just got home 30 minutes ago and went on Camfrog only to discover one of my students, with whom I had just been talking not more than 2 hours ago, doing a little show. Surprise, surprise. I could have bet that this girl was not the type to do something like this. These are hot off the cam.

They're a little low-res, as is the problem with Camfrog. But, because I've seen her in hi-res, so to speak, ;) at least I can fill in the pixels.

Oh...and she's still online....so gotta go...:)

[QUOTE=Raverboy]Neither. Go to Nakhon Ngee Ngow (Thai: นคร งี่เง่า ).[/QUOTE]

:D Very Funny.

For those who missed out on Songkran festival, according to Thai Tourism Authority:
"The Phra Pradaeng Songkran Festival differs from others in that it is held a little later than in most other locales. The Songkran rituals and celebrations here are held on the Sunday that follows after Songkran Day on April 13. Hence in 2007, the festival falls on April 20– 22.
Ancient traditions are still being observed and is a source of pride passed on to future generations."

Apparently many people in this district are descended from the Mon peoples from Burma (Myanmar).

But watch out. I have heard that they play a bit more rough in this district. Hopefully police will be around to keep things under control.
Last year some drug crazed idiot brandishing a knife had to be arrested.

[QUOTE=Zzeal]I have 10 days in Thailand, I wanted to know which is better Bangkok or Pattaya.[/QUOTE]

Neither one is "better", my advice is to stay in Bangkok for the first three days then move on to Pattaya ----under 2 hours by road.
Pattaya is certainly cheaper, hotels and girls.