Thread: Out of Thailand

I guess I gotta do one of these threads. Yes I am out of Thailand. I realized about 3 weeks ago that I had enough when the school I worked at canned a 67 year old man who came over to Thailand for the sole purpose to oversee the EP. They canned him and I realized that they lied to him and they used me to help throw lies at him. I realized that my hands were dirty and I swore to myself long ago that I wouldn't become one of those farangs that screw another farang over just to keep themselves in a safe zone.

I decided that I might not have enough balls to quit the job, but that I could get them to give me an easy out and they did. What did I do? The students misbehaved and I gave them a huge writing assignment to do. They complained and the ep director told me that it was unacceptable and that I would have to back down on it. I said, ok and I will leave. Very predictable response and they made the choice for me to go. Very nice.

I didn't leave alone, one other teacher walked with me. Associating ourselves with a school that plays little games is not something either of us feel comfortable doing.

On my last day, every one of the students came to me and told me they were sorry for lying. I told them that it was not a problem, they were just behaving like students do. I didnt tell them that the administration were the flunkies in this case.

I don't want to debate the rights or wrongs of this anyways. Thai schools prefer paying students over standards. We all know that to be the truth. We don't have to kid ourselves. I'm happy about it all.

There were some other issues that came into play, but they don't really matter. What really matters is that my family is out of Thailand for good. Hell will freeze over before I go back to Thailand. Yes that does mean ice skating on the Chao Pyra river.

What else can I say? Life is pretty good.

Originally Posted by Whitey

I guess I gotta do one of these threads.

Excellent.

It's all good. Wish everyone could do it.

well, you did it on your terms whitey.

some real food for thought there about how you did it.

put some guilt into the kids. its kinda fucked up in a way- but in another way, its cool that you used your inevitable leaving to send them a message. you never know, maybe that message of misbehaving will stick with a kid or two. one ringleader might feel responsible for your leaving. who knows. that may fuck him up, or correct him/her regardless, you'll never know.

looks like the reasons for you leaving were like 10% the school, and 90% your desire to leave. thats what i read from it anyways:

What really matters is that my family is out of Thailand for good. Hell will freeze over before I go back to Thailand

...thats not from a school conflict mate.

but realizing that youre finished and want something else is an honest move. i hope your family is supportive.

good luck in your journey man.

I don't feel like a tefl whore anymore. Not sure what the future holds, but it's ok.

^ TEFL whore!!

i love it!

Originally Posted by Whitey

Wish everyone could do it.

do what?

Originally Posted by stfranalum

good luck in your journey man

Ditto.

st fran, the ringleader was crying to me the day I left, crying for what he did and I just had to put an arm around him and tell him not to worry. My wife was literally mobbed by hundreds and hundreds of students when she left campus for the last time. I love the students, but I just saw too much BS from the administration.

When I was asked to help put together the job description for the retired teacher from Canada, I let the Thai administration feed him BS. I feel so bad for it but at least my heart is right now.

Originally Posted by kikiat

now your kids will be able to enjoy a proper education and see what a 'real' country is like.

im with ya on the proper education part. reason enough to consider leaving.

but a "real" country? come on man. lets get a little nuanced here and exaplin that. pretty broad brush stoke ,no?