Thread: Seeking advice--moving from Utah to Bangkok in 1 month!

In June, I will move to Bangkok to teach English for at least a year and perhaps more depending on how I enjoy living there. I'm 33, I'm American, and I have a BS in biology with a chemistry minor. I worked for a biotech company doing research for eight years after graduating from school, and in addition to that I moonlighted teaching biology and anatomy lab classes at a community college. A couple years ago I quit my two jobs and I tried to start my own small business. I learned a lot from it, but unfortunately it just hasn't been very profitable. A friend of mine that I play chess with is married to a Thai woman, and they recently went to Bangkok for they're 30 year wedding anniversary. After they got back, he went on and on about how wonderful it is there and how I should just pack up everything and go. I thought it was a crazy idea initially, but I've researched it and I enjoy traveling and enjoy teaching so I've decided to do it. So I have a few questions:

1. How much of a culture shock is it to move to Bangkok and how quickly were you able to adjust?

2. I booked a one way flight from Salt Lake to Bangkok on Delta going through China Airlines. I did some research online and I'm concerned that there might be a problem with the airline because I don't have a return flight. Should I get the tourist visa through the Thai Consulate? Will this let me travel one way with no problem?

3. I enjoy chess and I even play in tournaments. I checked online and there's a Bangkok chess club that I'm definitely going to check out when I get there. Is there any other places to play chess? How popular is Thai chess and how does it compare to regular chess?

4. I was planning on finding a teaching position and then later on signing up for a TESOL program. Should I do otherwise?

Thanks so much in advance for your replies!

IMNSHO:

1. Depends on you. If you've never traveled outside the U.S., then I'd say it's going to be a BIG SHOCK. If you've traveled before and liked learning about different cultures, then it'll probably be easy for you. If, however, you've traveled and always wondered why the cultures you visited weren't more like America and seemed 'stupid' -- you're going to have problems here.
2. To avoid problems, you should get a Non-Imm "B" visa, not a tourist or 60-day visa. If you have the Non-Imm "B," they won't question your one-way ticket. If you don't have it, you take your chances. Worst scenario is that they don't let you board until you show proof you have a return (or forwarding) ticket.
3. Dunno about that.
4. You should do the TEFL, TESOL, or whatever flavor of teaching class first. It'll also give you some time to get your bearings in the country before looking for work.

Good books on Thai culture:
Culture Shock: Thailand by Cooper/Cooper
In the bedroom Out of trouble 2 by Knackstedt/Ford
Working with the Thais by Henry Holmes

Be careful where you look for a wife...

Thanks guys for the advice! Someone that grew up here in Utah is a Utahn. Honestly, I'm not making that up. I've traveled all over Europe including Ireland, England, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and I've traveled all over the Western US. Never the less, I'm still bracing myself for a bit of a culture shock because I'm so used to living in a small town, although Utah is growing like crazy. I had an incredible time in Europe, and especially in Ireland and Italy. The food in Italy is insanely delicious and Ireland is so beautiful and the people there are just incredibly friendly. There's actually a small Thai temple here in Utah in Layton and my friend invited me to see it a month ago.

I didn't realize it was possible to teach science. I thought it was difficult to find a job outside of teaching English so I will definitely look in to that and a TESOL or TEFL program.

There are plenty of Mormon missionaries on bicycles that you can hang with. They seem a bit depressed overall because the conversion rate is down. However, you can still manage to buy shitty beer when they are not around. You will have a tough time skiing in Isan or buying temple garments with secrets symbols sewn in. However, you will have much better odds at shagging.

I've got a hunch this geezer's already arrived.

Welcome utahtobkk. If naboo is correct, how about an update? How are ypu adjusting?

If Naboo is correct? Check the date.

Originally Posted by utahtobkk

In June, I will move to Bangkok to teach English for at least a year and perhaps more depending on how I enjoy living there.

The chances are, he's been and gone!

Since he never followed up, we dont know if he even came. Remember this was right during the time of the JMK fiasco, he might have been scared off. If he did make it he said he would be here for at least a year and contracts are usually a year at a tiime so there's a chance he's here. How about it, utahtobkk?