Thread: Koh Samui info

**Damarios** · 26th February 2009 16:17

We are coming to stay in Koh Samui and I would like to gather some info on Samui, like how many schools there are,living expenses and conditions. I am going to do a TEFL course here in South Africa and will be into teaching once we get there. What I also want to know is how accepting people are towards gay people as me and my partner will both be coming and lastly, what job oppertunities there will be for him as a 52 year old man. We both worked in the hotel business for over ten years( he is the Executive Housekeeper at a five star hotel here at the moment) Is Samui a lot more expensive than the mainland?

**DaveyG** · 26th February 2009 16:23

I imagine he will have to teach the same as you, met a few gay teachers here in Thailand in government schools, they seem to get on fine, there are plenty of gay male Thai teachers anyway so don't think it matters that much, most men here are gay here anyway. Samui is quite expensive, depends where you are on the island I suppose, it aint my cup of tea, but I've always been a city person, maybe one of the others has more Samui information. good luck.

**Michael J** · 26th February 2009 16:36

You can get a 1 bedroom bungalow (Seperate bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living room) for about 6-8,000B if you look around - add 1.5 -3,000B for electricity. It will be quite basic and you might get a bed, tv and a fridge included, but probably little else. Obviously the more you spend the more you will get. I'd imagine for 100,000B a month it would be considerably better.

Living expenses are cheaper than other places like Phuket, I don't know how they compare to Bangkok.

**Damarios** · 26th February 2009 17:27

And how is hotel employment for farangs there in Thailand?
Specially for Exec. Housekeepers?

**aging one** · 26th February 2009 18:18

You may not work in that position here I dont think. As a Thai is capable of it. Its the law. Front office, chef, okay but housekeeping no. Sadly this is not the EU.

**Futile** · 27th February 2009 06:09

What exactly is an Executive Housekeeper? You mean he is in charge of all the other housekeepers? Or is it one of those fancy titles? Executive Assistant i.e. secretary.

**natalie8** · 27th February 2009 10:29

Executive Housekeeper is a management position. I would advise that he stay in SA especially if he still has a job in the hospitality industry. Teaching ESL in Thailand is very low pay compared to what you two would be used to. The chances of a non-Thai getting a job in hospitality in thailand are slim to none for the reasons that AO mentioned. Jobs go to Thais first. Thais are cheap labour, foreigners aren't. there is a handful of western managers at a few hotels, but I don't think they are willing to hire new ones especially with the tourism industry suffering now.

You didn't mention if you will be teaching in Thailand. what will you do if your partner starts teaching there?

**SageAndOnion** · 27th February 2009 10:39

They do employ foreign staff as hotel managers at some hotels, but I don't know about housekeeping executives?

I do know of Western people who work as overall hotel managers but as natalie says, they are laying people off rather than taking them on, in the tourism industry at the moment. That doesn't of course mean it's impossible and I'm planning on applying for positions in an industry that is laying people off left, right and centre at the moment, so I'd never advise someone to give up.

Originally Posted by DaveyG

most men here are gay here anyway

You'll find there are many people on this forum who are a few sandwiches short of a picnic, so to speak. Of course most men are not gay in Thailand. I think you'll find that Thai people are much less homophobic than many people in the West though. A gay person's point of view might be more helpful though.