Moving to Koh Samui

**Pixie** · 2nd March 2009 17:44

Hello everyone!

I'm new here so thought I'd introduce myself. And ask some questions too...

I'm in Koh Samui at the moment on holiday and thinking about moving back here in about a month (after going back to the UK to pack up my flat) and wondered if you could give me some advice on what type of job would be best to look for.

I was thinking about teaching but read that the international schools on the island require teachers to have a PGCE. Their websites certainly say that but are they flexible on this? Would a local school require a PGCE too? I have a BSc Hons but no teaching experience at all. Would it be worth doing a TEFL course? And if so would it be best to do one in Koh Samui or back in the UK?

I am open to other jobs but would prefer to do something I enjoy (obviously) and nothing sales related. Are there other options? I don't really have any specialist skill apart from being a qualified therapist - massage, reflexology, aromatherapy (guessing that market is a no no as who wants to come to Thailand and get a massage from a Westerner right!?!)

I'm not expecting to earn huge amounts so the wages aren't the biggest consideration - enough to contribute to living costs.

Does anyone know how easy it is to make friends here? I think creating a good social circle will make life a lot more enjoyable here.

Any help on this would be gratefully received.

Thanks!

**natalie8** · 2nd March 2009 17:48

Hi Pixie and welcome. I'm a certified therapist too and I used to teach English in Bangkok. Jobs are limited to foreigners with teaching ESL being the most common job. I can't speak for Samui, but there are quite alot of jobs that don't require the PGCE, just the TESOL course along with a degree.

If you plan on teaching in Thailand it's good to take the course there to give you an idea of what to expect.

**redhaze** · 2nd March 2009 18:13

Are there jobs on Samui?

Have you been to any other islands in Thailand? I find Samui to be a fairly horrid place, comparatively speaking.

**LeedsLeedsLeeds** · 2nd March 2009 19:13

Originally Posted by redhaze

Are there jobs on Samui?

Yep, but often those that have lived in mainland Surat for a while get to know about them first.

Originally Posted by redhaze

I find Samui to be a fairly horrid place

Yep.

**aging one** · 2nd March 2009 19:19

Left in 87, too much development with no plan. Went back for 4 nights in 95. Saw my friends and left after 2 days. This place used to be heaven. Shows what happens when people sell an island. Add unrestricted development and you get the shit hole that is Samui now.

In my eyes the most beautiful beach I have ever seen was Chewang in 1979. Pristine, clean, long just fucking beautiful. Three or four resort of say 10 to 15 thatched bungalows for rent, 40 baht a night. It stayed that way for almost 7 years, with only local bungalow and restaurant development.

But stay and enjoy if you dig it. Its still has great beaches and sea.

**LeedsLeedsLeeds** · 2nd March 2009 19:35

I truly wish that I could have seen what you saw then mate, must have been an exciting period of time to be travelling around Asia.

**kingdomcome** · 2nd March 2009 20:02

Originally Posted by Pixie

Hello everyone!

I'm in Koh Samui at the moment on holiday and thinking about moving back here

Why don't you visit a few other places before you decide to make that big move. Surely you can find a nicer place, with job prospects, than Samui. (Assuming your name is, in fact, Surely.)

Originally Posted by natalie8

I'm a certified therapist

I've got a nagging hamstring problem. How do I go about scheduling a session?

**natalie8** · 2nd March 2009 20:03

Are you in Dubai?

**kingdomcome** · 2nd March 2009 20:04

Originally Posted by aging one

In my eyes the most beautiful beach I have ever seen was Chewang in 1979.

'79?! Wasn't Thailand called Siam, back then?

Originally Posted by natalie8

Are you in Dubai?

I could be in about an hour, if it would get me one of your world-renound,"magic fingers" sessions.

Do you give Ajarn.com discounts?

**Damarios** · 2nd March 2009 22:02

Originally Posted by natalie8

alot of jobs that don't require the PGCE, just the TESOL course along with a degree.

What is better and the difference between TESOL and TEFL? And like what other degree? (If one is going into teaching?)

**Cyrille** · 2nd March 2009 23:43

Try google.

**Matthew** · 2nd March 2009 23:50

What do you like so much about Koh Samui that you want to pack up and move there, Pixie?

Doesn't sound like a terrible idea.

**Cyrille** · 2nd March 2009 23:55

Originally Posted by Pixie

I was thinking about teaching but read that the international schools on the island require teachers to have a PGCE. Their websites certainly say that but are they flexible on this?

Not a big island - go and ask them.

How would info from a bunch of strangers on the internet beat that?

Can't work this place out sometimes.

**Damarios** · 3rd March 2009 00:10

......... cyrille....
People do actualy ask questions here!
Not like you, who probably are the world genuise here!!!!

**traveler2** · 3rd March 2009 01:44

Originally Posted by Pixie

I'm in Koh Samui at the moment on holiday and thinking about moving back here in about a month (after going back to the UK to pack up my flat) and wondered if you could give me some advice on what type of job would be best to look for.

Pixie,

I would reconsider unless you got a serious plan. As far as I know Koh Samui is one great big tourist cluster-fuck that is over priced (the same applies to Phuket). I would consider up North - Aside from the main provinces like Chiang Mai and Isaan it is not as touristy and a bit more preserved. Have you visited other parts of Thailand? If you haven't, I would to get a broader perspective on your options.

On the other hand, it all boils down to what you want to do. If you want to start some kind of tourism business you are probably going to be better off in a tourist area.

Good Luck