Thread: Unique Situation

**mattyuniform** · 29th September 2011 01:10

Hi everyone, I'm a new guy on here and avidly enjoying reading through the posts provided by you guys. Just finished reading one from 2009 about a dude who recorded a whole month to see what could be done with 30k. Great stuff. Anyway, just a bit about me before I delve into my queries; I'm English, 29 year old bloke, served in the RAF, lived in a few different countries loving and loathing them all. I'm from a sports & leisure background and have experience teaching P.E at primary schools and at summer camps. I've got a HND in sports coaching, a BA Degree (come may 2012) and a TEFL cert. Next may I'm making my way to*Kamphaeng Phet to volunteer for a few weeks where I get a free place to stay and food provided (quality TBC). I'm hoping this will help me to settle in a bit to get used to some customs and then possibly start looking for some paid teaching vacancies. I totally appreciate that this site has already answered many questions but I would really appreciate and feedback regarding my unique situation. This being; I won't actually graduate from uni until September. Questions; 1- would a school understand that I don't graduate until September? 2- would a school allow me to fly back to uk for 5 days for graduation? 3- are there any P.E posts as well as English 4- would anyone do it differently; e.g. Not volunteer and look for a job asap, or don't look for a job until I returned in Sept? Sorry to go on a bit and bring up tedious subjects, my laptop is playing up and navigating through threads is proving a challenge. Thanks for any input, positive or negative. Matt*

**Mr Pants** · 29th September 2011 12:46

Originally Posted by mattyuniform

Thanks for any input, positive or negative. Matt*

I would wait until after graduation before flying out here. Starting work without the actual certificate could cause a whole host of problems and confusion with immigration as well as any school.

**THX 1133** · 29th September 2011 13:13

Welcome to AF.
^ Agree, just better all around and it will save you some cash, which may come in handy here.

**mattyuniform** · 29th September 2011 20:39

Thanks guys, I know you are both right. Just don't think I can handle many more months in the UK but I guess it could be an idea to stash some more cash. I may just head out to get some experience volunteering any how.

Cheers

**paully** · 29th September 2011 21:03

Originally Posted by mattyuniform

Just finished reading one from 2009 about a dude who recorded a whole month to see what could be done with 30k. Great stuff.

You wouldn't want to volunteer for that, matt.
Stay on, as said, and bring over as much cash as you can when you come.

**Anna Key** · 29th September 2011 23:57

Yo, RAF guy. Welcome.

**mattyuniform** · 30th September 2011 03:12

I'm happy with the peer pressure, it's made me start thinking sensibly again. In reality would I honestly be happy earning no money for putting in a hell of a lot of effort........... I keep thinking back to my time living in Abu Dhabi n Dubai, I went there with minimal money and every month was a game of catch up or paying off the previous month. Im already in a better position and will certainly take on board your advice and be as financially prepared as possible. Just going to avoid reading or watching any news for few more months, I find it helps keep me peaceful in the light of the great leadership of our government. One question I've always wanted to ask someone living in Thailand,...... Does everyone sweat(perspire for the ladies

I keep thinking of the fun and constant battle to minimise the damage. Again thanks for the info guys and thanks for getting my head back on the right track. Yo Yourself Anna Key :-)

---Update---

That was meant to read "sweat(perspire) for the ladies" Not "sweat perspire for the ladies followed by a pervvy smile Sorry

**tomcat** · 30th September 2011 07:35

Originally Posted by mattyuniform

Does everyone sweat

...of course not: it's what separates locals from foreigners...

**Hollow** · 30th September 2011 08:06

Hello.

Christ... been two years since that lovely 30k a month thread

. Well, as others have said. If you are set on Thailand. Wait till September. Scrape together as much cash as you physically can over the next year, graduate, and head on over. I'm coming to the end of a year in sunny blighty (Back to Bkk on the 27th, I feel a "How much money do you really need to bring?" thread coming on

) It's been tough, but worth it.

'Fools rush in'

The lure of sun, sand, sea and sex is (and will always be) strong. The number one mistake people make when starting out a new life in Thailand, is not taking enough cash!

“It's so cheap there!”
“A grand goes a mile!”

Are claims used to convince oneself to leave ill-prepared. However, it just isn't true. The greatest trick Thailand ever pulled was convincing the world that it's cheap as chips. If you want to live in the way that I suspect you do, you'll want to have a decent place to live, be able to hit a bar a few times a week, treat a lucky lady every so often and hit the beach every few weeks.

Unless you're willing to chow down on noodles from a street cart 21 times a week, live in a room in a run-down building and drink solely Thai beer and whiskey, then think again.

Others will disagree.. but I think one should have return flights, good insurance, a minimum of 100k Baht in your spending fund with another 100k tucked away for a cushion and proper qualifications.

With these boxes ticked you have every chance in the world to make the very best of your time in Thailand. You can buy yourself time when looking for a job (The most important thing to consider when looking) There are decent jobs out there, but it will take a bit of time to sort the wheat from the chaff. You can sort yourself out with a decent place to live, an incredibly important thing to make your life a success in LOS (again this takes time) and will be able to actively partake in the land of plenty without worrying constantly about what next week will bring.

It's better (and a lot easier) to start smart and then turn stupid. Starting stupid tends to end in disaster.

**mattyuniform** · 30th September 2011 15:15

Thanks pal, it's helpful getting some kind of figure to work towards. Promising thing is that I should be able to accumulate a good 300k. Like you said, other peoples opinions differ but experience and errors in judgement has shown me that to be settled with a stable platform ie. Flat etc is the way forward. Hollow your feed 2 years ago cracked me up. When you went M.I.A for a few days big phil was like "Jesus hollow C'mon man your 5 days behind". So I'm guessing your still enjoying your time there? How's your smoking and gin drinking going? I'm a bit of a fitness freak but was happy to hear that a purchase of a big bottle of gin was possible. Stick with the lighter coloured spirits and all is good ;-)

**Dasim22** · 8th April 2013 01:33

I went there with little cash and each 30 days was a activity title of capture up or spending off the past 30 days. Im already in a better place and will certainly take on panel your guidance and be as economically ready as possible. Just going to prevent studying or viewing any information for few more several weeks, I discover it allows keep me relaxing in the mild of the excellent authority of our govt....