Thread: Question about advancement in Thailand

My brain feels like a nuclear bomb went off in it. I'm suffering from information overload. I've spent more time reading about this stuff than I honestly care to admit.

I'm hoping to come to SE Asia next year or the year after and begin teaching english. I will have my BA, and will either take a CELTA here or when I get there, before pounding pavement.


I'm debating between Cambodia and Thailand. My specific question is in regards to a couple years after I get there, and assuming im still there teaching.

What can a teacher with a BA, CELTA, and one or two years experience expect to be making? Same school, different schools each year.

I know starting out you are looking at 35,000bht. That seems to be the don't go under point, but don't expect more.

Not interested in Bangkok OR Pattaya OR Chiang Mai. Would rather go south, or if north stay out of Chiang Mai's way.

Thanks for any help in advance!

After a few years you could still be making 35k (like so many others who came before you) or you could be making upwards of 100k like some do.

What you could be making depends a very large part on you, your personality, how hard and how smart you want to work and how good you are at what you do.

Originally Posted by ttompatz

After a few years you could still be making 35k (like so many others who came before you) or you could be making upwards of 100k like some do.

What you could be making depends a very large part on you, your personality, how hard and how smart you want to work and how good you are at what you do.

Well played, Well played indeed sir!

I hadn't thought of how to classify myself. Lets go with the, "I'm sure I won't be the best, but I definitely won't be a drugged out, alcoholic, non caring, who gives a rat's ass I'm here for the vacation type, either."

The question came up because based on what I've read so far, it seems that you either have a BA + TEFL/CELTA and make 30k-35k. Bangkok 30-40k, or you are a licensed teacher, CELTA, PhD/MA, and make 80-100k+ working in an International School. I am of the former, but I'm no dreg either.

Originally Posted by Hollow

You would be suprised how many alcoholic dregs make 80k+ If you plan to stay for a while then make sure you network like fuck. Get to know as many people as possible in the trade and if you show that you arent a fly-by-night, are dependable and good at your job. Opportunities present themselves.

Thanks Hollow.

On that subject, and since I'm trying to stay out of the big cities, How would you network yourself in say the Satun area, or Trang, or up north in the Mae Chan area?

It seems as if most teachers are in the BKK, Chiang Mae, Hat Yai, Pattaya, Phuket areas. I'd really rather stay south, and away from tourists, whores, drugs, and the like. (I can get all that here in the states.)

/ETA: Not necessarily tourists, but you know...the ones that frequent the Phuket/BKK/Pattaya areas...

Originally Posted by Hollow

"Its not what, but who you know" sounds tired and cliched, but when it comes to Thailand.... its true.

Case in point.

Thanks again Hollow!

I'm sorry if it came across as me thinking teachers were the only ones worth knowing. Having not been there and imagining the huge language barrier(I'm working on Thai in my free time...) and also having no idea at the same time, I just am completely in the dark as to what to expect and how to go about getting to know others, non western types of course.

Very excited for the challenge though. Hoping I can fit all my goals into the next year to year and a half. The more I look at a google map, pick places, type school, look at pictures, search forums on locales, the more I just want to click my heels and say, "There's no place like Thailand, no place like Thailand....withabachelor'sandaCELTAandaJOBandaPla ceToLive, no place like Thailand."

Originally Posted by Hollow

Do you have a degree at the moment? Why are you waiting so long?

I should have my Bachelors finished within the next six to nine months, I'll be waiting so long due to that and I want to save up enough for the plane ticket over there(approx 900-1200USD), about 1200USD to stash with my parents in case shit goes south(my exit plan), and want to have a good 5000-6000USD to come over with in case I A) don't find a job very quickly, or B) decide that my google dream location is in fact not my dream location and I need to move.

So yeah its a money thing, saving up approx 10,000USD is no easy task...I have quit drinking and smoking though so there's always that!

Originally Posted by hungry4knowhow

I have quit drinking and smoking

---Update---

Originally Posted by hungry4knowhow

saving up approx 10,000USD is no easy task

Neither is living with your parents after finishing school, but I managed it.

Good luck, you seem to have a good plan worked out and should make a good teacher. I wish I had discovered this website before I came over here. It's quite helpful.

LOL @ American Psycho. I've seen that movie three times in the past six months and still so many questions!

Not living with the parents but do have a very nice best friend who charges me next to nothing in rent.

My other worry is if this endeavor does take me two years to complete, I will be 29 when I come over. It's not a huge worry, but it is there.

I don't want to come over unprepared. I've never been out of the U.S.A., let alone a third world country, not to mention the other unknowns, etc... I have got to have as much on my side as possible. Failure for lack of preparation on my part will not be in any of my journal entries if I can help it.

A degree, US$3k in your pocket and the wherewithal that God gave to green apples and
you will have a job, place to live, a backup plan and the time to figure out which-way-is-up.

Good as gold for your 1st year.
After that it is all up to you.

2 years is too long. Might as well join the rest if the tire kickers down at "Honest a-John's Used Cars".

.

I would guess, a big guess too -- only been here a couple years -- that about 90% of folks with a BS and TESOL are making ~30-40k + any added private hours they'd like to put in. If you have a BS in math or science, you could get a nice position, but if it is psychology or something where there isn't a course demand for here then the above would apply, I think The way i'd be thinking if I was you, depending on your degree subject, is "i'll be making 35k for an untold amount of time, and if I happen to get lucky with more that will be a bonus". Yet, as I said, you could augment that with private teaching, if you like going to work after work anyway. In short, I think the people making upwards of ~45 or 50k here is way over-reported. It can be likened to exaggerations when girls ask guys how tall they are, or when guys ask girls how old they are -- you just aint getting the truth hardly ever. Something to at least think about Best of luck, it is really a beautiful country, especially down south.