Thread: New to Surat Thani

Hi all,

I'm Amanda. I just arrived in Surat Thani. I was wondering if anything else is in this area??

As per most advice, I just got a hotel and plan to go around town looking for schools to try to find a tefl job. I'm already feeling kind of overwhelmed by the whole idea! Haha. So maybe if I knew someone in the area I'd feel a bit better.

Feel free to reply / message

Thanks!
Amanda

Ask around for Lisa. I have her # but I doubt you qualify for a PM box yet. Everyone knows her. Good people. Try Samui's bar (The GM Club), off Danook Rd.

Get a taxi to Rajabhat University, apply there. Then go to Suratthani School #1, also on Danook Rd, apply there. Those are the only two good gigs in the town.

There was a school called Amerithai, best admin in Thailand IMO. They might be out of business. Avoid an Englishman initials JA. He has a language school.

Thanks for the welcome

Johnny Danger - Thank you so much for the info! I will definitely apply to those schools. The town looked to have a decent amount of schools, too bad only a couple are good ones. I stumbled upon "Super English Teachers" in Surat Thani also, not sure if they have a reputation or not.

Super English was small when I was there. As I remember it's an English guy with a pretty Thai wife named Mai and he's Jason, they're good people. They'd help you find a place and rent you a motorbike.

---Update---

No, wait .. Super English is the one on the riverfront. Know nothing about them. The one I'm thinking about is called, The Language.

Originally Posted by jonny danger

they're good people.

They're Super people

Thanks.

Want her number?

please check one:

yes
no

Got your test PM, thanks.

Sure JD, I'll take her number or email or whatever is the least intrusive way to contact her!

Im looking up the recommended schools -- Do all schools have vacation throughout October? If I show up to present my resume, do you think staff will still be there - or am I out of luck until November? :/

JD hasn't worked there for a while I assume. A few agencies have moved in and have contracts on a lot of schools. Not bad for a first timer but I'd treat it as temporary.

Originally Posted by Amanda0

Sure JD, I'll take her number or email or whatever is the least intrusive way to contact her!

Nah, no imposition. She's very kind and helpful.

---Update---

Originally Posted by Amanda0

Do all schools have vacation throughout October? If I show up to present my resume, do you think staff will still be there - or am I out of luck until November? :/

language schools go year round with attendance and inscriptions and hiring if need be. can't speak for all of them but AUA has 6-week terms. if you wanted a vacation you'd have to work it out to have your class covered.

Hi Amanda!
I'll be arriving in Surat Thani next week, also looking for work. Please let me know if you have any tips and advice from your experience there Are there lots of vacancies or do you think i'm going to struggle? Also a tip to find a cheap apartment would be great!
x

Hey FreckledTiger

Last I heard there were still some jobs around. Mathus and Rajabhat University were still hiring as of earlier in October. Another school was hiring too, but Im pretty sure its one I was warned against :p It took me about a week to find my job - and that was during the off period in October. Now that school is back in session, anywhere that is still short teachers should get back to you ASAP. I hope Good luck!!

The agency I work for provides free teacher housing, so I dont have any experience apt hunting. I set up in a hotel until I found my job. Doing it that way adds up though, and doesn't really pay off if the school you land with doesn't offer housing / stipend. I stayed at the MyPlace hotel, which is is a great location and was about 490 bhat a night - if you do need a hotel.

There is a Surat Thani Teachers group on facebook that occasionally posts housing and jobs information. You can definitely contact me if you need anything. I will let you know any jobs and housing info I happen to hear of.

Amanda

The Thairungran Hotel is where I landed for my first few months. Nice place, nice folks, 3000 a month. Great location too. Lots of restaurants (simple and semi-elegant) night markets, ferry dock all nearby. It's not close to Rajabhat but what is?

So Amanda, did you get in touch with Lisa?

Thanks Johnny and Amanda for such awesome replies. Joined the FB group and will check out those universities when I arrive (14 Nov!).
Johnny - how do I get in touch with that hotel? I tried googling it but no luck. Do you have any contact details, it sounds ideal