15

This is interesting. I understand it that Thailand is not a good place to raise a kid as a foreigner if you want to give them a education that qualifies them for the job market in western countries. Unless you have a lot of cash and can send your kids to international schools.

I wonder what the many western-thai couples with children do then if their income is low? Send the children to local schools, I suppose.
How are children from western-thai relationships treated in thai schools?
Are they fully accepted and integrated? What about chances for jobs later?
I know some of them become popstars or actors but not everyone is a Kat English or a Mario Maurer.. :-)

16

The romance of moving to Thailand is a strong lure, but listen carefully to the advice of the other posters here. Many of the people who work as ESL teachers are either young people at the start of their lives careers (who have few financial responsibilities, can live on a shoestring or share rooms to cut costs) or semi retired people who are not dependent on the income or are using it to augment their retirement. I'm sure it is possible to live in Thailand and raise/support a child on a ESL income, but it would not be a very enriching lifestyle or environment - certainly no way similar to what you have experienced while vacationing there.

I you were going to home school your child, then you would need someone to do that while you are working or take on 2 full time jobs - one teaching in the Thai school, and the other home-schooling your child after your day job is done.

It might be easier to get a job outside of the bigger cities/more popular areas, but don't count on it paying a whole lot more than around 30k baht - that is pretty standard pay for a starting job unless it is a private school (ajarn.com has a lot of info on this as well as people you could ask for live numbers). Keep in mind your budget needs to include:

• rent
• food
• child care (while you are working) or tuition for school
• utilities (most rent does not include electric or water)
• transportation (motorbike, taxis, bus, etc.)
• health insurance or some sort of contingency for paying medical costs
• entertainment (no point in being there and then just staying in your rooms)
• all sorts of incidentals that are small but will add up that you did not think of

As someone else mentioned having a back-up reserve of cash to get home if you need to is a very good idea.

It would certainly be a great adventure, and if you were by yourself the downside would be fairly low, but you have a child to think about, and things may not be as rewarding for them - make sure you think through the decision well and not just the exciting parts.

17

I have lived here since 2007. I really like Thailand.

But, if There was any chance that I would have to work for Thai company, I would immediately move.

18

I'm Thai woman, to be realistic, my friends who can afford kids to international school in Bangkok I mean the good ones gotta pay same fee as in UK or US or even bit more because those int'school apply same standard as original either teachers,facilities,format everything...and they must be very rich here

thinking to send your kid to Thai school, well just forget it simply, it would be just fine for Thai-Western families to do that at least those kids are Bi-lingual,in fact few Thai schools are good..but very rare and you gotta pay big or being real smart anyway

in real life, it's harder than what you expected to live in low cost living country like Thailand or anywhere else, to spend money as tourist it's easy yeah everyone smile at you right? but to earn money from them its not that easy.. never, till you start working like locals you will realize then

I'm not here to break anyone's dream, I've got dream too that's why I'm login this site like most of people..I have a dream to travel anytime I want and the only way that possible for me is to own biz and making money. finally, I wish you good luck for any choice you will make we just share ideas but its depends on you. while I've found this one myself when been traveling/working in many counties it's like if you treat Thailand or for me its UK as a fantasy place where you can recharge yourself you will love it maybe forever, but if you start make a living on it maybe it's another story!

good luck

19

Thank you everyone it is really good to hear everyones opinion.
I am lucky in that I have my Dad already living there with contacts and I have already worked out that I can affrd to live well and still be able to save - that is not the issue.
I guess my main issue is if I really think this will hve a ngative effect on my sons eductaion when he returns to the Uk (plans to return for him to sit his GCSE's) Can I school him well enough? Will he make friends his own age (nationality isnt a poblem he has already proved he can make friends with people no matter what the language) Will he be happy and will i be happy. Like Minnie said going to Thailand to work will, I am sure be a very different experience from my holidays there.
Well I booked my TEFL and am doing it now so I guess while I am doing this I will need to keep thinking it over. I am 70% sure this would be the right thing for us but it is a big step and a risk...soemtimes you just have to take them though...coud be the best thing we ever did!

20

Have you got your son's input?

He's at puberty's doorstep, when self image is everything. He will be thrown into an environment where he will be a bit of a freak. How strong is he?

Ask him.

21

I would disagree with the term 'freak' on all of our time already spent there Thai kids loved him and wanted to befriend him boys and girls. I have asked him we have talked about it loads and he says he is happy to go for a year but he wouldn't want to spend any longer than a year there....Only thing is I am goving up a lovely (rented) house and a good (yet underpaid) job to do it so can I justify it for a year? Hmmmm my head is in a spin!

22

Doing extended visits, since the 90's, and living here since 2007, I have found that the Thai's "fascination" weathers.

The reason they "love" him is because he is different. The thrill, and attraction, of being "different" doesn't last.

Visiting and living here are two entirely different situations.

But, you are determined.

Chok dee!

23

Yeah I can only imagine! Hence the endless hours of research...but I am not stupid, no amount of research is going to prepare me I know sometimes you just gotta suck it and see!

Thanks :)

24

sese82

I guess i understand what you meant, we gotta jump at times, and sometime gotta live in "uncomform zone" and try things in life you will never know, this happened to myself once back from UK and started my ads firm that happened in 10 days everything.. leaving good job and good salary, thing gonna be OK and now i'm really happy and wake up to thank myself every day..everyday is reward really..i'm so blessed

if u wanna share some more ideas and if i would help as local just email to my inbox
you're welcome

25

Exactly you have hit the nail on the head! I have to ask myself what the alternative is for us. I work all of the hours god sends for very little reward and get very little quality time with my son. My dad is there so I would also get quality time with him. Ok I wouldnt be earning mega bucks but I would have a lot more to live on per month there than I do here! Life is what you make it and sometimes risks have to be taken!

Minnie - are you in Thailand then?

26

yes, now i'm in Thailand, living in Bangkok greater area..:)

27

So glad this forum is back up and running! My TEFL is now done and my flights are booked 6 weeks today I'll be en route...will it all be ok? who knows but if I didn't at least try I would regret it forever :)

28

cheers!!