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Living overseas

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Teaching in Thailand

14 replies

justtheonethen · 28/04/2019 06:47

We (DH, DD who is 14 months and me) are considering a move to Thailand for a few years. I would be teaching in an international school. We would be living in or around Rayong- possibly Ban Chang.

I have spent quite a bit of time in Thailand and I love it, obviously holidays are different to living somewhere though and I'm aware that what is charming short term may be irritating long term.

Interested in any advice/stories/suggestions/things to consider.
Specifically-
-Is it safe for children? Family friendly in restaurants etc I assume?
-Driving- is it as awful as I imagine?
-Any advice on living costs- I think we would want to rent in a gated village?

Thank you!

OP posts:
PBobs · 30/04/2019 08:01

Which school would you be at? That would make a big difference to your quality of life. I teach in a different country in Asia - just left to go elsewhere. Thailand is a sought after location but the school is important as so much of your life revolves around it. Way more than back in the UK. Driving there is fine. Getting around OK. Food amazing. Climate etc good. It's a great place for kids etc.

PBobs · 30/04/2019 08:04

Just seen your question about living costs. Thailand isn't bad. Will you receive any contribution towards living costs? I'm thinking rent but also health insurance (essential in my opinion), travel home, pension payment, etc. If not and if the salary is average you may have to scale back a bit. There are some things I wouldn't compromise on thoug - like health insurance for me and dependents.

MissEliza · 30/04/2019 13:53

I taught in an international school, not in Thailand. However our head had previously been at a school in Thailand and they absolutely loved it. In fact he returned there when it all went tits up for him in our school Grin! One word of caution is that I remember well in our school that expat teachers with dcs had to pay for their dc's health insurance out of their own pockets. I assumed that's the case everywhere.

PBobs · 30/04/2019 14:59

@MissEliza not true re insurance. My DH and child (were there one) got free worldwide (except US) insurance as my dependents in the school I just left. Me and our new baby will get the same as my DH's dependents in the school we start in August.

MissEliza · 30/04/2019 16:31

@PBobs Ok was just relating my experience of working in an international school.

PBobs · 30/04/2019 16:49

@MissEliza sorry if my post seemed harsh. I was merely saying it wasn't true everywhere. I do apologise.

justtheonethen · 30/04/2019 18:57

Thank you, that's really helpful. The school is the sister school of one my friend is head at so has come recommended so not too worried about that.
I will have to check heath insurance and flights for dependents as that is a huge cost. I know they don't pay rent or other living costs bar a one off payment when you arrive.

I'm really keen, let's hope I don't mess up the interview Shock

OP posts:
justtheonethen · 30/04/2019 18:57

Also not sure if they offer free/discounted places at school.

OP posts:
PBobs · 01/05/2019 10:40

Yes. There are a lot of costs you need to look into. Travel allowances, visa costs, any bonuses, rent, health insurance, education to name but a few. Also, will your salary be taxed? Will your benefits? If so, who pays the tax? Utility bills? Are they covered?

GreyBasket · 01/05/2019 12:17

Pension. Pension. Pension.

If you are in the TPS in the UK, ask what they are willing to put in, or find out if you get a gratuity at the end to put in yourself.

justtheonethen · 01/05/2019 14:51

Really helpful, thank you!

OP posts:
Eledamorena · 05/05/2019 07:40

I'm teaching in Thailand. Not at a really top school but a decent one. We don't get accommodation costs but the top schools will contribute towards this. Health insurance is a no-brainer, I really wouldn't work at a school that didn't offer this for me and all dependents. Ours includes US but if you're coming from the UK, it's still an adjustment to have to pay anything at all, for example childhood vaccinations are not covered by my insurer.

Rayong is a nice area, you can spend weekends at the beach or even on an island. Will your other half be working too? There are lots of teachers here with a non-working spouse, but for us it wouldn't be worth it at all if my husband didn't work too (he's not a teacher but he managed to get a job for a Thai firm before we arrived... this is difficult to dp).

Eating out is cheap. There are international supermarkets where you can buy western brands but obviously at a premium. We've found ourselves eating a lot more chicken than we used to and a LOT of rice! We have found everywhere extremely child-friendly (I have a 4 yr old and an 18 month old). But not buggy-friendly! I wore my son when he was small and then he had to get on with walking!!!

Most half-decent schools will cover 2 child's places for a teacher. Again, without this you would struggle as you can't put then in a government school and international schools are not cheap! It helps with the diversity of the student body anyway, as many schools here cater for quite a lot of rich Thai students and welcome more foreigners. Also, the market is pretty saturated so there will likely be places available.

It's normal and affordable to have home help. We have a full time nanny for my son and can't imagine going without now! I will keep her even when he starts school, as she can do the school run and allow me to stay a bit later at work. Most people with children have at least a bit of help at home.

Your salary will likely be taxed, and you are unlikely to get a pension contribution, but most decent schools will make this up by giving you a bonus every year (maybe every second year) of a month or two extra salary. This may or may not be taxed, depends on the school. You're supposed to use this as a pension contribution of some sort (invest it or pay it into a private pension) but of course you can do what you like with it.

We also get flights annually, which is great as some schools do every other year. We get a cash equivalent of BA/Thai Air flights to London every May. Not going home this year so that is just extra money for us, and as a family of 4 it will be quite a chunk of money!

If you have any more questions, please ask. And if you want to discuss the specific school feel free to PM. Overall we're having a v positive experience! We could earn a lot more money in other locations and we're open to that in a few years, but for now we're very happy.

Eledamorena · 05/05/2019 07:42

Oh and driving is fine... they drive on the left so you don't have to get used to the other side of the road. I live just outside Bangkok and drive to and from work every day. It's definitely different from home but it's fine! Rayong will be easier. Very expensive to buy a car though...

chocolateavocado99 · 20/05/2019 03:51

Ban Chang is fantastic for kids.
Everyine is super friendly, great restaurants on the beaches that kids can play at, easy to get to Utapao (international airport), 2 and a half hours to Bangkok, but the new highway will shorten that significantly. My school does babygroup once every few weeks (not sure how often) and there are lots of mums with young children here.
It's a small town, so traffic is not too bad, but there are no decent food shops here - apart from the Expat shop, which has quality items but is a bit limited and expensive. The Tescos is vile. I try to avoid it and buy most fruit and veg from local markets.
I know lots of people that rent 3 bed houses with access to a pool / gym in about gated community for about £450 a month. Obviously you can spend much more.
PM me if you want more info.

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