Blogs on Teaching and Living in Thailand

To ensure a smoother experience in Thailand, there are actions you can take or avoid. These apply both to living in Thailand and being in a classroom setting. Apart from language, weather, food, and traditions, there are cultural and societal differences to consider. What may be normal in one country can be considered disrespectful in another. The following tips can assist you in staying on the right track during your time in Thailand.

The dos:

• Do understand that while the scorching weather may alleviate some health problems, the air quality in Bangkok is not ideal, and exposure to unfamiliar germs may take time for anyone to adjust.

• Do participate in the Flag Ceremony, which takes place every morning at 8:00 am and involves the playing of the Thai National Anthem. It's crucial that you attend this ceremony unless you're explicitly instructed not to.

• Do investigate a school before accepting a job offer to gain a profound understanding of the work environment and colleagues. Unfortunately, many educators disregard this crucial step and commence their work without ever laying eyes on the school or acquainting themselves with their co-workers, a practice that is undoubtedly preposterous.

• Do take off your shoes when entering a house or the school library. If you see other shoes outside the entrance, it's a sign that you should do the same. In some schools, particularly at the kindergarten and primary levels, it may be expected that you even take off your shoes before entering the classroom. If you're not sure about the shoe policy, it's always best to ask.

• As a private tutor, do demand payment in advance to avoid being stood up or losing business. Creating a personalized system that works best for you, such as requiring students to pay for ten hours upfront and mandating that any cancellations be made a day before the lesson, is of the utmost importance.

• Do establish strict rules and regulations on the very first day of a class, such as outlining the use of mobile phones, specifying expectations for assignments, or arriving to class late.

• Do have a lesson plan in place. Students can quickly discern when teachers are unprepared, so it is imperative to adequately prepare for lessons. Relying on free conversation to improvise is seldom successful.

• Teaching in Thailand has its own set of educational problems and poses language barriers, visa requirements, work permits, and plane tickets, so do have realistic expectations and do thorough research before making a decision.

• Do understand that in most schools in Thailand, you are expected to pass all your students regardless of their academic performance. It’s the infamous “no fail” policy that is ingrained in Thai culture. Go with the flow. Don’t try and change things. It’s not you, it’s the system. Don’t take it personally. If you insist on keeping some of your students’ grades below the passing threshold, be aware that 1 your head of department will “massage the grades” for you so that your students pass regardless of how you feel about the situation, and 2 you most likely won’t get your contract renewed.

• Do show respect for the Thai culture and its people. This includes greeting people with a wai, a traditional Thai greeting that involves placing your hands together in a prayer-like gesture and bowing slightly. Never wai your students first. You may return the wai if they wai at you, especially the older ones.

• Do dress modestly and appropriately for the school environment. This means avoiding revealing clothing or clothing with offensive language or graphics. You may see some of the younger female Thai teachers wearing very short tight skirts, as a foreign teacher you should avoid doing the same unless you want to be reprimanded. Do iron your clothes daily. Walking into school wearing unironed clothing will certainly raise eyebrows.

• Do use a gentle tone of voice and avoid raising your voice or speaking harshly. It's not common for Thais to express anger or intense feelings in public. If you do, people might perceive you as unstable. Even if you need to raise your voice to get students to pay attention, try to do it calmly. It's important not to get angry in the classroom because students might make fun of you, which would make you feel even worse.

• Do learn some basic Thai phrases and customs to show your interest in the local culture. Be open-minded and flexible. Thai culture is different from Western culture; do prepare to go the extra mile to adapt to new customs and ways of doing things.

• Do have fun. Teaching in Thailand can be a challenging but rewarding experience, so be sure to take the time to have fun and enjoy the unique culture and experiences that Thailand has to offer.

• Certain schools require teachers to wear tops that match the color assigned for each day. Do comply with these guidelines and wear the designated colors on the correct days. For instance, yellow is for Mondays, pink for Tuesdays, green for Wednesdays, orange for Thursdays, and light blue for Fridays. In addition to these days, there may be other occasions when specific colors are required, such as birthdays of members of the Royal Family and religious holidays. On HM the King's birthday, which falls on a Monday, yellow is the required color to be worn by all, regardless of the day of the week.

• Although Thailand recently relaxed its laws on recreational cannabis use, it is still not advisable to experiment with drugs. As a teacher, it is important to maintain professionalism and not disclose any recreational drug use to students, as it may result in losing their respect. If asked about drug use, do redirect the conversation and deny any involvement. Despite Thailand's reputation for hedonism, the country also has strict anti-drug laws that should be taken seriously. In Thailand, teachers are highly respected and are expected to serve as role models for their students.

• The Thai lifestyle tends to move at a slower pace compared to what most Westerners are accustomed to. Do acknowledge and accept this cultural difference, and be patient rather than trying to change it. Things in Thailand may not always happen on time or as planned, so it is important to be patient and flexible. Don't get upset or frustrated if things don't go as expected at your school.

The don’ts:

• Don’t expect to accumulate significant wealth as a teacher to pay off your student loans. Thailand does not offer great riches to debtors. Salaries remain low for foreign teachers, and unless you're working at one of Thailand's top tier international schools, your salary will be around the 45,000 Baht a month mark.

• Don’t feel disheartened when your pupils appear to be making little progress. While it is vital to put in the effort and do your utmost, you cannot alter the world or coerce students into learning.

• Don’t merely plan lessons around the previous night's homework assignment. This isn't enough since many pupils neglect to complete it. A proficient educator always has a contingency plan and should establish expectations for pupils from day one.

• Don’t play any esl games using cards in the classroom as it can be problematic in Thailand due to the association of cards with gambling, which is illegal in the country. Even if there is no actual gambling involved, it is best to avoid using them in a Thai school to avoid any potential legal issues or misunderstandings.

• Don’t spend too much time in the company of teachers' room moaners and chronic complainers, who are prone to negativity and certain to dampen your mood. Distance yourself from them to relish your time in Thailand to the fullest.

• While some research can be useful, don’t over-prepare. This is unnecessary when relocating to Thailand. It's a country where things are more laid-back and fluid, and errors are inevitable learning opportunities.

• Don’t Allow students access to your Facebook page is extremely unprofessional and thus a huge no-no.

• In Thailand, Buddha statues are considered sacred. Don’t behave inappropriately near them at your school.

• Dismal reviews on discussion forums and chat boards do not always provide an accurate indication of a school's quality. While certain grievances are well-founded, many are the musings of dissatisfied employees or individuals who would not fit in anywhere. Don’t believe everything you read on the web.

• Don’t come down too hard on Thai teenage students. Teenagers are just teenagers, and while cultural differences in behavior may exist, they are not a complete 180-degree flip-flop.

• Don’t become overly friendly with your students. You will eventually lose all credibility and will have massive class control issues. You are the teacher. They are the students.

• Don’t be a yes-man all the time. If you are, the school administration and your students will surely take advantage of you.

• Don't disrespect the Thai monarchy. The Thai people hold the royal family in high esteem, and any criticism or disrespect towards them is considered extremely offensive, and never ever discuss the Thai monarchy in any of your classes. 

• Don't touch your students’ heads. In Thai culture, the head is considered the most sacred part of the body, so touching someone's head, even playfully, is considered disrespectful.

• Don't point with your feet. The feet are considered the lowest part of the body, so pointing with your feet or putting your feet up on furniture is considered rude.

• Don't lose your temper or show anger in public. Thai people value calmness and harmony, and losing your temper in public is considered impolite.

• Don't make physical contact with members of the opposite sex. In Thai culture, public displays of affection are not common, so avoid hugging, kissing, or holding hands with members of the opposite sex in public.

• Don't criticize or argue with others in public. Thai people value saving face, so criticizing or arguing with someone in public can be seen as embarrassing and disrespectful.

• Don’t pet unfamiliar dogs, whether on the street or in schools that have stray dogs wandering around, especially in Temple schools. These dogs are not like domesticated pets and may not have received proper health care such as rabies vaccinations. They can also be unpredictable.

• Don’t walk into school smelling like a used chimney. You’re a teacher, a role model. In Thailand, teachers lead by example. If you’re a smoker, smoke outside the school, away from view. Never light up in front of your students be it in school or outside.

• Don't take your bargirl girlfriend into your school unless you want to get instantly dismissed. Thais and longterm expats in Thailand can spot a bargirl a mile away. You woudln't take a prostitute or an ex prostitute to work in your homecountry. Same rule applies to Thailand. Just don't.

• Don’t come to school smelling alcohol. This will result in instant dismissal.

By keeping these do's and don'ts in mind, you can show respect for the local culture and make your teaching experience in Thailand a positive one.

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Blog by Chiang Rai Danny

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Note that the author of the blog is expressing personal thoughts and musings, which do not necessarily reflect those of KruTeacher. Therefore, KruTeacher.com cannot be held responsible for any potential inaccuracies that may be present in the blog.