TEFLers who don't have a clue how poorly paid they are

**ayayeyey** · 10-09-2008, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by ayayeyey

Oh, Farang english teachers does not earn more than Thai Managers? Damn, thats just crazy unfair!!!

And the salaries and the way Phil makes no differences between the different sectors does not make any sense either

Are you sure you're in the right area of the forum? This is the TEFLer bit and you're obviously not a teacher of English.

wrong in what sense, opinion, occupation etc?

Anyway, sorry, did not want to hurt your feelings.

Peace!

**mad_dog** · 11-09-2008, 03:09 AM

The US State Department says Thailand has a Per capita income of (2007): $3,737. That means that my old 40,000 baht 1,155 $ income from an EFL job at a private school put me in a reasonable position for a 20 something with no dependents. I could have stayed "forever" and had a perfectly reasonable standard of living. However life normally takes its course and cupids bow strikes and marriage and children become visible on the horizon. You could stay but then new questions come into focus...

Stark facts like even with a 3 person family your annual trip home would end up costing you a quarters earnings in flights alone. The ease at which you can put 10,000 baht into the savings every month disapears. Thoughts turn to school fees and pension pans and everyday worriers.

To be brief EFL teaching in Thailand can be great for the fun seeking young or mellowing old but deciding to do the daddy years in Thailand is big step and one full of sacrifice. many can do without the material but you should think long on making that choice for your proginy.

**MisterStretch** · 11-09-2008, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by mad_dog

To be brief EFL teaching in Thailand can be great for the fun seeking young or mellowing old but deciding to do the daddy years in Thailand is big step and one full of sacrifice. many can do without the material but you should think long on making that choice for your progeny.

That's so true. I can't do it. I can't see how to pay for a house, car, private school and give my family a 'decent' lifestyle on a farang teacher's salary in Thailand.

It's why I made the painful choice to work in another country for a few years at a much higher salary before returning and settling down with a business to augment my teaching salary if I continue in the field.

**Smeg** · 11-09-2008, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by mad_dog

The US State Department says Thailand has a Per capita income of (2007): $3,737. That means that my old 40,000 baht 1,155 $ income from an EFL job at a private school put me in a reasonable position for a 20 something with no dependents. I could have stayed "forever" and had a perfectly reasonable standard of living.

You are having a laugh arent you? Either that or you have lost your marbles in true Bangkok Phil style. You earned less than a part-time checkout girl back in your homeland. We live in a global economy (only those hiding from reality with their head firmly implanted in the sands of Thailand don't admit that). Your income was a "reasonable position" if you are a native of a developing world country such as Thailand. Are you? Do you dream of being one? The only products and services you can afford are those made locally which can't be transported to the west or Japan and sold for much more. If they can be, they will be, and won't be sold to local peasants such as you.

Bangkok Phil loves to go to the west for the developed infrastructure etc but he hates knowing that he is one of the poorest people walking the street, and he struggles to afford the prices. That is why he loves Thailand, because he is richer than the vast majority and it tricks him into feeling successful. Plus he can control those around him because he has more money than them. It is the laziest way to satisfy his inferiority complex. BUT WHAT A CROCK OF SUPERFICIAL MIND-TRICKERY FOR NON-ACHIEVERS IT IS.

**Camel Toe** · 11-09-2008, 09:15 PM

Indeed. "Making it" in your own country is magnitudes more a challenge than being a bully lake bass in the Third World. I agree Thailand is for the young and the mellow old. I'd just about have to assume anyone in their productive years who comes here without a wedge of cash, a plan and connections should stay for his 30 days then go home.

**Bexar County Stud** · 12-09-2008, 06:53 AM

Yeah, but on the other hand I've known too many folks whose retirement fantasies were rudely interrupted by illness and death.

Take whatever enjoyment you from the moment (because that's all there is), and let the devil take the hindmost!

**Chairman Mao** · 12-09-2008, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by Smeg

Bangkok Phil...

Smeg:

**pai nai ma** · 12-09-2008, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by Bexar County Stud

Take whatever enjoyment you from the moment (because that's all there is), and let the devil take the hindmost!

agreed.

**Chairman Mao** · 12-09-2008, 06:14 PM

Some TEFLers are a fucking pity.

Penniless. TEFLing for 5 or 6 years.
No future financial security.
Living month to month.
No plan to get off their pathetic arse and do something about it.

Ok, some in their early/mid twenties doing it as a fun year or two before going home, Ok.

Living like that in their 30s, 40s when they've no future security, some even running from credit card bills/bank loans etc. - absolutely pathetic.

I mean, go home just so you can afford a pair of slacks that isn't 2 inchs above your ankles for fuck sake.

**pai nai ma** · 12-09-2008, 06:18 PM

put the judgmental bullshit away, mao, and you will get slapped in the head a lot less.

**Chairman Mao** · 12-09-2008, 06:25 PM

Go eat yo Momma's twat Ob's.

**pai nai ma** · 12-09-2008, 06:27 PM

rain check?

**Chairman Mao** · 12-09-2008, 06:35 PM

Yo Momma's twat Ob's. Eat it.

**Camel Toe** · 12-09-2008, 06:40 PM

I have to admit I still had some production left in me when I came here. Thing is I'd been gone so long I felt like a foreigner in my own country, so I just said fcuk it, I'll learn to live on less.

**pai nai ma** · 12-09-2008, 06:44 PM

you get to a point where money ain't enough to draw you back.

i agree with your comment about making do on less.

Originally Posted by Camel Toe

I'll learn to live on less.

**Chairman Mao** · 12-09-2008, 06:53 PM

Fair to say the QoL of a tefler who knows how to do his job is better here than back home on, or just above the minimum wage.

Just that if that's all he's going to do, with nothing to fall back on or look forward to, he's gonna be pretty fucked at some stage in his life. If that doesn't happen til his 40s or even 50s, the fucked-ness could be terminal.

Know a bloke who just turned 50. Has done nothing but piss away his years. His 5 years in his job here has been the longest of his life. Living month to month pretty much, with no money to do anything, go anywhere, buy anything nice. Nothing but a shitty state pension at 65, and he moans. "I'll be teaching til the day I die coz of it".

Like it wasn't his choice to fuck up his life.

**Topper** · 12-09-2008, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

Know a bloke who just turned 50

What country is the guy from? Cause if he's from the states, he can start collecting money at 55 from the government.

Believe its the same if he's from that little island off the coast of France..Englance I think. If he's from Sheeptralia or New Sheepland, I think they get benefits as well.

But I will agree, if you kick back and think the govenment will take care of you, you're pretty much fooked.

**pai nai ma** · 12-09-2008, 07:01 PM

in the end we is all fooked.

realise it. decide what you want. enjoy it.

**Chairman Mao** · 12-09-2008, 07:09 PM

we is all fooked.

No we ain't.

Know what you want. enjoy it without guilt.

Best advice I've ever heard. Should be the motto of life.

**kingwilly** · 12-09-2008, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Camel Toe

I have to admit I still had some production left in me when I came here. Thing is I'd been gone so long I felt like a foreigner in my own country, so I just said fcuk it, I'll learn to live on less.

Good words, learn to live off less, I've been doing that, jsut tighten the belt suck it in, and enjoy life the best ya can.

Originally Posted by pai nai ma

in the end we is all fooked. realise it. decide what you want. enjoy it.

quite true.

**Camel Toe** · 12-09-2008, 08:27 PM

Good words, learn to live off less, I've been doing that, jsut tighten the belt suck it in, and enjoy life the best ya can.

Willy, I've had so much fun, had so many adventures, loved a few, lost a few, got five good kids, about to be a great grandfather, played music all my life, lived in 12 countries, I'd think it selfish of myself to hide from Joe Black.

**mad_dog** · 13-09-2008, 12:59 AM

[quote=Smeg;756358]

Originally Posted by mad_dog

If they can be, they will be, and won't be sold to local peasants such as you.

Smeg I don't live in Thailand. You do. And on that part-time "foreign expert" gig that wouldn't pay for a plane ticket home.

**kingwilly** · 13-09-2008, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by mad_dog

Smeg I don't live in Thailand. You do. And on that part-time "foreign expert" gig that wouldn't pay for a plane ticket home.

hehe.

pwned!

**Smeg** · 13-09-2008, 01:13 PM

It pays three times more than you have ever earned in Thailand, and flights home are part of the package thanks very much.

Where have you scuttled off to now then?

**DrAndy** · 13-09-2008, 01:47 PM

It may come as a surprise to some, but there is a possibility that the "standard of living" that people talk about so much may not have to include new cars, fridges, long trousers etc etc

There are people out there who do not mind having less cash, if their life is happy and they are healthy

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