Deathwish?

[Deus Ex]

After concluding I want to get into TEFL after all, I have explored my options & decided I want to do it in the South of Thailand, where all the action is. I've heard the reports of beheadings & roadside bombs, but largely this doesn't bother me. I reckon going to work with a military escort would be quite an adventure & statistically it's not likely to be me that gets my head chopped off.

More than anything, I believe it is a noble cause & having never done anything noble in my life, see this as an opportunity to do something I can be proud of.

It looks like there are lots of job opportunities.

Hundreds of teachers, perhaps thousands, have asked for transfers out of the region, and school officials say it is increasingly difficult to find anyone willing to replace them, even with the offer of hazardous-duty pay

You are given your own gun & at weekends you go & practice at the shooting range with all the other teachers.

I might even get an opportunity to cap the odd raghead.

When you are driving, keep looking around. If a motorcycle comes close to your car, speed up. If your instinct tells you something is wrong, turn your car into them, attack them before they attack you

I don't know where they expect you to live or anything, but I assume they will have somewhere lined-up. I can't see only having my life degree being a barrier to getting a job either, they must be crying out for farangs to teach down there & probably wouldn't care less if I was Jack the Ripper as long I was prepared to front the job out.

If it all turns out to be a big mistake, I can always go to Bangkok & do the teching thing there, but where's the adventure in that?

I land in a week.

Wish me luck!

[Gerbil]

^ Now this should make a good thread....

[lom]

Don't forget to bring your white horse

[Loombucket]

Good luck DE, I admire your courage. I am not so sure that this is a good idea but it will make a good thread.

[English Noodles]

Good luck DE, I admire your courage.

Was that meant for the jokes section?

Noodles.

[astasinim]

Im sure you`ll have no problems down there DE. It will like living in withenshawe, compared to Manchester.

[Loombucket]

Good luck DE, I admire your courage.

Was that meant for the jokes section?

Noodles.

NO! I, sure as hell, wouldn't do it!

[keda]

Wear clean underwear.

[klongmaster]

CO: slip over to t'other channel and read up all you can on Ajarn's most respected teacher from the deep south...

you'll learn how to fraternise with the BIB...the best places to buy your happy backy...and the ins and outs (excuse the pun) of the Thai legal system...

should prepare you well for your sojorn in the deep south...

one presumes that Taksin didn't pay you for your stint at Man City but offered you time in lieu...well done and all...

[Hootad Binky]

they must be crying out for farangs to teach down there & probably wouldn't care less if I was Jack the Ripper

That's the spirit! You'll definitely stick out. Nice knowin' ya!

[November Rain]

My ex-hubby was employed (as a bridge engineer, not a TEFLer) in Mindanao in the Phillipines, venturing into some very dangerous areas. He had to carry a gun everywhere, had bodyguards & eventually got pulled out by his company because of death & kidnap threats against him. I can guarantee you he had a very stressful & lonely time there. I think even he would say it wasn't something he would do again.
Up to you, DE, but you could make as much difference to young lives teaching anywhere here.

If it's for the adrenaline rush, fair enough, but you do realise that, if you're wise, that'd better be the only rush you're getting. Having your senses numbed in a dangerous situation is not to be recommended

[Deus Ex]

read up all you can on Ajarn's most respected teacher from the deep south

Grasshopper? He's already recommended where to go.

you'll learn how to fraternise with the BIB...the best places to buy your happy backy...and the ins and outs (excuse the pun) of the Thai legal system

That's half the fun. Imagine how bent the cops are down there - I'll be okay with them.

Taksin didn't pay you for your stint at Man City

He did in the end.

Wear clean underwear

Point taken

It will like living in withenshawe

It'll be a breeze in comparison. You can get shot going for a kebab round here nowadays.

if you're wise

You know me better than that.

I'll take in a Soi dog - he'll be glad I'm there.

Nice knowin' ya!

I'll live, HB.

Don't forget to bring your white horse

Something like that

[chinthee]

One good thing, southern girls are reputed to be nice, honest and sweet. You'll likely meet a nice girl this time, no Ihiredahitman types.

[Jet Gorgon]

You'll be a hit, man! This seems right up your alley, DE. 555 Try it out, but watch yourself, please.

[Marmite the Dog]

Hundreds of teachers, perhaps thousands, have asked for transfers out of the region, and school officials say it is increasingly difficult to find anyone willing to replace them, even with the offer of hazardous-duty pay

Are you Thai, because the teachers being referred to in that passage are?

[sabang]

Actually it's very nice down south, I fear your adrenaline rush will be replaced with something a lot more comfy.
See if you can get a job in Songhkla- very nice, some farangs about, and not far to Hat Yai, a real party town.

[stroller]

Go for it, DE.

Lots a home-grown and meth down there, and you can rule it over the ragheads!

[GooMaiRoo]

More than anything, I believe it is a noble cause & having never done anything noble in my life, see this as an opportunity to do something I can be proud of.

I really admire your altruism. The only problem I see is that the southern students might be as disinterested in learning as Bangkok students. If this is the case, the diminished payout may not be worth the risks. Cities such as Songhla, Hat Yai, Pattalung and Nakorn Si Thamarat aren't nearly as dangerous as the war zones Yala, Pattani and Naratiwat. You're not considering teaching in the hot zones are you??? On the bright side, I find southerners to be the warmest and most sincere of all the Thais (I even married one).

[dirtydog]

I was down there a couple of months ago, didn't see no beheadings or bombings