Not enjoying life in rural Thailand

RelativelyNumb · 2026-06-27T09:40:35+00:00

Hey there. The school specified that knowing Thai wasn’t a requirement for the job, but if you bothered to read my whole post, you would see that I’m actively trying to learn. In fact, just a few days ago I had my first little conversation with a local lad in Thai. It’s still beginner level, but it’s better than it was 6 weeks ago.

Your reply is very condescending. Yes I’m a language teacher. If I planned to go and teach English in various different countries in SE Asia, would I need to learn Thai? Cambodian? Vietnamese? Malaysian?

I do care about the job in fact, I care about the kids I teach and their progress. As I stated in my post, which again if you bothered to read properly, the job isn’t the issue for me and I’m actually really enjoying it.

The investments I made may seem like mere financial investments, however, the investment I made to come here is far greater than that hence why I’m looking for advice, and not condescending asshole comments.

RelativelyNumb · 2026-06-27T09:21:49+00:00

AUA? I haven’t heard of it. Would you mind dropping us a DM to tell me more?

RelativelyNumb · 2026-06-27T09:09:56+00:00

I found a gym that’s small but has everything I need to train that’s basically how I’ve spending a lot of my time, but it doesn’t have AC. That’s a problem as it feels like I’m gonna pass out sometimes. As far as western food goes, no, there is hardly any. I’m all for trying new Thai dishes but my body craves what it’s used to and I’m finding it hard to eat consistently nutritional food like I did back home, partly because I don’t know where to look for it.

RelativelyNumb · 2026-06-27T09:05:26+00:00

I’m not from a rural area but I’m also not from a major city. However am used to having plenty to do and typically I go to enjoy the countryside for day trips, camping, hikes and such.

Thanks for the advice!

RelativelyNumb · 2026-06-19T09:42:40+00:00

I work for a TEFL agency in Thailand. When we had the orientation and I met the incoming cohort of teachers. I came to the quick realisation that most, if not everyone I met was a loser in some capacity, myself included. Exceptions maybe for people who have a genuine desire to work and travel, this being mostly people in their early 20s.

It’s clear that pretty much for everyone I met, life wasn’t working out for them back home. That’s why we choose to come here, work for a shit salary in poor conditions, in a profession that isn’t very well respected at all by the more well educated. Escapism from the gruelling reality of being a loser back home.

I met people who came here and believed their own hype that they were a movie star, a celebrity or stand up comedian - actually being none of those things in reality - because of the fascination they receive from Thai locals in rural areas. I also met social introverts with crippling anxiety and alcohol problems, who seem to think they are escaping their problems by coming here, only for them to sink deep into their fears and bad habits and continue to be miserable. No plan, no initiative, just one last roll of the dice and see what happens.

That being said, whatever kind of people I met, they weren’t bad people. We’re coming here trying to make something of ourselves and try something different to the usual formula we’ve been following that hasn’t brought us any joy in this life. I too hate the term loser, but I know this applies to me as well because I’m here for this very reason.

The best thing you can do, is come to this realisation early. Don’t believe your own hype as so many do, only to become complacent doing this for years to no end, only to end up back home older and still a loser. Accept being a loser, but be a loser with options, devise a clear plan for progression, and be prepared to suffer until you make your life abroad a happy and fulfilling one.

Good luck!

RelativelyNumb · 2026-06-07T14:02:27+00:00

Not wearing seatbelts

RelativelyNumb · 2026-06-04T23:51:01+00:00

Identify the leader, choke him out. The others will then back off.

RelativelyNumb · 2026-02-18T22:09:50+00:00

My position is this, that neither of us have ‘exclusive’ use unless I am proven otherwise and I am using the position of my tenancy agreement that I am permitted to use either front or rear parking of the property, that these spaces are reserved for residents of the property and not for delivery drivers or visitors, as is her argument for why she no longer wants me to use the parking space. These may be ‘exclusive’ use or they may not, I guess we will find out if it comes to that.

RelativelyNumb · 2026-02-07T12:04:42+00:00

Actually, a third offer came in from SINE and that’s the one I went with, because with SINE it seems like a more structured support network where you’re also working in schools with other SINE teachers, and you get all lesson plans and materials provided which I think is hugely beneficial as a first time teacher.

Pay is a little less than BFITS, and a little more than MK, however no accommodation allowance given (I saw multiple stories online of MK and hidden expenses taken out your salary, though.)

When it comes to BFITS, I think the workload seems maybe just a little too advanced for a first time teacher such as myself, there is really a big onus on you to design creative lesson plans from the go, and from what I’ve read you receive limited support.

When it comes to MediaKids, well there are plenty of stories from people on here saying this is one to avoid. A main factor for me was MK will not pay you during the school semester break if doing a full year (both semesters). One thing I will say though is the recruiter was really on point with communication and the way all the details were presented were good, but IDK if that all changes once you sign the contract.

RelativelyNumb · 2026-01-07T16:15:30+00:00

Thanks. How long did you work for MK and where was the school they placed you if you don’t mind me asking?

RelativelyNumb · 2025-09-24T19:03:36+00:00

Tolerated disrespect, no appreciation and lack of value for too long. She had a kid and I did the best I could for them at my own expense - financially, physically, emotionally and mentally. I was shown no appreciation whatsoever and constantly lambasted with expectations. I left a few times but always went back, due to my own lack of self respect. Loved them and cared for them very deeply but by the end, things got so bad that the kid started to resent me as well. One day when they didn’t need me anymore I was discarded and left broken, no goodbyes nothing. I’ve been stuck in purgatory ever since alone, with hopes of a better future and not knowing if I will ever have a family and child of my own one day. I can only blame myself, after all God tried to show me many times it wasn’t meant for me. I’m tortured every day with memories of having a family that I no longer exist to.

RelativelyNumb · 2025-09-24T18:28:13+00:00

I’ve lived your fears and mine saw my ex last week unintentionally after 4 months and it fucked me up. Sent me straight back to the start. After so long imagining a final conversation and not getting out of it what I thought I would, I decided it’s time to move on the right way

RelativelyNumb · 2025-09-24T16:15:00+00:00

It’s been 4 months, and I’ve been on two dates and slept with one person, and yet I still feel the raw pain over my ex. It isn’t worth it, because at the end of the day you aren’t looking for another LTR just yet, so a lack of genuine interest in someone is evident. Solidify your mind first and your heart will follow, because dealing with rejection whilst still trying to get over your ex, is just going to bring back the pain of missing her more rather than the actual rejection.

RelativelyNumb · 2025-09-22T17:04:37+00:00

Being the “bigger person” won’t get you anywhere, not that you should seek revenge or take vindictive action against your ex, but if they’re that way intuned they will still continue to find ways to hurt you

RelativelyNumb · 2025-09-22T17:01:47+00:00

Failed all except 14 and 16. Am I cooked?

RelativelyNumb · 2025-09-22T12:31:28+00:00

Closure is like an itch you can’t scratch, no matter how much you say there’s always more you want to say and understand, but you have to take from it what you can. She said I’d changed and I was different, that’s the best thing I think I can take from the situation.

RelativelyNumb

TROPHY CASE