Frequently Asked Questions: Thailand

* Frequently asked questions on Travel to Teach
* Frequently asked questions on Teaching
* Frequently asked questions on traveling and packing
* Frequently asked questions on Thai Culture

Frequently asked questions on Travel to Teach

Why should people pay to do volunteer work?
As we state throughout this web site, we are altogether independent and hence have no external funding. Our purpose is to enable people to have this kind of experience without paying a fortune.
Travel to Teach volunteering is conceived as something between traveling and volunteer work, leaving a lot of time for activities and travel while the volunteer comes in contact with and contributes to society by working.

Why are you so much cheaper than all the others?
The mission of Travel to Teach is to provide valuable work opportunities and chances to come into contact with the host nation's true culture, all at a cost that can be afforded by most people.
We are a Thai agency and thus do not have western "overhead costs". All the money goes to the Northeastern part of Thailand.
We are cheaper than most agencies, but in any way that we can think of, we believe that we have very good arrangements in place and offer a very personal approach.

Why don't you include food in your fees?
Three main reasons:

1. The price of food in Thailand depends on what you choose to eat. If you eat Thai food, you can get by on 100 baht ( two Euro) a day. If you want Western food, you would have to pay about 300 baht per day.
Therefore, costs are very difficult to calculate. We have found that our participants have very different preferences regarding their food, so we leave it up to them to make their own decisions.

2. Eating is one way of experiencing local culture. If we arranged anything to limit that exposure it would be counterproductive to our goals.

3. The cost of food is so low that it would make very little difference in the fees, so no money gained for the projects or the volunteer.

Read more about what we do with your fees, and compare T2T to other volunteer organisations:T2T costs page

Living with Travel to Teach
The standard of our houses are specified on individual location pages and more detailed information is given in the Placement information once you are accepted on a specific program.

Can I get a room for myself?
If you want to live under any other conditions than the ones we provide as standard, it can always be arranged and we can agree on the costs.

Laundry
There are many different ways in which to do your laundry, at different levels of service. If you don't want to do it yourself you can expect an expense of around 300 baht/month.

Hygiene standards.
Some things in this country can seem strange or questionable to a Westerner at first glance. Since water has not always been, and still often is not, a readily available commodity, many customs and arrangements are different from those which one is probably accustomed to. Nothing dramatic, just a bit different.

FAQ on Teaching

Classroom situations
Unless you are an experienced teacher our ambition is not leave you alone with a class. You will, principally, assist the ordinary teacher.
However we can not always control the situation. Thai teachers might feel embarrassed by their lack of English knowledge, they might have other classes to attend to etc. We therefore prepare you by giving some introduction to the Thai teaching situation, by helping with teaching materials and ideas.

Thai children are usually fairly well-behaved in the classroom and there are relatively small disciplinary problems. Thai society is very hierarchical and teachers command great respect in and out of the classroom.
In most of our teaching situations you are required to supply the proper pronunciation and stimulate the students to speak.
Often, playing games, singing, and other creative means are the most effective tools. Thai people love having fun and students are no exception!

Knowledge
You do not have to be a professional teacher, or have any expert knowledge of either English or IT or computers. However, a strong working knowledge of English is necessary as well as an interest in children and youth. You will find that anything you know or can do is useful and will be appreciated.

Certifications
Travel to Teach also works together with a language school for those who want a teaching certificate. For more on this look at our TESOL and CELTA page

Please also see our English teaching links page for a list of recommended English Teaching resources.

Semesters, times, curriculums
You will probably teach between three and four hours a day and, in many places, you can extend that if you wish. Most Thai schools start at half past eight with a flag raising ceremony and finish for the day at around three o'clock.

Parts of February, all of March, April, and parts of May are summer vacation months in Thailand. Schools close in mid-February and open again in the middle of May. Then October is again a vacation month.
During parts of March, April, and October, we both create and join several "summer camps" that teach English.

Maturity and previous experience
We do not require you to have any previous experience in teaching situations nor any cross-cultural experience. In fact, the welcoming, tolerant and positive nature of Thai people makes this an ideal place to have one's first experience of this kind.

We do expect you to show an interest in and respect for Thai culture. To try to adjust to the local customs. Thai people are very tolerant of Westerners, but also very appreciative of any effort made to adjust to their customs and habits.
Contemporary Thai culture is influenced by the West, but often only on the surface.
During your stay here you will plunge headlong into this culture and will gain insights into life in Thailand. In addition, you will begin to understand things about yourself and about Western culture.

Materials to bring You may want to bring some photos and other materials from your personal life and from your town or country. You will find that people here will be very curious about these sorts of things and they can be useful in teaching situations as well.

Frequently asked questions on traveling and packing

How to get here

Trains
There are trains to Nongkhai from Hualampong train station in central Bangkok. They stop at the airport about half an hour after departure time and one can easily walk from the airport to the trains.
Two trains depart Bangkok every evening, one at around seven o'clock, one about half past eight. One train also departs in the morning.
We generally recommend the night trains, since most flights arrive in time to take the night train and because there is not much of interest to see between Bangkok and Nongkhai.
Also, the night trains are quite nice and safe and most people manage to sleep quite well on them. The cost is between 400 and 600 bath.
A link to schedules and booking for Thai trains. The train to Nongkhai is the Northeastern line.

Buses
There are several buses from different companies driving daily from Bangkok to Nongkhai. Most busses leave in the evening and arrive in Nongkhai early in the morning. They leave from the Northern bus terminal. We generally do not recommend going by bus since they can be quite uncomfortable.

If you want to go by bus we would recommend the bus that leaves from KaoSan Road at about 19:00, because it goes directly to Nongkhai (and on to Vientiane in Laos) and it's relatively easy to find! It costs 400 baht. Any travel agency on KaoSan Road sells tickets.

Flights
Thai Air flies daily at 6:15, 12:50 and 18:15 from Bangkok to Udon Thani. The flights take 45 minutes and there are vans directly from the airport to your choice of destination in Nongkhai. Many cheap flights have opened lines to Udon Thani in the last year. Look for flights to and within Thailand at www.thailandflights.com . You can book Thai air flights online at Thai Air's web site.

What to bring

Clothes, shoes
You must dress properly and according to Thai standards. This means that women should keep their shoulders covered in classroom situations and not wear shorts (if your shorts cover your knees, this is acceptable). You should be proper and clean.

General:
Don't bring too much. There is plenty of nice, cheap clothing to buy here and you will want empty space in your bags for the many things that you are likely to purchase here! During the rainy season (from May until September) you might want to bring a raincoat. During the cold season (November until March) you might want to bring some more heavy clothes. Don't bring any heavy clothing, as you will only be wearing the lightest things you have.

Medicine
If you rely on any medication, you should, of course, bring it. Also, it is advisable to see your doctor and request a prescription for antibiotics in case you get ill during your stay. Thai doctors and hospitals are generally fairly good, but it is convenient to have your own medication.

Bed linen, towels etc.
We will provide you with sheets and covers. Please bring your personal towels. You only need a pair. If you want to go trekking on your own you should bring your own sleeping bag. You don't need to buy a mosquito net. They are better and cheaper here.

Mobile phones, computers etc.
If you have a phone that works with sim-cards, we like you to bring it. We use mobile phones to keep in touch. Some of our villages are not connected to the telephone network, but mobile phones work almost everywhere in Thailand If you have a digital camera you might want to bring it. We have computers where you can download and burn CD's.

Frequently asked questions on Thai Culture

Dress
Thailand is more conservative than most Western countries. This is quite evident in the manner in which Thai people dress. No matter how hot it is outside, one will rarely see a Thai person's shoulders or knees exposed.. Also, excessively tight clothing is not normal. For women, a bra is always necessary (most Thai women even wear them to sleep). Not wearing a bra is not acceptable, especially in a teaching situation. The rules for men tend to be a bit more relaxed.

It is also important not to overdress on a regular basis, since some Thais find this to be offensive as well. Silk shirts are traditionally reserved for formal occasions, while cotton shirts are more appropriate for daily wear. Shorts are not appropriate attire for teaching.

Don't worry, once you are inside your home the rules change. Anything is acceptable short of walking around naked outside on the porch. Outside of class there is no need to dress formally unless it is a special occasion.

Drugs
Drugs are completely unacceptable in Thai culture. Furthermore, the present government's crack-down on drugs makes any association with drugs extremely dangerous. Thais draw a clear line between what is good and what is bad, with no possibility of something that is both. Drugs clearly fall on the bad side. There is no period in a Thai person's life when experimentation with drugs is considered acceptable. Moreover, people who do drugs are not the kind of people you want to associate yourself with while representing a teaching organisation.

Alcohol is a different matter entirely. It is generally considered to be acceptable for people to drink at any time during the day, as long as it isn't excessive. Cultural drinking rules are similar to those of most western countries. Women who smoke are quite rare in Thailand, but it is generally acceptable for Western women.

Family
In a Thai family, the men tend to be most dominant, but the women actually have most of the control. Sons are usually rather spoiled, while daughters are expected to fulfill the responsibilities that will fall to them when they become someone's wife. The consequences of these familial situations are often evident in the classroom as the boys are usually more relaxed about their studies, and the girls take a more active interest in what they learn.

Children are taken care of very well by their parents, but are expected to return the favor later in life. Most Thais don’t save for retirement and instead spend their money on their children. As a result, some Thai teenagers can act like spoiled children at times, but are still generally wonderful.

Farang (Westerners)
In any Thai village you will constantly hear this term cried out to you. Farang occupy a place in Thai culture that does not have an equivalent in most Western societies. Most Westerners have a difficult time understanding that the term does not have a negative connotation. Farang can be a good or a bad thing, but mostly it is just what people will say to get your attention, not dissimilar to "hey you!" Farang are thought to be affluent and educated and obviously just look different. Therefore, it is no wonder that they draw a lot of attention. Be patient with the term, and remember it is a fixture of a culture that you are not likely to change during your stay here.

Feet
Thais view the body as the house of the soul. At the top, the head occupies a holy place, and at the bottom, the feet are somehow profane. You should avoid pointing your feet at anybody, as it is considered to be rude. The safest way to do this is to sit with them behind the rest of your body. Also, you should never touch a Thai person on the head, even if they are children.

Food
Thailand offers one of the world's great cuisines, but it is almost like a secret club. Since most menus (if there are any menus) are written in Thai, many foreigners find themselves eating a steady diet of "Pad Thai" and fried rice. Ask a Thai person to order for you, and you will quickly find out that Thai cuisine is actually quite diverse. With a little bit of courage, it is extremely worthwhile to go to the market and, as everything is in plain view, all you have to do is point. Virtually without fail, you will be presented with a delicious meal within a few minutes.

Be wary of rice. Most Westerners are not used to rice being such an integral part of their diet and many get constipated as a result. Also be wary of too much fruit, as it can cause the opposite affliction. Also, keep in mind that if you order something and it comes out incorrectly, you are still obliged to pay for the food.

Hygiene
Most Thais shower twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. A minimum of one shower a day is necessary if you wish for Thai people to treat you with any degree of respect. Appearance is very important and wearing the same thing two days in a row is something that Thai people do not do. As long as you look presentable and smell reasonably clean, you should have no problems. A certain amount of leniency is allotted to Westerners because they sweat so much in comparison, but there is no need to abuse this.

Privacy
The concept of privacy is a foreign one for Thai people. Family situations are such that Thai people are never alone and that there is always someone to talk to. Most Thai people never even sleep alone. As a result, you may sometimes run into situations when someone will come to sit with you in the hopes that they are keeping you from being lonely. This can be frustrating for Westerners, who often consider “alone time” to be an important part of their day. If you run into this situation just assure your would-be savior that you enjoy being alone, and that they don’t have to stay with you. Most Thais will accept this explanation even if they find it to be unbelievably strange.

Especially living in a rural area you will find that you are expected to be part of the community. This includes having conversations with neighbors who wander onto your porch occasionally, even without invitation. Please be patient, community is an important aspect of Thai society. If you ostracize yourself, you will make it much more difficult for those who will come after you. If you really need to be alone, just go inside. No Thai person would be so bold as to come into a house uninvited.

Religion
Religion is very much part of daily life in Thailand. Every morning monks beg for alms, and most people pass by at least one temple on their way to work. Buddhism is an integral part of Thai life and it is important that you try to respect it while you are here.

Here are some basic rules. Women don’t touch monks. Men don’t touch nuns. Be respectful of monks even if they want to joke around a bit. Don’t take pictures of Buddha images in temples or of monks without first asking permission. It is always a good idea to ask before entering an empty temple. Don’t approach the Buddha images in temples. Just sit back and admire them. You will probably be invited to attend at least one religious ceremony. It is best to be present for the entire time and be as inconspicuous as possible.

Thais also have great respect and tolerance for other religions. If you are an adherent of another religion and don’t feel comfortable participating in Buddhist rituals, it is perfectly acceptable to say so. Thais also don’t mind if you have basic questions about Buddhism, but it is a good idea to stay away from controversial issues. Most Thais just feel that things are the way they are and that there is no reason to change them if they work. This is likely the answer you will get if you try to challenge their religious beliefs.

Royalty
DO NOT DISRESPECT THE THAI KING. It is a sure way to damage your reputation beyond repair in this country. It is universally accepted that the King is truly a great ruler, who has voluntarily given up most of his power because the Thai people wanted a democracy. In fact, he has worked throughout the Kingdom of Thailand on countless public service projects in order to improve the lives of his countrymen. He is deeply respected by the Thai population, and there is NEVER an appropriate time to be critical of the monarchy.

Time
A classic example of "Thai time" arose from a question a new volunteer asked me upon her arrival in Nam Som. She was curious to know when the Internet shop closed, and without thinking I said, “It’s open until it closes. " Especially in villages many things, like weather or unexpected guests, change what time things happen. If you arrange a meeting with a Thai person not used to dealing with Westerners you may want to specify the time more then once, or you can expect that person to be a half an hour late. Things happen slowly here, why rush? This can be especially challenging for people who are used to relying on watches and clocks to determine their daily routine. Things happen when they happen, and Thais will have a difficult time understanding why someone would get frustrated about this.

Teachers
Teachers are greatly respected in Thailand. Your students will approach you with formality. Even if you tell a student that a more casual relationship would be alright, they will have a difficult time adjusting. You will find that teaching is self-motivated, and generally any way you choose to do your job is accepted. Some teachers abuse this by doing nothing at all, but they are the exception. Whether or not you are a good teacher, people will be excited that you are here trying to help them.

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