Fergal Murphy

My first impression of Thailand was that it was a fast moving, mammoth country and city. The city of Bangkok itself? Bangkok is nuts. Simple as that.

There is so much going on, so many sights, smells, tastes, sounds – it is a total attack of the senses that just leaves you gobsmacked. But I loved it.

  After my quarantine finished ,  I got to do some sightseeing around Bangkok. I had a great first day out on the Chao Phraya river and sightseeing at the famous temples and floating markets, but it is at night that the city truly comes alive – as many travellers say to each other – anything can happen in Bangkok. You can definitely see why The Hangover 2 was set here – it’s the only place as crazy as Vegas that could provide a backdrop for a story that ridiculous! 

After I finished in Bangkok, I travelled north to go to the agency Kids English Thailand. I had been in constant contact with the agency previously before I left for Thailand. They were fantastic from the first day of contact and really made the transition so smooth for me and my wife.

I did my training with Kids English Thailand to go through some teaching techniques for Thailand and to know Thai culture better. The training was excellent. Matt is the owner of Kids English Thailand and his wealth of experience is amazing. The training was a lot of fun and always included Thai culture from the food to the Thai school customs. 

The town I was placed to teach in is called Tak in the Mueang Tak province.

The school I was placed at is called Tak Pittayakhom school in the heart of the town. It’s a fantastic school. The students, other teachers and staff  have been fantastic to me from day one since I have started here.

Coming from Ireland, the education system is very different. It is a great school and I really love it.  The students are very happy to see foreign teachers here; it’s a rare sight for them especially here in a rural Thai town.

Every student smiles and says the famous ‘Sa wad dee ka’ every day with great energy and happiness. The students love school. They stay after school every day to play with their friends and practise English some more. At every turn the students are eager to learn and want to engage with you. They even will take pictures with you, because as a teacher in Thailand you are highly respected. Since I have been here, I have felt this every day.

Of course being a teacher, you get holidays and so far I have travelled to some beautiful places like Koh Sammui, Krabi, Phi Phi Island, Phuket, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai to name but a few.

This country is a paradise, and it is very easy to see why people love to come here as not only is it a picture postcard country to visit at every turn, it is very cheap and very affordable to live here or visit. So far my journey and time of teaching here has been amazing, and when it ends I have to go back home.

I know now for sure it’s a place I will want to live in permanently for the future. This is how much I have loved it.