Where the Jobs Are (Isan- the "Texas of Thailand")

Where the Jobs Are-  Welcome to Isan Thailand!

Most people think Thailand is one unified culture, but in fact it is culturally distinct within its own borders from North to South, and East to West and even Central regions.  Many times, the easiest place to obtain a TEFL teaching job outside of the bright lights and big city of Bangkok is in the sleepier less westernized parts of the Kingdom.  These areas are not for the faint of heart if modern conveniences are big on the must have employment list. But don’t let that scare you. Friends and alumni who have taught in very distant parts on the country, who  initially having had some major reservations, ended up being enamored by the sincerity and genuine hospitality of these places. If you want an authentic Thai experience, one that will stick with you and let you know you are making a difference by providing new opportunity for those who often struggle financially to improve their socio-economic conditions, then rural Thailand then “Welcome to Isan Thailand.”

By going to the  either the Northeast or Far South of Thailand the competition often will be much less than that of highly desired tourist areas such as Phuket, Krabi or Chiang Mai.  But the cost of living in these places is noticeably higher and they are still within easy reach via Thailand’s many domestic easy access airports. Air conditioned VIP buses (complete with stewardess services and comfortable seats) go almost everywhere and there is also a well established rail service to many distant destinations.  Many of the bigger cities in these less touristic areas offer excellent shopping and nightlife opportunities. But you won’t find the perpetual trail of foreign travelers or guesthouses as “recommended by Lonely Planet” which for many folks, has quite an advantageous appeal.

Outlined by the meandering Mekong River on the North and Eastern edges, Isan, (the Northeast region of Thailand) is the most rural and least developed area in the entire nation.  Their culture is traditionally linked to Laos and is built on subsistence farming what is sometime arid, unfertile land. Here small settlements dot the landscape.  Houses are still built in traditional Thai style on stilts to allow for shade, storage, and livestock to live underneath. Think of it as “the Texas of Thailand,”(It was actually a part of Lao about a century and a half ago) with rice farming, cow and buffalo ranching, Thai style BBQ and a strong cowboy identity and country pride that is beloved not only by the Thais, but citizens the world over.

Simple shelters called “Salas” provide shade from the beating sun and drenching downpours in the rainy season. Outside of the ever expanding big urban centers of Korat, Khon Kaen, Ubon, and Udon Thani there is little in the way of modern convenience services or Western fare (aside from the ubiquitous 7-11’s and UK empire giant box store Tesco-Lotus.)  

The people here are generally shy and exceedingly friendly once they get over a strange face asking for help.  Some cities, such as Udon, have internationally recognized hospitals and clinics. Recently, the largest city in Isan, Khon Kaen has begun to attract Bangkok jet-setters and movies stars with its increasingly elaborate discos and nationally recognized medical university.

Generally speaking however, don’t look for lengthy conversations in English here. It is best if you take a crash course in Isan Dialect before you go, because speaking Bangkok Thai will only get you so far in the more remote sectors of this sometimes flat and sometimes mountainous place. You can count on finding plenty of wonderful spicy Isan dishes such as Som Tom (papaya salad) served up with grilled fish and chicken ( Paa Yang and Gai Yang) served with sticky rice (Khao Neow) and ice filled cold beer.  All made tastier by the sounds of relentless picking of rhythmic and trance educing music you and traditional dancers can really gyrate one's hips to.

People of Isan often look different from their countrymen in the rest of Thailand. Typically their faces are more angular, their skin darker, fashion more functional and their politics fervently populist based.

Teaching conditions in Isan are usually more rustic and rudimentary, but for many teachers, more rewarding because of the rural connections they make.  Isan people often have an understanding of three distinct languages Isan (similar to Lao,) Bangkok Thai and their own regional village language in addition to whatever English they may have already acquired in school or the media. Jobs here tend to be plentiful for Native English Speakers. The salaries are slightly lower paid, but often include accommodations, adoring students and an air of celebrity you bring by your knowledge and familiarity of distant lands.

 It is an easy place to save the vast majority of your income without depriving yourself of the basic necessities and comforts as often as you can find them.  If you are interested in obtaining a job in Thailand quickly and having a truly authentic traditional Thai experience then Isan may just be the place for you.

At TEFL Chiang Mai English Language Certification  (a fully accredited and globally recognized TEFL program) we strive for our students  to learn conversational English with the latest proven strategies and methods, but share up to date pedagogy and strategies as part of our teacherscareer development through the latest teaching paradigms.

As part of TEFL Chiang Mai's goal to increase cultural and religious sensitivity among our participants, we also offer a TEFL Buddhist Exchange program where future TEFL teachers have the opportunity not only to become certified instructors but to participate as student's of the Buddhist philosophy and tradition with daily monk chats and dharma talks to better understand the religious beliefs which permeates our student's lives through out many parts of South East Asia. For more information and registration for this, or any of the "Paradise TEFL" franchise programs, please don't hesitate to contact ustoday!