The View from Thailand: 4

A few days after I began my first teaching job in Thailand, the Singaporean owner of the school sat down with all the teachers and gave us his philosophy on education.

He said, "Just keep children happy. Doesn't matter what you do or what you teach them. If children happy, parents happy, and keep pay tuition. No problem!"

I quit less than a week later.

The View from Thailand: 3

Snakehead (หัวงู) (hua ngoo): a term Thais use to refer to older men who have much younger girlfriends or wives. Apparently the term applies to both Thais and foreigners. However, in a culture where May-December relationships are much more common than in western countries, the term seems most often to be used when describing foreigners.

The View from Thailand: 2

Davie, a bricklayer from Portsmouth, decided to give EFL teaching in Thailand a go.

The View from Thailand: 1

A certain strangeness about things in Thailand can make life interesting for the expat.

For example, obesity is an epidemic in western countries. But it has arrived in Thailand as well.

Sadly, obese little butterballs are everywhere. Like in the west, soda is one of the main culprits.

But one element of the growing obesity problem in Thailand leaves many expats shaking their heads.

Often, advertisements for soda and other fat-inducing products feature fat children.

Either a collective and stunning lack of self-awareness, or a refreshing honesty.