Dear Sir/Madam,
 I am currently in my second year of teaching in the UK, but I have a strong desire to teach English in Thailand. I have a degree in Journalism, a Masters degree in Journalism and I will soon have my PGCE teaching qualification. If a situation should become vacant, I would like to move to Thailand next summer. Is it likely that there will be a vacancy for me to apply for? Any information will be hugely appreciated.  

Yours Sincerely,

Shane Harrison

Ajarn Donald's Spot Light Interviews.

People who have made a difference in today's ESL/EFL world right here in Thailand.

If you are wondering just who is this young man who seems to be a little hungry at the moment?

Stop wondering! This is Phil from: Ajarn Dot Com

Taken in Spain incidentally - eating a ham and cheese bocadilla.

Q1. Hello Phil and welcome to Ajarn Donald's Spot Light. Please tell us about all those things that everyone keeps guessing about like your age, hometown, hobbies and anything else you would like to share with us before you came to Thailand.

Well, I'll be 45 next month (although it's nice that people tell me I look younger) and I come from Birmingham in England. As far as hobbies are concerned, I guess I spend obscene amounts of time in front of a computer but when I'm away from the pc I enjoy a spot of gardening and home décor. I've also taken a keen interest in cooking but opening my own restaurant is some way off yet.

Q2. How and why Thailand? How long have you been here? How long do you plan to stay?

I've been in Thailand since about 1990. Like many others, I came here originally for a holiday and fell in love with the laid-back lifestyle. I'd built up one or two successful businesses in the UK but found myself working too many long hours. I was disillusioned with life in England if truth be known. I'm not sure how long I plan to stay here. You can never say forever. I think Spain would be the most likely place to spend my twilight years but at the moment I'm kind of taking each year as it comes. If my wife didn't have any family here or if she wasn't as close to her mother, we've often talked about giving New Zealand a go. It might be just fruit-picking or something but at least it would be something different.

Q3. What are some of your most recent success stories and failures on ajarn dot com?

Ajarn.com has kind of ticked over for the last few years. There haven't been any spectacular failures apart from perhaps the Filipino section of the website - which didn't take off as well as I'd hoped.

Q4. What is your crystal ball saying about the outlook of the overall ESL/EFL situation in Thailand?

I don't see things getting any better for teachers in all honesty. The biggest problem is that salaries haven't risen that much in the past 20 years. Will people be able to survive on 40,000 baht a month in ten years time? I don't think so. Thailand is a lot more expensive now than when I first came.

Q5. Has the world economic mess hit ajarn dot com?

Job posts are down by about 20% but that said, we don't allow agencies to post free job ads any more. The economic situation hasn't had a dramatic effect on ajarn.com. Ajarn caters for a niche market and the niche market is still there. 

Q6. If within the next 3 months a foreigner contacts you from overseas and ask you for advice on coming here to Thailand to teach what do you tell him/her?

I would say do it for the experience - perhaps two or three years tops - but don't look to make a career out of it. Spend your best 'earning years' doing something else, somewhere else. That might be easier said than done of course.

Q7. Do you have any special plans for Songkran 2009?

 I'll be travelling around Spain for about 12 days with my wife. I'll be spending a few days with my folks in Southern Spain. Then on to Cuenca and a few other places and finishing off with a few days in Madrid. I always like to flee the scene during Songkran. The novelty of getting drenched while walking along the street wore off a long time ago. My usual bolt-hole is Hong Kong but I decided to journey a bit further afield this time. I've also been studying Spanish again after a 20-year break, so I'm looking forward to getting out there and conversing with the natives.

Q8. Where is your favorite holiday spot in Thailand? Why?

I don't wish to sound negative but travel in Thailand never excites me. I'd rather save up a bit more money and fly to Europe. I'm quite partial to the odd long weekend in Hua Hin but I'm always glad to get back home to Bangkok. I can never fully switch off when I take a vacation in Thailand and I think decent hotels, bungalows on the beach, etc offer quite poor value for money. If I spend time in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai or Hua Hin for that matter, I'm usually bored rigid after a couple of days.

Q9. Do you like football? If yes, what's your favorite team?

I love all sport, especially football and cricket. I'm a Manchester United supporter first and foremost because I grew up in a Manchester United household. My Dad always has been a United fanatic.