On May 4, 2012, I arrived in Thailand for the first time as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). Time flies so fast. I remember the Thai teacher assigned by my employer to pick me up at the airport. At the last minute, she told me she couldn't meet me and instructed me to take a taxi from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok to Pattaya. Imagine traveling about 143 kilometers by taxi, which would have cost me around 1,000 baht. Fortunately, we managed to communicate. According to reports I've heard, most Thais have limited English skills, unlike Filipinos who confidently speak English, especially when encountering foreigners.
I disagreed with her instruction and looked for alternatives. I went to the Tourist Service Center to ask for other transportation options to Pattaya. Suvarnabhumi Airport is Thailand's main airport. In 2012, it was awarded the "World's 6th Best Airport By Size" by the Airports Council International (ACI), competing with 17 other airports handling 40 million passengers.
Decision to Work in Thailand
My decision to work in Thailand came from my mother, Nanay Fe, who encouraged me. "Try working in Thailand, son. Many Filipinos teach there. It's good to use your teacher's license. If you don't like it, even just one year. But if you enjoy it, you can stay longer and marry a Thai," she said. My mother was a former English and History teacher at a government school. Being obedient, I searched online for "English teacher, Filipino, Thailand." Information quickly appeared on my monitor. "Oh, this school looks good: Santa Maria Gorretti School. Just the name suggests it's a Catholic school," I confidently said. I was not mistaken. Although it is a Catholic private school, it also accepts Buddhist, Muslim, and other students. The school is located in Pattaya City, Chonburi.
I researched where Pattaya is. When I heard Thailand from friends who toured the country, they proudly mentioned Bangkok and Phuket. I was not familiar with Pattaya. I learned that it is on the eastern side of Thailand and has beautiful white sand beaches. It is a favorite destination for European tourists, especially Russians. Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, and Pattaya are the "Big Five" tourist attractions in Thailand. Pattaya is also known as the "Hawaii of the East."
Discovering Pattaya's Reputation
While researching, I came across a picture of a farang (foreigner), handsome and muscular despite his age, wearing a black t-shirt with a saying printed in white and red letters: "GOOD GUYS GO TO HEAVEN BAD GUYS GO TO PATTAYA." I laughed for a moment. It is also called "Sin City." My curiosity grew to leave for Thailand and find out what this city is all about. I emailed my application to the school owner. That school was the only one I applied to. I didn't bother applying in Bangkok because I thought it was like Manila: traffic, flood, pollution, etc. I didn't take the application seriously; if they contact me, good. If not, it's okay. I can survive here.
I also learned that Bangkok's official name is Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit, meaning "City of Angels" in short. It holds the record for the longest place name in the world.
Interview and Acceptance
After two days, I received a reply from the school. I was asked to choose a day for a Skype interview. In short, I was accepted. I was sent a contract outlining the steps to make my employment legal. To celebrate my tenth anniversary here in Thailand, I want to introduce you to the first Thai teacher who became part of my life, Teacher Wannee.
May 17, Thursday. Official first day of classes in almost all schools in Thailand. From kindergarten (anuban) to secondary (mathayom). It was also my first day at Santa Maria Gorretti School Pattaya (SMGSP). I was excited, and so were the students. I was assigned to teach Prathom (Grades 5 and 6) for the school year. I would teach English Conversation focusing on Speaking and Listening, with some Reading and Writing skills. My Thai co-teacher would teach English grammar. My teaching license in the Philippines is for secondary school. But when I personally talked to the school owner, she asked if I would agree to teach Prathom since there was no vacancy for Mathayom. As an OFW, my goal was to work, not to be picky, so I accepted the challenge without hesitation.
Before meeting my Thai partner, I was warned by veteran Filipino colleagues at SMGSP to be careful because she was known throughout the school as strict, harsh, fierce, and terrifying. (To be continued)
