Thanks for the insights, eion.

I meant this will be our first time stepping on Thai soil.

@Eion
We don't idolize Thailand as this will be our time ever visiting the country and we are cautiously optimistic. If the government really takes firm action (which is rare in Asia except Singapore) and AQI improves in the long term, we might consider staying. Money is never above our own health and safety. We have also heard from friends that the general cost of living has gone up significantly and eating out and entertainment expenses aren't much different from Europe.

@BM12
Nobody is overdoing, but relocating with a kid and an allergic spouse is not the same as going solo. The thing with air pollution is the serious after-effects will only be seen years down the line and by that time, it might be a little late. If I're single, wouldn't have started this conversation in the first place.

Thanks PsyGuy. We'll wait and see.

Thank you both. He is 4-years old, loves to play outside with his friends especially over the weekends. It's a 2-year contract, but we'll definitely reconsider if the air quality gets worse as my wife is mildly asthmatic.

A couple of months ago I accepted an offer from a tier 1 school in Bangkok and will be relocating with a kid. Should we be concerned about the air pollution? Wondering if we made a mistake giving up clean air and easy commute in W.Europe.

It's about educating the whole child and learning by doing, which some call it experiential learning. It's about going beyond conventional tests and cookbook experiments and teaching students ways to think. Alfie Kohn wrote some pretty interesting pieces on this topic.

Depends on the post and the school. Premier schools with IB HL computer science, math or physics vacancies expect highly experienced and proven (with consistent exam results) educators who can contribute beyond the classroom and not hesitate to don leadership roles. It is tricky to find who can offer both. Having been just hired by one such school in Thailand, I can say so. It also happens when folks back out from their offers due to personal issues or otherwise. My two satang.

I meant you are a strong advocate of European pensions for teachers and things on the ground ain't as rosy as folks imagine.

With dwindling pensions and low savings, Europe may not be a safe bet. Some of my former colleagues get a monthly pension of 1000- Euros even after working for over two decades. Thames Pirate might disagree, but facts are facts.

Apply to christian schools. They are more generous and accommodating than the so called elitist and tier 1 schools where administrators build a facade of excellence which in reality is no different from a tier 2 school.

Thanks sid. How different are the salaries of HoS with an oversight of 2000 students in Europe and SE Asia?

Just HoS, not executive ones.

Carrying over this post from the paid section. How different is the head of a school salary at a tier 1 school in Europe as opposed to his/her counterpart in Asia and also in relation to the faculty? I'm guessing a HoS makes three times as much as the senior most faculty.

Five years ago interviewed with a HoS, promised a couple of things during the interview and the moment I landed at school, pretends as if he never mentioned those. Irony is he has a doctorate in education.