Why Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand?
My first sight of Ubon Ratchathani came out an airplane window as Thai Airways flight TG031 began it's approach to Ubon Ratchathani International Airport. After landing I collected my bad and was wisked off to the Nevada Grand Hotel, my home for the next two weeks. It was March 1999. There was a joint US Thai training exercise going on in which I was a participant.
I spent about time when I wasn't on duty exploring this new place. I began to feel comfortable and really at home. All if Thailand in endeared to me but I have a special feeling for Isaan and Ubon is the heart of Isaan.
I sadly left when the training was complete and the last US soldier had borded a plane to return to the states. I was off to Bangkok to close things out for a few days and then back to Hawaii. I didn't have long in Hawaii as I was returning to Korat for Cobra Gold 99, my last duty as a soldier.
Back in my hometown in California I was missing Thailand but trying to make a new life as a civilian. After 10 months which included a holiday to Thailand for Songkhran I began looking for a way to come live here.
I was pleasantly surprised when I was offered a job teaching English at Northeaster Poli-Technique here in Ubon. That job got me a visa and a work permit in November 2000 and except for a year living and teaching in Bangsaen, Chonburi I have been a resident of Ubon ever since.
To keep my visa I taught at Rajabhat for 4 years and Anuban for 1 year. Now I am just a tourist enjoying my "retirement". I decided to share my experience and knowledge of Ubon with visitors and the expat community here using this blog and my website http://www.weloveubon.com and hope can help or at least entertain a crowd.
Labels: expat in Ubon, Isaan, Ubon Ratchathani
posted by Darwin @ 7:47 PM
6 Comments
6 Comments:
Ah, very cool. I taught at anuban ubon for about 4 months before I couldn't stand it anymore and had to get away from some sick pedophile child abusing farker named Gary that the school would not get rid of because they thought he was the christ in disguise. I taught there in 2005. When were you there? You made it 4 years at Rajabhat? Holy man. Stephan from sweden told me he made it over 3 and that was amazing. I heard it's just not a farang friendly place (admin).
What are you doing now? Teaching?
I too taught at Anuban, but I lasted a year. The kids were mostly great although trying at times. I didn't fit into the office and system. Made me retire from teaching. I know Gary, we don't see eye to eye on much.
Actually my 4 years at Rajabhat were mostly a good experience. We had a good team of foreign teachers who got along well and worked well together. There was a change of management in the English Department and she decided to clean house so a good team with a lot of experience who loved what we were doing got the axe.
Now I am just exploring Ubon, Isaan and Thailand working on having a successful blog and website.
Thanks for the commment.
I came across this blog and could not help myself from commenting. I am a guy from Finland and I'm going to teach at the Polytechnic in Ubon starting from this year's November. You also mentioned you taught there for a while, how was it? Did you have previous experience from teaching before that?
I also want to find a decent apartment in Ubon, with preferably a small kitchen. Is it too much asked? A friend of mine conducted research at the Sapphasit hospital and lived nearby in "The pink building" (not sure of the appartment's real name, but close to the main police station). It was built last year and the overall impression was really good. Do you have any suggestions of other appartments for rent? BTW, did Polytechinc help you find a place?
Thanks very much in advance!
Timo
Timo,
Thanks for the comment and welcome to Ubon. I had never taught before in an academic environment. My only experience was as an instructor in the military.
There are many appartments in Ubon now. I think where your friend stayed was Sapphasit Apartments. They are nice and new. I am not aware of any apartments that offer a kitchen. If you want a kitchen I think you will have to rent a house.
I had someone at Poly drive me around one day but in the end I found a place to live on my own. There are some apartments walking distance from Poly that are reasonable but no kitchen.
It might be good to get something close to Poly at first then you can spend some time getting to know Ubon and decide where and how you want to live.
Thanks for your fast response! I think I will follow your advise and first look at appartments near the Poly. Just one more question: is there wireless internet connection at most appartments? I'm bringing a laptop with me and it would be nice to access the internet.
Actually I know Ubon a little bit as I stayed there last April. I was a volunteer in a small village in Si Muang Mai district in Jan-Mar, teaching English in two primary schools. I stayed with a german and american guy. We also taught in Khong Chiam for the non-formal education of Thailand. I think the american (Bo) is coming back to Ubon in November.
But anyway, thanks for your answers and keep the blog running!
T
Timo,
Apartments with wireless are available but few and far between. You will pay a bit more for that. Near Poly there is an apartment complex, the name is Tawan mansion. I think rent is 3500 per month plus utilities. Its about a 10 minute walk to Poly. On Chayangkun Rd soi 31 or 33.
Thanks for the vote of confindence. It's my plan to keep the blog alive for a long time.
Post a Comment
<< Home