Finding My Destiny in Thailand: Five Years of Teaching Chinese in Bangkok

 When people think of Thailand, countless keywords come to mind: golden temples, tropical beaches, exotic flavors, colorful festivals. Even those who have never been to the country probably know the friendly Thai greeting sawasdee ka. For me, Thailand is more than a tourist destination—it became a place of destiny.

In 2009, I was first assigned to Bangkok to teach Chinese, and later returned twice, spending a total of five years in Thailand. I taught at Assumption University and at the Bangkok College of Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU). One campus was in Bangna, about 48 km from downtown Bangkok, with regular college students; the other, in Sathorn—the financial center of Bangkok—served working professionals, politicians, and business executives studying part-time. These years gave me not only teaching experience but also unforgettable stories about Thai culture, language, and everyday life.

A Country Painted in Colors

Thailand is a land of colors. Each day of the week corresponds to a color:

• Sunday – red
• Monday – yellow
• Tuesday – pink
• Wednesday – green
• Thursday – orange
• Friday – blue
• Saturday – purple

When I first arrived, I often wore blue dresses, not realizing how seriously Thais took these traditions. Once, I wore blue on a Saturday and was gently asked, “Isn’t today Friday?” From then on, my wardrobe became just as colorful as the streets of Bangkok—with its candy-colored taxis, vibrant traditional outfits, and even rainbow-tinted rice.

Teaching Challenges and “555…”

As a Chinese teacher, pronunciation was the biggest hurdle. Thai students often confused z/c/s with zh/ch/sh, and “老师 (laoshi, teacher)” was pronounced as “老斯 (laosi).” To help, I created a LINE group where students recorded and shared their homework.

One funny moment: I saw students filling the group chat with “555…”. I panicked, thinking they were crying in frustration, but later learned that “555” in Thai is read “ha-ha-ha” (since the number 5 is pronounced ha). What I thought were tears were actually laughter!

Life in the Heat

Thailand has three seasons: hot, very hot, and extremely hot. During the blazing summer, stray dogs would collapse in the shade, and even students arrived to class at a slow, relaxed pace. Instead of apologizing, they would smile and say, “Teacher, jai yen yen”—meaning “take it easy, don’t be angry.” Over time, I also learned to slow down and embrace this Thai philosophy of calmness.

Culture, Language, and Misunderstandings

Thai culture provided endless surprises. For example:

• Calling someone “water buffalo” (kuai) is a serious insult, unlike in Chinese where cows symbolize hard work.
• Thai students, influenced by their language structure, often said phrases like “book my” instead of “my book.”
• Respect for individuality was strong—one male student openly expressed his desire to be seen as “pretty” rather than “handsome,” and nobody judged him.

Unexpected Royal Recognition

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, and reverence for the King runs deep. Once, I joined students in paying respects outside a hospital where the beloved King Rama IX was staying. Visitors received postcards with the King’s portrait. I mistakenly wrote blessings in Chinese on mine and returned it. Weeks later, I received an official thank-you letter from the Royal Secretariat, saying Princess Sirindhorn had translated my message for the King. My students were astonished—such a response was considered a great honor.

Temples, Festivals, and Overseas Chinese Traditions

Thailand is known as the “Land of Buddhism,” but its culture is remarkably inclusive. One memorable visit was to the Nezha Temple in Chonburi, a Chinese-style shrine mixing Taoist and Buddhist elements. Built by Thai Chinese descendants, it showcases how Chinese traditions thrive abroad.

Among festivals, Qingming (Tomb-Sweeping Day) left a deep impression. Near my university, Chinese cemeteries became lively during Qingming: families lit incense, burned firecrackers, and even exercised among the tombs. When I asked if they were afraid, students laughed: “Why be afraid of our ancestors? They protect us.”

This unique blend of Chinese heritage and Thai lifestyle reminded me that identity and tradition continue to evolve abroad.

Looking Back

Five years in Thailand passed quickly, but the memories remain vivid: the laughter of my students practicing Chinese, the dazzling colors of Bangkok, the calm rhythm of Thai life, and the warmth of its people.

Thailand gave me not only teaching experience but also lessons in patience, respect, and cultural diversity. For that, I will always be grateful. Khop khun ka!

Author’s Note

Hexueying, graduate of Shanghai International Studies University, taught Chinese at Beijing Language and Culture University and served abroad at BLCU Bangkok College. She now continues research and writing on Chinese language education and cross-cultural studies.