Digital IDs, biometrics, and global surveillance systems are rolling out, and headlines suggest Thailand is next. In this video, I break down whether Thailand is truly becoming a police state like the West, or if this is just another case of the government saying one thing and doing another.

Scrolling through platforms like Preply or the educational tags on Xiaohongshu, it is easy to feel discouraged. With skilled teachers from countries with a lower cost of living offering lessons for a fraction of a UK hourly rate, it can feel like the industry is in a race to the bottom. The good news? It is a race you don’t need to run. The Global Reality We must accept that the market has changed. Teachers from the Philippines and Latin America are often excellent, hardworking, and provide a vital service for students who need affordable practice. This isn’t unfair; it is simply global economics. However, just because they can charge less, doesn’t mean you should lower your value. Why You Shouldn't Compete on Price. If you try to match the lowest rates, you will burn out. More importantly, price dictates your student. - Low prices often attract casual "shoppers" looking for a chat. - Sustainable prices attract serious students looking for results. Sell Value, Not Time To stand out, stop selling "English lessons" and start selling specific outcomes. As a native speaker or a specialised tutor, you offer things that bargain-hunting cannot buy: - Cultural Nuance: Understanding how and why we use certain phrases. - Idiomatic Fluency: Polishing advanced speakers to sound natural, not just grammatically correct. - Specialisation: Solving high-stakes problems like IELTS exams or business presentations. The Verdict The market is big enough for everyone. There is a place for affordable conversation practice, and there is a place for premium coaching. Don’t look down on the low-cost market—just choose not to participate in it. Stand firm on your prices, highlight your unique expertise, and you will attract the students who are looking for you, not just the cheapest option.

I already read about pho, banh mi, and egg coffee. What’s your hidden everyday favorite? Thanks!

Hi guys. I have been looking online and chatting with the customer support people of various UK mobile networks (Lebara and o2), but their comm skills have been a bit of an issue... hence I am now starting a thread on here... Lebara is cheaper (Roam £10 / x8 days) but doesn't facilitate E-SIMs... o2 does E-SIMs but it is more expensive (Roam £7 / x1 day ... [£56 / x8 days] ) Do any of you use a Thai SIM in your phone? – And if so, how much do they cost, and are they any good please? I am considering using one UK regular SIM in conjunction with one Thai SIM, if they are ok. – This will also require me to buy an iphone that supports x2 SIMS in the same device... The customer support people couldn't really explain the E-SIMs and how they worked, but I gather they enable us to use our UK number on them - while also being able to connect with a local [Thai] network. – Are the E-SIMs as good as they sound? Any feedback would be v much appreciated Thanks

https://sway.cloud.microsoft/gConTR7gESAkYJCW?ref=Link Hello all, my most recent newsletter is a deep dive into using Xiaohongshu (the little red book) for primarily online teaching, but for all digital nomads, it could be a way to explore China for business. Check out the link, if you need a PDF version please reach out and I can send you one. For those who are already teaching online, what platforms do you use to get new students? What applications do you use for booking, taking payments and scheduling?