How safe is it to live and teach in Surat Thani?

The violence is contained in the 3 most southern provinces, Pattani, Yala and Narithiwat. Surat Thani is far enough North that you have nothing to worry about. If you have never lived in Thailand, read up on http://www.bangkokscams.com to familiarize yourself with some of the scams played on foreigners here. Other than that have common sense same in any other country. Never cause a Thai to lose face, do not disrespect the Monarchy, etc. I would also advise never getting in a fight with a Thai or you might end up fighting 30. For the most part, Thailand is extremely safe and any average do-gooder would not have any problems in Surat Thani.

I had 2 years experience working in Surathani. In the province, not concern with Koh Samui, is a peace place and welcome for visitors. I also tought about computer science in Prince of Songkhla University, Surat Thani campus. I think you don't worry. Southern violence area is around 600 Km. from that.

I think if you are worried about the area , you will find many jobs on offer in the north near nong khai ,they have nontrouble thereband they want teachers urgent, saying that I have travelled and lived all over thailand and never any problems for farang (except from farang) I teach free volunteer part time as I am retired if you want to contact me email to me TOM

Extremely safe, the problems are much further south and also not as bad as they seem. Also, they love foreigners, especially teachers.

I lived in Koh Samui for over 2 years so was over to Surat Thani many many times as had friends on mainland. As other posters have said, it is far away from any of the problems in the South. It is a fantastic area and you are also right one of the 'tourist belts' so will have lots of opportunities for day or weekend trips; you have Samui and Koh Phan Ngang just a ferry ride away (and full moon parties obviously on Phan Ngang) and a bus or car journey away to the East is Krabi, Phuket and islands such as Phi Phi (where The Beach was filmed) or Koh Lanta. IMHO, you have a great location. In my 2 plus years there, the only hostility I ever met was from drunken tourists. If you are teaching kids, you will have a greta time as they are hilarious with farangs and love to learn. You will find the friendliness such that you will often be invited to people's homes for food (a great compliment). Take the job and have a great time!!

The only thing I can tell you is from personal experience. I worked in Yala for six months without incident. I did hear on the local news about bombings and shootings almost daily, but nothing ever came close to me. More to the point, at the time that I was down there no foriegn person teacher or otherwise had been injured or killed in the seperatist violence. I was treated extremely well and was never in a situation where I felt uncomfortable. I did leave after my contract, but it was more because I felt isolated than anything else. In Yala there were no other foriegners. Where you will be there are more farangs than where I was. Good luck.

Please look at your map . The violence is in the FAR south Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat with some small incidences in Songkhla ( that too some time ago ) Surat Thani is far up ( a few hundred Kms ) I have travelled all these places and let me tell you - Surat Thani is the mainland to Samui which is a beautiful island ( sought after besides Phuket ) I only see you having a JOLLY GOOD TIME ! I am malaysian so i can TELL for sure that it is very very safe . Being close to samui people in Surat are used to Farangs as you are called and they will treat you VERY well indeed . You are one lucky person - that is all i can say :) You ALSO have an extra bonus - If you miss Mc Donalds and other western food it will just be a ferry away Watch for updates on Thailand on www.bangkokpost.com Latest is bombing in Narathiwat with 71 injured . Note That Narathiwat seems to have some problems for some time now but it is very far from where you will be Cheers

Surat is really more the "middle" than the South of Thailand. It's a pretty decent sized city, and home to quite a few Westerners (relatively speaking). It's been said among my friends who teach English there that Surat is a good place to live, but not a good place to visit. Myself, and everyone I know who has spent time there were always treated kindly, and never felt unsafe.