Food & Clothing

Thai food is a joy of life. Most meals, even breakfast, include a vast array of dishes, from fried eggs to salted fish to poached shrimp to spicy, grilled chicken.

Everything, even eggs and fresh fruit, is eaten with rice. In Thai, gin means "eat" and kao means "rice," and gin kao is an idiom for taking a meal.

Local restaurants and street vendors abound, offering excellent, inexpensive Thai food. In general the food is very safe to eat, though common sense is essential - if you doubt the quality, don't eat it!

Due to Thailand's strong Buddhist tradition, vegetarian food is widely available. Fresh vegetables and fruits are in abundant supply, as are vegetarian restaurants.

There are many local restaurants and street vendors near the Training Center offering excellent, inexpensive Thai food.

Participants are responsible for their own meals.

Thai people are quite conscientious of their dress. The nationwide stress on maintaining a neat and clean appearance creates a marked disparity with some Western visitors. (Thai people would never dream of wearing dirty clothes while traveling.)

Dress codes while teaching range from Western "Business Casual" to "Sport Casual" (track pants and short-sleeved shirts) to "Traditional," which could include a locally handmade, ornately decorated silk shirt that is somehow more comfortable in the heat than anything else you own.

In general women should cover their shoulders (sleeveless shirts are acceptable, but very thin straps or tank tops are not). No low-cut necklines or very short skirts. Bare midriffs must not be visible, even when lifting arms up. Open-toed shoes are acceptable. Men should wear long pants (not jeans), short- or long-sleeved shirt with a collar, and loafers or dress shoes. Black pants and black shoes are preferred in Thailand for men, especially when interviewing. Sandals are not acceptable when teaching. Long hair should be neatly tied into a ponytail.