40 Comments on Rasami International School Thailand

mr. teacherman on Tue, 1st May 2007 7:03 pm


I would be interested to hear comments about Rasami International School, Bangkok. I worked there for a while and found it a dreadful place, particularly the headteacher. I would strongly advise anyone who is considering joining this place not to do so, especially if you are being recruited from abroad.

mr. teacherman on Thu, 3rd May 2007 7:17 pm


I’ve heard it’s not the best

Mr. Filipino PE Guy on Thu, 2nd Aug 2007 8:57 am


Mr Teacherman,

Sorry…..I worked there also but i found him nice and fair to everyone…

Xajarn on Fri, 4th Jan 2008 7:26 pm


This school started about 1996. It uses a British system. It is a B level international school. I am not sure about the local/foreign ratio but believe it mostly caters to Thais. The school is in a older and very built up part of Bangkok . All kids and little open/ play space.It might be a suitable first school for someone wanting to initially break into the international school scene.

needtoknow on Thu, 24th Jan 2008 11:36 am


I went for an interview a couple of months ago. It was more like talking to busines people than educators if you ask me – I wasn’t too impressed. Needless to say I turned down the position. I aslo hear the pay is pretty pathetic. Cant confirm this, though.

June on Tue, 26th Feb 2008 5:00 am


RASAMI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL was on my list of possibles but I am being put off by all the terrible things I am hearing about the place – like rats in the classrooms; tyrannical, incompetent and confrontational managers; imposed reductions on teachers’ salary for tings like illness and unprofessional conduct; cramped, horrendous and unsafe working environment, with asbestos in the ceilings, stinking toilets and no grass at all for the children’s games and sports; teaching staff leaving on a regular basis throughout the academic year and so you see them permanently advertising for urgent replacements under the banner of “expansion!”. I have been put in touch with a number of good teachers who have left RASAMI and moved on to better things, and they have all been all very critical of RASAMI and swear that their time there was desperate and the worst experience in their careers.

Mr. Black on Sat, 8th Mar 2008 4:59 pm


I worked for Rasami for a period of time and it was an endurance test to say the least. The head teacher needs psychological assistance and has real emotional issues. The success of each working day depends on his clarity of mind. He is paranoid, delusional and confrontational. The SMT are educated professionals but live in fear of the man. It is inefficient and out of date school with an obsession for paperwork. The owner is only concerned about reducing overheads and her social life and is married to her first cousin! The teaching staff on the whole are dedicated professionals who care about students learning and progress. If you are interested in a fair wage and treatment, dont work there, if you are interested in students welfare and progress, give it a go!

Mr. Black on Sat, 8th Mar 2008 5:58 pm


This school continues to employ dedicated and experienced teachers due to luck and unfortunately their sense of duty as a teacher keeps them there.

Anino on Wed, 12th Mar 2008 7:34 am


I have an interview there. Any *FAIR* and *HONEST* judgement?

Mrs. Smith on Thu, 20th Mar 2008 2:16 am


I believe the criticisms of this school, which I have read here, are both fair and honest. Please do not assume that negative comments are by their nature either dishonest, unfair or both. I have worked at Rasami School and would strongly advise anyone thinking of applying there to go somewhere else. There really are so many better international schools in Bangkok, both in terms of their professional and educational standards. Be warned, the place is full of teachers hanging on disparately just for the money and managers who can’t get a job anywhere else!

David on Fri, 21st Mar 2008 4:30 pm


please tell me some more information on the Rasami International school, why is it so bad. Cheers

Elizabeth on Wed, 26th Mar 2008 12:50 am


If ever a school was run by the parents then this is it! Class sizes are very small (5 in one case) and the owner has to bend over (backwards) to meet the parents’ demands because she is so desperate for their money. Staff members in the past have lost holiday pay because they had been ill! Others lost pay because of their performance in the classroom and others for not returning library books on time or arriving at school late! One word – cheap.

Elizabeth on Wed, 26th Mar 2008 3:00 am


Staff are not paid holiday pay if they are ill too much. Staff are paid less if they do something unprofessional. Staff are paid less if they do not return library books on time or if they forget to sign in and out. It is an unfriendly school where newcomers are seen by some as a threat and are treated like trash by some older established teachers. Rasami is a school where appearances really matter and if you appear to fit in then you will. Teaching staff are generally obedient and do things like take minutes for meetings, sit and watch swimming lessons and spend their non contact time in colleagues lessons. Its run like a UK school in the early 90’s and this would shock or even offend a lot of enlightened professionals who know how a school can be run.

In the box on Wed, 26th Mar 2008 11:16 pm


The students here are generally great, as are a few of the teachers. The head is a secret smoker and this may account for some of his tantrums. He feels that some of his staff are shirkers and makes life difficult for them only because, maybe incorrectly, he feels they are trying to do the same to him. He has verbally threatened certain teachers when they are alone with him and shouts at the older students because he feels they are talking about him but this is just a reflection of the pressure he is under from the owner. He will confront staff members if they look at him in ways that he doesn’t like, and why not?
One member of his management team is the first to admit that she really does not perform well as a manger. She is obviously weak and although she lives in fear of her boss, who she criticizes privately but ultimately supports, she does understandably needs the status that her role provides. We could all show her some sympathy and try to keep well in with her, so to speak, because she can take things the wrong way and doesn’t always deal with things very well at all.
Rasami is an ok school for the relatively desperate and/or partially ignorant.

Teacher on Fri, 11th Apr 2008 9:52 am


Well.. I work at the school now as a teacher and I think its a good place to be. Do you all have something your hiding? Bet I can guess who most of you are!

Mrs X on Wed, 16th Apr 2008 4:11 am


Most teachers served their 2 years in this school and then got out. I remember only a very few being sacked. Many got out after one year, thus breaking their contracts. If you look at the staff listings on the website you’ll see that it changes completely (i.e. almost 100% staff turnover) every two years. This is not normal for a good international school where the staff typically remains stable much more settled.
The high turnover of staff is largely attributable to the headteacher who is the direct cause of low staff morale. He is a bully and on a power trip; this wouldn’t be so bad if he was competent, but he isn’t. His blunderings cause unneccessary mountains of work for all concerned.
Do yourself a favour and give him and his school a wide berth – I wish I had.

Demon Headmaster on Tue, 29th Apr 2008 8:43 pm


I am a little concerned and even saddened when I read ‘Londonteacher’, who is supposedly a “qualified teacher from England”, claiming that it is quite right that a school should “get rid” of teachers who show supposed incompetence. It is the duty of an employer, and even more so a school, to support employees with the challenges they are facing in their work. It is shocking that a purported teacher should confess the sentiments of a fascist dictator. Shame on you! I don’t want someone like you teaching my children.

happy class teacher on Wed, 28th May 2008 7:49 pm


Is true the Rasami teacher from many country not only Scotland and Wale. We all caring for the other one and happily same family. We Rasami teacher working nice and happy for managers instruction alway fair and kind and happy for working Thailand is nice place for make some money. If Rasami teacher go away they coming crazy and not like Rasami but they dont know and our family come sad again many time. I am saying Rasami teacher who not stay come sad and miss family too much so why make family sad again same this? We all missing you also so be nice for happiness and have money for shop same all teacher who take care.

Pinochio on Thu, 29th May 2008 11:40 pm


I can understand what you say ‘class teacher’, but I would still warn anyone thinking of applying to Rasami International School Bangkok, that if at any time you decide to leave and move on to another international school in Bangkok, then you are in for some unprofessional treatment from the people in management at Rasami. This may well include being ignored, shouted at, insulted and be prepared to have reference requests from your prospective employers totally ignored by your supervisor! You may also find that there are suddenly a number of issues relating to your performance which the management feels it must now address with some urgency! If this wasn’t such a criminal abuse of power it would be hilarious. These people are scum.

EQUINOX on Mon, 30th Jun 2008 9:55 pm


Rasami is ok. Leave us alone. We get our lunch paid for when we are on duty. I get more money now than before and I nearly always get paid on time. They have told me they will give me more money if I stay too. I dont care about anyone else so long as I get my pay at the end of the month minus lunch money. People here are just like anywhere else and do what we need to do to get by. So all you twats who left already can swivel. Just because you werent tough enough to deal with us dont mean you have a right to call us now your gone.

Cat on Tue, 22nd Jul 2008 6:25 am


There are comments here that are unfair, whilst others are fair, albeit given with unnecessary venom.
It is true that a singificant amount of teachers leave before their contracts end. Some are pushed (not many) and some leave. This is not always caused by the school (such as issues at home, emotional or physical problems etc.) and every individual case is different.
It is true that incompetent teachers are not always given the support they need and are instead ‘picked on’.
It is also true that the head is over-sensitive and has a hot temper. His reaction is not always consistent with the ‘crime’ committed and is usually over-the-top with door-slamming, shouting and a bright red face common in these circumstances. However, the staff that have had the most problems at this school tend to be those who also have some kind of personality defect (or look at inappropriate websites on their computers, I’ve heard from a good source!). Most staff are able to get their head down and get on with their job, and it is an unfortunate minority who have any real problems.
It is true that the owner is more concerned with making money than the children. Their education is of little consequence to her as long as the parents continue to pay for her extravagent lifestyle. This can be demoralising for staff. The wages are also lower than most other international schools, although it is difficult to pay more being such a small school.
Something that very few people have mentioned is how wonderful the kids are. Those that are left are a great group and make it all worth while.
The staff were also a good bunch and I certainly didn’t experience ‘female spies’ for management, as was suggested. Perhaps Abnormal Bates is suffering from paranoia.
It seems that there are some very bitter people writing messages on this site. Also, there are some poor spellers. Aren’t you all supposed to be teachers?!

expat_boy on Thu, 31st Jul 2008 4:37 am


I have an interview for a job there….any ideas as to whether i should bother?

R. Molehusband III on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 9:59 pm


Some sensitivity should be paid to people who have suffered at the hand of Rasami management and fellow teachers alike. The ethos of the school is grounded in intolerance and self interest. Those who do not readily ascribe to this modus operandi do not find that working there fulfills either their professional or personal needs and aspirations, especially if they have worked in a more nurturing and caring school beforehand. I for one found Rasami to be a very challenging work environment because I felt I had taken a huge step backwards in going there and because of the lack of good, thats good, community spirit, I felt unable to generate any real fondness for the place. My work suffered as a result. This experience is an isolated event in an otherwise highly regarded career in education. It has taught me to be very careful about accepting a job without a thorough vetting of the school and that if I feel uncertain or uneasy initially, then I will go elsewhere.

Samantha Smythe-Parsons on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 1:56 am


Beware, they are advertising for teachers again. Although, in truth, they always are.
They are fast becoming known, amongst the international school community in Bangkok, as one of the 2 schools who are permanently looking for staff, no matter where we happen to be in the academic year! The other is Wells, but by reputation Rasami is the worst, in terms of staff contentment, and has the highest turnover despite being such a small place. Apparently the package is poor compared to other places, but I understand they try to work you like you are well paid! Once staff realise they are being had, they usually clear off quite sharpish and get a job in a decent school where they are properly treated and valued as professionals.

Michelle Jackson on Sun, 14th Sep 2008 10:56 pm


Yea, right man, Rasami sucks for sure. The school building stinks like a well used water closet and I know a guy who quit Rasami when he found out the main school building, a converted house, is full of asbestos in all the ceilings, and that stuff can kill you man. Work there? No way! Not desparate!

Educated person on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 10:29 pm


Ref. Cat
There are comments here that are unfair, whilst/whereas others are fair, albeit given with unnecessary venom.
It is true that a singificant/significant amount/number of teachers leave before their contracts end/contract ends.

ERRORS IN FIRST PARAGRAPH
whereas
significant
number
contract ends

You could do better as a teacher takes pride in correct spelling! Ha!

Roger Rabbit on Wed, 19th Nov 2008 12:42 pm


What is the rate for full time teachers at Rasami and other inernational schools in Bangkok?

Roger Rabbit on Wed, 19th Nov 2008 12:56 pm


Anyonehelp on the avearge pay for full time teaching at Rasami and other Bangkok schools?

Halfred Itchcock on Sun, 7th Dec 2008 10:23 pm


Yo Rog! Rasami 60,000 baht if you are lucky. They dont believe in pay scales thogh and will pay you as little as possible – as little as they feel they can. Other international schools in Bangkok generally pay better and have a proper pay structure. Rasami also pay you less if you do something they don’t like and the owner is always on the lookout for excuses/reasons to dock the teachers pay in any given month.Its not worth it Rog. Go somewhere else if you can.

Michael Jacque's Son on Mon, 12th Jan 2009 10:04 pm


Rasami must be just about the worst school in South East Asia! With a bit of luck the global recession and the Thai downturn, will result in a significant reduction in the student body and it will, as a result, have to close; then all the nasty people who hide behind its walls can be put on trial for crimes against humanity. Some of the shitiest most unpleasant teachers you could never wish to meet have already left though. Real twats, not like me at all.

jackson polax on Wed, 25th Feb 2009 10:17 pm


Rasami are also one of the few schools that asks you for a deposit before they give you a contract. This is quite a significant sum, in the thousands of Baht. Decent schools would never ever do this.

Mad Mike on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 9:52 pm


We do return this money deposit if a teacher makes it through to the end of their contract without doing any damage to our school.
We find it helps keep our employees in line and it is useful to hold over people when we sack them.

Gordon Lemont on Mon, 27th Apr 2009 3:00 am


That is disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself Mike. People in this economic climate of doubt and uncertainty should not be saddled with more distress by their employer. Maybe you yourself should give new teachers some of your money, just in case you or any of your management turn out to be complete twots, and tell them to keep it as compensation for ending up in such a school.

Metrus Bovart on Wed, 27th May 2009 12:13 am


Rasami International School are advertising for a complete new staff again. They do this pretty much every year because every ucker leaves and they have to replace just about everyone. They always say it is due to expansion or growth but this a just a regular laughable lie to try and cover up the fact that they have a problem with staff leaving. Any one who stays there beyond their first contact is over is either part of the anker management team or an inexperienced person just off the boat who is easily fooled and quite possibly confused and desperate. It is an uckin awful skoo.

Gertrude Waldheim on Wed, 27th May 2009 1:03 am


I was thinking of applying to Rasami. I have changed my mind now. I am glad that I found this site and got to read the postings about Rasami International School. It really does sound pretty awful there. Thanks to all the posters for all the inside information about this school. Rasami seems unanimously bad!

Dr. Anne Newgence on Sun, 14th Jun 2009 2:33 pm


Most of the problems at Rasami International School Bangkok are attributable to the way in which certain types of uptight, small minded and pushy people work to manipulate and oppress other more generous reflective colleagues, who would otherwise be able to improve the school from within. They are unfortunately prevented from doing this by their fellow teachers who have come straight off the boat with all their baggage and others who have been raised without any care for showing decent manners to decent people. They are ignorant and unthinking, and being so do not understand that they are so. I partly blame these teachers for the mess the school is in. They should, however, never have been employed in the first place but you get what you pay for. Bad schools are bound to have some bad people working there; people who just don’t realize how intelligent and insightful other people can be.

David on Mon, 22nd Jun 2009 5:50 pm


I was thinking about sending my kids there, but due to the comments I may think again!

The price is ok for me and some of the other bigger international schools are way too expensive.

Can anyone advise a school with similar prices as Rasami.

Many thanks.

popeye on Tue, 1st Sep 2009 8:28 pm


Was thinking of applying for post at Rasami “the sinking ship” but apparently the management are inept, neurotic and spiteful. A little birdy tells me that the paperwork is irrelevant, that the head hides behind his position and commands zero respect and that when staff realize there is a better world – they just do one.

Supervisor from the old factory on Wed, 30th Sep 2009 10:30 pm


I worked there for a short while and it was OK, apart from being more than a bit smelly. Some days it got right up my nose, it did, and it is something I will remember for some time to come. Don’t go there unless you like smelly places. Things like that can have a lasting impact, with a kind of post bad smell syndrome affecting more people than you may think. It affects children too, so think twice before sending your offspring there, unless they are used to smelly places.

Rachel on Tue, 6th Oct 2009 2:03 am


Yes, it does smell a bit there. I too worked there for a while and it was definitely smelly on more than one occasion. People who do not like smelly places should avoid working at Rasami International School and find a school which smells nice. I think smelly schools do have higher turnovers than ones that smell OK. which explains why the only staff who ever stay are the real stinky ones – the Head and his assistant!

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