@Allen *******

Ritalin is legal here. Strange that a doctor told you otherwise.

@Robert ********

ADHD meds are NOT cheap here! Other medications are, but my friend who is a Thai pharmacist explained that ADHD meds are in the most highly regulated class of drugs because of the potential for resale on the black market.

You should be able to get Zoloft at any pharmacy with no questions asked. The ADHD medication will be much more challenging to acquire, since it's a highly regulated drug here in Thailand. Make an appointment with a psychiatrist. They'll probably just ask you some questions and ask to see your documentation, but you'll have to use the hospital's pharmacy. Prepare for it to be expensive, and they will most likely make you see the doctor every several months before you can refill the prescription.

If you're hired at a reputable school, they will do the paperwork for you to get your Thai teaching license. If memory serves, you can teach for two years without needing a Thai license; after that, your school needs to help you get your license to stay in compliance with Thai law.

@Jennifer *****

Yes, I'm pretty certain that my German Shepherd was poisoned by my neighbors. She was a sweet, friendly dog, too; not aggressive at all.

You should be aware that many Thai people are afraid of big dogs, and the "bully breeds" especially. I have reason to believe that my German Shepherd was poisoned by my neighbors, and I live in an upscale housing estate, not in a rural village.

Things every expat woman wishes they would have brought with them; cotton underwear (virtually impossible to find here), bras (if you're bigger than a C cup), deodorant (at least enough until you figure out how to use Lazada), and SHOES if you wear anything above a U.S. size 8--you'll be laughed out of stores for asking for any size bigger than that! If you're plus-size you will have a harder time finding clothes here. If you like wearing jeans (not advisable in this heat), bring many pairs.

Don't bother shipping anything! Houses and apartments/condos here come furnished. Your electronics (besides laptops and such) will need converters; not worth the hassle, in my opinion. Whatever personal items you need, bring as additional luggage. It's cheaper than paying for shipping.

@Catherine **********

Your son won't be able to work at a gym. The list of jobs that Westerners can legally hold here is quite short, unless you own a business and can employ Thai people. Someone posted a list of the restricted jobs in this group recently. It's worth looking at.

@Catherine **********

The better schools will be fully staffed (outside of the hiring window) and will have no need to conduct interviews unless someone quits mid-contract, which DOES happen, but I wouldn't advise counting on that. As a Westerner, you can't be hired as a teacher's assistant; that's one of the "restricted" jobs only for Thai people. FYI, some schools will pay for your flight here if you're hired from abroad (which is where most new hires are hired from), and any school worth working at will do all the paperwork for your one-year visa AND any dependents that come with you.