Being 'forced' to make a deposit is a scam I've heard about from other teachers. But there is another scam that is just as insidious--the witholding schools will do to teachers' salaries at the end of those teachers' contracts.

I'm facing the end of yet another year-long in Thailand. I'd really like to stay until the end of my contract and get in an 'official year' in experience. But I may not.

Like most of you, I get paid at the end of each month. I get paid AFTER I put in my time, in other words. Herein lies the problem. Judging by my school's past behavior toward its farang hired hands, I'd say I'm in for a screw-job come the end. This is because these guys like to withhold money from their teachers' salaries for bogus reasons, such as room damage or outrageous charges on electricity when contracts end. It's a shame really. It encourages running. Yes, because I know what's coming, I myself am probably going to do a runner one month before the end of my service here. I hate to do this, but I'm not going to play the idiot and forfeit a good portion of my salary my last month just because I chose to be a 'good guy'.

Yeah, play by the rules and get burned. No thanks.