Description

I signed up for an overseas teaching placement through TravelBud/XploreAsia, expecting a structured, safe, and legitimate program. What I received instead was a series of misrepresentations, unsafe instructions, and financial losses. The company advertised that they would handle visa guidance, school placement, housing, and ongoing support. Instead: • I was given incorrect and unsafe visa instructions, which placed me at legal and physical risk upon entering Thailand. • The agency pressured me into a placement that did not match what they advertised, including misrepresented job duties, housing, and contract terms. • After I arrived, the agency stopped providing support, passed responsibility around different coordinators, and ultimately left me to resolve major issues alone. • The school placement arranged through the agency involved unsafe conditions, including being instructed to come to work during official government flood warnings and evacuation alerts. • When these misrepresentations and safety issues were raised, the agency delayed communication, avoided accountability, and refused to provide a refund despite clear evidence. • I later discovered that the agency uses front-loaded positive reviews, while negative experiences appear months later when it’s too late for victims to get their money back. Many people are afraid to speak out because of Thailand’s strict defamation laws. This pattern matches what many other victims have reported: high upfront fees, misleading advertising, unsafe or inaccurate guidance, lack of support, and refusal to refund once problems begin. I am reporting this so others can avoid the financial loss and harm I experienced. The company markets itself as a safe entry into international teaching, but in reality, teachers are often left without support, placed in unsafe or misrepresented environments, and risk losing thousands of dollars. I am attempting to get a refund from them now, any assistance or support would be appreciated.