Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Thailand Expat Forum

Moving to Thailand

New Topic Newest First
VECavé
  1/19/2017 04:56 EST

Hi!

My husband and I are looking at moving to Thailand with our daughter from South Africa in the next year.
Currently I am looking for jobs for both my husband and I and would really appreciate it if anyone could point me in the right direction or can put me in connection with people? We will first move to Hua Hin where my father lives as a start up but do not mind moving to a different area if no jobs are available in Hua Hin.
I am a Debt Collector at the moment but will be more than happy to take up a different position if required and the same goes for my husband who is currently an Operational Manager.
Should further information be required or if anyone has helpful tips then please contact me?

Thanks!!
Vicky

ken24
  1/19/2017 06:46 EST

There are strict laws as to what foreigners can and can't do as to working in Thailand. Very few jobs qualify. The job has to be one which a Thai cannot do, such as teach English... after that, if you are brought here with a multi-national company, they will get you a work permit. If you have nothing lined up or no specific skill that a Thai cannot do, you will not be able to work.

sorry, it is not easy.

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

VECavé
  1/19/2017 07:00 EST

Thanks for letting me know Ken, I am currently doing massive research into the whole job thing with Thailand and seeing what is available...

ken24
  1/19/2017 07:44 EST

If you want a decent salary, probably your only chance is to link up with a multi-national who employees people in your field. I would expect this to be difficult as many want to live and work here.

You sound way overqualified to teach English. Most of those posts are taken by young college grads taking a gap year.

On a far riskier front is starting your own business which would also likely mean getting out of your field and it is a minefield if you don't know the language and customs.

swegolf
  1/19/2017 08:00 EST

Unfortunately you will have a very difficult time finding gainful employment. Even as a multi-lingual westerner your top pay would be lucky to be 20,000 Bhat per month.
Your best opportunities will come from owning your own business or in import/export. Thai's won't give you a job that they could give to a Thai even if their they are less qualified.
Sorry but it's better you know now.

VECavé
  1/19/2017 08:02 EST

I will definitely look into the multi-national companies. Teaching would not be my first go to and my husband is also over qualified for a teaching post being an Operational Manager so I will need to do quite a bit of hunting :) thanks so much for the feedback though- really appreciated!
As for starting up a business- we do have a few ideas but I have heard of all the obstacles regarding starting up in Thailand (I think this will be more of a long term goal then)

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

VECavé
  1/19/2017 08:04 EST

Hi swegolf

Thanks for the heads up- surely my husband would be able to get into import/export as an Operational Manager? He was a Fleet Administrator before the promotion- would that not help?

Thanks!

caughtintheact
  1/19/2017 09:05 EST

The Thai Legal and Business Guide http://bia.co.th/003.html - will inform you about much of what you will need to know.. Chapter 19 explains all about work permits.

Teaching English or other subjects here is sometimes looked down upon, but it is better viewed viewed as a stepping stone rather than a career.

Some foreigners attend universities here as sudents, and by so doing you can make excellent contacts . There are some good bachelor's and masters degree programs.

If you can latch onto jobs with multinational companies before you come here that could be ideal, but be sure to conduct due diligence on any offers. People are known to have been scammed into coming here on he promise of a job that did not exist.

If you PM me with an email address I will email you my Do's and Don'ts document for Thailand which will help you in getting oriented.
And by the way, what industry is your husband in. Knowing that will aid in providing contact information or company names that might have openings.

hawkesk
  1/19/2017 16:24 EST

Having lived in Thailand over ten years, I would HIGHLY recommend you come to Thailand for as long as you can afford AS A TOURIST, have a look around, and try to get work while you're here. I was a database manager for 14 years and would NEVER be able to get a job here (by law) unless I created my own business, and that's difficult and dangerous to do. These are just about the most xenophobic folks on the planet and will thwart you every chance they get. They want you to come, spend your money, then go away. Teaching is the only stable position you will find here, overqualified or not. Join ThaiVisa.com and look around there, too. Many good folks eager to help you in your quest. Don't become another statistic . . .

VECavé
  1/25/2017 06:26 EST

Hi Hawkesk

Thanks for your feedback. I have been a tourist in Thailand a few times although not over any long period. I am aware of how difficult the job market is here which is why I am looking into all of my options.
I am sorry to hear it was so difficult for you but thanks for giving me a heads up anyway

hawkesk
  1/25/2017 07:06 EST

It's not been difficult. In fact, I LOVE teaching. It's really the only job available unless you join a larger international company. Good luck!

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

swegolf
  1/25/2017 07:06 EST

Well thank you. But I'm retired and have been on several extended holidays of a year or so there. I have friends that own restos, bars and bakeries. Very few exceed anything more than a moderate success.
Military liason is a good option as is embassy employment. Some have tried golf travel guide or dive tourism approach with success.

VECavé
  1/25/2017 07:08 EST

That's great! I will look into teaching at a later stage if need be but I hear it is a good career to have there...

VECavé
  1/25/2017 07:08 EST

That's great! I will look into teaching at a later stage if need be but I hear it is a good career to have there...

hawkesk
  1/25/2017 16:27 EST

I've lived here over 10 years and here's the bottom line - You NEED a foundation such as a pension or a good chuck of money you can depend on. Work in Thailand should be looked on as an "in addition to" source of income. Tourism is highly volatile. Five years ago, Russians were quite prevalent, then the oil industry plummeted and gone were the tourists. As well, Chinese tourists started flocking, but then it was discovered that they stayed at Chinese-owned hotels and only purchased at Chinese-owned businesses. Tour guides of ANY sort are highly scrutinized and sometimes unfairly targeted by Immigration. The point is teaching is the only stable job available unless you are connected to a large international company.

swegolf
  1/25/2017 19:58 EST

Thailand isn't the utopia everyone thinks it is. Hawkesk is right. Thailand is the last place you would want to be stuck without money....besides Manila.

VECavé
  1/26/2017 05:53 EST

Hmmm it seems like there is no way to stay in Thailand then? I understand how difficult it is to get a job and get started up but could it not be more of a possibility with me having my dad as a connection there who obviously will also have people to introduce us to there? From what I remember living overseas as a child connections are very important to have as a foreigner... I stayed in Kazakhstan first which I think was a whole lot more difficult to live in back then as apposed to Thailand...
I am not looking to move to Thailand with stars in my eyes and I certainly do not think it is the perfect place to be- no country is perfect :)
I do want a better future for my daughter, husband and I though and unfortunately South Africa is not the country it used to be...
I love all of the feedback from everyone but some pros added to the cons of moving there would be really appreciated. Do not want to scare my husband off of the idea of moving to another country :D

VECavé
  1/26/2017 05:53 EST

Hmmm it seems like there is no way to stay in Thailand then? I understand how difficult it is to get a job and get started up but could it not be more of a possibility with me having my dad as a connection there who obviously will also have people to introduce us to there? From what I remember living overseas as a child connections are very important to have as a foreigner... I stayed in Kazakhstan first which I think was a whole lot more difficult to live in back then as apposed to Thailand...
I am not looking to move to Thailand with stars in my eyes and I certainly do not think it is the perfect place to be- no country is perfect :)
I do want a better future for my daughter, husband and I though and unfortunately South Africa is not the country it used to be...
I love all of the feedback from everyone but some pros added to the cons of moving there would be really appreciated. Do not want to scare my husband off of the idea of moving to another country :D

swegolf
  1/26/2017 06:13 EST

It depends upon your citizenship to some degree. There are problems since the military takeover of the government and its getting worse not better unfortunately. Thai's are tone deaf.
Countries are beginning to restrict movement of Thai's into European countries, the US, Japan and other places simply because Thailand is becoming an increasingly hostile environment.
Embassies are getting increasing reports of hostilities against whites.
Muslims have infiltrated from the south and hostile actions are commonplace against whites. Bands of young Thai men are armed and apparently immune to prosecution unless videos leak to the world outside. Many whites have been robbed, killed stripped naked then thrown off rooftops and declared suicides with slit throats.
Want some pros? Move to Vietnam. We moved to Nha Trang. It's fine.

VECavé
  1/26/2017 06:18 EST

That's troubling to hear- I have been trying to keep up with the news in Thailand when I get the chance and there is not any mention of these problems- like you said though video evidence is needed... Never thought of Vietnam how is it there?
I thought these problems were only in certain areas of Thailand though and not everywhere? We are South African citizens so I suppose that does not help a whole lot if they have specific targets...

VECavé
  1/26/2017 06:18 EST

That's troubling to hear- I have been trying to keep up with the news in Thailand when I get the chance and there is not any mention of these problems- like you said though video evidence is needed... Never thought of Vietnam how is it there?
I thought these problems were only in certain areas of Thailand though and not everywhere? We are South African citizens so I suppose that does not help a whole lot if they have specific targets...

swegolf
  1/26/2017 09:36 EST

Sorry there's no easy way to break that kind of news. I can see in the thread where it was mentioned but when you have a dream it's difficult to absorb bad news.
Nha Trang isn't bad. In fact it's nice. People are subdued. It's by the ocean. It has ups and downs but overall it's 2/3's the cost of TH and has everything.
I can only speak for Nha Trang but Vietnam is the most congenial of ASEAN countries and we have been to all of them.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Thailand GuideLiving in Thailand Guide

Did you know the Thai national anthem is played twice daily throughout the country? Do you know what the "Wai" is? Expats in Thailand share tips for living in Thailand.

Thailand Forum Thailand Forum
Join our Thailand forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Thailand.

Contribute to Thailand Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Thailand.

Best Places to Live in Thailand Best Places to Live in Thailand

If you're thinking about living in Thailand, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Thailand in 2023.

Healthcare in ThailandHealthcare in Thailand

Expats in Thailand share tips and advice about healthcare and health insurance in Thailand. Advice about hospitals in Thailand, the availability of prescription medicines, using Tricare in Thailand and more.

Cost of Living in ThailandCost of Living in Thailand

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Thailand.

Moving to ThailandMoving to Thailand Guide

Moving to Thailand requires a lot of research. There are many important considerations, and expats already living in Thailand are the best source of information.

Real Estate in ThailandReal Estate in Thailand

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Thailand.

Pros Cons of Living in ThailandPros & Cons of Living in Thailand

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Thailand.

Retiring in ThailandRetiring in Thailand

Advice for people retiring in Thailand.

10 Tips for Living in Thailand10 Tips for Living in Thailand

If you've recently arrived in Thailand, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Thailand.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute to Thailand Network Contribute
Help others in Thailand by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Thailand.

Universal Tax Professionals
Universal Tax Professionals

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal