Employment opportunities for Farang?

[Nemo.]

Hi, my wife intends to study locally so I need to find some kind of employment locally. I am British and have Uni lecturing experience so I thought of the Uni she will attend but apart from that what sort of farang jobs are there?

I read that you need at least 50,000 THB a month to get a visa. Is that really true? As English Teachers seem to get c30,000 THB how do they do it?

I have lived in Malaysia for 2 years so used to Asian culture - Malays seem like Thais with lots of "face" and a rather "laid back approach" to work so I should be ok with local employment. I got over that culture shock! I am an accountant/auditor/consultant but have given up high flying roles for my wife - love to me is now more important than money

So any tips?

What do most farangs do? Self-employment? teach? How easy is it to find?

We intend to visit in April/May (to Bangkok mostly) and visit HH to visit the Uni (Webster). We are used to small towns as well as long as some bars etc

We (she especially) have been to Bangkok a lot and although must be more employment its also just too hectic maybe for us to enjoy married life to the fullest (we just married but forced apart thanks to the Nazis in British imi). It lloks like Bangkok is near enough for weekend visits for the nightlife say once a month

We also want long term to arrange export of clothes and goods to her home country (family owns shops). Is that possible for farangs?

Thanks in advance!

[lomuamart]

Just a few points. You can find work in Thailand and obviously there's more choice in BKK than HH. The fundamental rule is that either you, or your prospective employer, must be able to demonstrate that you can do the job better than a Thai. If that's not possible, then no WP. There's also a whole raft of occupations that you can't do, no matter what. Fisheries, logging, agriculture spring to mind and taxi driving. Not that you will be interested in these anyway by the sounds of things.
Not 100% sure about the teaching and salaries, but I was told recently that if you're teaching in a public school, the salary requirements are not enforced too stringently - you're providing a "public service".
There certainly is a salary minimum that a farang needs for tax purposes though. Again, not 100% sure what it is.
I found The Department of Trade and Industry very helpful years ago with information. Give them a call and say you're looking to set up business partnerships with British companies that have offices in Thailand - say in accounting. Years ago, they couln't be specific as to type of business, but the following day I had a 30-40 page document with hundreds of British companies, in BKK mainly, together with contact details.
Good luck.

[Nemo.]

Just a few points. You can find work in Thailand and obviously there's more choice in BKK than HH. The fundamental rule is that either you, or your prospective employer, must be able to demonstrate that you can do the job better than a Thai. If that's not possible, then no WP. There's also a whole raft of occupations that you can't do, no matter what. Fisheries, logging, agriculture spring to mind and taxi driving. Not that you will be interested in these anyway by the sounds of things.
Not 100% sure about the teaching and salaries, but I was told recently that if you're teaching in a public school, the salary requirements are not enforced too stringently - you're providing a "public service".
There certainly is a salary minimum that a farang needs for tax purposes though. Again, not 100% sure what it is.
I found The Department of Trade and Industry very helpful years ago with information. Give them a call and say you're looking to set up business partnerships with British companies that have offices in Thailand - say in accounting. Years ago, they couln't be specific as to type of business, but the following day I had a 30-40 page document with hundreds of British companies, in BKK mainly, together with contact details.
Good luck.

Thanks! Looks like teaching is the main Farang job so will go for that to begin with. I am used to WP problems as same in Malaysia and basically the same - not to displace a local.

Accounting for western companies I might look into. I reckon I could lecture then develop some contacts. I presume a farang accountant could charge a premium by giving better advice but need to join local accountancy body - if Malaysian local accountants are anything to go by then expat companies might want at least specialised help sometimes where quality counts. DTI sounds helffull. Will try that!

Might even like it and stay. Can also help wife's family business by sourcing goods so be teacher + businesses on side. Is that what many do? apart from bars etc. I cant own a bar for family religious reasons. Would love to sit in my own beach bar

[Dave Sutton]

Hi,

My name is Dave Sutton and I am an english teacher in Bang Saphan which is half way between Prachuab Khiri Khan and Chumphon.

Two junior schools in my area urgently require 3 english teachers for the school year beginning 1st May 2006 for a yearly contract which is generally renewable.

The schools will arrange and pay for visas and work permits. Salary is 30,000 baht per month for a 17 hour working week and working conditions are good.

If interested, please contact me on 09-548-9794 or email Cheersdave@hotmail.com

[Nemo.]

Hi thanks. will be in touch. will be easier when I am in Thailand of course which will be before 20th April.

Hi,

My name is Dave Sutton and I am an english teacher in Bang Saphan which is half way between Prachuab Khiri Khan and Chumphon.

Two junior schools in my area urgently require 3 english teachers for the school year beginning 1st May 2006 for a yearly contract which is generally renewable.

The schools will arrange and pay for visas and work permits. Salary is 30,000 baht per month for a 17 hour working week and working conditions are good.

If interested, please contact me on 09-548-9794 or email Cheersdave@hotmail.com