WonnabeBiker

TBH, I would be very concerned about the buyers' honesty - or lack thereof. Ratings blackmail, denial of receipt combined with sneaky tricks like using a non Paypal approved delivery address or claiming the money back many weeks after delivery. www.paypalsucks.com

It's risky - and at best, PP might just freeze your account.

Heaven forbid, when there are multiple claims, you can get closed down temporarily...

I'm regarding people as often evil. Be careful!

Sounds she has been having psychotic fits. Is she schizo?

I know one such mental patient who got into fights with neighbors and they were kept awake at night as well. she was hearing voices...

Sounds like she is having psychotic fits. You need to act next time this happens. Can you drive to the Police station with a few hundred Baht to make some cop come along? This gotta be stopped!

 

In the OP you refer to changing the contract terms. Did you sign a contract that they are now changing? Or did they make a job offer with one set of terms or then offer a different contract? ** THE LATTER. **

Do you have a Visa and a work permit with the school yet? Have they applied for a TCT waiver for you yet? If so, do you hold the work permit or do they? ** GOT THE WP AND FOR THAT NEEDED THE WAIVER. BUT THEN, THEY WOULDN'T PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR IMMIGRATION. WHEN A VISA EXPIRES, THERE ISN'T MUCH ONE CAN DO.

If you have signed nothing and none of your paperwork has been processed, then just walk away. You will never be able to trust this school and you will save yourself endless trouble by leaving now. ** WISH I COULD GO BACK IN TIME AND DO AS YOU SUGGEST... **

If you have a type B Visa and a Work Permit already, the WP must be cancelled before you can get another one!

Good luck.

** THANKS. ** I USED CAPS TO MAKE THE COMMENTS STAND OUT. Don't want this to be seen as shouting.

 

With the benefit of hindsight, I now believe that every step of the "dance" has been planned by the school. From the verbal job offer ("12 months' contract") to the excuses ("some parents haven't paid for the SME program"). You have heard of ?

Well, I signed the new contract, after some souls searching. But there is no such thing as enough for greedy people. They found a way to ask for a bribe and then forced me to abandon the job. A side effect has been that my last salary remains unpaid.

To sue a government school requires legal action ad an Administrative Court and payment of 2% of the amount claimed. And the writ will have to be in Thai.

They must be laughing all the way to the bank when they convince another foreigner to get on a bus without having the contract signed. ("You must do it here in person", they may claim). Sometimes, the "remuneration committee" won't agree to the amount promised in e-mails to some foreigner. I know Chinese teachers who have been given this particular sucker treatment...

A friend is teaching at 70 - but at a private school. He's a Kiwi with proper qualifications though.

The other day, on a forum in another country, some self-proclaimed "fluent" speaker of English from Bangladesh wrote an atrocious post. Thai kids deserve better. And school owners or directors often forget the basics when they an save say 10,000 Baht a month.

Them liking you will be more important than age restrictions on paper, JMHO.

Have you tried working yet? Go out, take a job and learn.

Peter, the impermanence of things over here is something you will know by now?

Everything is in flux: panta rhei... Everything is changing. As you are changing yourself, too.

Thanks to LostinIsaan for his helpful and practical tips. Just do it and don't worry about irrelevant stuff like being able to do this for more than the next semester.

Right now, schools are screaming out for teachers!

Give it your best shot and live in the moment. It might end in a few months or in a few years. OH NO THIS WOULD BE WORSE Chances are that you won't be staying at any school fo longer than a couple of years

Hi WonnabeBiker, thanks for your comment, but I really have to consider about the future, that means for the next 15 years. Now I am 49 and I have to find continously a Job (interruptions would be worse, because I really need a regular and permanent income (and social security, provided from school as well) for these next 15 years, until the age of 65, then I am expecting an old-age-pension from my home country. Teaching just for a couple of years would be financially disastrous. That why I am striving for teaching as long as possible: Do you know about contacts of employment ? Many times they end up after a year and the teacher has to search for a new job at another School. Does it mean that I have to do a visa run as well ? Thank you ...

Probably, both. Contracts only being for a year (do consider it good fortune if a school's actually giving you one for 12 months. No end of issues arise with shorter contracts most of us have and will get). And then yes to the need for Visa runs. Been there, done that - despite having a degree.

Sometimes a school doesn't want to do the paperwork during the probationary period. Or they screw up - we had many a teacher return empty handed from Chaeng Wattana and Vientiane!

Look, you cannot get any job security over here. Certainly not as a teacher! Along comes someone from Cameroon who offers to work for 10 k less than you. Guess who your school will hire? Wonna find out?

You CAN live on 10 k if that's necessary and save that way. You CAN teach at language schools if you are any good and live in a larger town. You COULD return to Germany and see if you can land a job there?

NO JOB SECURITY. Read it aloud 10 times a day.

Now, how about answering some posters' questions? Some went to great length to provide you helpful info.

Would you be mobile? Leave Sisaket and work in a neighboring country? I've gone down this path...

Peter, the impermanence of things over here is something you will know by now?

Everything is in flux: panta rhei... Everything is changing. As you are changing yourself, too.

Thanks to LostinIsaan for his helpful and practical tips. Just do it and don't worry about irrelevant stuff like being able to do this for more than the next semester.

Right now, schools are screaming out for teachers!

Give it your best shot and live in the moment. It might end in a few months or in a few years. Chances are that you won't be staying at any school fo longer than a couple of years

Explanation #2: he was high on yaba. There is no telling what such addicts do or why. I saw a man dig up the street outside his apartment when some manic need to work overcame him...

Sometimes, a bodily reaction can be frightfully quick. Maybe he's soiled his pants?

I'd rather be naked than seen with soiled pants!

But what's puzzling is what alerted the community to one man's potential plight?!?

I found that them knowing someone better makes it easier for them to open up and speak.

That's why I created a Facebook.

The jury is still out whether that was a mistake.

Am being added as family member etc., but what the heck. am trying to put the customers first. They pay my salary (ultimately, if not literally).

Weeks before my B-Visa was to expire, I alerted HR via e-mail to the need for "documents". Got the WP and needed i. a map showing the school's location and ii. and iii. the contract? Just a few additional documents.

Got the replky: "this is not my business".

When my B-Visa expired, i had no choice but to leave Thailand. This must have been perfectly clear to HR as they have other foreign teachers...

Hope someone can answer some questions?

• No matter what - drunk on the job? Useless, whatever - there should be a proper procedure for terminating an employee. Is that correct?
• By forcing me to abandon my job the common "3 days' absent" clause was triggered. but then, I think this doesn't count when it has been an act of interntional obstruction by HR! (I showed up at Immigration with my passport and the WP, but was turned away).
• They have not communicated at all. No call, no Facebook message (or reply), no e-mail.
• Then the September salary wasn't paid.
• I would expect they will have to terminate me properly. Yes, they have my condo's address and my wife will receive mail sent there. That's the 25,000 Baht question.

Assuming I'm accused of some terrible act justifying an immediate dismissal. Guys, put it in writing and serve it upon me!

They had 120 days = probationary period and I'd like to claim severance, payment for time worked and payment in lieu of notice. Moreover, I'd like to get a proper termination letter (or however this is done - I'd accept an e-mail).

A fellow teacher in my town told me last night on FB that he hasn't gotten paid either. He's been working for an agency for 4 months and they have ignored all queries. His government school had paid the agency...

OT: in a neighboring country, a friend making $ 450 at a supermarket hasn't been paid in months! What's up with this?!?

How about going after the bribe takers (demanders)?!

Let them lose their job? Oh no, no matter what?

Do you recall the case when national security had been undermined by high ranking Immigration policemen who were running some Visa scam?

No loss of their pensions etc., oh no.

For credibility, Thailand needs to change a lot more to put an end to all this.

Well, I'd look for a) FMV fair market value and proof of actual payment with subesequent spending of the monies by the seller. Not just a one-off transaction and a cash withdrawal an hour later of the full amount.

What makes this a lucratyive deal?

How much is such a higher ranked cop earning? Just wondering.

A nice round sum, 5 million Baht, eh?

The shoddiest concrete work I ever saw was for staff houses built at a government hospital in Udon Thani province. Words fail me to describe the crumbling mess, the bad forms and "workmanship". Seems they hire anyone literally as construction worker?!? And no one tests what's being sold as "concrete"?

By comparison, what I've seen in Vietnam is of a much higher standard.

***

Early this year, government schools were on a spending spree. Paint was splashed all over side walks and lots of planting went down. Meanwhile, the broken PVC water pipes leading to our students having no running water in toilets... It's a disgrace how money gets wasted! Some schools even lack a chair and a table for each student, i kid you not.

Sorry this happened - a terrible ordeal!

FYI, I've had my very worst experience in HCMC. Dealing with a nasty woman who clearly hated life in general or just foreigners.

I had a free flight with Emirates but she wanted a printed and confirmed reservation, showing that I had a flight booked leaving the kingdom after 60 days.

AFAIK, don't bother with the embassy in HCMC, unless this individual (she was alone and I was the only customer at the time) was removed. Some people just enjoy denying others what they need.

Just rely on the grapevine. It works wonders around a school.

The last few times, I'd no SD to pay. But always suggest you transfer money into the LL's account.

(Had trouble in the past when I had handed over cash in advance and without a receipt).

Get a meter reading - or you might get hit with someone else's usage.

Shop around is all I can say - you might be amazed how low some LLs can go

Just get those arrest warrants and get those collars! Over the years, I've been wondering what's up with those announcements?! Warnings to the perps, or what? A hope they will come forward to get lesser sentences? am not getting it.

Nor do I understand why the hell they need 3 more days if they know what they appear to know!!

I don't understand all this. Decide what wage you aare eilling to work for, sign that into a contract. If they switch it up on the Thai contract and you receive less in you pay, politely tell them they have until next pay period to back pay and full pay according to terms they signed. In writing, notice to vacate position according to contract. If that doesn't happen, leave.

Go to labor board, get your money.

Leave Thailand. What are you people doing here making under 40k anyway <deleted>. 28k for 40 hours teaching 50 kids, plans, exams, reoprts. 28, 25k 555.

The Labour Board may tell you that they are not gonna get involved, period. Nor will Labour Court do more than point you to Administrative Court (if you are fighting a government school).

Few do it for the money. It can be totally rewarding. Usually, it is, despite admin and attempts to reduce one's salary.

***

OT: the first Thai I ever had dealings with was an engineer making 50,000 Baht. He drove a VW Passat and I could save him 67% on OEM parts. He would have me bring in a lot of stuff. Helicopter simulator with pedals and all etc. But then some pattern emerged. He would always somehow rip me off, short-change me or pay a fraction of the agreed price. (Never a mark-up - it was not something i did to make a quick buck).

Possibly, this is a clever Thai's way - starting the negotiations after the other side has delivered the goods? (Here on TV, there was a story about high end microphones and how much those cost... Delivered prior to the paperwork having been signed).

Someone who has been here for long may elucidate this further.

I think a good choice for you would be to fly to Penang and apply for a multi-entry non-imm B visa.

So, whatever it happens withe the tax situation, you can legally work, extended your work permit, and get 90 days with just a border hop.

Errm, how is this possible without paperwork from the employer?

TBH, I don't understand the tax issue - can it be a red herring? You got the WP?

FYI, I was told that a Non-B Visa can o n l y be estended by 7 days.

Good luck!

Join the club. My school even had the documents (and they have been doing this for years for all their foreign employees). The bottom line is, I had to leave the country. Am in breach of my contract and after 3 days being AWOL my job will be toast. OTOH, by not doing their part, they should bear some responsibility.

Seems like a passive-aggressive way to f i r e someone on the sly.

Having worked >120 days, severance will be payable. But by forcing the foreign employee to abandon a job and leave the country, they might try not paying any of this, including time worked. Who knows?

They let me go to Immigration with just the WP. The very last day I was lawfully in Thailand.

No chance => I paid 3 days' overstay and now worry about not being let back in at the airport.

Tell me, are you sure they really, truly want you to keep working their? Action speaks louder than words.

Something tells me, they want you not to come back. It may not be the boss who doesn't like you...

Good luck!

Many ads are written by folks who are "not from this world" 15,000 B and MA Ed / PhD. Or they expect a stampede of foreign teachers on some open day in the sticks. ** Forget professional courtesy like responding to a question which in turn shows the applicant is at least considering the position. ** Many months later, one may get a call...

Weeks ago, I sent an urgent e-mail to my HR contact and the HoD, asking specifically for the documents to change the Non-B Visa at Immigration. Yesterday, the school's van was making runs and I was graciously allowed to get on. Some other teacher had business at Immigration as well. Alas, without the documents, they wouldn't process my request.

That B-Visa will expire this week and this is going to be me last day.

Upon return (after having wasted 5 hours on this trip which had been doomed from the start) I got a Facebook message about those documents now being ready at the Vize Director's office.

Well, with xx hours left before I'm facing overstay or arrest and deportation (depending on the circumstances), I booked a one-way flight out of Thailand.

They say they want me to work here - but getting this paperwork "sorted" is beyond an organization's capability?!? While I don't know what exactly Immigration will want to see (besides the WP, a map showing the location of the school and the contract), they know. As every year, the very same thing is coming up for every foreigner in their employ!

Okay, they may hire someone else. But it takes more than hiring people. Keeping them would also make sense.

No, it is not a matter of the contract not being renewed. The contract is in effect until the end of April. I have been involved in the termination of a number of employees, but the warnings were specific and involved reasonable (and sometimes legal) consequences to the teacher's action. With those that they simply want to get rid of, it's usually a matter of waiting until the contract is up and not renewing it.

Many schools bank on the fact that most teachers simply do not have the time or resources to pursue a legal battle -- there are too many problems with finding a new job, keeping a visa or work permit etc.. This person, if he decides to pursue a case, have all the time in the world to do so.

Staying at the school is not really an option. If he was so bad, why did he stay for so many years?

At any rate, he will need to decide what to do. Basically, I just haven't seen too many people let go in the middle of a contract without some justification.

Proper notice is required. What does the contract state? I've signed a 3 months' mutual notice period clause in the past.

More recently, some weird passage about the Ministry of finance having some say in it crept into it.

Forgot whether this is a private or a government school? But then, one call to Labour Court (only for private employers!) will clarify that part.

No notice => it's gonna be the school's problem. "We s a i d this or that months ago"? Tough, you are out of luck!

The guy should fight for compensation and seek a new start somewhere else.

@LostinIsaan, promises are rarely kept. Photos aren't forwarded to you and books won't get returned.

One director rented us out to do English Camps. For an extra Saturday at some neighboring village school, the pay was 500 B. (I love these English Camp and gladly helped a private school which paid 200 B per day). another director overwhelmed all new-starts by asking us to hold a seminar. Turns out that would use up half of our Autumn holidays! At least those would be p a i d. My school now claims some regulation forbids them paying foreigners "when they are not actually working". (That's a 4.0 for creativity right there) Turns out he thought he might attract paying school teachers for this seminar. But we ended up teaching our M4-6 students instead.

For the B-Visas, the Chinese girl who had studied for years in Thailand and spoke the language and me had to go to Chaeng Wattana. The director insisted on a female chaperone. It was utter failure as the paperwork was incomplete. So the girl cum chaperone were paid to return, while I had to go to Vientiane. The Chinese teacher got every part of her trip paid for. But I was only getting 500 B. The excuse was that government regulation forbids them from paying for travel in a foreign country. (Have strong views on the need to send a bodyguard on a CHAN TOUR VIP bus to Bangkok. And that teacher was half my age, spoke Thai and being Chinese had probably some Kung &lt;deleted&gt; moves which would make any attacker regret they tried).

Every school has some level of Thainess, apathy and lack of functionality. Our school has had the water turned off for a week at the boys' toilets. WHY?!? The stench in unbearable. And the government school I visited for the provincial competition had water spouts for eavery urinal and working wash basins. (Those have been out of order the last few years by the look of things). Hygiene? Who cares!

Meetings? You bet! But those will be in Thai.

But no discussions of the curriculum, of classes and brainstorming on how to improve things at our special program. (80,000 Baht Sony TV so that English teachers can watch Thai shows? Granted! Water for the toilets? Nope, it's not a necessity, apparently)

I am sorry, but ethics, or professional ethics are almost by definition an intrinsic attribute.

Op is not being ethical professionally. Saying "well, they are worse" is the exact opposite of what profesional ethics is all about.

He or she can cut and run if they want, but make no mistake it is neither profesional nor ethical.

For the record, I never said "they are worse". It is an implication you have drawn based upon the replies of others. It isn't a "cut and run" either. In a professional environment there would be no question about October being paid as it has been earned. As far as "ethical" concerns, we are way beyond that in my circumstance. A person can only take being shat upon for so long, then she has taken all the shat she will stand for.

Sounds pretty clear cut to me. If you did the right thing they would screw you over anyway. You know the individual school and its ways of dealings more than any poster here. My only concern for you is that you may need a reference for your next job in the UK. Because my previous school did me over I wrote a letter of recommendation saying how great I was and made them print on headed paper and sign it. If I was in England I would have made a legal claim against them for not paying me the final two months but I knew here it's a waste of time.

Regarding your last sentence: Why don't you find out for yourself? How can you possibly k n o w whether something will be "a waste of time"?

I regret the perpetuation of this myth. It's rewarding the very worst behavior by greedy directors or whoever else has some personal financial interest in such an outcome.

One school wouldn't give me a contract or bother with a WP. I tried to force the issue and they prefered that I left, as they never ever botherd with any of these things over the years.

Not paying me was just another thing they have perfected over the years. So I filed a law suit and they hired an attorney (wasting more money than it would have cost to just pay me for time worked). Bizarre arguments about me being hired help etc. Then they began some serious back-paddling regarding the days they stiffed me for. No idea, how this will play out. But if the scoundrel ever gets the choice again I bet he will pay the foreigner rather than try and squeeze the toothpaste back into the tube and then having to pay up as well!

Well, yesterday was my first provincial competition. It drew quite a crowd. Our school hired 3 buses and there were dozens of other schools...

Had to be a judge in the multi skills competition. Speaking, listening and describing a picture with words.

The topic they had to write about was recycling. a minimum of 150 words was desired. Some wrote 100% off topic (introducing themselves instead). Others managed just about 20 words. While a few produced remarkable essays. (Who in their right mind gives the same 5 points for "grammar" as for the "concept"?!?

TBH, with this kind of grading system, the whole idea get perverted.

Then there were some who were incredibly nervous. Two of these girls could speak all right. But nerves got them tongue tied.

Then there were some who couldn't or wouldn't answer a single question. Why did they come? who sent them - and why?

There were 5 judges. Not sure the truly best student won. 2 were head-to-head. One wrote a fantastic essay. Enumerating facts and ideas like a native student at the university level. While another one wrote more and also used good language.

Personally, I would have loved to say something encouraging to each and every one of those girls. (Not a single boy showed up. I wonder, why?).

It was a tough week. How would you feel if someone who cannot even read properly is engaged in story-editing and heavy handed backseat driving?!? The pecking order plays a role. and since I had to train a fantastic student, it didn't really impact her (likely) winning. Let's grab some lime light and hope the glory will rub off onto me (or what are such Thai teachers thinking? Any ideas?)

Me telling the Thai dancer how to improve on their dancing routine?! But hey, who needs to understand something when it comes to pulling rank?!? And it pains me to see how much higher substandard English speaking Thai teachers are regarded vs someone who clearly knows a subject better and can actually tell a story properly.

Among those judges was a new graduate from KK university. A Thai-Chinese lady with superb English. Alas, she will be making less than 40% in her first year AFAIK. There you have something that is very wrong with Thai education. They somehow do not recognize true ability! The 4.0 grade is another example. It's far too wide. And it's unfair to the very best students who score >95/100.