benj005

Maybe the Bangladeshi janitor answered the phone.

I strongly advise you NOT to listen completely to anyone except the Thai Embassy personnel, hopefully an American working there. All this visa stuff is so idiosyncratic and changeable that the only sure way is to go to a Thai Embassy and discuss your need. There are ways with lesser surety, of course, but if this is really important to you, looks like a personal visit is in order.

No insult meant to any answerer on this venue, but we all can read various, alternate, and downright wrong advice here, so I say that "when the doctors disagree," go to the real source. Try not to delay too long after going to a Thai Embassy and making the application... not more than a month at most.

I'm leaving in 2 weeks, so I want to get on this pronto. I will take your advice and think about driving to the embassy in nyc.

You will not get a non-o visa for visiting friends anymore anywhere. That was stopped more than 2 years ago.

Ah. Got it.

Thanks.

I can tell them that I'm visiting my girlfriend?

That's ok to do?

Ya, DC is the best one for you, unless you go the mail route. i've never seen more than 5 ppl at the DC consulate. It's a quick process and they can mail back to you so you don't have to do another 4hr drive to pick up.

Ask the DC consulate for a Non-Imm O based on visiting your girlfriend. Have her send you a copy of her Thai ID card, house book and a short note explaining that you are coming to visit her. I prefer the multi-entry as you can come and go as necessary, just have to cross the border every 90 days.

BTW, where in Jersey are you from?

South Jersey. North Wildwood.

Thanks for the help.

I'm going to have to do the mail route. I don't have a car. I will overnight it UPS w/tracking number so I can get it back in a quick manner.

Thanks.

Ask the DC consulate for a Non-Imm O based on visiting your girlfriend. You can use it for up to 15 months. You can also add a work permit later if that comes up. Have her send you a copy of her Thai ID card, house book and a short note explaining that you are coming to visit her. I prefer the multi-entry as you can come and go as necessary, just have to cross the border every 90 days.

BTW, where in Jersey are you from?

Can she write that in Thai or does it have to be in English? Aslo, can she email the letter to me? Correct?

Her English isn't that great.

Thanks.

Ask the DC consulate for a Non-Imm O based on visiting your girlfriend. Have her send you a copy of her Thai ID card, house book and a short note explaining that you are coming to visit her. I prefer the multi-entry as you can come and go as necessary, just have to cross the border every 90 days.

BTW, where in Jersey are you from?

South Jersey. North Wildwood.

Thanks for the help.

Wayned,

I live in New Jersey. Does that matter?

It does not matter. But you would have to travel to Portland to apply because the honorary consulates have not been allowed to accept mail in applications for about a year now.

The nearest location for you is probably at the official consulate in New York. http://thaiconsulnewyork.com/

During my talk today with the Thai embassy in Washington DC I was told that I could send my passport to the Thai embassy in NY. I was going to send my passport and application via UPS, and with a return envelope. I did the same for when I went to South Korea.

1) Am I allowed to look for work while I'm in Thailand.

2) Once I find work can I then get a work visa?

You can look for work on a tourist visa.

A work visa does not exist. Only a work permit allows you to work here. Then you apply for a non immigrant B visa after the work permit application is done.

I would apply for the immigrant B visa once I'm able to secure work. Great. I have a teaching position setup for me in South Korea, but if I can locate a teaching position in Thailand I might stay for a year.

Thanks.

Wayned,

I live in New Jersey. Does that matter?

Read this Visa application porcedures, Portland Oregon.doc and contact Mary by phone. If used correctly a triple will get you almost 270 days with two border runs and 3 extensions, a double 180 days with one border run and two extensions. No letter required!

Wow... Thanks so much!

I will check that link out immediately.

Thank you.

1) Am I allowed to look for work while I'm in Thailand.

2) Once I find work can I then get a work visa?

I have never heard of anybody having to write a letter to submit with their visa application to justify getting a 2 entry visa.

Just an application form marked for a tourist visa with 2 in the number of entries block.

You probably could get 3 entry visa if you applied at one of the honorary consulates listed here. http://www.thaiembdc.us/dcdp/Thai_Consulate_Directory2

This is what the guy at the Thai embassy told me. He also gave me the link so I'm going to it soon.

It seems odd that they would require a letter from me stating why I'm requesting a double entry visa.

1) correct.

2.) Singe entry is for 60 days and can be extended by another 30 days. As it is a single, you can only use it once to enter Thailand.

3.) A double entry is two entries into Thailand, each entry is for 60 days and each entry can be extended by 30 days).

For the double entry visa do I need to send a letter to the Thai embassy in Washington DC? How should I state the letter? Can I say that I am attempting to find a teaching position? I want my letter to be as professional as possible.

For the single entry visa do I need special paperwork?

Thanks for your help Mario. It's appreciated.

I'm going to visit Thailand for a few weeks. I'm confused on what the rules are for visiting Thailand.

This what I know...

I'm a 44 year old American.

1) 30 day visa for visiting Thailand. You just need your passport and plane ticket.

2) Single entry visa that last 60 days. You can leave and reenter Thailand for another 60 days. You just need your passport and plane ticket.

3) A double entry visa is for 90 days. I can do a run and come back for another 90 days. This is a more complicated process.

I called the Thai embassy in Washington DC. The guy told me that if I wanted to do the double entry visa I have to send my passport with a letter stating why I am requesting a double entry visa.

I'm actually planning on living with my girlfriend in the apartment that she has picked out for us. The problem is I probably can't stay long term unless I can find a teaching position in Bangkok.

Am I correct on my 3 statements. If I am off can you please correct me.

Thank you.

I met my Thai girlfriend online while I was teaching in South Korea. This was over a year ago. Throughout the year we've met a few times while I was vacationing in Thailand. If I added up the days we have been together it would total to 1 month. 1 week vacation in summer, 1 week vacation in winter, and 2 weeks after my contract ended in South Korea.

A little about her: She is 35 years old. No children and has never been married. She's attractive as well. She doesn't have a college education, and is a hard worker. She works as a secretary for a sporting company. Sadly, she doesn't make much money.

The thing is I don't know if I gave her the correct answer. She wants me to pay for her apartment which will total $250 usd a month. I'm going back to South Korea to teach in August. She wants me to get a place for both of us mid-June. I would stay with her and then when I left for Korea I will still pay the rent while I was working in Korea. She would live in the apartment.

She keeps telling me that she is in debt. She needs help and I'm her boyfriend so I should help her. I don't like the arrangement and I flat out told her no. She got mad and told me that I'm a selfish person. We communicate thru Line and I haven't heard from her since last night. I guess she's still mad at me.

I know that I'm going to get a lot of mixed responses. I'm trying to get an idea on what other falang/Thai relationships are about. Is it all about the money? How is your relationship with your Thai girlfriend? I'm the boyfriend so should I help my girl out, and should I stop being a tight wad. What about the negatives Is this girl trying to use me? Should I be wary?

So many mixed emotions.

So, this guy with now 35 posts still has not made up his mind and banters about classroom activities. If this is not a troll, might as well be one.

No shortage of advice. No decision by OP.

I can tell you that you will not save a dime on a 30k a month job and no one is talking about hidden costs both the costs to get up a running (80-125k), a scooter in the sticks, classroom needs as Scott mentioned. B6000 plus hotel for TCC course for second waiver. Fo you require goreign food or air conditioning?

Then I do not think discussed is the fact that he gets four years and out by TCT rules at the moment.

As mentioned before, the guy is broke but has Nexus 5. Most likely on contract as well. This guy isn't going anywhere.

Teaching in Thailand shold only be undertaken by those already here and married or with some years of experience. Only entered by those with full qualifications knowing the pay and confusion. The rest are just mongers and scousers scraping an existence.

Go to Korea.

Have you even met your "girl friend", lol?

PS if you leave, you cannot go back. This is why its such a bad choice. Employment gaps of six months, you will never get work. Fudge up a job on the resume? Employers have access to tax records now. Nothing is private. Been gone more than three years and +30, good luck bro. 50? Homeless shelters for you even with a degree, there are just tons of other smart, degreed people who have a history. You are a ghost.

You don't even know if you will like or tolerate Thailand or teaching here.

The economy has changed, all I can tell you is that I personally after many years cannot go back.

What a load of negative .

I dont know why some of you guys on here dont just kill themselves with such negative outlooks on life.

Life is what you make it.

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Damn right. I've stopped hanging out with people who spout negative trash. I like to look online for inspiration. This guy has no arms and yet he works for NASCAR.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/07/23/inspiring-story-of-how-an-engineer-with-no-arms-designs-nascar-vehicles/

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So, this guy with now 35 posts still has not made up his mind and banters about classroom activities. If this is not a troll, might as well be one.

No shortage of advice. No decision by OP.

I can tell you that you will not save a dime on a 30k a month job and no one is talking about hidden costs both the costs to get up a running (80-125k), a scooter in the sticks, classroom needs as Scott mentioned. B6000 plus hotel for TCC course for second waiver. Fo you require goreign food or air conditioning?

Then I do not think discussed is the fact that he gets four years and out by TCT rules at the moment.

As mentioned before, the guy is broke but has Nexus 5. Most likely on contract as well. This guy isn't going anywhere.

Teaching in Thailand shold only be undertaken by those already here and married or with some years of experience. Only entered by those with full qualifications knowing the pay and confusion. The rest are just mongers and scousers scraping an existence.

Go to Korea.

Have you even met your "girl friend", lol?

PS if you leave, you cannot go back. This is why its such a bad choice. Employment gaps of six months, you will never get work. Fudge up a job on the resume? Employers have access to tax records now. Nothing is private. Been gone more than three years and +30, good luck bro. 50? Homeless shelters for you even with a degree, there are just tons of other smart, degreed people who have a history. You are a ghost.

You don't even know if you will like or tolerate Thailand or teaching here.

The economy has changed, all I can tell you is that I personally after many years cannot go back.

Why the sour response? I bought my Nexus 5. I don't have a contract. I pay minimal $50 a month. I got the phone because I can take it with me overseas. All I need to do is pop in a Sims card and I'm set.

I have an interview with an international school this week. I'm going to take the interview and I will see what transpires. I have located a few special ed positions in Thailand. I have emailed them and asked if they are currently hiring. If I'm not able to land a position I have decided that I will go back to Korea. I have talked it over with my gf and this is the best option to make money.

Finally, who said I was broke? I made enough money in South Korea to last me a while.

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Good point above about the printer. Print your own stuff and forget about the school office. The less contact you have with the Admin the happier everyone will be. When the class is going nuts and bashing each other and threatening to throw people out of the windows all you have to do is give them something to color. Thai kids of all ages love to color. Even in college. Colored pencils are cheap. No one uses crayons, maybe too hot. Have extra pencils for the poor kids.

Give them something to color? Wow. If I attempted to do that in Korea I would have been fired. Thanks for the input.

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An inflammatory post has been removed. Please stay on topic.

The timing for coming to Thailand is not particularly good as most schools will be staffed or nearly staffed. That said, there are always openings throughout the year. You mentioned that your GF is from Korat, but I am not sure where you plan to locate. If you are in Bangkok, there are always openings. It might take you some time to get settled into a job, but even if you take one that is less than what you want, you will have both feet on the ground for the next academic year. You will also have a clearer picture of what is happening in your personal life.

You are eligible for a non-immigrant B visa when you have a teaching job and you are eligible for the Teacher's License. You are way ahead of others on the curve.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

My girlfriend is from Korat, but she works and lives in Bangkok. I was considering doing a double entry visa. Hopefully, this should give me plenty of time to find a job. Thanks.

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"I do have a teaching license so I'm in a different position from most people who are just there with a bachelor's degree. "

The problem with that assumption is that your license won't help you more than getting a local license. You won't get better pay just because you have a degree in special needs education. You are not a subject teacher, so you are not qualified to teach at international schools. If you get a job at an international school it will be a low ranked one at best. You don't seem to have a lot of experience teaching for someone who is 40+. You don't mention having home country experience and if you cannot get a job teaching in the US, you will not likely get hired at a good paying international school.

You will get a job, for that I am certain. You will not be making more than 40k baht a month, in Bangkok you might earn 50k if you are lucky.

I don't think the posters here know how many people working in Thailand have degrees in education. I have met 100's. My last school only paid 35k baht a month in CM and every teacher had a teacher's license.

You will survive. You may have a better daily life then back in NJ. You will most likely get burnt out after 1-2 years because no matter how much you work, you will not have much left over at the end of the year. If you save more than 100k baht a year, I would be surprised. Which may seem a lot but if your relationship goes somewhere and you start a family, you will be in dire straights. Work for a year or so in Thailand and then go abroad to teach. Korea, China both have better opportunities for saving. Korea would be ideal because your GF can easily get a visa and come with you.

Since you are definitely coming. Good luck and have fun. Keep your expectations low and you won't be dissapointed.

I disagree. A few International schools are starting to cater to special needs students. I have a friend who works with GEMS International School in Dubai. They have a special needs teacher. I know a few other people who are working in international schools and they have just opened a special needs classroom. Granted, the scene is different than it is in America. It's special ed lite. Still, special needs is something that is catching on in Asia. I think it puts me in a unique position. The majority of people who are teaching in Asia don't have special education degrees.

I taught for a year in the states, and I was a teacher's aide for 2 years. I started college later in life. I didn't go to college right out of highschool.

I guess not having a subject degree puts me in an odd position. It's also how I'm able sell myself. I have a buddy who is currently teaching at a good International school in China. The only experience he has is 7 years of hagwon (private academy) in Korea. He doesn't even have a teacher's degree. There are thousands of schools in China, so I would assume its easier to find a teaching position there.

Finally, it kinda irks me when people tell me that teacher pay sucks in Thailand. Maybe it does but you need to remember that you're in Thailand. Most Thais don't make $40k baht a month. I think we need to stop looking at the pay scale as if we are still living in an industrialized country. I know plenty of people who make $50k a year in New Jersey and they are still struggling to support their families. They have $3k in monthly mortgages. They pay $9k a year in taxes. Both parents need to work. Also, we are seeing a lot of good Americans slip right into poverty. The largest concentration ever. America isn't what it used to be.

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You could always do what the young people do. Make a living on you tube! Become a you tube celebrity. The biggest trend now is doing prank videos. A couple of guys do prank videos and make good money.

Maybe you could do a prank video in Thailand? Lol

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You guys make it seem like its easy to find good paying work in America. The times are changing. The good paying jobs have been replaced with minimum wage positions. If you think that you're going to come home and find a $50k a year job you are in for a difficult time. Especially if you've been overseas for an extended period of time. For instance, if you want to pursue a teaching job you're going to have to sub for a while. And there are no guarantees. Schools are getting 300-500 applications for one teacher job.

Age discrimination happens quite often in America. If you're over 50 and looking for work you will probably have a difficult time.

Government pensions are a thing of the past. They have been replaced by 401k. My brother works for the post office. He has a 401k that he contributes to, and the post office matches what he puts in. I don't have this, so I just recently opened an IRA Roth account. I'm 44 years old and I don't have much in the bank. I can tell you that I will not be retiring at 60. I'm going to be working until 70-72. By this time I should have almost 30 years of ROTH IRA savings. This is how I plan to save for retirement.

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You better go back to that job in Korea if possible. Send me a PM and I will give you job lead in the Middle East. The best idea is getting the best job you can now where ever that might be so you can save for retirement. You need to make your own decisions with your brain, not other parts of your body so do not do what a GF wants unless you think thats best for you. The economy is terrible in the USA with an over supply of teachers in many areas. I was reading on the net that China has now passed the USA as the worlds largest economy. It was predicted in 2019 but came early due to facts and a change in the method they calculate. Good luck!

You are correct. The economy is still horrible in America. I'm in Jersey and Governor Christie has waged a war against teachers. He has made it very difficult to land a teaching position, and competition is fierce. Too many applicants and not enough teaching positions. When I worked at an elementary school in NJ we would get 300 resumes for one lousy job.

I'm not thinking with my tool. I'm beyond that at this stage in my life. My goal is to possibly get setup in Thailand and I would go from there. I think meeting people will benefit me. I don't have to stay in Thailand forever.

I will PM you when I get home. I'm currently out. Thank you.

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