Advice for the future of a Thai/British citizen

[Rc2702]

Why not come to Thailand and just focus on learning thai and get that aced. Your 18 you need not think about a real career until 25 and by having thai citizenship, language and excellent english skills. You become a very valuable commodity in thailand and those three should overcome the degree in many fields.

 

Mate of mine was a barman at the bbc (lounge where bbc workers drink) within 2.5 years he was head of post production. All he had was a very sharp head for organisation and could drink like a beast. He managed all the staff with degrees.

 

I know of plenty of situations like the bbc example. 

 

Give yourself 7 years of whatever, don't stand still try a lot and you should land on your feet but if thailand is definitely where your heart is, you must get to grips with Thai ASAP.

 

 

[Icha]

Sorry about the mis-info on conscript. Upon checking, it was about the army career and not conscription.

[sandemara]

No Thai language, a privileged existence, thinking about finding a new life in Thailand.

A lamb set loose in the forest.

[greenchair]

A degree means everything here. 

They don't care if it's a degree in watching TV. 

They want a degree. 

No degree. no job. 

The exception is pattaya. 

You don't need a degree to sell ass. 

[rickudon]

Obviously, living in the UK is easier as you have a welfare state providing a safety net and wages, compared to Thailand, are good. As you do not seem academically inclined  i would forget about University in the UK - unless you are studying a course which gives you  a specialised skill (e.g. medicine, engineering, possibly science or applied science) getting a good job is not that easy - as my son has found out - a generalist degree, even if first class and from a good university, now means practically nothing - half his friends are still doing mediocre jobs they could have started a career in at 18. And remember student loans now leave you with a massive debt that will hang like a sword of damocles over you for the next 30 years. Find a skilled vocational job you enjoy (electrician, plumber,  mechanic, what ever) and try and get trained for that. There is always work available if you have a skill.

 

Downside of the UK is high cost of living, high rents and even higher house prices. You will never starve, but hard to get rich.

 

If, after much thought, you do decide to come to Thailand, it will not be easy. Obviously you must learn Thai - and well. As for work, it should be fairly easy to get work in tourism related jobs, and you may eventually progress. But pay is poor and not much of a welfare state. If you do decide to come, first save up enough money in the UK to ensure you can return to the UK if things do not work out - you would need a minimum of about 3,000 GBP. Keep on good terms with your British relatives - if you return they may be able to give you that little bit of help and advice which could make all the difference to restarting. Finally get whatever education and vocational training you can before leaving the UK - much harder to do once your 25 plus.

 

Your young and the bright lights beckon - But UdonThani itself is not a bad place in Thailand to live - somewhat friendlier and slower pace of life. I live there, and i am content.

[FrankLDN]

Thanks for all of your replies guys! I apologise for not replying until now. I have been quite busy recently but I have managed to read through all of your replies and form a better idea of what I want to do.

 

On 06/09/2017 at 8:22 AM, Aussieroaming said:

If you dont like school then get an appretiship, no shame it having a trade. Go to Thailand and you will end up with JS. 

On 06/09/2017 at 3:41 PM, Dene16 said:

A very close school friend of mine was similar to yourself left school with 11 Gcse's all a and b's but flunked college.

Your qualifications will get you a very good apprenticeship in the UK. It will give you the opportunity to come and go from Thailand as you please later

Alternatively look for jobs companies that may have postings in Thailand. Your not stupid so do your research.

Use the time in the UK to learn Thai it will open numerous  doors  if you still decide  to come

It's not for me to say it can't be done, as it has, but there is little chance of success and will make it hard to return.

Especially without parents to support you in the UK

Working with your cousin's is not an option 

I don't believe you realise how hard it will be for you (assuming they are doing hard manual work in hot conditions)

I have been looking into apprenticeships recently and I've been strongly considering it. If I do decide to take on an apprenticeship it probably wont be in a trade as that doesn't sound very appealing to me. I've seen a few apprenticeships in accounting, finance, and other related fields which have decent pay and only require GSCEs so I may look further into those. As for my family in Pattaya, I've never consider working with them. It's more just having them around and being able to see them. Most of my uncles work as motorcycle taxi drivers, and while they do make fairly decent money by Thai standards (around 1000 baht per day), it doesn't sound like something I would want to do and I don't see many prospects in that line of work. I'm very close to my cousins and I probably wouldn't mind living with them but I won't be able to follow the same career path as them since they're all female. All of them looked after me very well every time I visited. I see them as sisters rather than cousins.

 

On 06/09/2017 at 4:35 PM, JungleBiker said:

Regarding conscription, I doubt the Thai forces would want you if you can't understand the orders being shouted at you. 

 

Being fluent in English (native speaker) and not needing a work permit, I think there would be quite a few interesting job openings for you here working for companies that need your language ability (tourism, export, etc).

 

(You don't need to know Thai to teach English. You just need to know how to teach English.)

On 06/09/2017 at 6:46 PM, HHTel said:

People have suggested you work as an English teacher.  Forget it.  Although you've been brought up in the UK, you will not be classed as a native English speaker.  Over here you are Thai and will get Thai wages.

 

When I went to get my Thai ID last year, I did have to see the recruiters about conscription. They did actually say to my mother that I may be able to get out of it based on the fact that I don't speak Thai, but I'm not sure if that excuse would still work if I learn to speak Thai by the time I go back. Something also came up about a certain fee that could be paid to get out of conscription if they do decide that I'm eligible to serve in the military.

 

My father actually suggested to me that I take a CELTA course and teach English in Thailand. I did do a little bit of research into it but it appears that all of the job listings for English teachers in Thailand require a university degree as well as a CELTA or TEFL certification. I'm not sure if these requirements apply to Thai nationals but regardless, I don't think teaching is something I'd like to get into.

 

I have taken on all of your advice and decided that as much as I would like to move to Thailand, staying in London is the better option for me. For the time being I will carry on with my current job as my manager has given me a small opportunity for advancement. I think I will take a year to get myself together before I restart my education. Hopefully a year of living alone will give me the discipline to get through A levels and university, but if I still feel that the academic route is not for me by the end of next year, I will most likely look into apprenticeships.

 

My parents have said they will not be able to support me financially if I stay in London as my father will be using his pension for himself to live in Thailand and my mother doesn't have any savings and probably won't be working when she goes back. I currently make around £1400 a month after taxes but hopefully this will increase if everything goes well at my current job. I recently opened a stocks and shares ISA and will be investing £500 a month into index funds. The property that I'm hoping to move into when my parents leave is a small one bedroom flat in zone 2/3. It's a lot smaller than my current residence of course, but it seems quite cosy. Rent will be £130 a week, not including bills and utilities. I think I should be able to live a comfortable lifestyle while at the same time making investments for my future, even without financial support from my parents.

 

Again, thank you everyone for all of the advice. It has been much appreciated. If anyone has any comments on the decisions that I have now made I will be glad to hear them.

[HHTel]

Well done.  I think you've got your brain working well and seriously assessing the best for your future.  My daughter is a similar age to you (19) and moved to London almost a year ago.  She's an assistant manager of a Thai restaurant in Putney. (Pinto Thai).  She picks up about the same as you or a little bit less.  She's sharing a flat paying about the same as you (125 quid I think) and manages a social life and even putting money away in the bank.  She's very happy with her lot.  You could look her up if you're ever in that area.  Her name's Vicky.

Good Luck.

[meatboy]

reading the above post,well done.you've got your brain working well.NOT WORKING WELL ENOUGH you mean.

his earnings is 1,400 a month after tax.

invested 500 quid on a isa.

rent         520quid a month.

that leave's 380quid for all your bills,then there's your living expence's,traveling exs,entertainment, ect.that and any other bills you need to pay,is all out of 95quid a week.

[FrankLDN]

8 hours ago, meatboy said:

reading the above post,well done.you've got your brain working well.NOT WORKING WELL ENOUGH you mean.

his earnings is 1,400 a month after tax.

invested 500 quid on a isa.

rent         520quid a month.

that leave's 380quid for all your bills,then there's your living expence's,traveling exs,entertainment, ect.that and any other bills you need to pay,is all out of 95quid a week.

Thank you for your concern. I have already considered these things. Water and electric etc. will be paid every 3 months and shouldn't cost more than £200. I won't be having TV or a landline. I may pay for broadband but that should be fairly inexpensive. Travel to and from work should cost me £80 a month. I don't eat out much so food won't be a huge expense and I don't believe basic commodities will run me over budget. I'm not a particularly lavish spender so I should be able to keep on budget while having some spare cash to enjoy myself. If you believe I have missed any considerable expenses please let me know so I can adjust my budget.

 

Thank you.

[rickudon]

Good to see that some thought has gone into this. Whatever you decide long term, good luck.