Teaching in Thailand after age sixty

[KhunFred]

14 hours ago, My Thai Life said:

Actually, bwpage3 has made a very valid point. The idea of working as an unqualified inexperienced foreign teacher in Thailand to support someone in the US is clearly nuts.

 

 

Why is it "nuts" for family members to pitch in money to help out another family member who is handicapped? No mention was made of "supporting" this individual. He needs some temporary help and many of us are helping him. I assume you would do something for one of your family members.

[DavisH]

On 7/13/2018 at 7:38 AM, dinsdale said:

For Thais.

In the government system. Plenty of teachers work in private schools and are over 60. 

[DavisH]

On 7/13/2018 at 1:46 PM, KhunFred said:

Very helpful idea,JWRC. I am not familiar with the pay scales and assumed that I would need to teach full time to make 15 thousand baht a month. Although I am now on a retirement extension, I will probably marry my girlfriend and as I understand it, that would allow me to work. There is a language center not far from where I live, but I never checked into it since I was under the impression that my age would make me unemployable under any circumstances. My field was media while I was working. I spent over forty years as a broadcaster and in news and management. I don't have any expertise in other subjects, but English is ONE thing that I had to be very proficient in, given my broadcasting background.

Some very good information. Lots of smart people on ThaiVisa.  ?

You cannot work on a retirement extension. You will need either to get extensions based on marriage (O-visa), or an extension based on working (B-visa). 

[KhunFred]

2 hours ago, DavisH said:

You cannot work on a retirement extension. You will need either to get extensions based on marriage (O-visa), or an extension based on working (B-visa). 

I am very aware of this and my girlfriend constantly reminds me that marriage can qualify me for an extension that will allow me to work. She knows the ins and outs of Thai immigration very well, since her former British boyfriend (now deceased) took her along to Immigration many times.

[Tom89]

3 hours ago, DavisH said:

You cannot work on a retirement extension. You will need either to get extensions based on marriage (O-visa), or an extension based on working (B-visa). 

If one only wants to work part time, is there a minimum number of hours one must work in order to qualify for an extension based on working (B visa)?

[DavisH]

6 hours ago, KhunFred said:

I am very aware of this and my girlfriend constantly reminds me that marriage can qualify me for an extension that will allow me to work. She knows the ins and outs of Thai immigration very well, since her former British boyfriend (now deceased) took her along to Immigration many times.

1

Yes, so you know the ins and outs already. The o-visa based on marriage may be the easiest bet. If you can drop 400K in a bank you can qualify for it, and you can choose to work or not work at your leisure. The non-b route would mean you need to be working to get it.

[DavisH]

4 hours ago, Tom89 said:

If one only wants to work part time, is there a minimum number of hours one must work in order to qualify for an extension based on working (B visa)?

I think there is a minimum, but I don't know what it is, sorry. Maybe someone else can help? 

[Changoverandout]

I’m 67 and also considering teaching but unsure of how to get a work permit.

 

i was a designer in advertising before and have only limited teaching experience in art college but could do with bolstering my pensions.

[bwpage3]

On 7/13/2018 at 9:18 PM, KhunFred said:

It is not "relatives" it is ONE relative who has a special need and is being helped by other family members. Every little bit helps. Your idea of "menial" is probably not MY idea of menial. Some people deserve my help if I can give it. This particular person certainly does.

Seems to reason, after all the costs are deducted, all your time, frustration and stress, this is not going to be worth it. Helping another is a gallant idea, however, it you have to take on a full time job to provide next to nothing financially, seems quite odd? Maybe using your efforts for a go-fund-me might be more financially viable and save you the stress and misery of trying to be a teacher in Thailand? At your age you would have to be crazy to give up your time for such a paltry amount. Helping others is always a good idea when you can afford to do so. However, if you do not have $300-$400 out of your pocket to help out, perhaps you should be helping yourself out and getting through old age without going broke. Maybe this job provides the avenue to do just that????????????????

[bwpage3]

On 7/13/2018 at 9:01 AM, JWRC said:

bwpage3

 

It's none of your business as to what kind of assistance he wants to give to his relative, Read the posters background, I am sure he is intelligent enough to work things out for himself. There are so many negative posters on TV who always want to put others down, you must lead a really sad life.

You must have flunked economics.

 

Who in their right mind, at age over 60, is going to take on a full time job for $300-$400 a month assistance?

 

And taking on this job for at least a year contract or more?

 

All the hassles of a work permit, visa, etc.

 

Like teaching Thai kids is a real privilege and joy when you don't even speak their language?

 

You?

 

There are negative posters and there are people that can add 1+1 and come out with 2

 

I put myself in the second category

 

There is nothing negative about stating the facts.

 

I am pretty sure if you are living in Thailand and you want to help out a relative to the tune of $300-$400 and you cannot dish it out of your pocket, you probably better be thinking about how you are going to help yourself survive financially in Thailand the rest of your life as cost's increase and your limited savings dwindle to nothing.

 

It may be a noble gesture, however, as stated, if you do have $300-$400 expendable income to donate, maybe the job isn't to help a relative, it is to help himself survive?

 

How many foreigners living in Thailand have less than $300-$400 (9,000 to 12,000 baht) left over in their pocket every month?

 

If you don't, you probably shouldn't be living Thailand.

 

Nothing wrong with the distinguishing the facts from the story. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[simon43]

OP, have you considered online teaching?  Although (as discussed many times), the legality of doing this in Thailand without a work permit seems a little hazy, the current situation is that the authorities consider it OK to teach online, so long as those students are not Thai.  So no costs for a WP, and no need to change your visa type from 'retirement'.

 

There are many online teaching jobs to teach young students in China - you can opt to choose teenagers or adults (typically via italki.com).

 

The hourly rates for good teachers have definitely improved over the years.  I currently teach online from Myanmar, earning $20+ per hour ?

[KhunFred]

On 7/16/2018 at 5:19 PM, bwpage3 said:

 At your age you would have to be crazy to give up your time for such a paltry amount. Helping others is always a good idea when you can afford to do so. However, if you do not have $300-$400 out of your pocket to help out, perhaps you should be helping yourself out and getting through old age without going broke. Maybe this job provides the avenue to do just that????????????????

I am hardly decrepit, despite being 68. Are you living in the 19th century??? I am helping out my girlfriend's mother with her medical bills, but I don't want to spread myself too thin. I want to build a reserve for my own medical needs. I would have worked until age 70 in the USA if I had not been forced out of my job by a downsizing. Others have mentioned the "stress" of teaching. It could not be worse than the university job that I retired from. The atmosphere was straight out of hell. Thank you for your apparent concern for us codgers.

Edited July 18, 2018 by KhunFred
clarity

[KhunFred]

On 7/15/2018 at 7:49 PM, DavisH said:

 If you can drop 400K in a bank you can qualify for it, and you can choose to work or not work at your leisure. 

Even while I was working full time, I seldom had that amount of money in the bank. I worked a low-paying field for most of my life and my retirement was made possible by a university job for the final 12 years, which provided me with an annuity and a state retirement check to go with my Social Security. Many here on Thai Visa forum seem to have had "golden parachute" retirements which gave them 400 to 800 thousand baht to drop in the bank. I did not have this advantage. I have more than enough money to take care of myself and my working girlfriend, I simply do not want to lose ground by trying to help someone who has helped me on many occasions. The individual I want to help has helped me when I could not help myself. I believe in "giving  back". I do not live on "dwindling savings". I have a guaranteed annual income from Social Security, state pension and a monthly annuity check. I use the monthly method to qualify for my extension based on retirement. I don't HAVE any "savings". The life I am living now is the reason I was putting money away for many years. I live on 2455 US dollars a month. That is not very good money anywhere in the United States. Here in Thailand, it is upper middle class.

Edited July 18, 2018 by KhunFred

[KhunFred]

On 7/16/2018 at 5:47 PM, bwpage3 said:

You must have flunked economics.

 

Who in their right mind, at age over 60, is going to take on a full time job for $300-$400 a month assistance?

 

And taking on this job for at least a year contract or more?

 

All the hassles of a work permit, visa, etc.

 

Like teaching Thai kids is a real privilege and joy when you don't even speak their language?

 

You?

 

There are negative posters and there are people that can add 1+1 and come out with 2

 

I put myself in the second category

 

There is nothing negative about stating the facts.

 

I am pretty sure if you are living in Thailand and you want to help out a relative to the tune of $300-$400 and you cannot dish it out of your pocket, you probably better be thinking about how you are going to help yourself survive financially in Thailand the rest of your life as cost's increase and your limited savings dwindle to nothing.

 

It may be a noble gesture, however, as stated, if you do have $300-$400 expendable income to donate, maybe the job isn't to help a relative, it is to help himself survive?

 

How many foreigners living in Thailand have less than $300-$400 (9,000 to 12,000 baht) left over in their pocket every month?

 

If you don't, you probably shouldn't be living Thailand.

 

The inference seems to be that if one lacks a certain income, (defined by you), then they would be better off living in the much more expensive country that they came from. It's been my observation that most who live here are NOT here because they are wealthy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bwpage3]

5 hours ago, KhunFred said:

Even while I was working full time, I seldom had that amount of money in the bank. I worked a low-paying field for most of my life and my retirement was made possible by a university job for the final 12 years, which provided me with an annuity and a state retirement check to go with my Social Security. Many here on Thai Visa forum seem to have had "golden parachute" retirements which gave them 400 to 800 thousand baht to drop in the bank. I did not have this advantage. I have more than enough money to take care of myself and my working girlfriend, I simply do not want to lose ground by trying to help someone who has helped me on many occasions. The individual I want to help has helped me when I could not help myself. I believe in "giving  back". I do not live on "dwindling savings". I have a guaranteed annual income from Social Security, state pension and a monthly annuity check. I use the monthly method to qualify for my extension based on retirement. I don't HAVE any "savings". The life I am living now is the reason I was putting money away for many years. I live on 2455 US dollars a month. That is not very good money anywhere in the United States. Here in Thailand, it is upper middle class.

Sorry Fred, if you are living paycheck to paycheck you are not upper middle class. You are surviving. Your total assets outside of savings are what? Zero? No property ownership, life insurance, annuities, cars, anything else?

 

Living as a Thai upper middle class on $2455 a month and you want to find additional income to give away 12% of your existing income? Still makes no sense. 

 

What does makes sense is that ALL you have at your old age is $2455 a month and one major medical event will wipe you out. That is dwindling savings Fred, not Thai Upper Middle Class.

 

As mentioned numerous times, wanting to help out is admirable, but at your age and income level, you best worry about not taking on a full-time stressful job and concentrating on staying healthy and happy as long as you can. Teaching others that do not understand or comprehend English will be much more difficult that you think and it is not even worth risking any health issues or an additional $300 to $400 a month.

 

It is inevitable at some point there will be major medical expenses and putting money away for those is the smart idea at your age, not helping out anyone except yourself.

 

Also, if you care about your GF, you might want to start planning for her financial welfare after you are gone.

 

Yours is an often told sad story in Thailand. Getting to retirement with barely the minimum and having to live in a third world country just to survive.

 

At $2455 a month you are just barely financially qualifying to stay in Thailand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 18, 2018 by bwpage3

[GarryP]

12 minutes ago, bwpage3 said:

Sorry Fred, if you are living paycheck to paycheck you are not upper middle class. You are surviving. Your total assets outside of savings are what? Zero? No property ownership, life insurance, annuities, cars, anything else?

 

Living as a Thai upper middle class on $2455 a month and you want to find additional income to give away 12% of your existing income? Still makes no sense. 

 

What does makes sense is that ALL you have at your old age is $2455 a month and one major medical event will wipe you out. That is dwindling savings Fred, not Thai Upper Middle Class.

 

As mentioned numerous times, wanting to help out is admirable, but at your age and income level, you best worry about not taking on a full-time stressful job and concentrating on staying healthy and happy as long as you can. Teaching others that do not understand or comprehend English will be much more difficult that you think and it is not even worth risking any health issues or an additional $300 to $400 a month.

 

It is inevitable at some point there will be major medical expenses and putting money away for those is the smart idea at your age, not helping out anyone except yourself.

 

Also, if you care about your GF, you might want to start planning for her financial welfare after you are gone.

 

Yours is an often told sad story in Thailand. Getting to retirement with barely the minimum and having to live in a third world country just to survive.

 

At $2455 a month you are just barely financially qualifying to stay in Thailand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can live very comfortably on Baht 82,000 a month. I live on quite a bit less than that (I do not pay any rent).  Obviously, health care is a concern though. 

[My Thai Life]

“I am happy not working and have enough money, but I have a relative in the United States who desperately needs my help and I would happily teach English in order to help someone who is truly deserving.”

Some people have interpreted this as meaning you want to support your hypothetical students; I had interpreted it as meaning you want to support  your relative.

 

“Why is it "nuts" for family members to pitch in money to help out another family member who is handicapped? No mention was made of "supporting" this individual. He needs some temporary help and many of us are helping him. I assume you would do something for one of your family members.” 

This paragraph seems to support my interpretation above. "Help" is a synonym for "support" in my dictionary. Moreover you cannot get a “temporary” work permit.

 

“If one only wants to work part time, is there a minimum number of hours one must work in order to qualify for an extension based on working (B visa)?

I think there is a minimum, but I don't know what it is, sorry. Maybe someone else can help?”

 There is no such thing as a part-time work permit for foreign teachers.

 

If you are receiving 2,455 USD pension per month, the simplest solution would be for you to send 500 back to your relative who needs temporary support. Then, rather than living as an "upper-middle-class" Thai, you could resign yourself to living as a middle-middle-class Thai for the period of support-help.

[MrPatrickThai]

On 7/13/2018 at 7:48 AM, brewsterbudgen said:

There is no age limit for foreign teachers; it's up to the employer.

Sent from my SM-A500F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Same for Thai teachers

[MrPatrickThai]

For those teachers over 60, when it comes to the school not renewing your year -to -year contract, there is a new law stating that over 60's now qualify for full severance pay.

[Catkiwi]

On 7/13/2018 at 10:31 AM, Mad mick said:

not anymore now is 65 yrs old

Is that for sure Mick? Do you know when that changed from 60 to 65?

[MrPatrickThai]

On 7/18/2018 at 12:14 PM, KhunFred said:

I live on 2455 US dollars a month. That is not very good money anywhere in the United States. Here in Thailand, it is upper middle class. 

Being from the USA, you have absolutely no idea of class system.

 

Thai upper-middle class would be on something like 200k a month minimum, along with say 50 + million in assets.

[NanLaew]

12 minutes ago, MrPatrickThai said:

Thai upper-middle class would be on something like 200k a month minimum, along with say 50 + million in assets.

Phew!... made it.

[MrPatrickThai]

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Phew!... made it.

Foreigners don't even get on the Thai hierarchical social ladder.

[NanLaew]

9 minutes ago, MrPatrickThai said:

Foreigners don't even get on the Thai hierarchical social ladder.

Yes, if you say so.

 

Edited July 30, 2018 by NanLaew

[MrPatrickThai]

1 minute ago, NanLaew said:

Yes, if you say so.

 

He is a Thai citizen.

[KhunFred]

1 hour ago, MrPatrickThai said:

Being from the USA, you have absolutely no idea of class system.

 

Thai upper-middle class would be on something like 200k a month minimum, along with say 50 + million in assets.

I only know what a bank vice-president told me. He said that I have slightly more income than him. By your reckoning, a bank vice-president is a peasant.  My view of class is borne out by years of reading and communicating with Thai people, who seem to see it differently than you.

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, MrPatrickThai said:

He is a Thai citizen.

Born American and started his empire as a foreigner, assimilated nicely and was a successful businessman in Thailand and got on your so-called, "Thai hierarchical social ladder" well before becoming a local.

 

He's still a farang BTW.

[Neeranam]

1 hour ago, KhunFred said:

I only know what a bank vice-president told me. He said that I have slightly more income than him. By your reckoning, a bank vice-president is a peasant.  My view of class is borne out by years of reading and communicating with Thai people, who seem to see it differently than you.

How many years have you lived or worked here?

What a vice president of a bank get your salary certainly does not equate to his monthly income.

[KhunFred]

3 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

How many years have you lived or worked here?

What a vice president of a bank get your salary certainly does not equate to his monthly income.

Three years, but I don't qualify for "tea money" unlike bank officials. I'm sure they are able to skim off the top like a champ. Discussing "class" in reference to farangs is ridiculous because we exist outside the hiararchy. Neither fish nor fowl but still not quite human.

[Neeranam]

4 minutes ago, KhunFred said:

Three years, but I don't qualify for "tea money" unlike bank officials. I'm sure they are able to skim off the top like a champ. Discussing "class" in reference to farangs is ridiculous because we exist outside the hiararchy. Neither fish nor fowl but still not quite human.

I agree, it is ridiculous. Until they stop using the pronoun, "mun"(also used for dogs), we will never be accepted. Bill whatshisname is still not part of Thai society, as I will not be when I get citizenship next year.