(yet another) farang that wants to live in Thailand

[DesperatePat]

Hello everyone.
This is my first post so sorry for the noob-like mistakes I gonna make in this post (and sorry if I missed the correct sub-forum).

 

A little about me:
-Argentinean, living in Argentina. 23 years old, working in the IT world since 20 (mainframe, no fun and good-looking modern things). No degree, just started University this year (I know, I started late. I took too much time to decide what to study)
My English isn't the best, nor the worst (Spanish is spoken in Argentina, for those who wonder). Planning on seriously learning Thai on my own (with help of YouTube and uncle Google, plus talking with some Thais thru phone).

 

Idk exactly how to write this post but I gonna go straight to the point (or try to): I want to live in Thailand (well just what the title says).

 

Came here in 2018, stayed 10 days (few in Nakhon Ratchasima, in a rural area, few in Bangkok and few in Krabi). Now, as I'm writing this (22/03/2020), I'm going back to my country (if Covid allows!... right now I'm on Dubai airport...) after spending 23 days in Maha Sarakham (In the main district. Didn't travel intra-thailand too much: personal reasons).

 

The thing is: I want to live in Thailand. I'm not worried too much about exactly where: It can be in the "downtown" part of Bangkok, or in the most rural possible place, I don't mind about it (I would like to go to Ubon Ratchathani tho, for... personal reasons).

 

After reading quite a lot (but not enough I guess... never is enough!), I came to the conclusion that moving to live here gonna be -impossible- for me right now (in the short-mid term I mean).

Because:
-I don't have a degree.
-My working experience is >3 years, not that much. Also, there aren't precisely many job positions/offers that I could cover/apply to (I mean, mainframe developer jobs).
-I'm no way a "rich farang", nor my salary is a king-like salary compared to that of a Thai salary (remember: I'm from Argentina, not some wealthy EU country), so I couldn't come and "open a company" in "the Land of Smiles" (I read about opening maybe a restaurant but you need like 2M baht and well, there's nothing I can do there).

 

Well so, plain and simple, my question is: is there any (legal) way to go and move there? Marriage? (from what I understand, a O-Visa doesn't guarantee anything to me: I wouldn't get a job with it, still would need the Work Permit).

 

And there's not much more... I think (maybe) there's still a "hidden card" for me that I didn't read about yet. But looks like all I can do is to get a darn degree and then, degree + working experience + Thai language in my vocabulary, I will be able to get a job there....

 

BUT: (for personal reasons), I'm not picky about the jobs I could (legally) get in Thailand. What I'm saying with this is:
-If I could work in a 7-11, I would do it.
-If I could work as an "cook assistant" in a street food "restaurant", I would do it.
-If I could work as a waiter in a restaurant, I would do it.
-If I could work cleaning, I would do it.

-ANY (legal) Job would do it for me. No, I mean, seriously, any job would do it.

That is, I'm not worried about having a "good salary" (remember: my salary is already quite lame and sad, while working in a "good and clean" office, which I'm tired off, the office I mean, but that's for another post: I don't to bother you all more than I'm doing already).

 

So that's all, I (tried) to make it the shortest I can (trust me, it's very difficult for me to create short posts in forums. In The Wall Master)

 

Any advice, memory, story to tell, rant, insult, or whatever you have that could enlight me or confirm what I already know, will be infinitely appreciated.

 

PS: if anyone wonder what "personal reasons" are, I think you can guess very easily.

[WineOh]

Stay in Argentina mate.

if your aspirations are to work in a 7/11 here then you are in for a rude awakening. 

[CharlieH]

You need to read the "prohibited to foreigners" or restricted occupations list, that will tell you all the jobs you cannot do.

You need to speak Thai ideally if you are going to try to work for any Thai companies. Your best hope would be a foreign company based here, but that wont be easy.

 

Without a job or a good level of money behind you, its a non starter.

 

Good luck.

[UncleMhee]

Marriage, a non O extension of stay, based on that will get you a work permit......after that; up to you. 

 

Think carefully & good luck!!

Edited March 22, 2020 by UncleMhee

[steven100]

Argentina's the place for you my friend. Stay put, you need cash to live in Thailand, and there are no jobs for foreigners in areas you mentioned.  

[Lacessit]

Come back to us in about 20 years, when you have saved enough to afford Thailand. Change your job in Argentina, if you are sick of it.

 

[Kadilo]

Your girlfriend in Korat will have to wait I’m afraid. 
 

I’m guessing you may have a sprog on the way too, hopefully not.  

Edited March 22, 2020 by Kadilo

[CharlieH]

Flame post removed.

[AussieBob18]

Agree with all - and also wonder if click bait post. Assuming not anyway.

Dont.  You will ruin your life. Fact.

No one suceeds here at your age without lots of money - no one.

Finish Degree - get the work you like after Degree - keep job until then.

Visit Thailand (GF) each year - dont stay - visit.

You are young male = means you are stupid = we have all been there.

Long way to go mate - 20 years at least - enjoy your youth while it lasts.

Get a career - get some wealth - get some experience - then move here. 

Do you want kids??  Yes=stay in Argentina.  No=get a vasectomy (they can be reversed).

 

[nemo38]

You should use your lust to propel you forward in your career, or in whatever way will make you money at home. It is going to be easier for you to make money at home and spend it at leasure in Thailand.

 

Thailand is going to change over time. You may find you are better serviced in Cambodia, Vietnam, or elsewhere over time. If you try to get work in Thailand you will find it a lot harder to switch to another country later on, as you will be on a budget and your skills won't transfer so easily.

 

You would be an idiot to move to Thailand at your age. Make your money at home.

 

Someone mentioned reserved occupations, which you foreigners can't take in Thailand. I found this list on a web site. Hopefully helpful and not too much out of date.

Quote

 

Listed below are the businesses that are prohibited to foreigners:

The Alien Business Law (N.E.C. Announcement 281). Business activities falling in categories A & B are generally closed to foreigners. Under category C you must obtain a permit prior to commencing business. Businesses outside these categories are exempt. The Ministry of Commerce will also help applications of non trading offices.

Category A:

1. Agriculture: rice farming; salt farming.
2. Commercial Business: Internal trade in local agriculture products, Land trade.
3. Service business: Accounting, farming animals, architecture, advertising, brokerage, auctioning, Barber, hair dressing & beautician. Building industry.

Category B.

1. Agriculture Business: orchids, cultivation, animal husbandry including silk worm raising, timbering, fishing.
2. Industrial & Handicraft: Rice milling, Flour making, sugar, alcohol & non alcohol drinks, Ice cream, Pharmaceutical manufacturing, cold storage, timber, gold, silver and inlaid stone, wood carving, lacquer-ware, match making, cement etc, Dynamiting rocks, Manufacturing garments & shoes, Printing, newspaper publishing, silk weaving or silk printing, manufacture of finished products in silk.
3. Commercial: all retailing not in category C. Or trading not in Category C, selling food an drinks, trading of antiques & fine arts.
4. Service Industry: Tour agency, Hotels except Hotel management, photography, laundering, dress making and service jobs.
5. Land, water & i.e.  Transport.

Category C.

You are allowed to do the following:
Exporting, all wholesale trades not in A & B. retiling machinery, equipment & tools, selling food, beverages that promote tourism. Industrial & handicraft Business: manufacturing animal feeds, vegetable oil extraction, textile manufacturing, dyeing, fabric printing, glass ware manufacturing, making plates and bowls, stationary & printing paper, rock salt mining, mining.

In the category, you have to apply for a work permit in order to do business legally in Thailand.

 

 

[cmarshall]

OP seems to have a driving ambition to be poor.  He would have no future in Thailand.  Nobody needs him here as an unskilled worker.  Even if he had a degree it wouldn't improve his opportunities much.  

 

I understand that Argentina has immense problems of its own, but Thailand is not going to offer a better life to Argentinians.

[RAZZELL]

Right.

 

As others has said it is not easy to get a job in Thailand.

 

However, there are a few farang guys who have SEO companies etc in Bangkok.

 

If you can afford it perhaps do your degree here and then that might get "Thailand" out of your system?

 

Or, change to the hospitality industry. Seems about the only one where "farangs" get work. You seem to communicate well in English, plus Spanish, if you threw in a bit of Thai, Japanese, or Chinese Mandarin you'd be set.

 

AGODA always has loads of jobs - with an IT background you might be a good fit?

 

https://careersatagoda.com/vacancies/?searchphrase=&locations=country_thailand

 

I know last year and possibly still now - Beer Republic in Chitlom had 3 Spanish Managers from Madrid.

 

Good luck!

 

RAZZ

 

 

 

 

Edited March 22, 2020 by RAZZELL

[DannyCarlton]

13 minutes ago, cmarshall said:

OP seems to have a driving ambition to be poor.  He would have no future in Thailand.  Nobody needs him here as an unskilled worker.  Even if he had a degree it wouldn't improve his opportunities much.  

 

I understand that Argentina has immense problems of its own, but Thailand is not going to offer a better life to Argentinians.

If he completes his degree then teaching is an option. His English language skills appear superior to a number of foreign English teachers I've met here (one African "teacher" was incapable of holding a conversation with me). Alternatively digital nomad.

[EricTh]

Most jobs are reserved for the Thai people as they themselves don't have enough. It is very difficult for Thai employers to apply for work permit as I heard.

 

They certainly don't need any foreign IT staff.

 

If you are young at 23, it's better to go to America or Europe.

 

'Learn' Thai? I have seen people who have been learning Thai for more than 10 years and still can't speak or write basic Thai. Thai language is a very different animal than learning other European languages.

 

 

Edited March 22, 2020 by EricTh

[EricTh]

16 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

If he completes his degree then teaching is an option. His English language skills appear superior to a number of foreign English teachers I've met here (one African "teacher" was incapable of holding a conversation with me). Alternatively digital nomad.

The competition for English teachers is tough. Every Tom, Dick and Harry I know want to become an English teacher but most have left Thailand disappointed.

 

How did that African teacher get that job in the first place and where is he teaching?

[DannyCarlton]

Just now, EricTh said:

Most jobs are reserved for the Thai people as they themselves don't have enough. It is very difficult for Thai employers to apply for work permit as I heard.

 

If you are young at 23, it's better to go to America or Europe.

 

'Learn' Thai? I have seen people who have been learning Thai for more than 10 years and still can't speak or write basic Thai. Thai language is a very different animal than learning other European languages.

 

 

I learned both Thai and Lao/issan at the same time. I had reached a reasonable conversational level within months and I'm in my 60s. Can learn to read and write on line. I would recommend learning to read and write at a very early stage.

[Mulambana]

May be go to Uruguya, the same language and better salary and a neghboring country. If he has fallen in love with a Thai girl, only some miracle can save him. 

Edited March 22, 2020 by Mulambana

[DannyCarlton]

1 minute ago, Mulambana said:

May be go to Uruguya, the same language and better salary and a neghboring country. If he has fallen in love with a Thai girl, only some miracle can save him. 

No miracles required just hard work and determination.

[EricTh]

7 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

I learned both Thai and Lao/issan at the same time. I had reached a reasonable conversational level within months and I'm in my 60s. Can learn to read and write on line. I would recommend learning to read and write at a very early stage.

I am not sure what's your 'reasonable conversational level' as it means different things to different people.

 

There are nine levels of language proficiency in any languages. Level 1 won't go far. 

 

Thai people took 11 years to study English but their language proficiency is still low. Most can't complete a single sentence.

 

Edited March 22, 2020 by EricTh

[DannyCarlton]

3 minutes ago, EricTh said:

I am not sure what's your 'reasonable conversational level' as it means different things to different people.

 

There are nine levels of language proficiency in any languages. Level 1 won't go far. 

 

Thai people took 11 years to study English but their language proficiency is still low. Most can't complete a single sentence.

 

I'm not Thai, my proficiency is fine.

[Boomer6969]

1 hour ago, Kadilo said:

Your girlfriend in Korat will have to wait I’m afraid. 
 

I’m guessing you may have a sprog on the way too, hopefully not.  

He should get off his bum, and fight to move her to Argentina, easy for her to be happy there. Easier than in Europe.

[JWRC]

My idea would be to work online. The IT field will pay a lot better than online teaching, which is inundated with backpackers who work for very little.

[CrunchWrapSupreme]

You can teach man, out there in rural Issan where you want to be. Look on Ajarn.com, and look for the agencies offering placements at schools in those provinces. Indeed, his English is by far better than what I've seen the foreign teachers out there produce. Also, I have heard of these agencies able to bend the rules a bit, so that you could get hired and a work permit, without a degree.

 

Frankly, many of these agencies and the schools they work with are a straight up scam. They're desperate for young, pale faces to clock in everyday, sit in the office, and occasionally stand in front of a classroom doing whatever, so they can get their kickback. Education is definitely not a huge concern of theirs. Don't expect too much attention or respect. You can however, find some of the better students to connect with, and perhaps one or two of your Thai coworkers.

 

In the end, you'll get 30-35k baht a month, can find an apartment for around 5-6k including electric, then the rest is yours to party with. Many have called this a "working holiday", which is essentially it is. Save money whenever you can. You'll prob be offered a motorbike for sale or rent. Don't do it, take the bus. Don't get any expensive electronics. If you have to move, you're leaving them behind. Watch sports and live music at the bars. Read up on all the scams involving ladies, I can't possibly write about them all here haha. Yes, they're all going to want money. You gotta take them out, feed them, and she'll want occasional help for her parents. Just know when you're getting taken for a ride.

 

Lastly, at your age, plan on doing this for 2-3 years max. It isn't a long term solution. Many young guys come out here doing this to get out and explore, have some fun. Sure, why not. It can be a great experience, if you make it out to be. But eventually, you gotta go home, finish your degree, and get a real job. A good life experience, and something interesting for the CV.

[FritsSikkink]

As you are already a mainframe developer, learn how to develop Apps for android and IOS. There is work for that and you will earn a lot more than a teaching job.

Edited March 22, 2020 by FritsSikkink

[Just Weird]

6 hours ago, UncleMhee said:

Marriage, a non O extension of stay, based on that will get you a work permit

How would getting married qualify him for a work permit?

[CrunchWrapSupreme]

3 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

As you are already a mainframe developer, learn how to develop Apps for android and IOS. There is work for that and you will earn a lot more than a teaching job.

Even better would be to get the teaching job, which would get him the Non-B visa he needs to stay here for a year at a time (be sure the school/agency gives a one year contract), then do app development as his side gig. Showing up and saying "I will support myself in Thailand with app development" will not get him a visa.

 

Several of the teachers I've known here have done this, as they found they're left with an awful lot of downtime with all the holidays, activities, and meetings throughout the school year. They've told me of trading crypto, running websites, and teaching Chinese kids online, for quite a bit of extra income. Then this income goes a lot further here, than it would in their home countries.

Edited March 22, 2020 by CrunchWrapSupreme
Typo

[Orton Rd]

Is it the same person writing all these new posts? this one might be genuine, if he continues to post that is.

Edited March 22, 2020 by Orton Rd

[DesperatePat]

Well, as I said, I'm traveling right now (luckily enough, I gonna make it home safely after all!)

 

First, no, I'm not some kind of troll or spammer, I'm a genuine person, and I have never posted in this forum in my life.

 

Second. As I expected, I was slammed in my face multiple times with your replies. Well, at least I can confirm that my "wish" is kinda impossible.

 

Third. Thank God any of you is stupid and you all got it quickly that my "personal reasons" is a girl. Bingo!

 

Fourth. The girl said she wants to come here, but doesn't want to leave her family "behind". Please, don't turn this on a "how to deal with thai girls" post. I'm aware of all the horror stories that involve a farang + a Thai girl, and I'm aware I can become one of those farangs someday (I obviously hope not...).

 

Actually there are lots of good replies, more than I expected (I didn't expect more than 1 or 2), and would like to expand my comments when I can put my hands over a darn physical keyboard at home (complicated to write walls on a smartphone), replying to those that particularly said interesting things. Seems like I have lot of time, after all, the quarantine doesn't let me do much more.

 

Thanks for replies so far! I appreciate the honesty of you all, much slaps to my face but we'll, I expected them to came lol.

[Mak25]

Come to study full time an international program at university in Thailand. 

[wolf81]

I don't have a degree but loads of work experience. I interviewed one company in Bangkok owned by foreigners (Colombians) and they didn't mind hiring people without degree. In the end I decided to not push through, because I figured I could earn more money through other means than a job in Thailand. Also, I don't find living in Bangkok at all appealing and going to the office day by day. I kinda left my home country to get rid of that way of life.

 

With that said, a wage of 80.000 - 100.000 THB was acceptable at the time. I imagine compared to an Argentinian wage that could be quite decent? For Thai people it's a lot of money (in the country side many people only earn 10.000 - 15.000 THB per month).

 

I believe you might be able to get some IT job in Bangkok. Mainframe stuff might be useful for banks for example. However, you're still quite young, so I guess you should be able to proof you're good. Perhaps have a profile on StackOverflow, side projects on Github, stuff like that … That's what I have and it helps a lot when applying for positions.

 

Still, you only stayed a short time in Thailand. From your post I guess you met some girl in Ubon Ratchathani. It's better to visit again for a much longer time. You can't really be sure you want to live in a country by just visiting for such a short time.

Edited March 23, 2020 by wolf81