Working as a BIM coordinator/operator in Thailand?

[LionM00]

Hello! I’m new in the forum ((: I’m considering moving to Thailand for a few years. I’m a licensed architect and I also have a degree as a BIM coordinator/Revit specialist, I found out that working as an Architect in Thailand is close to impossible given the fact that is an occupation closed to foreigners but as far as I read there seems to be a loophole were it says (in the Thaiembassy official page) “excluding work requiring specialized techniques” under civil engineering work. Can this include BIM work? I really don’t know anyone who works in Thailand so any advice or input will be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

 

(I included the screenshot of the part I’m referencing above)

[Crossy]

I'm not an architect, nor do I play one on TV. I am a consultant engineer on transportation infrastructure projects (mostly rail at present).

 

You will definitely struggle to walk in to a position unless you have contacts here ????  

 

Do you have significant relevant experience? If so, getting a job in your home country with one of the international consultancy companies (e.g. WSP https://www.wsp.com/en-th) which has branches here could be a way forwards.

 

What makes you want to come to Thailand in particular? Other SE Asian countries (Malaysia, Singapore etc.) may be more accessible. India could also be an option.

 

I was very lucky in that 30 odd years ago I was unemployed in the UK and a mate asked me if I fancied a short contract in Korea (where? thinks I). He quoted what was, to me at the time, an obscene amount of money so of course I said yes.

 

There followed 15 years or so trogging around Asia (and a few years in Europe) during which I acquired a Thai wife (in Rome, Italy for flips sake). Then in 2004 the work in Europe dried up so we decided to move to Thailand where our savings would last a bit longer than in the UK. My Asian network was still very much intact and I got a consulting job here within a month. I'm still with the same small consulting company. ???? 

 

It's not impossible, even in the "restricted" professions, but it's not easy either. You need a lot of luck and a marketable skill. Good luck in your quest!

[warrima]

I knew a guy who was a BIM/Revit specialist here - but it was his own company. He was working for hotel chains largely and by all accounts was very successful judging by his lifestyle. I have not seen him since Covid though so i assume the moth balling of hotels and new projects for a year killed his business. 

 

My story is quite similar to Crossy. I was initially sent out here with a UK company as a Mechanical Engineer (Technical Engineer for work permit). During 2008 finance crisis they canceled their expat program and recalled everyone. I survived the cull as I was the most junior expat at that time and was costing them the least. After another 2 years they looked to re call me again so i reverted to local package - so essentially pay same as a local. I have switched jobs a few times since and worked in Malaysia for a number of years also - but all positions referred through local contacts/suppliers etc. 

 

 

[LionM00]

Thank you so much guys! I don’t know how to answer to each of you via tagging so I’ll do it here in separate texts, hope it’s okay!

 

Crossy: thank you for giving me an honest perspective. It’s always best to know the reality of things as to be ready to face them. Also thank you for suggesting checking up international companies, as I don’t know any I didn’t consider that as an option. I’ll check out the one you shared! Do you have any others that you would recommend? 
 

I really want to go to Thailand because of the culture, religion, cuisine and overall because I’ve heard only good things about the people there. I’m young and still finding myself, I always thought Asia was a good opportunity for that and giving the fact that Thailand has the most LGBTQ population in Asia I counted that as a definitive plus! 

Your story is amazing! Really, how cool that you have worked in so many cities, also meeting your Thai wife in Italy of all places is really cute :)) I’m sure is a super cool story to tell hehe I also understand many of your opportunities were born by circumstances no? Like being in the right moment at the right time and knowing the right people (that’s not even counting your skill and experience!), so I get what you say about having contacts and an established network can help a lot. 
 

Thank you again for your advice and encouragement, I can’t say I have tons of experience to qualify as a senior in any position but I think I have great skill in what I do, I speak 3 languages fluidly and I’m a quick learner. Also I’m persistent as a Bull haha so I’ll make this happen one way or another, I’ll apply to any job offer I can find and I’ll see from there ((: 

[LionM00]

Hey Warrima! Thank you so much for taking the time to pass some advice from your own experience. Seems like working as a BIM coordinator might me a possibility! But yeah it makes sense that after Covid all the hotel business came to a sudden halt. I’ll apply anyway, the worst that can happen is that they directly tell me they cannot employ foreigners and I will know for sure haha.

Your story is also really interesting! I guess in some ways depending on where you work and how big the company is, it can be easier to be sent to other countries for work. I’m glad you took the chance and that you were able to keep working in that company after that crisis. When you said that your work description for the work permit is different I’m guessing the company that wants to hire you can help with that? Also, what you said about now being payed as a local, is that better than how you were before? 
 

Thank you again for all the info you provided, it seems that as also Crossy said it’s very important to have local contacts that can refer you to certain work positions. I’ll ask everyone I know if they have contacts in Thailand that can help, let’s see what happens! I’ll have my fingers crossed ???????? 

[LionM00]

On 2/21/2023 at 7:11 PM, Crossy said:

I'm not an architect, nor do I play one on TV. I am a consultant engineer on transportation infrastructure projects (mostly rail at present).

 

You will definitely struggle to walk in to a position unless you have contacts here ????  

 

Do you have significant relevant experience? If so, getting a job in your home country with one of the international consultancy companies (e.g. WSP https://www.wsp.com/en-th) which has branches here could be a way forwards.

 

What makes you want to come to Thailand in particular? Other SE Asian countries (Malaysia, Singapore etc.) may be more accessible. India could also be an option.

 

I was very lucky in that 30 odd years ago I was unemployed in the UK and a mate asked me if I fancied a short contract in Korea (where? thinks I). He quoted what was, to me at the time, an obscene amount of money so of course I said yes.

 

There followed 15 years or so trogging around Asia (and a few years in Europe) during which I acquired a Thai wife (in Rome, Italy for flips sake). Then in 2004 the work in Europe dried up so we decided to move to Thailand where our savings would last a bit longer than in the UK. My Asian network was still very much intact and I got a consulting job here within a month. I'm still with the same small consulting company. ???? 

 

It's not impossible, even in the "restricted" professions, but it's not easy either. You need a lot of luck and a marketable skill. Good luck in your quest!

Hey Crossy! Just wanted you to know that I’ve finally figured out how to reply correctly. I answered you in an individual comment here sometime ago. But I don’t know if you get a notification for that so, didn’t want you to think I never answered or that I don’t appreciate your comment ((:

[LionM00]

On 2/21/2023 at 8:19 PM, warrima said:

I knew a guy who was a BIM/Revit specialist here - but it was his own company. He was working for hotel chains largely and by all accounts was very successful judging by his lifestyle. I have not seen him since Covid though so i assume the moth balling of hotels and new projects for a year killed his business. 

 

My story is quite similar to Crossy. I was initially sent out here with a UK company as a Mechanical Engineer (Technical Engineer for work permit). During 2008 finance crisis they canceled their expat program and recalled everyone. I survived the cull as I was the most junior expat at that time and was costing them the least. After another 2 years they looked to re call me again so i reverted to local package - so essentially pay same as a local. I have switched jobs a few times since and worked in Malaysia for a number of years also - but all positions referred through local contacts/suppliers etc. 

 

 

Hi Warrima! As I told Crossy, i just wanted you to know that I’ve finally figured out how to reply correctly Haha I answered you too in an individual comment here. But alas, if you didn’t get a notification… don’t want you to think I never answered or that I don’t appreciate your comment as well ((:

[Crossy]

@LionM00

 

Yeah, I saw it thanks.

 

If you want to mention a specific member if you put an @ symbol in front of their name (like I did above) they will get a message that they've been mentioned ???? 

 

Or you can use the "quote" button at the bottom left of the post you want to reply to.

 

EDIT It's also worth joining LinkedIn if you are not already a member.

[FritsSikkink]

Have a look here: Bim coordinator jobs - Feb 2023 | JobsDB