What was your job (profession) when you moved to Thailand

[still kicking]

I am just curios what job you had prior coming to Thailand or still have? Did you have any high school education or Bachelor or Master degree? Mine is quite simple. I grew up in a small town in Germany (hence my writing) went to public school and tech school migrated to Australia (the best place on earth) worked for a company in Sydney and moved west.

Started my own company sold it after about 25 years, moved to Thailand for a number of years and moved back to OZ after losing money in LOS. I know some posters don't live in Thailand but that is not important. I just like to hear your story good or bad. Thanks for listening.   

[timendres]

Before TH, I was a programmer, mostly on a contract basis, with several brief stints as an employee.

Started two companies along the way, both failed.

When I came to TH full-time in 2010, I was working remote as a programmer for a firm in the US.

Great salary, great work, lasted a few years.

I then purchased a software development company in Bangkok.

Work permit, Thai salary, decent work, did it for 10 years.

Now retired.

I have a BSEE that was essentially worthless, other than it being a degree, since I went straight into programming.

However, way back then there were very few programmers, and demand was about to go parabolic.

[sipi]

I did a trade a long time ago, then operated steam boilers. The ones that burn coal.

We're a dying breed.

[gargamon]

I was retired when I came to Thailand. Now if the title was:

 

What was your job (profession) BEFORE you moved to Thailand

I might have told you

 

[fredwiggy]

Worked in a sporting goods chain, selling guns, hunting and camping equipment and fishing tackle.

[JimHuaHin]

No job in Thailand, as I am on a retirement visa; last job in homeland, university lecturer for 20 years, before that researcher, before that public/civil servant for a decade.

[brianthainess]

6 hours ago, still kicking said:

I am just curios what job you had prior coming to Thailand or still have? Did you have any high school education or Bachelor or Master degree? Mine is quite simple. I grew up in a small town in Germany (hence my writing) went to public school and tech school migrated to Australia (the best place on earth) worked for a company in Sydney and moved west.

Started my own company sold it after about 25 years, moved to Thailand for a number of years and moved back to OZ after losing money in LOS. I know some posters don't live in Thailand but that is not important. I just like to hear your story good or bad. Thanks for listening.   

So what was YOUR profession ?

[Dirk Z]

Neurosurgeon. 

[animalmagic]

I was a village idiot. Retired now because that's reserved employment! 

[Wrwest]

9 hours ago, timendres said:

Before TH, I was a programmer, mostly on a contract basis, with several brief stints as an employee.

Started two companies along the way, both failed.

When I came to TH full-time in 2010, I was working remote as a programmer for a firm in the US.

Great salary, great work, lasted a few years.

I then purchased a software development company in Bangkok.

Work permit, Thai salary, decent work, did it for 10 years.

Now retired.

I have a BSEE that was essentially worthless, other than it being a degree, since I went straight into programming.

However, way back then there were very few programmers, and demand was about to go parabolic.

 I recall being introduced to programming just a little as a classroom teacher in, I think it was 1980. A path not taken.

[JeffersLos]

TV production.

 

Got fired.

 

Started a company with my brother. Became much bigger than the company that fired me. Bought my brother out. Became bigger still. Sold it for north of 3 million, stopped working, started eating. 

[Wrwest]

Grew up as a "Boomer" in a blue collar, union, working middle class US family. Parents' Depression/WW II generation were determined to make higher education available. Taught middle school, high school and last 27 years US undergrad history. Retired as working middle class Professor Emeritus of History to a lower cost country. A most worthy way to use my life's breath ... just not the most financially wise profession decision.

[simon43]

Rocket scientist....

 

Seriously, I worked in the space industry as a designer and also integrations manager/testing of radio frequency (RF) equipments and antennas, especially for space-borne satellites, but also for ground stations. These were mostly commercial and scientific satellites.

 

When ill-health forced me to move to a warmer climate than the UK, it was no surprise that there were no jobs for me in the space sector. (Well there was, but as a non-Thai I was barred from these jobs).  So I started building and running small hotels instead.  I did that for about 14 years, then moved into the teaching sector, mostly in Myanmar and Laos, but now solely online, teaching Science, English, Geography, World History, Thai language and Computing/STEM.

[brianthainess]

Last job Truck Mounted Crane Technician Aka Mechanic in OZ. 

Side note My qualifications in the UK and work record, gave me the same 'Points' as a degree, for Migrating to Oz when I was 42 yrs old. 

I would never 'want' to live there again 6yrs was enough, but thanks for the extra passport.

[Lacessit]

Research scientist, chemistry background. Worked hard, traveled much of the world on the company dime, and as a consultant.

 

 

[XB12X]

Writer.

[Ralf001]

Engineer.

[Burma Bill]

7 hours ago, gargamon said:

I was retired when I came to Thailand. Now if the title was:

 

What was your job (profession) BEFORE you moved to Thailand

I might have told you

 

 Same for me. I was retired when I moved to Thailand at the age of 56.

[gargamon]

1 minute ago, Burma Bill said:

 Same for me. I was retired when I moved to Thailand at the age of 56.

45 for me, except I did Cambodia first.

[brewsterbudgen]

Manager in the UK recording industry then for a global NGO.  Moved to Thailand to teach English and have never left.

[In Full Agreement]

12 hours ago, still kicking said:

migrated to Australia (the best place on earth) worked for a company in Sydney and moved west.

 

 

Why didn't you say there?

 

 

[The Oracle]

23 minutes ago, gargamon said:

45 for me, except I did Cambodia first.

47 for me, six years after retirement at 41.

I worked for various government departments, educational institutions, and industry bodies across Australia in the areas of project coordination, policy development, compliance, course writing and auditing, IT management, and as a security and threat analyst.

Basically, if it needed lots of documentation or processes whittled down OR created for efficiency and increasing productivity, I was your man.  

I now live on a massive rice farm with two dogs four hours to Khon Kaen or Bangkok, five hours to Pattaya, six to Nong Khai., and seven to Chiang Mai.

[Will B Good]

 

 

 

Main Board Technical Director for a company involved in the fluid power market.

 

 

 

[Tedly]

 I was an automotive machinist for about 40 years, machining engine parts and rebuilding engines for cars, trucks, tractors, race cars, etc.

[saakura]

I came to visit Thailand for the first time at the age of 28, after completing Masters Degree in Engineering, for some official work. Two years later, I was called to join a company in Bangkok at the entry level and have been with them for 30+ years and now heading the operations. Happily married for over 20 years now. Many ups and downs but all said, it has been a good life. 

[newnative]

College degree, worked my career in the library of a community college in northern Virginia.

[KhunLA]

Supervising ramp rat for airlines (NWA).   Computer weight & balance entry, load cargo, luggage, mail, was last salaried job, for 13 years,  (usually two 16 hr days a week). 

 

Arrived Thailand to stay Sept 14, 2000, age 45.  Spent last 6 months on the job, commuting from Thailand, though here/TH more than at work.  Burned up all my sick & vacation time.   Last day of employment March 4, 2001.  Also held ...

... commercial truck driver's license

... RE license

... FFL (Fed Firearms License/sell & collect), registered business

... Chimney Sweep, registered business

... Slum Lord

... unlicensed market investor

 

High school diploma & unsponsored online course w/30 days hands on computer training, prep for travel/airlines employment.

 

Born and raised in Philadelphia area, PA, USA.  Last 5 years lived & worked in Memphis, TN area.   Although followed the money, and lived in 6 different states over the years, PA, WV, NJ, MI, TN, FL.

Edited September 9 by KhunLA

[NoshowJones]

9 hours ago, gargamon said:

I was retired when I came to Thailand. Now if the title was:

 

What was your job (profession) BEFORE you moved to Thailand

I might have told you

 

Bass guitarist and keyboard player in bands.

[georgegeorgia]

14 hours ago, still kicking said:

. I grew up in a small town in Germany

Don't mention the War !!!😂

 

[georgegeorgia]

13 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Supervising ramp rat for airlines (NWA).   Computer weight & balance entry, load cargo, luggage

These are the guys driving furiously around on those mini cars on the airport runways with orange lights ,throwing your luggage !