Common Roles Foreigners Fall Into in Thailand

[KhaoHom]

3 hours ago, frank83628 said:

Teacher, digital nomad are not really grifting. It would be very fortunate to be able to work remotely, earn home wages and live in thailand.

 

 

Teacher is definitely a grift. Only 10% any good at what they do with another 5% simply not worth firing. 85% total grifters. Worthless

 

Teaching English online is a very sad grift bc it's pretty much outright theft unless payment is simply for conversation and nothing educational

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

I can't deny that those types exist in Thailand, but my my experience is a bit different. Most of the expats that I have come into contact with are in these categories:

 

• Senior management or industry specialists sent by their multinational company employer to work here
• Entrepreneurs who own successful companies.  (Perhaps Bill Heinecke is the most successful of all those I've met, but since he's renounced his US citizenship I'm not sure he's still considered an expat. But there are many others.)
• Teachers at international schools and local universities who have relevant degrees and credentials.
• Lawyers who are owners of, or who work at,  local law firms.

Perhaps it depends upon why one came to Thailand in the first place, or perhaps on the company one keeps.

[frank83628]

20 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

 

Teacher is definitely a grift. Only 10% any good at what they do with another 5% simply not worth firing. 85% total grifters. Worthless

 

Teaching English online is a very sad grift bc it's pretty much outright theft unless payment is simply for conversation and nothing educational

Classic Pattaya barstool critic

[Lemsta69]

11. Fake content generator for a failing Thai visa forum

[rattlesnake]

3 hours ago, frank83628 said:

how many do you actually know?

That's a bit of a false stereotype to be honest, i know quite a few that work online in various jobs, if they have an online meeting or are teaching then yes, they go home and are sitting at a desk, or what ever..but if that is only for certain hours they why can they not work anywhere they please for the rest? 

 

 

I've been location-independent myself for 16 years and I can assure you it isn't possible to actually work at the beach.

 

All I'm saying is that in my experience, those who post pics like the one below (usually with clichés such as "this is my office") are often posers looking for validation on social media, wannabe YouTubers etc.

 

[rattlesnake]

1 hour ago, Lemsta69 said:

11. Fake content generator for a failing Thai visa forum

 

Definitely 

[spidermike007]

3 hours ago, frank83628 said:

how many do you actually know?

That's a bit of a false stereotype to be honest, i know quite a few that work online in various jobs, if they have an online meeting or are teaching then yes, they go home and are sitting at a desk, or what ever..but if that is only for certain hours they why can they not work anywhere they please for the rest? 

 

I know a few real influencers who make $1200 to $2000 plus a month, for 15 hours a month of work. Not a bad gig. 

[sidjameson]

Those living off inheritance pretending they're living off their current abilities.

[hotandsticky]

22 minutes ago, sidjameson said:

Those living off inheritance pretending they're living off their current abilities.

 

 

Oh, a slight note of envy in that comment perhaps.

[StandardIssue]

13 hours ago, Alpha84 said:

Not trying to be negative, just curious, are these the ten most common roles foreigners fall into in Thailand, or are there others people have come across?

 

1. Pattaya YouTuber

2. Shoestring blogger

3. Freelance English teacher with no visa

4. Crypto bro not making it

5. Spiritual nomad or tantric healer

6. Digital nomad come consultant

7. Visa fixer middleman

8. Washed-up DJ or bartender

9. Illegal tour guide or motorcycle rental hustler

10. Illegal dive instructor or restaurant worker

 

 

( GREAT LIST, I'll have a go at a few)

 

11) Penniless after thinking "my $150K nest egg" should last me through to age 75 in Thailand.

12) One in a long line of "husbands" to June working at Happy Joy Joy Bar Beer

13) Homeless on Jomtien Beach but funny enough drunk to keep mooching beers from beach going "friends"

14) Washed up Ebayer (those damn Ebay fees)

[StandardIssue]

4 hours ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

I can't deny that those types exist in Thailand, but my my experience is a bit different. Most of the expats that I have come into contact with are in these categories:

 

• Senior management or industry specialists sent by their multinational company employer to work here
• Entrepreneurs who own successful companies.  (Perhaps Bill Heinecke is the most successful of all those I've met, but since he's renounced his US citizenship I'm not sure he's still considered an expat. But there are many others.)
• Teachers at international schools and local universities who have relevant degrees and credentials.
• Lawyers who are owners of, or who work at,  local law firms.

Perhaps it depends upon why one came to Thailand in the first place, or perhaps on the company one keeps.

 

You understand this OP was mostly to poke fun. The OP was listing "roles" they FALL INTO. These roles you list are roles people have BEFORE they show up in LOS. We are talking about pipe dream types who assume they can "make it" in Thailand without proper planning. 

 

As you have mentioned, the above types are smart professionals who plan and come to Thailand with a realistic outcome.