Live In Maid / Cleaner / Cook

[torrenova]

We had a family member come help out for a month after the birth of our daughter but whilst we would have given her another month to see whether it could be a permanent job, she was off running back to the jungle with her hard earned a week before the first month was up and to be honest, it was the right decision for both of us. Her lack of english and much lower sense of cleanliness would have always been an issue. However, we will need someone.

So what do they cost in Pattaya ? I don't want a girl who is looking for a western guy to take care of her nor one with a layabout husband or boyfriend. I certainly don't want a girl who wants to go out and party.

Probably someone who needs a job. Perhaps has kids and the husband is no longer on the scene. We envisaged live in with all found, no expenses, own room in house etc. but understand that this may not be possible for a Pattaya based girl / woman. That said, I'm sure something could be worked out.

Duties to include cleaning, laundry, shopping at the market and food preparation, occassional child care.

Any idea what sort of salaries such people command if they indeed exist ?

[NanLaew]

This question in various forms seems to be a perpetual post. Good maid service is at a premium since Thailand has now moved 'up market' and even locals outsource to Burmese and Cambodians more and more. A bit like the Americans outsourcing domestic services to Hispanics. Some people complain about pilfering when hiring locals so trying to find a suitable candidate 'within the family' seems to be popular although limiting ones choices. The huge transitory and 'non-resident' nature of the local Thai population makes it a minefield sorting out the good from the disastrous. To test for 'light-fingers' one needs only to leave some money in pockets for the laundry and see if it is ever reported as found. One should not leave watches and jewelry lying about even if it is your own home.

Your lack of skills in speaking Thai will further restrict you so you have to address that. Either you try for someone too young to be impressed with boys and the Pattaya 'vibe' or too old to be similarly distracted. In my experience, some of the older ones can be set in their ways and it's hard for them to accept change. By the same token, the younger ones are inexperienced so will need much more time and specific instructions to do the job right.

If you are lucky, start them on B1500/ month with a clearly stated bonus scheme (like extra money if going home for local holidays) and periodical reviews and pay increases. I would consider a maximum of B5000/ month after a couple of years and all aspects of service is 100% acceptable. Since you already tried the family member and she quit while she thought she was ahead, maybe consider a 'withholding' payable after 1 year of service if you try this again?

Those are my thoughts and hope some of the other members will chip in with experience and recommendations as I will be needing a decent live-in maid by the end of the year.

[Naam]

This question in various forms seems to be a perpetual post. Good maid service is at a premium since Thailand has now moved 'up market' and even locals outsource to Burmese and Cambodians more and more. A bit like the Americans outsourcing domestic services to Hispanics.

if they are legal the annual fee to renew their permit is 11,500 Baht, if they are illegal i wouldn't advise any farang to hire one.

[Naam]

"If you are lucky, start them on B1500/ month"

yeah right. why not let the maid pay you for the privilege to be your servant?

[Humphrey Bear]

Our maid is from the same Isaarn village as my wife.

She had no support there except her son, who is in the military - so no cash.

She works for 5,000 per month, both she and my wife are now more respected in the village - on near enough equal terms with each other in Pattaya.

[torrenova]

I did not expect anyone for Bt1500 per month but I have to cost in what their "net" pay is compared to living in their hime, say if they were to come from the "village".

Bt5000 after all food, no bills, a few extras etc. seems high for a woman whose alternative is to either work 50 hours a week in a factory or get the occassional day's work in a restaurant or from ad hoc labour. I also agree that Bt5000 is far less than a professional would charge but I am not looking for a qualified nanny. By my reckoning, some cleaning, cooking, laundry (with washing machine) and some baby minding is not hard work compared to the alternatives and the salary is guaranteed.

In light of no offers of salary information, what do you think about Bt3-4k per month which is essentially, 100% to send home or keep / spend as they see fit ? I suggest that such an amount is more than they would have after deductions (like food or lodgings) in other employment which is far harder. We are really talking about a few hours a day really only.

[MisterFingers]

It sounds like you'd be better off getting a woman to come in a couple or few hours a day to get all this done.

Asking her to "live" there and always be "on call" (not go out) sounds a little unreasonable to me.

If you say the work is only a few hours a day, then let her come in for a few hours a day.

On special days that you need her to do some child care, let her know in advance.

This way, a woman can do this, make the 3 or 4 thousand you want to give her, and she can also do something somewhere else to make more money.

And she doesn't have to be "live in" either this way.

Easier to find someone this way I think.

Edited September 15, 2007 by MisterFingers

[Naam]

In light of no offers of salary information, what do you think about Bt3-4k per month which is essentially, 100% to send home or keep / spend as they see fit ? I suggest that such an amount is more than they would have after deductions (like food or lodgings) in other employment which is far harder. We are really talking about a few hours a day really only.

we have a live-in young couple working for us earning together 11,000 Baht. airconditioned accomodation with satellite TV, DVD, Stereo; free food (they basically eat the same food we eat), free soft drinks (occasionally a bottle of wine for the weekend), working five days a week. in essence they have no expenses at all and can save all what they earn.

i am well aware that they are highly overpaid based on their average working hours and days. the big advantage is that my wife can communicate with them fluently in two languages and i manage quite well with them using simple english.

what i suggest to you Torrenova is to be a bit generous. it took us a year to "train" the maid acording to our whims and likings. her husband (whom we employed three months ago) is working as our gardener and i am training him to do all kind of handyman tasks. it's a waste to lose these kind of trained people because somebody else might offer them some more cash.

p.s. their combined salaries amounted to 13,000 Baht but on the basis of two free days a month. we then had the idea offering them each 1,000 Baht less in exchange for free weekends which they accepted happily.

[Mobi]

WE have a live in maid who gets 6,000 Baht (recently increased from 5K) and a day maid who gets 5,000 Baht. They both have free food, and over time they get financial support for family problems - and there is always something, believe you me.

The day maid hasn't been with us long, and in time, if satisfactory, we will increase to 6,000 Baht.

Neither speaks any English, and both are from Issan.

We would love to have a live in couple - as that is the best possible situation. We did once, but unfortunately it didn't work out.

Over time good maids become loved members of your family, and you take care of them. It's more than just the money.

One of our ex maids, who was on hard times and had a daughter support, got 'lucky' when her father died and she inherited enough for her to no longer work as a maid. She is now a valued family friend and often helps us on all manner of local things to do with the Wat , Or Bor Tor, and just general village stuff. We treated her well, and she is returning the favour.

A little bit of Thai life.

[Naam]

We would love to have a live in couple - as that is the best possible situation. We did once, but unfortunately it didn't work out.

a big problem with a couple is that you have to fire both if one turns out to be worthless.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

We would love to have a live in couple - as that is the best possible situation. We did once, but unfortunately it didn't work out.

a big problem with a couple is that you have to fire both if one turns out to be worthless.

Very very true.

[NanLaew]

"If you are lucky, start them on B1500/ month"

yeah right. why not let the maid pay you for the privilege to be your servant?

Scottish and proud of it!!!

[wilko]

My live-in gets 3500 plus room and board. she also has a full-time job. I have references that go back 7 years.She NEVER has to be told to do anything and is 99.9% honest - (this excludes her excuses for damages, which are from another planet!?!?).

When she is sick or needs leave she gets a replacement.

The advantages are huge - not least that the house is occupied by someone nearly 100%.

We pay her medical insurance and she gets holidays etc.

If I have a party she does all the donkey work without being asked, furthermore, she cleans the windows and screens, weeds the garden......all without being asked.....and her names NOT Mary Poppins!

I think the main thing is to get a maid through people you know - i.e. previous employers etc

and BE CLEAR in outlining their duties hours etc.

[h5n1]

The manager of my apt pays the girls 6500 a month and usually the girls go becasue their is too much work and they often get stuck with taking care of his daughters baby. SO all that is FYI.

B1500 - hah, it is to laugh.

I think B3000 is the absolute minimum (with room and one meal) and even 5000 is no insurance she will stick around.

Thais will pay about 4000, room/meal for a gardener.

[EmCross]

WE have a live in maid who gets 6,000 Baht (recently increased from 5K) and a day maid who gets 5,000 Baht. They both have free food, and over time they get financial support for family problems - and there is always something, believe you me.

The day maid hasn't been with us long, and in time, if satisfactory, we will increase to 6,000 Baht.

Neither speaks any English, and both are from Issan.

We would love to have a live in couple - as that is the best possible situation. We did once, but unfortunately it didn't work out.

Over time good maids become loved members of your family, and you take care of them. It's more than just the money.

One of our ex maids, who was on hard times and had a daughter support, got 'lucky' when her father died and she inherited enough for her to no longer work as a maid. She is now a valued family friend and often helps us on all manner of local things to do with the Wat , Or Bor Tor, and just general village stuff. We treated her well, and she is returning the favour.

A little bit of Thai life.

Sounds about right Mobi, we are paying our maid the same and she is doing a really good job, I think we are paying a bit more than the average but I don't mind for a maid that does a good job is reliable and sticks around for a while.

[tuffy]

We give our maid 4500b/ month plus all the food she can eat. Her main job is to keep the house clean (of course) trim ther grass and look after the dogs. She is from my wife's villeage. She is the second to come from there and is 99% trust worthy. The last one was also very trust worthy but she had to leave due to family problems. It is hard (at first) to communitcate with them but I secretly enjoy giving the wife the "orders" and letting her pass them along. When I do need something I can usually get my point acrossed with enough sign language!

[soundman]

Live in maids (24 hrs per day, 7 days per week, usually expected to work from 6am to 7pm):

Burmese: 2500 - 3500 per month.

Laos & Kymer: 3000 - 4500 per month.

Issan: 5000 - 7000 per month.

Bkk or Southern: 5000 - 8500 per month.

Not inclusive of board, food & essential hygiene & medical items for which you will have to shell out for as well.

Cheers,

Soundman.

[lazeeboy]

Live in maids (24 hrs per day, 7 days per week, usually expected to work from 6am to 7pm):

Burmese: 2500 - 3500 per month.

Laos & Kymer: 3000 - 4500 per month.

Issan: 5000 - 7000 per month.

Bkk or Southern: 5000 - 8500 per month.

Not inclusive of board, food & essential hygiene & medical items for which you will have to shell out for as well.

Cheers,

Soundman.

pay my maid 6000b a month ,well more like a cleaner ,starts 8.45 ,leaves 3pm ,has 1 day a week off ,took me ages to find a good one ,also 2 weeks paid holiday ,extra money if i have a bbq /party or have family or freinds to stay ,which is almost all the time ,she;s been with me 13 years ,less 6 months off to have her baby ,its nice to go out or away and know your cleaner will not run off with your belongings.........

[naka]

My wife takes care of the house !

Sorry to hear all your little princesses are unable to do so.

Naka.

Edited September 16, 2007 by naka

[Naam]

My wife takes care of the house !

Sorry to hear all your little princesses are unable to do so.

how big is your house, how old is your wife and what is your income per annum?

[chuckd]

My 33 year old wife has been complaining of late about being tired, trying to take care of our 160 Sq. meter house and 1.8 rai of land.

I told her she should go out and hire day laborers to help her but it would have to come out of her money.

I ain't gonna spend any of my golf and whiskey money on it.

[torrenova]

Some good answers and points raised so thank you.

A novel approach in one response that she has another job but lives in his house. I would not have thought of that.

I have no need of a couple and yes, if you have to get rid of one you lose both. That said, employing her husband to do something else at a later stage after she had proved herself may be an idea as long as he is not a gambler / drunk / layabout etc.

The reason I want live in is for flexibility. I'd rather they were sort of or become part of the family rather than just an employee. I cannot say from week to week what hours I need them to do.

A few further questions:

So where did you guys source your from ?

What would you do if they robbed you, small or large ?

What age is best and why ?

thanks

[Naam]

So where did you guys source your from ?

recommendation by coincidence. my wife met a lady and during small talk it turned out that she and her family are returning to Europe and their maid of 4½ years is looking for a job. ten days later she was working for us. when our gardener became high and mighty (asking several times for a 3 day leave and returning every time after two weeks) we asked the maid whether she knew somebody to replace him. after some hesitation she confessed that she got married when we were 3 weeks abroad and suggested that we employ her husband.

What would you do if they robbed you, small or large ?

i have no idea but think the chance is very slim. we live in a gated community were security is strictly enforced. no way to run away with pilfered valuables needing transportation.

What age is best and why ?

no idea either. for many years we had servants "supplied" by the companies i worked for. if one turned out to be no good he was replaced the same day without delay but this rarely happened. we maintain another home abroad where we employ a maid and a nurse for my 91year old mother-in-law. the maid is 4 years and the caretaker 6 years with us. i think it all boils down how you treat them, how you pay them and what other perks you provide. but exeptions prove the rule. in Thailand we have the third driver and the third gardener (within 2½ years). we had to get rid of the former employees because they treated us like suckers... most probably we acted like suckers!

[wilko]

My wife takes care of the house !

Sorry to hear all your little princesses are unable to do so.

Naka.

I don't have a wife ....but a stream of visitors who all need some looking after, whether iit's food, or bed etc, my Mae Baan sorts it!

Yep the job eases the financial situation for her and doesn't really affect the way she runs the house.

[h5n1]

Hey ChuckD - I take care of my parents 2 rai+ when I go home every year and if you have nice gardens as I have planted there I could work 8 hours a day all spring and summer to keep the place looking first rate.

For me, there is no way I would provide a maid for my wife unless we have 2+ children.

She wants a house and kids but then doesn't want to care for them. Classic.

[chuckd]

Oh, yeah. I forgot to mention she has to take care of the three dogs, two kids and her father who lives somewhere on the 1.8 rai.

The two motorcycles and cars are her responsibility as well but I take care of keeping the TV screen clean and my golf clubs nicely shined. I used to have her take care of my clubs until she used a Brillo pad on one. Now I find I can clean them and watch TV at the same time.

I noticed a light bulb burned out not too long ago and I let her have it about that, I'm here to tell you!

For those of you who think I am insensitive to her needs, I did buy a new small refrigerator and put it in the living room so it isn't so far for her to walk when I need a fresh beer.

[Naam]

She wants a house and kids but then doesn't want to care for them. Classic.

it so happens that some men are proud that they can afford that there wives don't have to do menial work. of course some people on other planets located in other galaxies can't understand why

[Naam]

For those of you who think I am insensitive to her needs, I did buy a new small refrigerator and put it in the living room so it isn't so far for her to walk when I need a fresh beer.

fair enough!