Mrsam in a jam

[dlfisher]

Check the idea of honorary degrees;

'By awarding honorary degrees, the University recognizes those individuals whose accomplishments are of such excellence that they provide inspiration and leadership to its graduates. As well, through its choice of honorary degree recipients, the University makes a public declaration of its values.'

Another university: http://www.usg.edu/admin/oc/directives/honorary.html

Basically, I don't think these guys are out looking to 'get one over' on anybody, though I'm sure some are pure b.s.

I don't have anything against Mr. Sam, I'm just in the 'He opened up his reaf flank and said, take a shot' camp.

Also, this is a very, very serious place to screw things up. I hope he stays on the right side of things for his own sake. If the Thai government ever really starts verifying 'degrees,' the rents on Sukhumvit are going to plummet.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

'coz they are honorary degrees ....an honor not a fake or one from a non traditional uni....

[MrSam]

Also, this is a very, very serious place to screw things up. I hope he stays on the right side of things for his own sake. If the Thai government ever really starts verifying 'degrees,' the rents on Sukhumvit are going to plummet.

Like I've asked many times, anyone have any better or more constructive ideas? I haven't accepted nor attempted to use this method yet. I have done nothing I should not have done yet.

I stated several times that I was open to suggestions, but all anyone can seem to do is bash me. I came seeking advice, not to boast about this.

I really need to stay here for 6 more months or so, and I'd like to keep my current job during that time.

So if anyone has any OTHER suggestions, please let me know.

I'm aware that what I am doing is not the best idea, so please, stop letting me know that now.

[pnustedt]

OK - start from scratch again.

1. I assume you have a contract of employment? If the answer is yes go to the next stage.

2. Did you do anything dishonestly to obtain that contract - like say that you have a degree? If no go to next stage.

3. Has your contract got six months to run? If yes go to next stage.

4. Inform your employer that you do not accept alterations to the terms of your contract and, if they wish to terminate it, you will require six months salary as compensation.

If you can't get to stage 4 your situation is illegal anyway so you should get out while you still can!

[Roger13]

pnustedt

To Work without the Work Permit is Illegal - period.

The Contract in that sense is irrelevant.

[MrSam]

Roger's right on that one.

No matter what the contract says, working without a work permit is not legal.

I've also heard (although never confirmed) that even if you have a contract, it's not legally valid unless it's in Thai unless it's a certified translation presented with the original Thai contract. I'm not sure of that's true or not, but I've heard it many places.

[pnustedt]

Sorry I didn't read back to the beginning of your post and didn't realise that you haven't got a work permit. You obviously need the degree to get the permit, not for your employer?

I've just read the requirements for work permit on this site and see that "sometimes they require it (the degree) to be certified by your country's embassy".

You're obviously going to go thru' with this but I don't think that it's worth the risk.

Isn't your employer also breaking the law and is your employer prepared to risk being found out?

[MrSam]

You're obviously going to go thru' with this but I don't think that it's worth the risk.

Read a few posts back. I said I haven't made any final decision myself and still haven't accepted the degree or even given them permission to make it in my name (which they need).

I'm still searching for answers. I've got 6 months that I need to stay here, then I can go back to the USA and do things right. I don't want to do things this way unless I have to. I am getting short on time though.

[pnustedt]

If you're really good come to Hong Kong - they're crying out for good English teachers and the pay's much better. It's 2.5 hrs from Bkk, you could take a long weekend every other week or something and travel back as a tourist.

Better option than risking your liberty.

[NathanV23]

Even if it within the law, the risk is that your employer finds out how you got the degree and isn't impressed. They may view it as deception or fraud and you may end up with legal problems anyway. If you have to find a way to stay 6 months, I would go for the delaying tactic. The Thais seem to be great at it in my experience.

When they ask for the degree, tell them that you have contacted your university back home and you are waiting for a reply. (This is a big university. They don't just answer the phone and say 'yes sir, the copy of your degree will be sent today) A few weeks later you can say that you haven't received a reply yet and you can show how much this is bothering you that your old school isn't helping.

A few weeks later, tell them that you've fianlly been able to contact the univeristy and they will send it out in 2 to 3 weeks. Its a process which takes time.

Then you've got the mail, which also takes time.

A few weeks later when it still hasn't come, remember that things get lost in the mail.

You'll have to start all over again.

If your employer is patient then you might just make it 3 or 4 months.

[MrSam]

That's actually what's been happening for the last two months. I was actually supposed to leave in June, but turned out that I needed to stay for a while longer.

I think I can delay them a while long, but not sure. I'll see. That may be the best tactic if not using a degree. I just hope it will work long enough.

I might accept the degree for now, but not present it unless all else fails.

Really people, don't get me wrong, I don't want to deceive anyone, I just need those 6 more months.

[Bob Chittie]

Even if you really had the degree, it would probably take a month to get it here considering time for the uni to pull it up and send it out as well as mail time. So if you're in good with them now, I would just go for the delay strategy. If they like you and want you to stay around, they will give you the benefit of the doubt, atleast for 2 or 3 months I would say.

[Roger13]

Sam,

You are already Illegal now without the Work Permit

So - Is it really Vital to have the next 6 months here?

Thereby risking your whole Future in Thailand?

Only you know why you want to stay

but if it is for the Salary - then

Hong Kong does seem to be a bit of a solution.

Roger

[IonFlux]

Also, this is a very, very serious place to screw things up. I hope he stays on the right side of things for his own sake. If the Thai government ever really starts verifying 'degrees,' the rents on Sukhumvit are going to plummet.

Like I've asked many times, anyone have any better or more constructive ideas? I haven't accepted nor attempted to use this method yet. I have done nothing I should not have done yet.

I stated several times that I was open to suggestions, but all anyone can seem to do is bash me. I came seeking advice, not to boast about this.

I really need to stay here for 6 more months or so, and I'd like to keep my current job during that time.

So if anyone has any OTHER suggestions, please let me know.

I'm aware that what I am doing is not the best idea, so please, stop letting me know that now.

Your nonchalence scares me.

I've got an idea, whether you'll like it or not, I can't promise. But the idea is, "Go the legal route, get out of Thailand, get your REAL degree, then go back to LOS and teach English and stay, legally."

I'm sorry if it doesn't gel with your idea but there are some of us who're truly law-abiding.

If you feel that you're not breaking any laws by doing what you did, then by all means keep doing it.

[Roger13]

Hi MrSam

What about an update?

Are you still working here Illegally?

Roger

[MrSam]

Also, this is a very, very serious place to screw things up. I hope he stays on the right side of things for his own sake. If the Thai government ever really starts verifying 'degrees,' the rents on Sukhumvit are going to plummet.

Like I've asked many times, anyone have any better or more constructive ideas? I haven't accepted nor attempted to use this method yet. I have done nothing I should not have done yet.

I stated several times that I was open to suggestions, but all anyone can seem to do is bash me. I came seeking advice, not to boast about this.

I really need to stay here for 6 more months or so, and I'd like to keep my current job during that time.

So if anyone has any OTHER suggestions, please let me know.

I'm aware that what I am doing is not the best idea, so please, stop letting me know that now.

Your nonchalence scares me.

I've got an idea, whether you'll like it or not, I can't promise. But the idea is, "Go the legal route, get out of Thailand, get your REAL degree, then go back to LOS and teach English and stay, legally."

I'm sorry if it doesn't gel with your idea but there are some of us who're truly law-abiding.

If you feel that you're not breaking any laws by doing what you did, then by all means keep doing it.

Alright, a few of you need to read more.

You obviously didn't read the part that says about me staying here for only 6 morte months, so what the #### would be the point of me going back, getting a degree and coming back again. And I never said I did anything yet, I said that they made me an offer.

Before you open your trap, perhaps you should READ what was said previously. You're probably just one of those lazy ass people who reads the first 3 posts then skips to the end and adds their own opinion trying to tell people what they should and should not do without even knowing where the #### the topic went.

[chonabot]

Tbh getting a bit bored of this dead horse.......as I'm sure Mr Sam is ???

[Roger13]

But what is the point of following a story

- and not knowing the outcome?

Seems he is still here working Illegally

- without a work permit

- risking his ability to be here in the Future

for just a few months now

[beleby]

Couple of pointers here.

1) Everybody is saying "you'll be in big trouble caught without a degree! blah blah blah!"

Sorry, have I missed something? Is this not the same TiT board where every other topic is full of posts telling us how inefficient Thai authorities are and any problem can be solved with a few bhat (wink wink)???  When it comes to degrees, everybody gets defensive. Something tells me the graduates get a little jealous when others find a way to get work here.

2) A few people have mentioned Hong Kong. I've been looking for more information on working there teaching English, can anyone give me a few pointers or web sites? Thanks.

[pnustedt]

The main job market in HK is thru' the South China Morning Post on a Saturday.

Try:

http://www.classifiedpost.com/jshome.php

Then go to "Job Categories" - "education".