Thai Wives Working Abroad

[Bananaman]

Following on from upcountryboy's 'Thai Girls Abroad' thread, I'd like to ask an equally vague question. What employment possibilities are their for a Thai spouse living abroad? I know that this depends massively on the age and qualifications of the individual and the country she's in, but I'd welcome information from anyone who has a Thai wife working in the west. I think I'm presuming that the lady would have competent English skills at the very least but as for whatever else, educated, not educated, whatever; I'm happy to hear any and all experiences. Info regarding work in the UK would be particularly of interest. Cheers

[GuestHouse]

When we first moved to the UK my wife took her first job working in a Thai restaurant, as many Thais do this is an easy bridge into a job. We then went out to Singapore where she worked at the Singapore office of the company she had worked in Bangkok - again an easy option.

During her second spell in the UK she took a job working on the staff of a volunteer organization working with old people, this was paid better and was a much more positive experience, it also gave her contacts amongst people who are genuinely focussed on helping others, this paid dividends with integrating into the UK (not some Thai enclave in the UK).

In Rome she again worked for a volunteer organization (unpaid) and through that got a nomination to and employment with the WFP.

The lesson there is that getting a job with the right people can open doors - and it would seem that volunteer organizations offer easy access to the right people.

[jayjayjayjay]

Following on from upcountryboy's 'Thai Girls Abroad' thread, I'd like to ask an equally vague question. What employment possibilities are their for a Thai spouse living abroad? I know that this depends massively on the age and qualifications of the individual and the country she's in, but I'd welcome information from anyone who has a Thai wife working in the west. I think I'm presuming that the lady would have competent English skills at the very least but as for whatever else, educated, not educated, whatever; I'm happy to hear any and all experiences. Info regarding work in the UK would be particularly of interest. Cheers

I've had Thai staff fill sales and accounting positions within overseas sister companies. Both very successful in the long term. One was a guy the other a girl. As long as there English is up to speed I think they could fit into anywhere. Secretarial work, Marketing and Sales could be a problem if they are in areas where English is spoken very quickly, Oz and NZ for sure. I think in South California they could do almost anything they are qualified for due to much clearer spoken language and the mix of hispanics that would be more sympathetic to non-native speakers.

[Jockstar]

My wife has a degree in media and advertising. Though when we came to Oz, she didnt want to work in that field as she thought her English just wasnt good enough. So her first job was as a dental assistant. She hated that( i can see why) Her 2nd and current job is working in an OAP home. She earns good money and loves her job. Also its only a 5 minute drive to work. Also my wife didnt want to work in a Thai restaurant as she wanted to adapt to her new country and not just hang out with Thais. Took her a few months to understand the Ozzies. But she could understand me. :D

[soundman]

Wasn't my wife at the time - but when in Australia as a student, my wife worked for a local Thai restaurant. Lasted about two weeks.

[Bananaman]

Cheers for the replies so far guys.

Keep 'em coming.

[Mossfinn]

Got a job as a Nursery assistant and was able to pass the Level 2 exams, now working on level 3, she also works for a Voluntary Group that help Mothers who are finding it a little demanding in their everyday life, no pay though.

Moss

[Farma]

I’ve known Thai wives in Oz that worked in factories, restaurants, casinos, nursing home carers, a teacher and lab assistants. There are a lot who operate weekend market type fruit and vegetable stalls. Another had a large orchid nursery.

Factory and restaurant work opportunities seemed more common with jobs being offered through contacts in the Thai community.

[a2396]

If they are not fluent in the new country's language, that is a major inhibitor to holding any type of professional job. I have seen only a handfull of Thai woman after 4 years here, who would have passable English in a professional office job. I am talking about university graduates. Non-professional jobs? Low pay, hard work and no status. She's probably better off to stay home, unless you really need the extra money.

[GuestHouse]

She's probably better off to stay home, unless you really need the extra money.

Or .. shock horror... maybe she wants to work, earn her own money and make her own contribution to living costs.

[llso]

My Thai wife of four years,been together for seven came to the U.S. last year. Being that she was a simple farm girl from Issan we worried about what type of job she would be able to get once in the US. One thing for sure is I didn't want her to fall in the tap that other friends Thai wives even women with much better educations and qualifications fall into. That is the job of working in the "Thai Restaraunt" It is essentially slave labor 6 or 7 days a week 10-12 hours per day with poor pay and no benefits. Also when you have a Thai working for another Thai even here in US they revert right back to as if they were still in Thailand.

My wife went to work at a local Thai restaraunt for 2 weeks while waiting for her social security card. She was even afraid to ask them how much she was making and then they tried to screw her for a couple of days until I pointed it out to them.

SO. As to not fall into that trap I asked her what type of job she would like to do in US. She said that she liked Japanese food and would like to learn to make Sushi. I thought that was a great idea and after quite a bit of doing and some luck got her enrolled in a Japanese cooking school in BKK. She even got a nice looking diploma which I had the forethought to make sure hers was in English.

Before she came I spoke to the manager of a local high end Supermarket and they said if she could make Sushi they would hire her on the spot. They were so impressed with her diploma they wanted her to start immediately. The first day she went to work the head Sushi Chef for the entire chain of stores said to her so you cam make suhi? He said Ok rollthis ,and she did it perfeclty.

Soon after people coming to the store only wanted her to make their Sushi as she was the only Asian person working there. She became so good at her job she is now going to the other stores training and making new menus . She got two raises in 6 months and works 50-60 hours per week with overtime and great benefits, Full insurance ,401 K. An Asain lady came and tried to recruit her to work in her restaraunt for more money, buti told her not go because there were no benefits.

My other friends Thai wives here are still working in the Thai restaraunts.

[GuestHouse]

A good story Ilso and nice to hear things worked out.

I agree entirely on what you say about working in Thai restaurants and the problems that causes with getting stuck in little Thailand.

Well done to your lass for her hard work..

[sunreader]

School receptionist in the UK, she loves it.

Unemployment is very low in the UK, should be easy for a Thai girl with reasonable English and basic office skills to get work starting at £15,000+

[jayhech]

A big applaude to liso's wife This can be a true inspiration to many other women. Way to go girl!

[NovaBlue05]

My wife came to the US 8 years ago from Isaan. Her english was rough but she took the initiative to walk into a large grocery store chain here (Thais dont seem to get far from food it seems) and ask for a job....any job. The first couple of times they said no but she kept going back until she must have caught them in a position where they needed some temporary help while a worker was out.

Apparently, in comparison to her sluggish American co-workers, she seemed to be a dynamo of energy with respect to her work ethic (ok...it is a union job) and the Managers took notice and offered her a permanent position helping out rotating through various departments within the store as needed. She eventually became the co-Manager of the bakery in the store. It's a great job for her with excellent salary and benefits.

The best thing is she loves her job, her English has gotten very good through the immersion with co-workers & customers and...most important to her, she is able to send money....her money.. home to her mother & sister back on the farm. Last month she made the final payment on her first car.

[CaptHaddock]

My wife arrived here in New York City in 2002. She had a college degree from Thailand, but spent her first year studying English full-time at a university to get up to an American college-level standard. Then she did a two-year degree in a design field, finishing up with a 3.8 gpa and the best-of-class design award. She started with entry-level, dues-paying jobs in her field. Recently she moved up to her first job with real design responsibilities. Each job she has had was a step up, however, and each was a success. Her current job has full benefits and a good salary, which she is delighted to earn. All in all, her transition to an urban, middle-class American life has been remarkably smooth.

One of the big advantages for her was that she had majored in English as an undergraduate and was very motivated to experience living abroad. Also, since she is a city person, even though she is from a smallish town in Central Thailand. So, she loves New York.

[Bananaman]

My Thai wife of four years,been together for seven came to the U.S. last year. Being that she was a simple farm girl from Issan we worried about what type of job she would be able to get once in the US. One thing for sure is I didn't want her to fall in the tap that other friends Thai wives even women with much better educations and qualifications fall into. That is the job of working in the "Thai Restaraunt" It is essentially slave labor 6 or 7 days a week 10-12 hours per day with poor pay and no benefits. Also when you have a Thai working for another Thai even here in US they revert right back to as if they were still in Thailand.

My wife went to work at a local Thai restaraunt for 2 weeks while waiting for her social security card. She was even afraid to ask them how much she was making and then they tried to screw her for a couple of days until I pointed it out to them.

SO. As to not fall into that trap I asked her what type of job she would like to do in US. She said that she liked Japanese food and would like to learn to make Sushi. I thought that was a great idea and after quite a bit of doing and some luck got her enrolled in a Japanese cooking school in BKK. She even got a nice looking diploma which I had the forethought to make sure hers was in English.

Before she came I spoke to the manager of a local high end Supermarket and they said if she could make Sushi they would hire her on the spot. They were so impressed with her diploma they wanted her to start immediately. The first day she went to work the head Sushi Chef for the entire chain of stores said to her so you cam make suhi? He said Ok rollthis ,and she did it perfeclty.

Soon after people coming to the store only wanted her to make their Sushi as she was the only Asian person working there. She became so good at her job she is now going to the other stores training and making new menus . She got two raises in 6 months and works 50-60 hours per week with overtime and great benefits, Full insurance ,401 K. An Asain lady came and tried to recruit her to work in her restaraunt for more money, buti told her not go because there were no benefits.

My other friends Thai wives here are still working in the Thai restaraunts.

Fantastic tale llso. I started this thread because it seemed that the only tales I'd ever heard of Thai wives working abroad, involved the exploitative restaurant scenario you described at the beginning of your post. Your story well and truly proves that with a little creative thinking and application, this needn't be case.

[a2396]

School receptionist in the UK, she loves it.

Unemployment is very low in the UK, should be easy for a Thai girl with reasonable English and basic office skills to get work starting at £15,000+

Not so for USA. $30,000 + for a school receptionist? Impossible there and she would have to get in line behind all the native Americans who are out of work.

[Nignoy]

I have got a german mate who has been married for 18 years to a bright intelligent lady from deepest Isaan, imagine the culture shock for her moving to a secluded village in Rheinland, she taught herself to read and write english and german, she got a job in a factory, where she still works as a Shift manager, she is well liked in the community and respected by everyone, she is a big support to the vast thai community in the area , we are proud to call her and her husband friend Nignoy