Farang Salaries In Los

[GuestHouse]

Nonsense. There are plenty of farang earning very good salary here. We're not all teachers, you know, nor do we have to go to other countries to succeed.

Forgive me Bendix, I had no idea that your nerve was so close to the surface... I'll be more gentle next time.

[GuestHouse]

With respect to a comparison of the O&G industry between the last boom/bust and now. I joined the industry in the late 80s, at a time when the last ‘boom’ was a happy memory for the, then, older… and I should say, visibly more affluent guys.

That’s not to say that between times the O&G industry has been in the complete doldrums, not booming for sure, but certainly busy, thanks in many respects to rafts of environmental legislation which has forced improvements on the industry and hence created work.

Work, I would add that has included a large component of new technologies, hence new skills to be traded on the job market.

But there are clear differences now, one is the shift from O&G to the products of O&G – It is the petro-chem industry that is booming on the back of profits from oil and importantly demand from the developing and industrialized world – The Petro Dollars are in fact financing the investment in the industry to meet the vastly increased demand.

It is those who have skills and experience in these petro-chem industries that are making the big bucks. Right now, if you have experience in Ethylene, cryogenic technologies and the environmental/safety technologies of the past two decades then you can and ought to be making big bucks.

Added to this, the cut back in staffing during the past two decades ensures that older ‘professional staff’ with the wider experience can more or less write their own cheques.

These are even good times for the ‘job’s worth’ boys.

But not for long I think, because a lot of new blood is coming into the industry.

[BigDownUnder]

I am having discussions with a prospectiver employer in Bangkok now for a position as a lawyer.

What salary/package would a mid level lawyer be looking at?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Edited May 7, 2008 by BigDownUnder

[samran]

I am having discussions with a prospectiver employer in Bangkok now for a position as a lawyer.

What salary/package would a mid level lawyer be looking at?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

ahem, consultant. Foreign lawyers allowed to work as lawyers are rare as hens teeth.

As for packages. Ask Bendix!

[AFKAFSinLOS]

...

ahem, consultant. Foreign lawyers allowed to work as lawyers are rare as hens teeth.

...

Extending the animal analogy a little further, you'll also find the foreign lawayer in Thailand is often the front legs of the elephant.

Usually cheaper to go directly to the clever Thai behind them that does all the legwork and is the real expert on law in Thailand. Their rates are better

[kiakaha]

For jayjayjayjay

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1959036

I know that those getting paid offshore will now have less (12%?) Thai Baht now that the exchange rates have changed but base the conversion on current rates. Add in any cash benefits that you receive such as housing allowances, transport etc.

The Poll's anonymous so you can be honest, no need to boast or be ashamed as nobody cares anyway.

why only farangs ? plenty of indians, arabs, koreans, japanese, chinese, hispanics, phillipinos, laotians, burmese,cambodians,vietnamese, africans etc... etc.... earning legal salaries in thailand.

[JimsKnight]

I earn a Divemasters salary ... Which is not very good at all ... I dream of earning some of the money I've just seen on that poll and living in LOS ... I am now looking for a job which can give me the security of a good salary ... Any suggestions anyone? 24 years, smart, creative and hard working...

Best advice I can give you with your diving background is go and do your commerical diving ticket...pref Saturation diving....rates for commerical divers in the O&G game are going through the roof at the moment..most likely will not be working on LOS, but live here during your time off....

Best advice I can give is think carefully before you commit a large chunk of cash to commercial diving.

It isn't for everyone and is a world away from the glamour diving world.

You'll be joining an ever growing queue for work in this industry, every man and his dog seems to be getting into it now

[LaoPo]

I earn a Divemasters salary ... Which is not very good at all ... I dream of earning some of the money I've just seen on that poll and living in LOS ... I am now looking for a job which can give me the security of a good salary ... Any suggestions anyone? 24 years, smart, creative and hard working...

Best advice I can give you with your diving background is go and do your commerical diving ticket...pref Saturation diving....rates for commerical divers in the O&G game are going through the roof at the moment..most likely will not be working on LOS, but live here during your time off....

Best advice I can give is think carefully before you commit a large chunk of cash to commercial diving.

It isn't for everyone and is a world away from the glamour diving world.

You'll be joining an ever growing queue for work in this industry, every man and his dog seems to be getting into it now

.....adding:

if you want to die young go for a professional diving job.

I experienced a few (professional divers) friends die...too young, from several causes and all of those causes were not very pretty; one very close friend pulled the trigger upon himself...

And: don't believe ANYBODY who says different and that it's no problem (prof diving) and healthy; it's NOT !

LaoPo

[thaihome]

Are all you O&G workers in upstream? I work in Downstream as a management consultant for one of the super majors right now on a graduate program. Would love to relocate to LOS in future but not sure if possible.

Downstream is booming in Thailand right now, but graduates are not usually given international assignments. Also most downstream in being done by PTT, only one major is building anything in Thailand right now, so most assignments are with E&C companies.

Work hard and put on your annual review each time that you want to work on international assignment, Do not say Thailand specifically, at worst you will end up in the Middle East or Africa with a R&R every 3/4 months that you can take in Thailand. Getting a Thailand assignment is a matter of luck and timing.

TH

PTT is not the only major building things in Thailand, the other major player in the Gulf of Thailand is on a major construction run as well, and stand to be corrected but they are investing a lot more money in Thailand than PTT over the next few years..

The question was in relation to downstream projects, other then one major, which is also the one that is planning some major upstream work in the gulf, I can't think of a major oil company that is building a downstream project right now. There is a large chemical company that is finishing a project, but otherwise they are all PTT subsidiaries.

TH

[bendix]

I am having discussions with a prospectiver employer in Bangkok now for a position as a lawyer.

What salary/package would a mid level lawyer be looking at?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

ahem, consultant. Foreign lawyers allowed to work as lawyers are rare as hens teeth.

As for packages. Ask Bendix!

Depends on the firm. If it's a reputable international firm and they really want you, the sky is the limit. There's a dearth of talent out there, and salaries are on the up and up. If it's a local firm, less so. If it's an inhouse role, even less so.

And it depends on your area of specialisation.

[Tomkagai]

Are all you O&G workers in upstream? I work in Downstream as a management consultant for one of the super majors right now on a graduate program. Would love to relocate to LOS in future but not sure if possible.

Downstream is booming in Thailand right now, but graduates are not usually given international assignments. Also most downstream in being done by PTT, only one major is building anything in Thailand right now, so most assignments are with E&C companies.

Work hard and put on your annual review each time that you want to work on international assignment, Do not say Thailand specifically, at worst you will end up in the Middle East or Africa with a R&R every 3/4 months that you can take in Thailand. Getting a Thailand assignment is a matter of luck and timing.

TH

PTT is not the only major building things in Thailand, the other major player in the Gulf of Thailand is on a major construction run as well, and stand to be corrected but they are investing a lot more money in Thailand than PTT over the next few years..

The question was in relation to downstream projects, other then one major, which is also the one that is planning some major upstream work in the gulf, I can't think of a major oil company that is building a downstream project right now. There is a large chemical company that is finishing a project, but otherwise they are all PTT subsidiaries.

TH

A thousand apologies....mis-read your original statement...

[BigDownUnder]

I am having discussions with a prospectiver employer in Bangkok now for a position as a lawyer.

What salary/package would a mid level lawyer be looking at?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

ahem, consultant. Foreign lawyers allowed to work as lawyers are rare as hens teeth.

As for packages. Ask Bendix!

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

I understand what you are saying, but the position is advertised as "[ ] lawyer" by one of the top tier international firms.

I guess its all about semantics at the end of the day.

Edited May 8, 2008 by BigDownUnder

[BigDownUnder]

...

ahem, consultant. Foreign lawyers allowed to work as lawyers are rare as hens teeth.

...

Extending the animal analogy a little further, you'll also find the foreign lawayer in Thailand is often the front legs of the elephant.

Usually cheaper to go directly to the clever Thai behind them that does all the legwork and is the real expert on law in Thailand. Their rates are better

Beats me why they desperately need a well qualified mid to senior level farang lawyer then

[Tomkagai]

I earn a Divemasters salary ... Which is not very good at all ... I dream of earning some of the money I've just seen on that poll and living in LOS ... I am now looking for a job which can give me the security of a good salary ... Any suggestions anyone? 24 years, smart, creative and hard working...

Best advice I can give you with your diving background is go and do your commerical diving ticket...pref Saturation diving....rates for commerical divers in the O&G game are going through the roof at the moment..most likely will not be working on LOS, but live here during your time off....

Best advice I can give is think carefully before you commit a large chunk of cash to commercial diving.

It isn't for everyone and is a world away from the glamour diving world.

You'll be joining an ever growing queue for work in this industry, every man and his dog seems to be getting into it now

.....adding:

if you want to die young go for a professional diving job.

I experienced a few (professional divers) friends die...too young, from several causes and all of those causes were not very pretty; one very close friend pulled the trigger upon himself...

And: don't believe ANYBODY who says different and that it's no problem (prof diving) and healthy; it's NOT !

LaoPo

LaoPo..mate understand what you are getting at, but think the highlighted sentence is a bit strong, know of plenty of guys who have come through commerical diving game, both air diving and SAT and have lived to a ripe old age with plenty of cash in the bank.... granted commerical diving game has its hazards....

[Seizhin]

How the difference.

I'm not going further into the topic, but this post is very itneresting.

[AFKAFSinLOS]

...

ahem, consultant. Foreign lawyers allowed to work as lawyers are rare as hens teeth.

...

Extending the animal analogy a little further, you'll also find the foreign lawayer in Thailand is often the front legs of the elephant.

Usually cheaper to go directly to the clever Thai behind them that does all the legwork and is the real expert on law in Thailand. Their rates are better

Beats me why they desperately need a well qualified mid to senior level farang lawyer then

Foreigners often prefer to deal with a foreign lawyer...

The best lawyers in Thailand when it comes to Thai law are of course Thai, which is probably the same whatever country you pick. The worst are often Thai too. Some foreigners don't know how to sort the wheat from the chaff, so prefer the foreigner...

[JimsKnight]

I earn a Divemasters salary ... Which is not very good at all ... I dream of earning some of the money I've just seen on that poll and living in LOS ... I am now looking for a job which can give me the security of a good salary ... Any suggestions anyone? 24 years, smart, creative and hard working...

Best advice I can give you with your diving background is go and do your commerical diving ticket...pref Saturation diving....rates for commerical divers in the O&G game are going through the roof at the moment..most likely will not be working on LOS, but live here during your time off....

Best advice I can give is think carefully before you commit a large chunk of cash to commercial diving.

It isn't for everyone and is a world away from the glamour diving world.

You'll be joining an ever growing queue for work in this industry, every man and his dog seems to be getting into it now

.....adding:

if you want to die young go for a professional diving job.

I experienced a few (professional divers) friends die...too young, from several causes and all of those causes were not very pretty; one very close friend pulled the trigger upon himself...

And: don't believe ANYBODY who says different and that it's no problem (prof diving) and healthy; it's NOT !

LaoPo

<Off Topic>

Well I've met plenty of commercial divers still diving and they're in their 40s and 50s. No health problems for them

But like I said, commercial diving is not for everyone, many folk end up with an expensive ticket on the wall doing nothing for them.

But making sweeping statements like that is just silly.

Yes the work is sht and unpleasant, but if you thrive on hard graft and don't mind sht vis.

The dark days of the 1970s and 1980s are a world away from commercial diving nowadays, the decompression schedules are very conservative and if a bend does occur the facilities for dealing with it are there on-site facilities to treat it there and then with 100 % O2.

Compare this to a scooby doo divers, recreational divers who dive and haven't got any Decompression facilities.

Bone necrosis (a big thing that non-commercial divers to harp on about) is unheard of nowadays.

That was a relic of the aggressive decompression schedules prevelant 'back in the day' then.

The only 'thing' that (arguably) affects divers (scooby and commercial) is a very slight loss of hearing (due to the stretching of the eardrum).

Hope that clears things up a bit!

[SeanPhuket]

I earn a Divemasters salary ... Which is not very good at all ... I dream of earning some of the money I've just seen on that poll and living in LOS ... I am now looking for a job which can give me the security of a good salary ... Any suggestions anyone? 24 years, smart, creative and hard working...

Best advice I can give you with your diving background is go and do your commerical diving ticket...pref Saturation diving....rates for commerical divers in the O&G game are going through the roof at the moment..most likely will not be working on LOS, but live here during your time off....

Best advice I can give is think carefully before you commit a large chunk of cash to commercial diving.

It isn't for everyone and is a world away from the glamour diving world.

You'll be joining an ever growing queue for work in this industry, every man and his dog seems to be getting into it now

.....adding:

if you want to die young go for a professional diving job.

I experienced a few (professional divers) friends die...too young, from several causes and all of those causes were not very pretty; one very close friend pulled the trigger upon himself...

And: don't believe ANYBODY who says different and that it's no problem (prof diving) and healthy; it's NOT !

LaoPo

<Off Topic>

Well I've met plenty of commercial divers still diving and they're in their 40s and 50s. No health problems for them

But like I said, commercial diving is not for everyone, many folk end up with an expensive ticket on the wall doing nothing for them.

But making sweeping statements like that is just silly.

Yes the work is sht and unpleasant, but if you thrive on hard graft and don't mind sht vis.

The dark days of the 1970s and 1980s are a world away from commercial diving nowadays, the decompression schedules are very conservative and if a bend does occur the facilities for dealing with it are there on-site facilities to treat it there and then with 100 % O2.

Compare this to a scooby doo divers, recreational divers who dive and haven't got any Decompression facilities.

Bone necrosis (a big thing that non-commercial divers to harp on about) is unheard of nowadays.

That was a relic of the aggressive decompression schedules prevelant 'back in the day' then.

The only 'thing' that (arguably) affects divers (scooby and commercial) is a very slight loss of hearing (due to the stretching of the eardrum).

Hope that clears things up a bit!

What are you doing for work Jim? You seem to know a thing or 2...

Thought about the commercial thing, have a connection in the game, but to be honest pointing out a shark at 20 meters and being polite for tips is quite different to lugging stuff about at 100 meters, though I am not afraid of hard work, I just dont seem to have to much an interest in commercial...

I hear such a mix of positive and negative about commercial, for health, conditions and dough etc., out of interest what are your views?

Looking at the rigs right now, maybe starting as a 'roustabout', but who knows whats around the corner

[JimsKnight]

Check your inbox Sean, I've sent you a PM.

[Tomkagai]

I earn a Divemasters salary ... Which is not very good at all ... I dream of earning some of the money I've just seen on that poll and living in LOS ... I am now looking for a job which can give me the security of a good salary ... Any suggestions anyone? 24 years, smart, creative and hard working...

Best advice I can give you with your diving background is go and do your commerical diving ticket...pref Saturation diving....rates for commerical divers in the O&G game are going through the roof at the moment..most likely will not be working on LOS, but live here during your time off....

Best advice I can give is think carefully before you commit a large chunk of cash to commercial diving.

It isn't for everyone and is a world away from the glamour diving world.

You'll be joining an ever growing queue for work in this industry, every man and his dog seems to be getting into it now

.....adding:

if you want to die young go for a professional diving job.

I experienced a few (professional divers) friends die...too young, from several causes and all of those causes were not very pretty; one very close friend pulled the trigger upon himself...

And: don't believe ANYBODY who says different and that it's no problem (prof diving) and healthy; it's NOT !

LaoPo

<Off Topic>

Well I've met plenty of commercial divers still diving and they're in their 40s and 50s. No health problems for them

But like I said, commercial diving is not for everyone, many folk end up with an expensive ticket on the wall doing nothing for them.

But making sweeping statements like that is just silly.

Yes the work is sht and unpleasant, but if you thrive on hard graft and don't mind sht vis.

The dark days of the 1970s and 1980s are a world away from commercial diving nowadays, the decompression schedules are very conservative and if a bend does occur the facilities for dealing with it are there on-site facilities to treat it there and then with 100 % O2.

Compare this to a scooby doo divers, recreational divers who dive and haven't got any Decompression facilities.

Bone necrosis (a big thing that non-commercial divers to harp on about) is unheard of nowadays.

That was a relic of the aggressive decompression schedules prevelant 'back in the day' then.

The only 'thing' that (arguably) affects divers (scooby and commercial) is a very slight loss of hearing (due to the stretching of the eardrum).

Hope that clears things up a bit!

What are you doing for work Jim? You seem to know a thing or 2...

Thought about the commercial thing, have a connection in the game, but to be honest pointing out a shark at 20 meters and being polite for tips is quite different to lugging stuff about at 100 meters, though I am not afraid of hard work, I just dont seem to have to much an interest in commercial...

I hear such a mix of positive and negative about commercial, for health, conditions and dough etc., out of interest what are your views?

Looking at the rigs right now, maybe starting as a 'roustabout', but who knows whats around the corner

Sean if you thinking about looking at roustie jobs in SEA, especially Thailand forget about it...dont mean to sound negative but you will have no chance....all nationals, and even if you happened to get a shot at job you wouldnt work for the money the guys get....

If from the US you may have a shot at the GOM getting taken on, but highly unlikely they will pay for your travel to and from Thailand.

If from the UK....there are hundreds of people in UK waiting to get a start on the North sea....and again they would not pay your travel....you basically need to be local

These days a roustie position is not classed as an "Expat" job ie flying you in and out...

[BigDownUnder]

I am having discussions with a prospectiver employer in Bangkok now for a position as a lawyer.

What salary/package would a mid level lawyer be looking at?

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

ahem, consultant. Foreign lawyers allowed to work as lawyers are rare as hens teeth.

As for packages. Ask Bendix!

Depends on the firm. If it's a reputable international firm and they really want you, the sky is the limit. There's a dearth of talent out there, and salaries are on the up and up. If it's a local firm, less so. If it's an inhouse role, even less so.

And it depends on your area of specialisation.

I could really do with some help on what salary/package (ie relocation/housing/medical etc) to expect - the agents I'm dealing with do not even have a great idea

The firms in question are 3 top tier international law firms.

I am a mid/senior level (6 years post admission) lawyer from Australia.

Speciality = commercial & property.

Any help would be much appreciated because at the moment I do not know what is fair and reasonable - I don't want to shortchange myself and I don't want to ask for an excessive salary.

[Tomkagai]

Sean if you thinking about looking at roustie jobs in SEA, especially Thailand forget about it...dont mean to sound negative but you will have no chance....all nationals, and even if you happened to get a shot at job you wouldnt work for the money the guys get....

If from the US you may have a shot at the GOM getting taken on, but highly unlikely they will pay for your travel to and from Thailand.

If from the UK....there are hundreds of people in UK waiting to get a start on the North sea....and again they would not pay your travel....you basically need to be local

These days a roustie position is not classed as an "Expat" job ie flying you in and out...

There seems to be a few people in the know about the O&G industry on here so i hope you dont mind my cheek in seeking a bit of free careers advice.

I am currently doing a HND in Mechatronics in the hope of getting into ROVs in 2009 when i have graduated, i will be looking to get a start in the North Sea with my long term goal to be based in the Middle East or better still SE Asia (so i can live in LOS), does anyone know what the job situation is for ROV pilots out there.

I know it sounds like im dreaming but im currently putting the foundations in to make the dream possible.

There is a shortage of good ROV guys in SEA and am guessing over the next few years there will be an even bigger shortage considering the number of possible projects that may be going on...ie Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and even possibly Cambodia...

You are going the right way by trying to get experience in the UK first before venturing out into the big bad world....the biggest thing these days which determines your day rate is the experience.....so if you get your experience at home, be good at what you are doing and dont get the " arrogant attitude" that some ROV guys get...ie think they are gods gift to ROV's...then there may be possbilities for you in the future....the offshore O&G is not a easy business to crack, and ROV guys have to be prepared to work long rotations and long shifts...so its not just the technical skills you need to develop..but also the personality required to work offshore

[lannarebirth]

Best to all the O&G folks. I would urge anyone new to this industry to view income derived there as "windfall" rather than income. You should be stashing away the greater percentage of it, towards a future that may see SIGNIFICANTLY less work, and at lesser rates than is available currently.

[Tomkagai]

Best to all the O&G folks. I would urge anyone new to this industry to view income derived there as "windfall" rather than income. You should be stashing away the greater percentage of it, towards a future that may see SIGNIFICANTLY less work, and at lesser rates than is available currently.

Don't fully agree with what you say....I have managed to survive nearly 25 years in the O&G, with the last 7 years in SEA...and have never seen better prospects for experienced O&G personnel....granted the business goes through cycles and after this "boom" ends...which it will at some stage..rates will drop...its all market related....but seeing as we are seeing $124/barrel with possibilities of going to $200/barrel in the medium term.....make hay while the sun shines...!!!!...get in get your money and invest wisely......

I personally dont think we have reached peak rates yet for O&G personnel....

Long may the oil price rise..!!!!

[Spiny]

I was lucky to get into the oil and gas industry in 1973 straight out of uni, and in 1974 came to SE Asia. I never really looked at the salary I was earning, just enjoyed the travel and experiences of working with all the different nationalities. Good thing is, that I am being paid for practicing my hobby, earth science.

I have pissed away a serious amount of cash over the years but also quite a lot has stuck in properties, pensions and a bit of cash for a future long rainy season. I would not change anything in retrospect. It has been a wild ride for sure.

However, this boom I am stashing away as much as I can. Despite the demographic bias towards middle aged/ retirement age skilled workers in the region, I am seeing that the skill shortages will be more and more taken up by Asian graduates in geoscience and engineering. I know my days as a cosetted expat are numbered in Thailand and will probably see my job go to someone from the subcontinent soon, one of the reasons I have permanent residence here

[OxfordWill]

A boyfriend of a friend makes $1200 per day tax free base rate plus $35 per hour tax free. He is health and safety on an oil rig offshore somewhere near LOS, barely ever gets his hands dirty.

[Tomkagai]

A boyfriend of a friend makes $1200 per day tax free base rate plus $35 per hour tax free. He is health and safety on an oil rig offshore somewhere near LOS, barely ever gets his hands dirty.

Suspect he is telling porkie pies as well...cos the day rates for the HSE guys offshore are not that high in this neck of the woods...

Company men/drilling managers maybe (and higher), but not Safety Officers....

[GuestHouse]

Best to all the O&G folks. I would urge anyone new to this industry to view income derived there as "windfall" rather than income. You should be stashing away the greater percentage of it, towards a future that may see SIGNIFICANTLY less work, and at lesser rates than is available currently.

Well if it does, I reckon I'll move over to the Water Industry.... The 'Hate Rellationship' Joe Public has with the O&G Companies is going to look like mild tiff when the Water Companies start making the proffits that come with demand being higher than supply...

[thaihome]

A boyfriend of a friend makes $1200 per day tax free base rate plus $35 per hour tax free. He is health and safety on an oil rig offshore somewhere near LOS, barely ever gets his hands dirty.

Suspect he is telling porkie pies as well...cos the day rates for the HSE guys offshore are not that high in this neck of the woods...

Company men/drilling managers maybe (and higher), but not Safety Officers....

Why would an HSE officer ever get his hands dirty?

Besides, these days most HSE field people tend to be SEA nationals anyway. Managers may be expats, but it has been a long time since I saw an expat field HSE inspector.

TH

[Tomkagai]

A boyfriend of a friend makes $1200 per day tax free base rate plus $35 per hour tax free. He is health and safety on an oil rig offshore somewhere near LOS, barely ever gets his hands dirty.

Suspect he is telling porkie pies as well...cos the day rates for the HSE guys offshore are not that high in this neck of the woods...

Company men/drilling managers maybe (and higher), but not Safety Officers....

Why would an HSE officer ever get his hands dirty?

Besides, these days most HSE field people tend to be SEA nationals anyway. Managers may be expats, but it has been a long time since I saw an expat field HSE inspector.

TH

100% correct and have never seen a base rate paid + some much per hour, therefore based on the numbers given would be $1200 base + $ 420 (12 X 35/hr)....US$ 1620/day...no way for an offshore safety officer, expat or otherwise....Even for a shore based safety manager seems a little on the high side, but suppose its possible if working directly for a major, not a service company....

Guys working offshore, certainly expats in this area are paid flat dayrate for 12 hours, no OT etc.....