For those of you who do not teach, do you find it easier to get a job in Thailand than it is in the West? For some reason it never takes me more than two weeks to find a job in Thailand whereas in the West it could take months. It is also easier to find a senior position here. The downside is that my coworkers, Thais as well as foreigners, in general don’t seem, um, as capable or hard-working as the coworkers I had encountered in the West. (I am probably one of those not so capable, not so hard-working professionals as well.) Ironic that in Thailand I don’t have to work very hard, yet I earn more than I ever could in the West. The scary thing is that it seems the longer you stay in Wonderland, the harder it is to get out. Presumably Thai work experience wouldn’t look very impressive on one’s resume.

Would you share your experience? Thanks.

The downside is that my coworkers, Thais as well as foreigners, in general don’t seem, um, as capable or hard-working as the coworkers I had encountered in the West. (I am probably one of those not so capable, not so hard-working professionals as well.) Ironic that in Thailand I don’t have to work very hard, yet I earn more than I ever could in the West.

interesting you should say that

I was always working in Thailand most of my life (but for western 'organisations')

have recently moved to the west, found a job..and apparently people around me feel that things are SOOOOOOOOOOOO busy. but Im working probably about one third of what I used to do in Thailand?

so yes, I work much less here. Im in fact thinking of finding some volunteer/pro bono work to do! the fact that commuting time is far less makes a difference too. in bangkok, by the time your day ends, to try to get any place will take at least one to 1.5 hours..drains more energy out of you....

anyway.....cant answer about the easy to find work part.........perhaps harder for me in the west...at least for the 'dream' job (passion) types, but I wouldnt say it was easier for me in thailand. or making lots more...I dont earn expat salaries ...here or there.

but maybe your questions were directed to the expats/non thais?

Edited May 28, 200818 yr by MiG16

i don't know what kind of jobs you have OP but i don't think most westerners find it easier to get work in Thailand, and if they do they certainly don't usually make more here than they do in the west!

It would depend on what kind of field you were in & what your salary package, work/life balance was back in the west.

Personally, I would never find the same salary in Thailand that I have in the UK which is why I have never bothered to look for work in Thailand. Add to that that I work full time from home making my work/life balance life very easy plus the fact that in my field I would only be able to find work in 1 place, Bangkok & I have no desire to live there so the type of work & lifestyle you have would make a massive difference to your working environment & how much you enjoyed it.

That said, I know several expat women who love living & working in Bangkok so it really is a case of different strokes for different folks

but maybe your questions were directed to the expats/non thais?

Of course not. I was interested in hearing from Thais as well as other nationalities.

Thank you for sharing.

but maybe your questions were directed to the expats/non thais?

Of course not. I was interested in hearing from Thais as well as other nationalities.

Thank you for sharing.

Hi rainx...as girlx said it is very hard for most westerners to get non-teaching jobs here. I think you are Thai are you not? I am wondering if this goes against you in the west as our nationality goes against us here. If you are not Thai then you are just very lucky I guess! I am one of the lucky few who is no longer teaching but gets a very good salary and gets to live in her dream place...however it was a definite case if me being in the right place at the right time, knowing the right people and being here for a year before I was offered it. So no generally I think it is very hard for westerners. Of course my salary is lower than at home, but about double what I was on teaching so I am happy!

but maybe your questions were directed to the expats/non thais?

Of course not. I was interested in hearing from Thais as well as other nationalities.

Thank you for sharing.

Hi rainx...as girlx said it is very hard for most westerners to get non-teaching jobs here. I think you are Thai are you not? I am wondering if this goes against you in the west as our nationality goes against us here. If you are not Thai then you are just very lucky I guess! I am one of the lucky few who is no longer teaching but gets a very good salary and gets to live in her dream place...however it was a definite case if me being in the right place at the right time, knowing the right people and being here for a year before I was offered it. So no generally I think it is very hard for westerners. Of course my salary is lower than at home, but about double what I was on teaching so I am happy!

Hi Mssabai. Yes, I have Thai citizenship, and I think it helps. No work permit is needed. I also notice that if you look at job ads in the newspapers here, often you see that Thai nationality is among the eligibility requirements. My current employer prefers to hire Thai nationals because expats are expensive. In the West nationality works against me, I think, as most employers require that you already have residency/citizenship. I was a little surprised, though, to hear that it is harder for Westerners to get a job here than it is in their home countries, as I imagine that not that many capable and ambitious professionals want to work in Thailand. Hence you have less competition.