No Degree, No Experience. Wants To Teach, Rural

[PeaceBlondie]

I just got off the phone with a poster who wants to teach in Nakon Ahn Heavensdoor, Thailand. As a volunteer, maybe; or 10 to 20K/month. Native speaker, farang, no university credits. He wants a work permit, legal, year after year.

If he meets the visa renewal rules (married to Thai; Thai baby, family income), is a decent school in the country-side going to know how to get him a work permit?

I tried to talk him out of it. But is it likely to work?

[thunder30101]

Anythings possible this is thailand, the trouble is he prob wont get be able to get anyone to make the effort or even have the knowledge to aquire the work permit let alone them putting up the costs for it. Alot of people I know here dont have the degree but still get wp/visa sponsered by the schools but are in bigger towns with exp in it. But then if they really want a teacher for low cost he can help them by getting the paperwork himself and walking them thru it and paying for it allowing him a legal way to stay.

[Loaded]

Even a degree doesn't guarantee a work permit if the school doesn't/can't bother to obtain. However unlikely to be a serious problem in a town where the director of the school is connected/related to all the other puu yais in town. This is, in my opinion, the situation in many provincial towns.

[wolfmanjack]

Even a degree doesn't guarantee a work permit if the school doesn't/can't bother to obtain. However unlikely to be a serious problem in a town where the director of the school is connected/related to all the other puu yais in town. This is, in my opinion, the situation in many provincial towns.

Does nakon Anh have a work permit office though ? The head of the schools contacts may not do any good if he has to go to a larger town to get his visa and work permits. I would suggest the tactic that he talk to the head master/principal and tell him he really wants to teach there but does not know what to do about the work permit. If he does not volunteer to help then ask him if he knows someone that can give him advice on how to go about getting help. That may pronpt him to give him some help or contacts that can help.

[puchooay]

I don't really think the first two answers here are helpful.

I'm only guessing but it sounds like the two posters don't know too much about "upcountry".

The rules in Thailand are actually in force nation wide. The idea that the poeple in "the provinces" don't have a clue are gone. I have first hand experience of theis.

Remember. The majority of Provinces all over Thailand have MOL offices as these offices are also there to help Thais get the correct paperwork to work overseas. They ALL have MOE offices. In actual fact each "Ket" will have an MOE office. There are 4 in the province where I live.

Not too much information on the person looking for a job. Ok he is married and has a child,as do I, but he has no experience,I have over 10 years.

Does he wish to work in the same area where his wife comes from? If so how long have they lived there? How popular is he? Does he know any parents form the school where he wants to work? These things are now far more helpful that the "Por Or" of the school knowing people.

He needs permission from the local Ministry of Education office. They will not bend over backwards to help the school if they are breaking the rules from head office in Bangkok.

If he is well known he can start by getting an introduction to the school from a few parents. He could maybe offer to do a few free days at the school. Foot in the door,likeable person.... He's half way there.

He then asks the school if they would like him long term. Chance are if he is in a large enough school, of which most provinces should have at least 3 or 4 and he is asking for between 10-20k then the answer will be yes.

I assume he has a Non O as he is living here already as a married man. Good. No police check of other little things needed for a visa. Needs a letter from the Teachers Council to give him a 2 year exemption from needing a Teachers Licence. For this he needs a begging letter from the school saying he is a good man/teacher and the school like him. Also the school does not have much money, so cannot afford a B.Ed, and this man is happy to work for a smaller salary.

Next step the area Education office. Here he needs the exemption letter, a contract and a letter from the school explaing why he is there. They should then give him a letter giving him permission to teach in that area.

Go to MOL apply for WP.

Ok. I appreciate that it is probably easier in the sticks but it can also be harder. The communities are a bit smaller. Keep your nose clean and get on with people then you could probably stay for ever. But make one mistake...everyone knows about it.

If the man in question is sincere then Good Luck to him. For advice please go in there lookin smart, being polite and with lots of "jai yen".

[thunder30101]

Apparently you have been here 10 years but you havent learned anything about a school director not wanting to lose face over not knowing the procedure. this is the problem i have seen with people i know out in the "upcountry" with wp/visa problems. gee cant wait till im an expert about the everchanging never the same moe regulations.

[PeaceBlondie]

Thunder, that's harsh. But indeed, school directors are big bosses who cannot lose face to a mere employee, especially to a farang applicant who may never have a real conversation with the boss.

[puchooay]

I sincerely apologise about answering a question with facts. I must also decline the title of EXPERT as indeed I am not.

I am, however, clever enough to remember the regulations from the last time I had to apply for extention of stay and WP(31st March)

I also said that it doesn't really help WHO the Director knows and not WHAT he knows.

H_ll. My Director knew nothing and do you know what he had the audacity to do???? He asked someone. Oh my @od.

But then again he didn't feel threatened about losing face because he wanted to help. You see I went to see him and was polite,spoke to him in his language and didn't try to make out I was the most important person in that room.

That's the problems I find with people I know all around Thailand when they have Visa/WP problems.

That is what I have learnt in the 10 years I have been here.

[Ijustwannateach]

No need to be personal here, folks, if you disagree simply post your points.

[Loaded]

I also said that it doesn't really help WHO the Director knows and not WHAT he knows.

I'm afraid it does. If you don't know that after 10 years in Thailand, you must wear blinkers.

After 10 years if you haven't experienced the inconsistent application of rules and regulations in Thailand, you are unique.