Need A Contact In Cmu Or Thammasat..

[ChrisP]

Hi..

I'm looking for a contact who works in Chiang Mai University, or Thammasat, or even Chulalongkorn in BKK please..

I'm trying to contact the Dean of Fine Arts Dept in any of those places, looking for eventual teaching work in my field - theatre design - when I relocate.

The Web Sites all start in English, but by the time you get to Fine Arts, it's all in Thai...

Any help gratefully received!

Cheers

ChrisP

[kenkannif]

I spoke to a clever person about Thammasat and he said it's going to be tricky (and not likely to happen), you're best of waiting until you arrive.

I'll speak with him again when I see him on Sunday though. I'll ask him about Chula as well.

[ChrisP]

Hi..

Ok.. but even if I wait until I arrive.. I still won't know who to contact or talk to..

But THANKS for any help you can give in the meantime..!

ChrisP

[kenkannif]

I'll do my best!

[ChrisP]

So.. I guess that Thai Institutions don't have the concept of seeking and hiring a great / highly qualified person for the job from outside the country... i.e. "head-hunting"

ChrisP

[dr_Pat_Pong]

So.. I guess that Thai Institutions don't have the concept of seeking and hiring a great / highly qualified person for the job from outside the country... i.e. "head-hunting"

ChrisP

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If they do that they'd have to pay for your relocation and government universities might be reluctant to do that.

[Ajarn]

So.. I guess that Thai Institutions don't have the concept of seeking and hiring a great / highly qualified person for the job from outside the country... i.e. "head-hunting"

ChrisP

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Chris, why not simply send some emails? Or simply phone and ask for a contact name? Seems like an obvious answer if you can't go in person- and face-to-face is the SOP here, so you'll most likely have to show your face first before anyone gives you any kind of commitment....

Seems to me I said the same to you a few months ago...?

[ChrisP]

Ajarn..

Yes, you did... and I did send some e-mails, when I could tell from the Web-Site who I was sending to.. but got no replies. And the Fine-Arts web sites are ALL in Thai...

I'm nervous about calling.. I guess because I expect to be answered by someone who only speaks Thai??

Sorry that I seem to be "bucking the trend" - to want to make contact and see if there's even any basic interest before I can get face-to-face...

I'm not looking for any "committment" from them.. just an answer to see if there's even any interest in my (rather esoteric) field... and it seemed easier to find out the right person to write to from someone who already worked there...

I've had one (keen..!) e-mail contact from Prince Songkla Univ in HatYai.. but I don't wish to go to the South..

Cheers

ChrisP

[ProThaiExpat]

Perhaps there aren't as many university lecturers in this forum as one might think.

If all else fails, I would send a letter to the President of the University or the Dean of the Academic Department, explain that web pages are only in Thai and ask for help in forwarding your letter to the Dean of the Department of Fine Arts.

I doubt they get many inquiries from those so qualified in esoteric fields so don't be subtle regarding your qualifications, especially awards. Good Luck!!!

[Ajarn]

Ajarn..

Yes, you did... and I did send some e-mails, when I could tell from the Web-Site who I was sending to..  but got no replies. And the Fine-Arts web sites are ALL in Thai...

I'm nervous about calling.. I guess because I expect to be answered by someone who only speaks Thai??  

Sorry that I seem to be "bucking the trend"  - to want to make contact and see if there's even any basic interest before I can get face-to-face...

I'm not looking for any "committment" from them.. just an answer to see if there's even any interest in my (rather esoteric) field...  and it seemed easier to find out the right person to write to from someone who already worked there...

I've had one (keen..!) e-mail contact from Prince Songkla Univ in HatYai.. but I don't wish to go to the South..

Cheers

ChrisP

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In PSU's defence, it's a lovely campus, with lots of greenery and a park-like look. I taught a couple of years at nearby Thaksin University. Thai and farang friends who taught there always had positive things to say..

But, as you suggested, the south, maybe even especially Hat Yai in the relatively near future, might be a good 'pass' for the time being.

Try the phone call. Usually the phone operators can speak some English. If you feel nervous, connect with the English dept. first, and politely ask for their assistance/guidance, or ask to talk to any farang ajarn, or someone else who speaks English... Email, though very popular for personal use, still doesn't seem to get very consistant business use. They still love faxes here- Hey, another option... But they likely won't spend the money to fax back....So, I'd say a call is your best bet...

Here are the numbers to get you started...Talk slow, keep concepts simple to understand.

Chulalongkorn University

254 Phyathai Road, Patumwan, Bangkok Thailand. 10330

Tel : +662-215-0871-3

Fax : +662-215-4804

Good luck

[Ian123]

I don't think you will have much luck at Thammasat as i used to study there and i am pretty sure they don't have many fine arts courses taught in English. The international programs are in subjects like economics, business administration, british-american studies and engineering. Chula is pretty much the same.

I would recommend trying Silpakorn University. It is the best fine arts school in Thailand and has an international program too. Its located just down the street from Thammasat near the Grand Palace and Tha Chang.

Your best bet is to come here first, perphaps for a vacation, and call to make an apponitment and check things out while you are here. Good luck.

[paully]

Silpakorn does employ a few foriegn lecturers (I work in the English Section), in other fields from time to time, particularly in anthropology. As Ian said, the University, particularly the Tha Phra Chan campus opposite the Grand Palace, specialises in art, sculpture, design but I don't know about theatre design - haven't seen any signs of this here. The International Programme (at another campus) does Hotel and Tourism Management courses. The best thing is to wander on to the campus when you get here and get chatting. You can get a good idea of what goes on by visiting the art galleries and poking around, seeing if you like the place. The biggest problem you'll face is that the art & design students' English skills are not great: they are not here to study English. Naturally, if you could lecture in Thai it would be a help.