Civil Engineering Work In Thailand

[Paddy O'Shamrock]

Hello,

I have just seen on another posting that civil engineering is among those occupations prohibited by a 1979 law. This is a bit of a bugger as that is what I studied for four years in college and practiced for eight years. Surely with all of the large foreign engineering firms in Bangkok, there must be some farangs working there. Does anyone know of any loopholes in this law or is a move to Thailand the end of my engineering career? I am guessing that I do not qualify under specialty technical services.

Any advice in this regard would be appreciated!

[Kan Win]

Sorry, do not know,

But, I only know of Horizontal Engineers are allowed to ply their work in Thailand.

Could not resist that one. Once again, sorry.

Go to a job center near you me think

[Indo-Siam]

Hi PS -

What is outlawed here is performing direct labor as a foreigner here - in your case, you would not be allowed to sign off as the legally approving licensed engineer on a Thai project - that role is reserved for Thais. But - you could still work for an engineering services consulting company as a "consultant" - and basically do everything but sign-off. That is the catch - you cannot operate independently, and compete with Thais. For any work that you do, a Thai signatory has to be the authorized sign-off official.

Western lawyers cannot try a case here - and western architects cannot approve designs. But lots of both are here - doing basically the same work as always, but as "advisory consultants" to Thais who must officially take credit/blame for the work.

So - you are out of business as a sole proprietor, or practicing licensed engineer, in the official sense. But you can still be hired to work for an engineering services firm, or big contract engineering firm - the Bechtels and such.

Good luck!

Indo-Siam

[Paddy O'Shamrock]

Indo-Siam,

Thank you for your assistance. It is much appreciated! To add a few more details, my wife and I are planning to move to Petchaburi (her home town). From other investigations, I'm guessing that the small local Thai engineering firms would not be too keen on hiring the likes of me and that if I did want to get work beyond teaching English we would have to move to Bangkok. Would you agree? Bear in mind that I am just beginning to learn Thai. Also, any idea how much could I expect to earn in Bangkok if I did make the move?

Thanks again!

[Indo-Siam]

Hi P -

Thailand is a strange market - there are numerous jobs here for ex-pats that pay western salaries - but these jobs go to cliques of guys who habitually work together. I.e. there are guys here who have spent an entire career together building airports in Asia - Singapore, then KL or Hong Kong, then Pusan, and now New Bangkok International Airport. The same for the subway project - these guys built Hong Kong, and before that Singapore.

The same for wastewater treatment plants, and power projects. BIG contractors compete for the main job. Once awarded to a contractor, that contractor hires a few key guys to head up teams, and these guys then ssemble their "crews" from among associatesthat they have habitually worked with for 20 years.

It is pretty hard to break in as an outsider. But - possible - if you represent a new or scarce specialty. Building relationships is EVERYTHING - and there are clusters of places in Bangkok where these type of guys congregate between jobs, or when taking breaks. For some reason, many of them participate in the Hash House Harriers. Lots also get together for golf. That's how to work your way in.

Working for domestic Thai firms is probbbly not the way to go. You'd be lucky to make even US $2,000 a month - and then probably only of you spoke Thai.

What is in you favor is that things are "waking up" right now in Asia, after a long recovery period following the 1997 Asian economic crisis. Construction work ongoing right now in Bangkok exceeds the total of construction work ongoing 1997 to mid-2002 (my opinion only). And the trend is toward even more activity. If a "bubble" - look out! But if it is sustainable, then demand for expertise may start catching up to available supply.

Good luck!

Steve

Indo-Siam

[Paddy O'Shamrock]

Steve,

Thanks for your insight and advice. I will have to give this some serious thought. With the 1979 law and the proposed immigration laws to be introduced next year, Thailand appears to be rather volatile for the civil engineering farang. Now, why didn't the career counsellor we had back in secondary school in Ireland caution me about my decision to choose civil engineering as a career? If only he had warned me, "This career path may present a problem if you end up marrying a Thai lady....."

Thanks again!

[DSBones]

Steve is pretty much spot on with his assessment of construction opportunities. It's a very small world and these guys stick together. On a technical basis the Thais do not need us...they are competent themselves. My mate works for an Oil Co. in Bkk but he has specialist design experience.

The way forward is to look at what is happening in construction now in the US & UK ( or five years ago)and try to move into those fields because that is what Thailand will be looking for eventually. I am talking about Safety/ Risk Management/TQM/Environmental etc. These will be the only routes into construction in Thailand in the future.

[Guest IT Manager]

Now, why didn't the career counsellor we had back in secondary school in Ireland caution me about my decision to choose civil engineering as a career?

Perhaps that says it all... like real estate..location..location..location