Hi all,

After 33 spring times, I'd like to exchange my western life for a thai life.

I'm trying to figure out a plan to make the exchange go smoothly. After a dozen of visits, I've managed to learn to speak and understand the Thai language. I'm able to make an average conversation.

Here's the plan: I'd like to invest my time and money to go and live in Thailand for at least 6 months. Purpose of my visit: learn to read and write the thai script. After these 6 months, I'll try to bring my language skills to perfection.

Here's my main question: does a farang have many job opportunities if the farang can write/read/speak the Thai language?

Note I'm already perfect trilingual in English, French, Dutch. Can read, write and speak German too on a medium level.

Are multinational companies in Thailand interested in someone with these skills?

Thanks for all answers. Positive or negative.

Moving this to the jobs and business section of the board.

Note I'm already perfect trilingual in English, French, Dutch. Can read, write and speak German too on a medium level.

Are multinational companies in Thailand interested in someone with these skills?

Thanks for all answers. Positive or negative.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Multinationals usually hire from within their own networks here and when seeking Farangs, usually do so from H.O.'s outside of Thailand. Pity really, since at any given time there are any # of well qualified Expats lurking about seeking solid opportunities. I'm a qualified supply chain management specialist and FMCG category mngr for example and was told by both Tesco and Carrefour here a few years ago, I'd have to send my cv to the home offices HR depts (IOW's, bonne chance mon ami).

Having said that, with your 'stated' mulitple linguistic skills, try emailing the various Estate Agents or Realtors hereabouts. They're likely on the hunt for multilinguist sales people I would suspect (Eng grammar aside, just since you mentioned it) Good Luck!

I work for a multinational company with offices in Thailand, the practice of hiring from HO is not too difficult to understand.

a) They bring in people who are already experienced in the company’s corporate standards.

They are able to use Thailand as a perk/reward to their long term staff or staff who have previously accepted less desirable assignments.

c) They can be assured of the qualifications and experience of the staff they are assigning in Thailand – assignees in Thailand are very expensive it makes sense to stick with people the company know.

Well said GH. I was hoping it was inherently understood, Multinationals favour one factor over all else- 'Company Culture' and each has it's own. Therefor, this is the primary reason for hiring from the home office and transplanting employees overseas- after a lengthy period of culural grooming and proven track record within said culture. I can't see any fault in this practice and would do the same.

Well, Dutch will be very useful in Holland and German will be very useful in Germany. As for Thai, average conversation level is good for shopping and travelling, not much use for serious career opportunities. As good as your Thai may be, it will not be good as a native speaker's, at least for many years.

Do you have any other qualifications?

Edit: I did meet a person in Bangkok who makes part of his living out of his language skills, working as an interpreter. However, he masters over 15 languages, including many Chinese dialects and other regional languages. Perfect Thai, of course.

Edited September 12, 200520 yr by ~G~

I work for a multinational company with offices in Thailand, the practice of hiring from HO is not too difficult to understand.

a) They bring in people who are already experienced in the company’s corporate standards.

They are able to use Thailand as a perk/reward to their long term staff or staff who have previously accepted less desirable assignments.

c) They can be assured of the qualifications and experience of the staff they are assigning in Thailand – assignees in Thailand are very expensive it makes sense to stick with people the company know.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi,

Maybe slightly off topic.

I have no facts whatsoever to back this up: But if you work for a Multinational company, Thailand/Bangkok must be low on the list, when it comes to foreign dream assignments. Not talking about single guys, but for a male/female with a spouse and kids.

Well, Dutch will be very useful in Holland and <snip>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I beg to differ; Dutch may be useful in West Timor and the other odd ex-Dutch Colony

Hi,

Maybe slightly off topic.

I have no facts whatsoever to back this up: But if you work for a Multinational company, Thailand/Bangkok must be low on the list, when it comes to foreign dream assignments. Not talking about single guys, but for a male/female with a spouse and kids.

Swings and roundabouts as they say….

Hot, noisy and somewhat dirty. Traffic is a plick until you learn the shortcuts. But:

Cost of day-to-day living is cheaper…generally, which makes you able to afford things like Nannies, housekeepers and drivers, to make your life so much easier than trying to raise a family in the west. This is an absolute winner for those expat families that I know there.

Bangkok is full of great and inexpensive bars and restaurants, and has an excellent non-BG social scene for those who aren’t into it.

Lack of open space can be a b@stard, but at the same time, some great beaches and national parks etc to take the family away for the weekend.

Kids get to learn a second language…always a bonus.

Career wise, it is what you make of it. Sure it ain’t HK and Singapore economy wise, but there are opportunities there for those who have the disposition to exploit them and the challenges involved.

I would think that a medical equipment sales position would be good for you. You speak the languages of many of the major Mfg's of medical equipment. Look into it... You may find that China offer more options for you in this area.

Well, Dutch will be very useful in Holland and <snip>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I beg to differ; Dutch may be useful in West Timor and the other odd ex-Dutch Colony

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My apologies to West Timor.

Swings and roundabouts as they say….

Hot, noisy and somewhat dirty. Traffic is a plick until you learn the shortcuts. But:

Cost of day-to-day living is cheaper…generally, which makes you able to afford things like Nannies, housekeepers and drivers, to make your life so much easier than trying to raise a family in the west. This is an absolute winner for those expat families that I know there.

Bangkok is full of great and inexpensive bars and restaurants, and has an excellent non-BG social scene for those who aren’t into it.

Lack of open space can be a b@stard, but at the same time, some great beaches and national parks etc to take the family away for the weekend.

Kids get to learn a second language…always a bonus.

Career wise, it is what you make of it. Sure it ain’t HK and Singapore economy wise, but there are opportunities there for those who have the disposition to exploit them and the challenges involved.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't forget the 20%+ uplift in salary paid in home currency, 100K+ baht a month housing allowance, once a year trip home for entire family, 500K baht (per kid) education allowance, company car and driver, etc, etc.

I agree that Singapore or HK (or London) are better assignments, but Bangkok ain't bad.

TH