I am a TEFL teacher, new to Chiang Mai, and I am currently looking for work at any International School, Government School, or Language Institute that will have me. I'm well qualified (TEFL Certified and a BA from an esteemed 4 year University) though I do not have a degree in education, which precludes me from many International School Jobs. Just thought I'd see if anyone out there had any tips or ideas to share with a young guy who's new in this fantastic town, and looking to stay around for a while. PS Most schools don't begin classes until May, so any ideas for where to look for part time work until then (ie bars, restaurants) would be much appreciated as well.

It is illegal for a farang to work in any bar and or restaurant and if your school finds out down the road you could go.

It is illegal for a farang to work in any bar and or restaurant and if your school finds out down the road you could go.

The Alien Business Law and restricted occupationsThere are two sets of regulations that place work restrictions on foreigners in Thailand - A Royal Decree which list occupations closed to foreigners, and a Law which closes certain activities to foreigners.

Restricted occupations

A Royal Decree in 1973 listed 39 occupations that were then closed to aliens. This list has been amended on several occasions by subsequent Royal Decrees, the latest one in 1979. Prohibited occupations are:

• Labour
• Work in agriculture, animal breeding, forestry, fishery or general farm supervision
• Masonry, carpentry, or other construction work
• Wood carving
• Driving motor vehicles or non-motorised carriers, except for piloting international aircraft
• Shop attendant
• Auctioning
• Supervising, auditing or giving services in accounting, except occasional international auditing
• Gem cutting and polishing
• Hair cutting, hair dressing and beautician work
• Hand weaving
• Mat weaving or making of wares from reed, rattan, kenaf, straw or bamboo pulp
• Manufacture of manual fibrous paper
• Manufacture of lacquerware
• Thai musical instrument production
• Manufacture of nielloware
• Goldsmith, silversmith and other precious metal work
• Manufacture of bronzeware
• Thai doll making
• Manufacture of mattresses and padded blankets
• Alms bowl making
• Manual silk product making
• Buddha image making
• Manufacture of knives
• Paper and cloth umbrella fabrication
• Shoemaking
• Hat making
• Brokerage or agency work, except in international business
• Dressmaking
• Pottery or ceramics
• Manual cigarette rolling
• Legal or litigation service
• Clerical or secretarial work
• Manual silk reeling and weaving
• Thai character type-setting
• Hawking business
• Tourist guide or tour organising agency
• Architectural work
• Civil engineering work

ummm...go to the schools well dressed and inquire as to if they're hiring might be a good start. private schools you'll have the most luck with finding a job.

chiang mai is a very competitive place to find work teaching... not that it's impossible, but as far as finding work in thailand, much easier going through a temp agency who will place you (not in CM) and usually give you significantly better salaries and benefits than CM.

ummm...go to the schools well dressed and inquire as to if they're hiring might be a good start. private schools you'll have the most luck with finding a job.

chiang mai is a very competitive place to find work teaching... not that it's impossible, but as far as finding work in thailand, much easier going through a temp agency who will place you (not in CM) and usually give you significantly better salaries and benefits than CM.

Let me re-emphasize the first sentence of happysanook's post. Dress for the job you want (not the job you have... ). I simply throw out any application I get if the person comes in dressed inappropriately.

For a job one would need a work permit, including for a small temporary job.

If you're able to get a hold of some of the uni students / parents you could probably pickup some private tutoring work over the summer. Would pay significantly better than most other types of work you might get.

Just gotta find the right people to talk to.

As they say though I guess, a lot of farang in Chiang Mai, so might be a lot of competition for the jobs there. If you get stuck looking for work there, goto Isaan and you'll likely have the schools queueing up for you to come teach.

Low pay and lots of competition. That's the reality of Chiang Mai unfortunately.

Re bars and resteraunts,LOL :)Has anyone ever seen a farang (non owner) working in one? No. It's not allowed for starters. Secondly, there's a tonne of Burmese who will work in those places, 16 hour shifts,for 60 baht a day.

Best way to make quick money is to go to Bangkok and teach a short course etc and then come back.