Teaching In Thailand

[marty827]

Hi all,

I need some advice. I have been offered a job teaching English at a Thai government school in Korat, where my Thai wife lives, who is also a teacher. At present, I am teaching at a private international school in Singapore. I have received a letter from the school in Korat, addressed to the Thai consulate here stating that I have been offered the job, along with other papers proving the schools registration details etc. But I never got a letter from the ministry of education in Thailand because they said I didn't need one. But when I went to the embassy they insisted I did need one. After contacting the school, they put me through to an English teacher who worked there before and he told me I can come over on a non-immigrant O visa as I am married to a Thai.

I was told by other people I am not allowed to work on a non-immigrant O visa.

I leave in 12 days so getting a letter from the ministry of education is now not an option.

Should I go to the embassy and say I am not going to work? or tell the truth about my predicament that I have a job offer but no letter from MOE?

Any advice would be welcome.

[marty827]

By the way, I am British, 50 years old and have no savings

[Mario2008]

Working on a non-O visa is fine. Problems come when you are on an extension of stay because of retirement, than you will not get a work permit. You will not be asking for an extension of stay based on retirement, but either based on teaching or your Thai wife. In both these cases a work eprmit can be obtianed without any problems. I myself came in with a non-O visa and have a work permit.

[marty827]

Working on a non-O visa is fine. Problems come when you are on an extension of stay because of retirement, than you will not get a work permit. You will not be asking for an extension of stay based on retirement, but either based on teaching or your Thai wife. In both these cases a work eprmit can be obtianed without any problems. I myself came in with a non-O visa and have a work permit.

Thanks Mario,

So I should just tell the truth that I have been offered a job, but want a non O-visa? Do I need a certain amount of money in the bank?

[InterestedObserver]

I was told by other people I am not allowed to work on a non-immigrant O visa.

That part is true, you need a work permit issued by the local labor office to be employed in Thailand.

[vont]

Working on a non-O visa is fine. Problems come when you are on an extension of stay because of retirement, than you will not get a work permit. You will not be asking for an extension of stay based on retirement, but either based on teaching or your Thai wife. In both these cases a work eprmit can be obtianed without any problems. I myself came in with a non-O visa and have a work permit.

Thanks Mario,

So I should just tell the truth that I have been offered a job, but want a non O-visa? Do I need a certain amount of money in the bank?

If you enter Thailand thru Sadow, you are welcome to have lunch or dinner with us. pm me, if you like.

Good luck to you.

[lopburi3]

The non O would likely require copy of marriage certificate and wire ID card/home register (have her copy/sign/fax if you do not have). There should not be anything more than possibly show of the normal 20k baht for any non immigrant visa issue. That will provide 90 day entry and allow work permit to be issued and likely for you to extend stay on a yearly basis.