Top 10 Thai Universities Ranked Globally, Chulalongkorn Leads

[glb]

Hi All,

I've been to Thailand a number of times, mainly to see my girlfriend that I met at university. I'm due to finish my PhD soon and have worked for a couple of years prior. I'm a British national and will probably try and get a job either here in the UK or in Thailand but I'm not sure of the market in Thailand for 'advanced' skill jobs, e.g. Software development or Financial industry (analyst jobs etc.).

I've done some job searches but it's hard to get a real feel for the general market out there for such jobs. I'm assuming that there are plenty in Bangkok but am unsure of their willingness to employ a non-citizen (I would need a VISA), particularly as they may think that I have indifferent salary demands to a Thai national.

Does anyone have any experience in similar 'knowledge' based job markets?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Mario2008]

Moved to business section as not visa related.

[Mario2008]

Moved to business section as not visa related.

[beano2274]

I would try getting a job in the UK with a company that can move you to Thailand after a while.

ING - Dutch lot, might be an interesting one.

Not my field so that is all I can add.

[jamescollister]

Always wonder about these alleged high skilled jobs in software etc. Seems there are people everywhere looking for work in these fields. Every 2nd Thai Grad I meet has a degree in computer science, marketing , finance, or business management. Seems to me the only jobs going that pay are heavy engineering or the oil industry. Maybe I am wrong, but see a lot of guys fly in and out working for mining and oil companies. Jim

[brit1984]

There have been similar threads on here before (I started one myself that wasn't too dissimilar)

Basic conclusions are normally that:

- very few finance jobs in Bangkok for foreigners at junior level (due to Thai law and also language requirements)

- finance salaries in Bangkok are low (I was offered a job with a package 90% lower than I was on in London)

- Hong Kong / Singapore offer better opportunities (especially true at entry level where exit opportunities matter)

I am sure you know that finding your first job in finance is not easy (and doing so in another country is even harder)

Try to get something in London then transition to Hong Kong / Singapore (and then maybe Bangkok eventually)

[brianinbangkok]

He would not only need a visa but also a workpermit and as there are minimum salary set for foreigners this prices him out of the market for lower end jobs.

Maybe teaching finance at a top university here ?

All those kids doing a MBA here need a higher level teacher

[yoshiwara]

for expat jobs in finance it helps if you have both a track record in specialist skills and/or evidence of some fluency in Thai.

For a job in HE have you got any track record in research? Secondly, sorry about this but what universities have you attended? Some Unis open doors and some don't. I know one UK university which has an alumni chapter in Bangkok. Has yours? If there is one you could tap into this. Lastly re software development, that might mean anything.

Edited June 2, 2012 by yoshiwara

[Soutpeel]

Always wonder about these alleged high skilled jobs in software etc. Seems there are people everywhere looking for work in these fields. Every 2nd Thai Grad I meet has a degree in computer science, marketing , finance, or business management. Seems to me the only jobs going that pay are heavy engineering or the oil industry. Maybe I am wrong, but see a lot of guys fly in and out working for mining and oil companies. Jim

This is because these days everyone wants a desk job and the expectation is once someone finishes their studies that they immediately be given a high paying job in an office enviroment with absolutely no practical experience to offer.

They are not prepared to serve an "apprentiship" to learn their jobs properly anymore.

Mining and O&G do pay, but the good pay comes with years of practical experience, even in both these industries you dont get paid "big bucks" straight out of school.

[Soutpeel]

He would not only need a visa but also a workpermit and as there are minimum salary set for foreigners this prices him out of the market for lower end jobs.

There is no set minimum salary in Thailand for foreigners to be issued a WP by the LABOUR department...and before you respond and start going on about THB 50k/60k month for westerners...these amounts is for extension of stay on the basis of employment which is an IMMIGRATION requirement.

If someone does not qualify for extension of stay for the purposes of employment...ie not being paid enough..they can still get a WP, but will need to "visa run" every 90 days

In conclusion there are no goverment gazetted salary criteria published for foreigns to be employed in Thailand

[Microwave]

My first job after graduating with an MBA was in Thailand, full expat package too. I was hired in Canada and after some training in Toronto, I was then sent to the corporate office in Bangkok. But I've been fluent in Thai since my early teens when my father was posted to the Canadian Embassy here. Also I was young and cheap, therefore my employer was willing to take a chance on this griffin.

I would suggest any of the following:

1. Get experience in London for a few years with a firm which has global interests and may be willing to send you to the region (not necessarily Bangkok) if you do well with this firm.

2. Go to Hong Kong and/or Singapore and send out your cv to western firms who may have an interest in hiring someone in your field. Be prepared to live a spartan lifestyle as you job search and don't expect an expat package. If you're hired and after a few years of proving yourself, you'll be more marketable due to your experience.

What you have going for you is your youthful age and therefore cheap salary requirements. Finding a job in London is tough, but job searching in Singapore and/or Hong Kong without professional work experience and language skills would likely be more difficult.

I'd forget about Thailand for the time being as you need to get hands-on professional work experience, and the opportunities for getting that experience in Thailand is extremely slim.

One caveat is that there are always exceptions. Just be aware of the reality which I've outlined above.

Best wishes whatever you decide to do : )

[brit1984]

Another option given your penchant for further study, and your seemingly strong desire to be close to your girlfriend, would be to do an MBA in Hong Kong or Singapore.

The Singapore campus of INSEAD is the best in the region. There is also NUS and Nanyang in Singapore, and HKU and HKUST in Hong Kong.

You will need to make the most of your 2 years prior work experience on the application, but being admitted to at least one should be easy.

Although you will obviously need to pay, they all have loan schemes and this path will create a higher career NPV than your idea of starting your career in Bangkok.

Sent from iPhone; please forgive any typos or violations of forum rules

[brianinbangkok]

He would not only need a visa but also a workpermit and as there are minimum salary set for foreigners this prices him out of the market for lower end jobs.

There is no set minimum salary in Thailand for foreigners to be issued a WP by the LABOUR department...and before you respond and start going on about THB 50k/60k month for westerners...these amounts is for extension of stay on the basis of employment which is an IMMIGRATION requirement.

If someone does not qualify for extension of stay for the purposes of employment...ie not being paid enough..they can still get a WP, but will need to "visa run" every 90 days

In conclusion there are no goverment gazetted salary criteria published for foreigns to be employed in Thailand

Well I was not aware of that you could get a wp and do 90 day visa runs below the immigration set requirement, that's new to me.

Seems the intention is to prevent foreigners taking these jobs from Thais.

Amazing if the way around this is that easy and that they allow it

I did know it was a immigration requirement however I never said it was a labour department regulation just that he does need a WP , it no longer affects me as I have PR and companies just do not seem to consider hiring a non thai speaker for lower positions so it will be very diffcult to find a job for the OP.

Even with a PR they do not consider foreigners for these positions in my personal experience.

As I do not want to hijack the OP's thread I would like to leave it like this and start a new one in visa section to continue this discusion there.

Sent from my A101IT using Thaivisa Connect App

Edited June 3, 2012 by brianinbangkok

[impulse]

Tongue firmly in cheek:

The best chance for a new graduate to come to Thailand with a high paying position seems to be to go to work as an auditor or consultant for a major accounting firm.

It seems that those companies get some kind of perverse pleasure out of sending new hires with diplomas that haven't dried yet to tell us everything we've been doing wrong all these years...

Edited June 3, 2012 by impulse

[emsfeld]

In addition to what others have said, you may have to be a bit more precise about the type of role you are after. If you're after a role that requires the combined skill set (software engineering and financial analyst type roles), then the number of opportunities in Bangkok will be extremely tight. Going by recent job ads there's probably only a handful of firms based in BKK that'd require this. To be a viable expat candidate for these firms you'd actually have to have experience and a track record.