Want to leave UK for Thailand

[symzie]

Hi

I'm new to this so sorry if I'm asking questions you've heard a 100 times.  I'm looking to emmigrate to SE Asia and need some information on a few things

How easy is it to get residency inThailand?  If it's not easy, do I get a temp visa and keep renewing it once I'm there?

Can I work? I'm qualified in IT, hows the market,is it legal?

I've heard that you can own a condo but not a house, or is better to rent

Thanks in advance for any help

Symzie  ::

[dazdaz]

Join the club friend.

I've applied for hundreds of positions remotely on the net, and it's got me nowhere.  But then the European economy is terribly bad too.

There are several points that no one seems to be talking about, but perhaps thinking.

* The thai economy is recovering from a severe crash

* Consider learning Thai, it's got to give you a significant boost in your odds

* The Thai economy itself aint that strong when it's good, so for a company to pay for relocation and air expenses is extremely unlikely.  Remember the $ to the Baht riches thing.

* Go to Thailand and search

* What is your technical background and specialisation, there are number of exceptional IT skills that open all doors to all countries.

* Read up on the employment law criteria for aliens too.

* Network.  This would appear the best and most likely to find work, even if you find an amazing position advertised.

* If you get lucky, put in a good word or 5 for me will you? 8->

These are my observations from looking at this from remote, I hope it saves some headaches and the best of luck!

Cheers

[symzie]

Thanks Dazdaz,

[dazdaz]

Your most welcome.

Just a couple of other points that I would like to add.

I have an excellent resume and am very talented, even if I do say so myself 8-)

The recruiters/HR may not speak/read/write English, so when  sending an application in English, this may be a problem.

Perhaps have a cover letter wrote in Thai and English would be appropriate to cover more bases.  Anyone know enough Thai to write a sample job covering letter?  I really wish there would be more discussion on the recruitment process within Thailand, as it's much different to the rest of the world.

I'm wondering if a formal reference from someone within  Thailand may help considerably in establishing market value.  Someone reputable.

Also bear in mind if your either applying for a position or just  presenting yourself as the ball game changes somewhat.

Most of your general "hey, i'm talented and want to work for  you and live in Thailand" emails don't get you anywhere.  In fact they don't even receive a  courteous reply saying "thank you for your application" in most cases.

Consider writing to companies via paper mail and potentially fax, my hunch is that you'll receive less of a shrug off.

And lastly like most of Asia, certificates and qualifications are all the rage because from my perspective it increases the face value of you.  The reality is that, a certificate and degree don't mean your good, you just have some pieces of paper saying you've passed some exams, and in fact may not have any practical experience.  However, this being a "face market", again from my perspective is more important than reality of getting the job done.  It sucks and I believe is wrong, but that's the reality in Asia.  Give it some years and  believe will, I hesitate to say become more Westernised, but more open and less face driven.

I think we should have a forum specifically for the pre-visa stage, because it's a minefield and people need to know where to tread.

Cheers  ::

[symzie]

Yeah I agree about qualifications, I passsed my MCSE before I had any experience.  I have 4 years now + CCNA but no degree, HNC in computing was as far as I went.  What about starting businesses, is that a non-starter.  I suppose I need to get out there and test the water.  Thanks for your input again

[george]

How easy is it to get residency inThailand?  If it's not easy, do I get a temp visa and keep renewing it once I'm there?

--

I've heard that you can own a condo but not a house, or is better to rent?

Here is a reply for your visa/residency questions:

The first step is to obtain a NON-B visa. This can be entended year by year if you are employed, starting your own business here or marry a Thai citizen. After three years with yearly extensions you can apply for residency, depending on nationality and other factors. What is your nationality?

Regarding condo purchase: Start renting the place you like, and consider buying after living there for a while.

Buying house: You CAN own a house in Thailand, but NOT the land it stands on. Be a bit careful here! Other members here, with more land experience, can give you an explanation why!

Rent it!

[dazdaz]

If you really have decided then stick with it.  Many people i've noticed say after going somewhere on holiday that they like a place and would'nt mind living there, but have done no expatriation research.

* A few of those try to obtain work but can't find anything and give up.

* The few that do pursue may obtain an telephone interview.  

* A few of those obtain an overseas interview.

* A few of those obtain an offer.

* A few of those accept that offer.

* A few of those drop out after committing.

They live there, don't like the country, as they only see tourist locations and then leave when they can take it no longer, my observation is that sadly seems to be the norm.

Are you psychologically prepared for the 5 stages of culture shock?

http://polyglot.cal.msu.edu/elc/stuproj/el...fivestages.html

Ultimately, it may happen that you obtain a position/setup a company next week, or it may take several years to plan, then then to put into effect.  I like a challenge so time is irrelevant, however most people are impatient, which ultimately is their weakness as patience and perseverance and research are the order of the day.

Setting up a company as an alien is a new can of worms.  Start reading some of the story's about people who setup bars, quite eye opening at first, even for experienced business owners.

Not to downplay myself, but im in no way an expert, there's a heck of a lot to learn, but it is a fun learning, especially if culture is your hobby and Thailand is rich in culture.

Cheers

[symzie]

Thanks

George, I'm British.  Would it be easier to find work once I'm there or do I need a job first.  Is it a chicken and egg situation ie can't get job without visa / can't get visa without job (like Australia.)

That's an interesting link dazdaz, I think I've always handled culture change well, I've spent time in India, SE Asia and South Pacific and always felt comfortable and adapted well

SYmzie

[fester]

Regarding your long stay:

This thread explains why you have to see the Thai consul in Hull, UK, to get a one year multiple entry visa "B" visa:

http://forum.thaivisa.com/cgi-bin/ikonboar...ct=ST;f=1;t=545

That will be a good start, but you will need to do visa runs every 90 days.

British Super Farangs go to Royal Thai Consulatem Hull, UK.

Others, including expats living in Thailand goes to the Brisbane Thai Consulate, QLD, Australia.

The Yankees visits Houston Thai Consulate.

All of these Thai consuls are visa friendly, and like farangs!

I should rellay write a book about these great Consuls, which require a minimum of paper work.  

Search the forum for Brisbane, Hull or Houston for additional info. The search button is on the upper right at every forum page.

[symzie]

Cheers Fester

Yes, the Brisbane consul is good, I went there last time.  Last time I was just doing a bit of travelling though.  I'll look into that then that's a good place to start

And the book, well I'd buy it   ::

Symzie

[dazdaz]

I was also told that the situation with Foreign Nationals for obtaing work in Thailand, is a waiting game, so that if an opportunity where a Thai does not have the skills required, then the company can apply for a foreign national to do the job.

Same as Switzerland and I suspect other countries.

Perhaps someone with more knowledge could elaborate and acknowledge this?  If it's true, it's yet another major hurdle.

Perhaps we should elaborate more upon the pre-visa stage, as it's a big barrier for those with a will but no way.

Cheers

[symzie]

Hello again

Sorry to bump my old thread, I'm about to get things moving now, have things changed since I started this thread, do I still need a B visa from Hull. I think I just want to come over and spend a year and play things by ear, I have enough money what else do I need to know

Is the bird flu thing worth delaying things?

Thanks

Symzie

[simon43]

Hi Symzie - Like you I'm a UK IT guy with a lot of experience, qualifications etc. But I realised that you could play a long waiting game for the right job to come up in Thailand. and even if/when it does, you never know the what might happen in the future with your employer.

So I took the route of creating 'western' levels of income, but spending this income (or part of it), in Thailand, where costs were much less than Europe.

Using my IT knowledge, I started an internet business with customers in UK, Europe etc. So I can basically live where I want (ie Thailand) but benefit from the higher levels of income that can be earned in Europe.

I'm sure with your IT knowledge and a lot of careful thought, you can come up with an idea of a viable internet business.

Good luck !!

Simon

[symzie]

Good stuff Simon, I have been looking into that idea, it's funny you should mention it. Is that technically working in Thailand though, is it legal?

Out of interst, where did you settle in Thailand?

Cheers

Symzie

[penelope]

3 ways to work in IT Thailand (good jobs,quality challenging work, not menial labor just for the sake of being able to reside in LOS) :

1) get transferred by your multinational parent to brach office in Bangkok

2) start your own company ie: an outsourcing or R&D lab

3) it's not what you know,it's who you know.Knowing the right Thai or Foreigner in LOS to get your foot in that door is invaluable.

The traditional "apply with resume and covering letter" is a tactic that may work in the west but will be ineffectual in LOS(for a non-Thai in IT).You need to adapt your approach to suit the environment.

[simon43]

Hi Symzie - Yes I think it is technically working in Thailand, although some on this forum would disagree! If you wanted to work without a WP, and just ran your business from your home computer, AND it did not compete with any Thai company, then you could probably get away without worrying about a WP.

For my part, I do have a physical office in BKK, and a Thai ltd company as well. But their purpose is as a 'vehicle' to enable me perhaps to do other business ventures within Thailand itself.

I settled in Phuket (well if you going to live in LOS you might as well choose to live by the beach..)

I think the pros and cons of the WP requirement really depend upon exactly what your online business does. My business provides no products or services in Thailand at all. I host my servers offshore, but in Europe. I use an offshore company and an offshore bank. So I can minimise my tax liabilities in the UK (I return to the UK for 1 week every month to see my kids and greedy ex-wife...). The servers are very reliable so its not a problem for me being 10,000km away. (I have full remote access/control over them).

But alhtough I think an online business is the ideal way to work/live in Thailand, it still needs a lot of careful thought about what you can do online that will actually make money!! Now that's the difficult bit

Cheers

Simon

[symzie]

Thanks for the advice Penelope and Simon

What about visa, should I just get a 3 month visa and keep renewing it?

What are they called now, do I need to go to Hull on earth to get it or will any Thai embassy do the trick

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Thanks for the advice Penelope and Simon

What about visa, should I just get a 3 month visa and keep renewing it?

What are they called now, do I need to go to Hull on earth to get it or will any Thai embassy do the trick

Get a multiple entry Business visa by mail from Hull.

[symzie]

I've searched around this site to fiind out more but I can't find out what that will give me, is it 3 months renewable. What do I need to say, that I'm opening a business? How would I prove it?

Symzie

[Jimbo]

Hi all, I am new to this board howeber I have worked in LOS before and finally got a new job offer there and will return next month.

It is extremely difficult to find a good place of employment. If you accept anything then you can always work in the time share industry as they are always looking for staff but its a bit dodgy. Ads posted on various websites and newspapers receive so many replies that unless you are the best in your field then it will be tough. Most of the times you wont receive a reply unless the GM or HR director is a Farang or works for an international company.

Work permit laws are tough. The number of work permits a company is allowed to have depends on the investment. A typical hotel for example can emply 2-4 foreigners.

And last but not least. Networking is extremely important. I wouldt have found my new job if I didnt stay in touch with my contacts which I had from when I was there last time (5 yrs ago) These are the folks that will help you most.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I've searched around this site to fiind out more but I can't find out what that will give me, is it 3 months renewable. What do I need to say, that I'm opening a business? How would I prove it?

Symzie

Write a decent letter to the Consul.

[symzie]

I've searched around this site to fiind out more but I can't find out what that will give me, is it 3 months renewable.  What do I need to say, that I'm opening a business? How would I prove it?

Symzie

Write a decent letter to the Consul.

Would you care to expand, what would make that letter decent?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I've searched around this site to fiind out more but I can't find out what that will give me, is it 3 months renewable.  What do I need to say, that I'm opening a business? How would I prove it?

Symzie

Write a decent letter to the Consul.

Would you care to expand, what would make that letter decent?

A well crafted and cogent letter saying a bit about your business plans in the LOS