Moving To Bangkok From Singapore

[tengjj2000]

Dear all,

Thank you for taking time to read my post.

I have some questions and hope that I can get guidance from gurus here.

I am 25yr old male looking to relocate to Bangkok from Singapore.

I am looking for finance job, is the job outlook for finance sector clear in Bangkok at this moment?

How are the rental cost in Bangkok?

What are the things that I should take note of if I were to relocate over?

Thanks in advance!

[rgs2001uk]

Have you ever been to Bkk?

Why would you want to come here?

No idea about finance jobs.

Rental costs, anywhere from 2,000 baht to 200,000 baht per month.

The first thing to take note of, what happens if you dont secure employment, what type of visa will you be using to stay here.

Next, will the salary offered match your expectations, what do you offer that the Thais dont already have?

Third if you are moving here to be with a woman I would forget it.

[tengjj2000]

Hey rgs!

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Yea, I have been to BKK for 4 times and Changmai once. I love the culture and the people here, the language as well.

hmm I understand the rental is flexible. but those around their central business district area? they command around 200k Baht?

Visa.. hmm understood.. I'm trying to apply from Singapore first, until i get a green light from my employer then I will move over.

Problem now is, is there any online job finder for Thailand, Bangkok?

Salary, as long as its within comfortable range, im good. Dont expect too much.

lastly, yea I met a girl in Malaysia JB. But she's not the primary reason I want to live in Thailand, Bangkok.

Thanks for the input!

Have you ever been to Bkk?

Why would you want to come here?

No idea about finance jobs.

Rental costs, anywhere from 2,000 baht to 200,000 baht per month.

The first thing to take note of, what happens if you dont secure employment, what type of visa will you be using to stay here.

Next, will the salary offered match your expectations, what do you offer that the Thais dont already have?

Third if you are moving here to be with a woman I would forget it.

[iluvbeaches]

Hey rgs!

Thanks for the prompt reply.

Yea, I have been to BKK for 4 times and Changmai once. I love the culture and the people here, the language as well.

hmm I understand the rental is flexible. but those around their central business district area? they command around 200k Baht?

Visa.. hmm understood.. I'm trying to apply from Singapore first, until i get a green light from my employer then I will move over.

Problem now is, is there any online job finder for Thailand, Bangkok?

Salary, as long as its within comfortable range, im good. Dont expect too much.

lastly, yea I met a girl in Malaysia JB. But she's not the primary reason I want to live in Thailand, Bangkok.

Thanks for the input!

Have you ever been to Bkk?

Why would you want to come here?

No idea about finance jobs.

Rental costs, anywhere from 2,000 baht to 200,000 baht per month.

The first thing to take note of, what happens if you dont secure employment, what type of visa will you be using to stay here.

Next, will the salary offered match your expectations, what do you offer that the Thais dont already have?

Third if you are moving here to be with a woman I would forget it.

I'd seriously recommend getting a job offer before relocation but depending on your language skills (Malay, mandarin)and your expertise it certainly is not impossible. Probably best to apply from there or come for like 2-3 weeks if you can get the time off.

You can look on job sites but since you don't speak Thai you will be limited.

Be careful as lots of shady investment and finance firms pop up, hire foreign staff and basically run like a call center to dupe investors or pump and dump scams so make sure the firm is reputable.

Rent you can get quality apartments from 15-25k din daeng asok or suk no problem, closer to 20-30 in sathorn or silom for very nice places, best is choose an area you want to live and pop in and speak to the juristic person office in the building. All have pool and gym and security, parking. They get a month commission just like the agents and then you don't have to waste time with agents.

[tengjj2000]

Hey thanks!

Yep, I dont speak Thai. Only English and Mandarin, little malay and some dialects.

What I have is just Bachelor in Economics and Finance. It's a little hard to find on the internet what are the offers available.

Quality apartments seems reasonable for 15-25k as compared to Singapore.

Talking about parking. Are cars cheaply available in Bangkok? Would you advise me to get a vehicle or to take the public transportation.

For apartments, I have to be physically there to find the juristic person am I right?

Thanks for input!

I'd seriously recommend getting a job offer before relocation but depending on your language skills (Malay, mandarin)and your expertise it certainly is not impossible. Probably best to apply from there or come for like 2-3 weeks if you can get the time off.
You can look on job sites but since you don't speak Thai you will be limited.
Be careful as lots of shady investment and finance firms pop up, hire foreign staff and basically run like a call center to dupe investors or pump and dump scams so make sure the firm is reputable.

Rent you can get quality apartments from 15-25k din daeng asok or suk no problem, closer to 20-30 in sathorn or silom for very nice places, best is choose an area you want to live and pop in and speak to the juristic person office in the building. All have pool and gym and security, parking. They get a month commission just like the agents and then you don't have to waste time with agents.

[yoshiwara]

A very bad move.

[Soutpeel]

He is my thought, from a career prespective Singapore is a growing financial hub on the world stage (did I just use the word "hub", sorry.. )

therefore your career path would be better if you stayed there as there will be more promising opportunities one thinks, over Thailand.

If you are fixated with coming to Thailand, does the company not have a branch in BKK and you could ask for a transfer ?....seems to me this would be the easier route to go

Overall in comparision with Singapore almost everything is siginifcantly cheaper in Thailand

[tengjj2000]

Hi soutpeel,

Thanks for reply..

Singapore is too competitive.. Inflation level is too high, salary stagnant, cost of living is rising and its too populated.

Which is the reason i am abandoning singapore in seek of a better living..

I am currently unemployed. Which is why i am looking for jobs in thailand before going there.

He is my thought, from a career prespective Singapore is a growing financial hub on the world stage (did I just use the word "hub", sorry.. )

therefore your career path would be better if you stayed there as there will be more promising opportunities one thinks, over Thailand.

If you are fixated with coming to Thailand, does the company not have a branch in BKK and you could ask for a transfer ?....seems to me this would be the easier route to go

Overall in comparision with Singapore almost everything is siginifcantly cheaper in Thailand

[tengjj2000]

Just a quick question.

How much to ask for a salary to be living comfortably in bangkok?

Considering renting an apartment, and possibly have to maintain a wife and a kid in future.

[KHR1010]

You are planning to leave a globally recognized financial center to come into a pineapple republic, whose banking institutions often do not qualify for international programs!?! You should really take close examination of your decision making process here, there are so many potential problems with your plan, and these will affect you for the rest of your life.

If you are wanting a more reasonable cost of living check Malaysia. Malaysia is obviously nowhere near the status of Singapore in terms of financial reputation, but it is much better than Bangkok, and you will be treated as a wanted human being by their immigration department. They have reasonable visas that allows those who have something to offer the country a relatively easy stay. Exactly the opposite of the mentality in BKK. Best of luck!!

[tengjj2000]

Hi KHR!

Thanks!

I frequent Malaysia alot, and i must say the security and safety is not comparable to Thai. Plus Malaysia cost of living in KL is almost the same in Singapore, and its very messy.

Thai culture is very amicable. Plus i am a Chinese so i assume i could easily bland into their culture after picking up the language.

Yes i understand singapore is a financial hub, but i am not being treasured here.

[rgs2001uk]

Personally I think you are crazy, but never mind.

You aint being transferred here on an expat package by your employer, so now you are in the position of competing against Thais in the local market.

Your qualifications are nothing special, in fact you are handicapped by your inability to speak Thai.

The normal salary for someone of your age and qualifications if Thai is between 25-40k baht per month.

Maybe after securing a job, and proving yourself after a few years you may move up to 60k per month.

I know trilingual language speakers working for large MNCs who earn more, your chances of finding this sort of job is almost non existent.

[GrantSmith]

Singapore too populated? I thought April 1st was the day for these kinds of shenanigans...

[chainarong]

Unless you need to Why the move , Singapore is that far in front of Bangkok it ain't funny.

[simple1]

If you are for real & disenchanted with Singapore why not look at H.K. Sydney or Melbourne. I do not know of any large financial institutions with Asia Regional H.O. in BKK which speaks volumes. As a hint ANZ Bank is expanding it's presence in Asia

If you are not happy with your current employer why not look at other companies in Singapore. Alternately vendors who specialise in the Banking & Finance sector such as IBM who seek staff with process knowledge.

[Soutpeel]

Singapore is too competitive.. Inflation level is too high, salary stagnant, cost of living is rising and its too populated.

Which is the reason i am abandoning singapore in seek of a better living..

I am currently unemployed. Which is why i am looking for jobs in thailand before going there.

In your situation you will find Bangkok a h*ll of a lot more competative. seeing as you need WP's and and all the stuff that goes with working here, I am not saying you may find a job here, but lets say its going to be very difficult

If you want out of Singapore...how about Shanghai ?....your obviously fluent in both English & Mandarin languages and one suspects this would go a long way in China

[rgs2001uk]

Singapore is too competitive.. Inflation level is too high, salary stagnant, cost of living is rising and its too populated.

Which is the reason i am abandoning singapore in seek of a better living..

I am currently unemployed. Which is why i am looking for jobs in thailand before going there.

In your situation you will find Bangkok a h*ll of a lot more competative. seeing as you need WP's and and all the stuff that goes with working here, I am not saying you may find a job here, but lets say its going to be very difficult

If you want out of Singapore...how about Shanghai ?....your obviously fluent in both English & Mandarin languages and one suspects this would go a long way in China

How about we change,

Singapore is too competitive.. Inflation level is too high, salary stagnant, cost of living is rising and its too populated.

To,

Bangkok is too competitive...Inflation is too high, salary stagnant, cost of living is rising and its too populated.

Does Bkk sound as attractive now?

You mentioned in a previous post,

Quality apartments seems reasonable for 15-25k as compared to Singapore.

Talking about parking. Are cars cheaply available in Bangkok? Would

you advise me to get a vehicle or to take the public transportation.

If you are earning say 40k per month you wont be staying in a 15-25k per month apartment,you will be like most Thais I know in the same situation, living at home with their parents in the suburbs, or renting some place in On Nut for 5k per month.

A decent car will cost about 700k, first problem is where to park and store it, now we have got that sorted there is the daily commute from hell every day getting from the outskirts to the CBD, navigating your way through the nightmare of Suk Rd, Rama 4 and finally the madness of Silom/Sathorn.

One you have reached your destination, where do you park?.

Come 6 oclock in the evening join the rest of the car drivers on their 2 hour commute back to the suburbs.

Live on the BTS line, hence On Nut, skytrain to Silom, then a motorcycle taxi.

[mrtoad]

This sounds like a very ill thought out move. If you are unemployed in your own country, why do you think it will be different here?

[tengjj2000]

seems like most are very against from moving to Thailand.

Is the culture/environment that bad?

Im assuming that those who are involved in this topic have reside in Bangkok for some time already.

What I wish to do is to experience and learn the Thai culture while I am still young. Yes I'm unemployed because I am a fresh grad, not actively seeking for job because I am planning to move in Thailand.

Why not HK, why not Aus. Because I have no taste in their culture/language.

I have travelled to places such as Japan, Most of China, Taiwan, Aus, Thai, S. Korea, Indonesia, East and West Malaysia. And what gives me the best memories are from Thailand.

[Happy Go Lucky]

Hi tengjj2000,

I believe you are a Singaporean(please correct me if I am wrong). I understand how you feel as I recieve my full education in Singapore and been living in SG for almost 20yrs. I am not a Singaporean, I am 26 yes old Thai holding a dual citizenship and a SG permanent resident. Currently living and working in Thailand.

It is very difficult for someone who have not live in Singapore to understand how you feel. But I do agree with others it is a bad choice to move to thailand at this stage of your life.

It will be very difficult to get a job in thailand.

1)you don't speak, read and write thai

2)at 25 I believe you just recieve your degree not long ago without much experience MNC won't find it attractive to hire you. (correct me if I am wrong again)

3)hassle of applying for work permit

Unless you have something special to offer I don't see why companies would want to hire you.

My advise.. work in sg for at least 5 years before deciding what to do next.

[Soutpeel]

seems like most are very against from moving to Thailand.

Is the culture/environment that bad?

Im assuming that those who are involved in this topic have reside in Bangkok for some time already.

What I wish to do is to experience and learn the Thai culture while I am still young. Yes I'm unemployed because I am a fresh grad, not actively seeking for job because I am planning to move in Thailand.

Its not the culture/enviroment that bad, but I think you are missing the point, based on the info you have given to date, you will have very little change of getting a job in finance in BKK, you basically have nothing to offer a company for them to go to the trouble of getting you a WP, and sorting out all the other issues of a foreigner working in Thailand.

So lets assume you move to Thailand and you cant find a job...what ya gonna live on ?, you got no money...unless you have a rich mummy and daddy sending you money every month.

As others have said, start your career in Singapore for a few years, Thailand is only a few hours flight away, so once you have a job you can travel up and down until your hearts content

[ajarnpot]

hmm its funny why all these folks advising you not to come and posting doom and gloom stay in Thailand.

wrt to jobs there are always new finance positions in BKK. new investment banks, quants wanted etc.

as for living expenses the amount you spend in Snpre on accom can pay for everything in BKK with lots left over

[Soutpeel]

hmm its funny why all these folks advising you not to come and posting doom and gloom stay in Thailand.

wrt to jobs there are always new finance positions in BKK. new investment banks, quants wanted etc.

as for living expenses the amount you spend in Snpre on accom can pay for everything in BKK with lots left over

Its not dooming and glooming, its reality..he is asking a question about finding careers in finance in Thailand.

If he was asking about becoming an "English teacher" in Thailand one suspects the answers would be slightly different...as we know most language schools are not choosy who they employ.

Were he is currently is most likely one of the best places in the world to be as regards starting a career in finance, however if his apsirations are to become an "English" teacher then yes by all means come to Thailand

[tfc]

hmm its funny why all these folks advising you not to come and posting doom and gloom stay in Thailand.

wrt to jobs there are always new finance positions in BKK. new investment banks, quants wanted etc.

as for living expenses the amount you spend in Snpre on accom can pay for everything in BKK with lots left over

One can only pay for everything in BKK with lots left over if there is money/wages to start off with. No job/savings = not good in BKK.

It is not doom and gloom to advise getting some good savings behind you first or good work experience that provides value to an employer over here.

Otherwise the real doom and gloom will happen when arriving, then running out of money. Better to hear this in words on an internet forum than to experience it in real life.

[rgs2001uk]

hmm its funny why all these folks advising you not to come and posting doom and gloom stay in Thailand.

wrt to jobs there are always new finance positions in BKK. new investment banks, quants wanted etc.

as for living expenses the amount you spend in Snpre on accom can pay for everything in BKK with lots left over

Perhaps for some its financially worth their while to be here, perhaps some were sent here by large MNCs as part of their career path, perhaps others have the option to leave whenever they wish, perhaps others are FIFO workers based here in their down time, perhaps others follow the money and for the time being its Thailand tomorrow it could easily be elsewhere.

As for these numerous jobs, how about putting up some links and salary offered, then the OP can see if its worth being here, as for living expenses, he aint going to be earning Singaporean wages, so he had better get used to Thai wages and lifestyle.

If he is happy to bust a gut for 40k per month, then best of luck to him, he can come back in lets say 10 years time and let us know how his pension plan and retirement scheme is progressing, how many houses he has managed to pay for, and at what age he will be able to take early retirement.

[yoshiwara]

Follow the Thai culture? That's a giggle. You haven't got a pot to p*** in and you are lah-di-dahing like a new-age hippy.

What have you got? one undergraduate degree of unknown provenance and you want to swan around Thailand. Sort yourself out in Singapore, get some further professional qualifications and experience. Otherwise if you really don't have much to sell the trip to Thailand will be a complete and utter waste of your career path. But hell you aren't listening. No one ever does.

Edited April 4, 2013 by yoshiwara

[Thereisnoif]

If you are really in the finance business, moving from Singapore to Bangkok equals moving from Silicon Valley to Swaziland in the IT business .

[rgs2001uk]

Follow the Thai culture? That's a giggle. You haven't got a pot to p*** in and you are lah-di-dahing like a new-age hippy.

What have you got? one undergraduate degree of unknown provenance and you want to swan around Thailand. Sort yourself out in Singapore, get some further professional qualifications and experience. Otherwise if you really don't have much to sell the trip to Thailand will be a complete and utter waste of your career path. But hell you aren't listening. No one ever does.

Loved the earlier posts about, Thai culture.

I wonder if he is clued up enough about it to know what, ai jek means?

Lets cut to the chase here, he met some Thai bird, fell head over heels in love and wants to move here to be with her.

Not knocking the OP, there are thousands just like him, in fact many who should know better rock on these shores evey year to chase the dream.

Has the OP enough stashed enough away for sin sot, buy land the family already own, build the big house in Nakon Nowhere so the family gain big face, enough to give his tee rak 30k per month, cant be seen driving a Honda or Toyota upcountry, 'Tuna at least, Bee Em even better.

This is hilarious.

[tengjj2000]

wow, don't really appreciate the sarcasm input.

Just to add some more input to my background, I am an entrepreneur in Singapore, started my IT product distribution company 4 years ago and is self sustainable now.

I'm not going to Thailand just because of some pussy.

Rather, I want to experience. What's so wrong about that?

I'm definitely not looking to become a millionaire by relocating to Thailand. What my primary objective is to stay and learn about Thailand, while having some job/pocket money to sustain my trip. Let's say the trip is between 3 months to 2 years.

[GrantSmith]

Under the bridge downtown...

Sorry, was typing a reply and then this great song came on... Now where was I...