adamebennett Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 Hi, my partner and I will be coming to Thailand on holiday in September with a view to staying and renting a Condo if we like it. Can we simply just decide to stay and get visa's and work permits whilst we are there? If yes what is the best or easiest way of doing this? Thanks in advance, Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beano2274 Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 What kind of work are you looking to do in Thailand? The company you work for will have to organise work permits and visas for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamebennett Posted May 19, 2013 Author Share Posted May 19, 2013 Any work really, probably bar work though. So we'd get a job then the bar for example would organise the visa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beano2274 Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 (edited) To get foreigners a work permit the bar would have to employ 4 thais per foreigner, also most work is illegal for foreigners to do. Work without a work permit is a hefty fine and sent home (worst case scenario) Suggest you look at what jobs foreigners can do and cannot do, am sure someone will post a link to the list. Edited May 19, 2013 by beano2274 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiliwasabi Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 Work options for foreigners in Thailand are pretty limited and bar work is off the cards unless you actually own the bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamebennett Posted May 19, 2013 Author Share Posted May 19, 2013 Oh really.. :-( so what would be a good work option? My background is all I.T. My partner is a shop manager. Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beano2274 Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 Open your own business, but employ enough Thais and have the capital, or become teachers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiliwasabi Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 If I could tell you I'd be living there full time myself. Teaching is one of the few options if you are suitably qualified. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post beano2274 Posted May 19, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 19, 2013 Read the books, learn about the place have a holiday, go back home and then make the decision, 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChinChanGamble Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 As much as I love Thailand, the difficulty in accessibility to just go and live there is my biggest flaw with the country! From the sounds of it OP you thought it was like Australia or something, it's far from it! Best of luck and if you get something keep us posted! Sent from my LT26i using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeverSure Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 Oh really.. :-( so what would be a good work option? My background is all I.T. My partner is a shop manager. Adam If you have college degrees, you could take a course in teaching English as a foreign language, and probably get a job as an English teacher for about 30,000 baht per month. That's not much money unless both of you do it, especially not for two people. It would be hard for two people (Westerners) to live on 30,000 baht. That's about $1000 US per month. It would require watching money very closely for one person, and I don't know if two could do it. I wouldn't want to try. 60,000 with two teaching is very doable but far from luxurious. Teachers making 30k do survive so it can be done. My last long term trip I spent about US$35,000 just getting there and getting set up. That was airline, all assorted visa costs, a car, a scooter, condo rent and deposits, some things I needed for the apartment like small appliances, clothing, and so on. Then I spent much more than 60k pm living, but I lived quite well and did anything I wanted. I could have really tightened my belt and gotten by on 35k, but the car would have had to go and I wouldn't have enjoyed myself much. Others are right. You can't work at most jobs because they are protected for Thais only. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jingthing Posted May 19, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 19, 2013 (edited) Age, nationality, education, and skills of the OP and partner please. Otherwise, any advice will be very sketchy. On the face of it, it sure sounds like you are misinformed about what Thailand is about. It sounds like you think it is a MUCH more freewheeling place than it actually is. Some might disagree with the semantics of this but the way I would put it is you aren't particularly welcome or invited here except as a free spending tourist or as a very rich/very uniquely skilled resident. English teachers too, etc. but no red carpet. This is a country where most foreign residents, even if here 20 years, still have to report their address at immigration every three months as if they were suspected criminals (which they are). Cambodia would be much less hassle for the visas, but I doubt they are looking for foreign bar workers either. Edited May 19, 2013 by Jingthing 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamebennett Posted May 19, 2013 Author Share Posted May 19, 2013 I'm 34, my partner will be 35 when we get there. We have looked a condos for rent and seem to only cost 10,000 baht per month. We were hoping that another 10,000 per month would be enough for food and water. By the sounds of it so far I get the impressive this isn't enough? Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamebennett Posted May 19, 2013 Author Share Posted May 19, 2013 We didn't plan on taking part in the usual tourist activities of eating out and drinking in bars every night. Also we would bother with cars or scooters etc. Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beano2274 Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 (edited) I lived well on 29000baht per month as a teacher. Depends on you, the food that you eat, health etc. The money that you have will eventually run out and you will need work, but getting it is gonna be the problem. Also depends on where you are and the condos amenities. Think you made a mistake about the cars and scooters, I am sure you meant to say "we wouldn't" Edited May 19, 2013 by beano2274 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeverSure Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 I think 10k baht for food is for one person. I don't see how two could eat on that. I think some Thais do but I don't think it would be healthy or good. Cambodia is an option. The visa is much easier (get it on arrival for about US$300 each for a year) and you can work. I know Westerners who do work in bars and it's legal. My experience in Cambodia is that much more English is spoken. There are a lot of Western owned restaurants and bars and they could hire you. Just be aware that wages are low in Cambodia as well as Thailand. The average Cambodian makes only about $100 a month, no kidding. But Westerners with Western skills do OK. You could work IT there too. You might even teach it. Teaching English there is much easier because you can get by without a college degree if you take that course and get the cert. Think $8 an hour and up. People with actual college teaching credentials make a lot more in both Thailand and Cambodia, and in Cambodia often wind up managing a school or schools. I know one guy who makes US$5k per month, but he has a PHD in education and was a college administrator in the US. Just realize you are entering a third world of poverty and you aren't likely to do a lot better than survive. Most people are in Thailand or Cambodia because they want to be. Some already have their money such as savings and pension. A few own a successful business. Some younger people are doing well because they work for multi-national corporations and were transferred in. Some work offshore - some in the oil industry. I wouldn't want to move to either as a young person with no money and no good career going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 (edited) The OP and partner could stay in Thailand for years using the education visa, studying Thai for only four hours per week. However, they wouldn't be able to legally work on that. Teaching English in Thailand having bachelors degrees would make it much easier to potentially do legal work. Thailand is not a liberal country when it comes to illegal working and illegal staying without visas. Probably another topic, but based on what the OP has said so far it doesn't really sound like they are interested in English teaching. I still feel Thailand probably isn't a good fit for such younger people without unusual skills who need to work (excepting English teaching). What other countries other than possibly Cambodia in the world might be? One idea I would have is Argentina, but only because it attracts a lot of younger expats and the penalties for overstaying tourist visas are almost nothing, certainly not jail, and you can come right back after paying the small fine. Edited May 19, 2013 by Jingthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simple1 Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Oh really.. :-( so what would be a good work option? My background is all I.T. My partner is a shop manager. Adam OP: What IT vendor certification/training do you have? If from a mainstram vendor contact their SE Asia regional H.O or Thailand country manager. If you have in demand skills they may have project contract work either directly or through one of their local partners. Best to see if you can obtain a contract offshore. Your partner will have challenges in obtaining work, and as said likely to be in teaching, so probably would be best for her to obtain teaching qualifications prior to coming to Thailand. Unless the two of you are just seeking an adventure and prepared to go with the flow, I suggest you and partner take some holiday leave & see if your comfortable here prior to making a commitment. Best of luck... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BrianCR Posted May 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 20, 2013 We didn't plan on taking part in the usual tourist activities of eating out and drinking in bars every night. Also we would bother with cars or scooters etc. Adam Adam, the amount of money you will need to live will depend on where and how you wish to live here in Thailand. I have lived here 33 continuous years and have only held two jobs (now retired) in that time. The first was MD for an international company with a salary that would astound most people! We lived a great life without ever realizing what the real Thailand was about. My second job was as a school teacher on a salary of about 40,000 baht per month and do you know something? We lived just as happily, changed into a smaller house, went to less expensive restaurants and most important of all, met real people! Don't listen to all the twaddle about needing 100,000 baht just to buy the beer and off the girls, these people spend most of their free time sitting in bars and moaning about what a hard life it is here! If you and your partner want to live here think about teaching (and don't be dragged into the idea that you need to spend money on a TELF certificate, it's total rubbish!). If you need full advice on work PM me, I'll tell you all the secrets! LOL 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Perhaps he should figure in more than the cost of water and food however. At 38c it is going to be very uncomfortable in a condo without air conditioning. 10k is not going to pay for much electric or medical or entertainment or clothing or soap or security. Indeed if not eating out food it very likely to cost more than in the UK. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCC1701A Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 read everything here: http://one-giant-step.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cardholder Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Why do you want to come to Thailand for a holiday and stay on ? What are your reasons for choosing Thailand and what do you want to achieve ? Where have you seen condos for 10k p.m. - Bangkok, Pattaya, the boonies ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 I missed the IT skills mention before. The OP might consider posting his experience in the Jobs forum here and ask for feedback on his chances to obtain legal employment in Thailand with his specific skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
54321 Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Is Thai visa this desperate for "footfall" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jingthing Posted May 20, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 20, 2013 Is Thai visa this desperate for "footfall" Come again? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
54321 Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Is Thai visa this desperate for "footfall" Come again? "is thai visa this desperate for footfall". I am suggesting anyone with an ounce of sence would know they can not just walk into another country to live and am wondering if this is a geniune query. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 (edited) There are lots of good comments about the not so easy prospects of simply moving to Thailand. It may seem an attractive alternative to the rat race back home, especially in the current economic climate, but it is not easy for foreigners. Please don't consider the "teacher" route unless you have appropriate qualifications and experience. Too many backpackers and others used to see that as an easy way of topping up the finances. Thailand's got wise to that and the standards are much higher now. Teaching in schools is different from teaching in the private language schools. Universities are different again. Unless you have had teaching or lecturing experience you may get an awful shock! Salaries are very variable. I know an experienced English school teacher, who is highly regarded and earns THB 50k per month. An American friend teaches English to undergraduates at a private university and earns 28k. PhD's can earn well over 100k. Many Thai teachers I know earn between 10-15k per month and some Filipinos lower. These are people with bachelors, masters and teaching experience. Many Thais have to live on less than 10k a month, let alone just for food. But, do you really want that sort of lifestyle? We are a family of 4 and have lived in several countries. If you want a reasonable Western type existence, then Thailand is not the cheapest. A small less fashionable condo, eating street food etc is the alternative. Come and have a close look before you jump into anything, and look at some of the alternative suggestions on here like Cambodia. Edited May 20, 2013 by Baerboxer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
how241 Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Work options for foreigners in Thailand are pretty limited and bar work is off the cards unless you actually own the bar. +1...not easy just to come here and get a job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunHehe Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 If you love westerners, Phuket; if you love noise and partying, Chiang Mai; if you love crowds and pollution, Bangkok; if you want to save money and don't mind being bored out of your mind, Chiang Rai; if you love tourists--especially Russians, who have no concept of deodorant and love to hang with the convalescent crowd, Koh Chang. If you love yourself, go elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunHehe Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 If I could tell you I'd be living there full time myself. Teaching is one of the few options if you are suitably qualified. Applicants must have a pulse. I don't see many stiffs in the profession...actually, I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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