Internet connection

[YankeeDK]

I have been brainstorming ideas, and I would like your input on whether it is feasible or not. I want to try to live and work in a hotel in Thailand.

My background is not too solid I am afraid. I have worked in a hotel reception for 1 year and since then 7 years as a security guard in a financial company's reception. While working I have obtained a bachelor's degree in catering management. All in all I know about what goes on in a hotel reception, I know a great deal about security, I know (theoretically only unfortunately) about management techniques, and I know about food production and food safety. All parts of running a hotel.

I am fluent in English and Danish, and I understand Swedish and Norwegian and some German. I am good with computers and IT, and I have recently begun learning Thai, but it is too early to say if I will ever be good.

Now for the idea: Is it possible to get an unpaid internship at at Thailand hotel for say a year to learn the skills needed to manage a hotel or parts of it with the end goal of getting a paid job doing just that? The question has 2 parts really. Is it possible in the literal sense to get such an internship with a work permit, and is it in the broader sense realistic that a hotel would want me, and could I get a "real" job thereafter?

I will also address some concerns that I am sure will come up. I have only been to Thailand on holiday, and that is obviously living the dream. I know that this would be hard work and not non-stop party. I will also say that this is not a plan for tomorrow. I am thinking maybe a year from now, giving me time to visit Thailand once or twice more, getting to do some research on the ground, try to build a network and practice my Thai.

OK, get at me, guys. Be blunt and I appreciate any and all input you have for me.

[Mario2008]

Are you still studying? If you are not connected to a school it will not be considered an internship but as work, and even for volunteering you need a work permit.

[YankeeDK]

Are you still studying? If you are not connected to a school it will not be considered an internship but as work, and even for volunteering you need a work permit.

No, I finished last year. But that's also what I wanted to ask. Is it possible to get a WP while working for free, or do I have to have a paid job?

[HarryMilton]

Are there no other ways of getting a free, one year holiday in Thailand?

Wouldn't it make more sense to try for an internship in a Nordic country, where you at least speak the language, before imposing your unqualified self on Thailand?

[YankeeDK]

Are there no other ways of getting a free, one year holiday in Thailand?

 

Wouldn't it make more sense to try for an internship in a Nordic country, where you at least speak the language, before  imposing your unqualified self on Thailand?

 

 

Here there are strong union regulations about working for free, and the cost of living is many times higher. In Thailand I could live for a year without income. The point is also that I want to learn the language and culture. But I take it you don't believe this could work

[IsaanUSA]

HarryMilton has the best advice. You need to gain more experience in your home country before applying for a job in Thailand. Most hotel managers that I have met started in reception and worked their way up.

[simonfish]

Yes you can. Apply to all the large hotel chains with a good cover letter, asking for a management trainee position.

The pay will be bad, and you will work like a dog. But will gain valuable experience for your next step.

Good luck!

[yoshiwara]

Go back to Nordic Land or London and do a Masters in Hotel Management or similar, get a job with an international chain that has hotels in Thailand. Take formal qualifications and continuous learning in Thai language. Make sure that HR knows and maybe you will be transferred to Thailand a few years down the road on an expat package.

Or

Piss about looking for duckings and divings to stay in Thailand now.

[chiangmaibruce]

This article doesn't relate specifically to Thailand but it does put your idea into some sort of perspective ... in terms of demonstrating just how competitive things are now:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/australian-graduates-pay-for-internship-programs-in-china/story-e6frg6n6-1226657101561

[gerrythepoet]

Agree with simonfish.

However tourism is one of the areas that Thais want to work in and unless you are in management you will find yourself out on a limb trying to convince them you are the right person for the role. There are language schools that train hotel staff in English however with your present language skills there could be a role for you to get a step in the door so to speak. Amari hotel in Koh Chang were willing to give me an interview but I decided to stay in Issan. Identify the hotels that scandinavians frequent and find out the name of the HR Manager as well the Front Office Manager. Write a good letter attaching your qualifications. Language skills are always in demand. Good luck with your enthusiasm.

[innerspace]

Work permit no chance for free. Small independant places may well take you on without a permit under the rader, doubt a big chain would take the risk.

[ava15]

I met a Danish guy working front of house for a 4 star hotel in the banglamphu area. He mentioned he was in bangkok a whole year before finding a job

[simple1]

Agree with simonfish.

However tourism is one of the areas that Thais want to work in and unless you are in management you will find yourself out on a limb trying to convince them you are the right person for the role. There are language schools that train hotel staff in English however with your present language skills there could be a role for you to get a step in the door so to speak. Amari hotel in Koh Chang were willing to give me an interview but I decided to stay in Issan. Identify the hotels that scandinavians frequent and find out the name of the HR Manager as well the Front Office Manager. Write a good letter attaching your qualifications. Language skills are always in demand. Good luck with your enthusiasm.

Roles within the hospitality/tourism industries are notorious for low pay unless in middle to higher management. For a Thai to obtain a receptionist role in the better hotels, I understand, require a degree, with entry level salary of around 15k baht a month, maybe more, maybe lower. Below are a few examples of websites specialising in jobs in the hospitality sector in Thailand.

http://www.thailandhotelier.com/

http://www.amari.com/jobsearch.aspx

[YankeeDK]

Yes you can. Apply to all the large hotel chains with a good cover letter, asking for a management trainee position.

The pay will be bad, and you will work like a dog. But will gain valuable experience for your next step.

Good luck!

Thank you. That was also my first thought. Do you know how long time i trainee position usually last?

This article doesn't relate specifically to Thailand but it does put your idea into some sort of perspective ... in terms of demonstrating just how competitive things are now:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/australian-graduates-pay-for-internship-programs-in-china/story-e6frg6n6-1226657101561

Not exactly my area but I suppose it's also going on in the hospitality industry.

[YankeeDK]

Agree with simonfish.

However tourism is one of the areas that Thais want to work in and unless you are in management you will find yourself out on a limb trying to convince them you are the right person for the role. There are language schools that train hotel staff in English however with your present language skills there could be a role for you to get a step in the door so to speak. Amari hotel in Koh Chang were willing to give me an interview but I decided to stay in Issan. Identify the hotels that scandinavians frequent and find out the name of the HR Manager as well the Front Office Manager. Write a good letter attaching your qualifications. Language skills are always in demand. Good luck with your enthusiasm.

That is a great idea. I didn't think about that.

I met a Danish guy working front of house for a 4 star hotel in the banglamphu area. He mentioned he was in bangkok a whole year before finding a job

I have no doubt that it is not easy, but eventually something good happened for him

Agree with simonfish.

However tourism is one of the areas that Thais want to work in and unless you are in management you will find yourself out on a limb trying to convince them you are the right person for the role. There are language schools that train hotel staff in English however with your present language skills there could be a role for you to get a step in the door so to speak. Amari hotel in Koh Chang were willing to give me an interview but I decided to stay in Issan. Identify the hotels that scandinavians frequent and find out the name of the HR Manager as well the Front Office Manager. Write a good letter attaching your qualifications. Language skills are always in demand. Good luck with your enthusiasm.

Roles within the hospitality/tourism industries are notorious for low pay unless in middle to higher management. For a Thai to obtain a receptionist role in the better hotels, I understand, require a degree, with entry level salary of around 15k baht a month, maybe more, maybe lower. Below are a few examples of websites specialising in jobs in the hospitality sector in Thailand.

http://www.thailandhotelier.com/

http://www.amari.com/jobsearch.aspx

Thank you. I was looking for that kind of specific websites.

I am going to Phuket for 4 weeks end of September to end of October. I will hopefully be able to follow up my inquiries with a personal appearance at the hotels where I can talke to the managers face to face. I usually make a good impression on people once I get to meet them.

[wprime]

Just apply at a few good hotels, you'll actually find the Thai hotels easier - Thai people love employing farangs.

[RAZZELL]

Is it not possible to see if there is a International postgraduate programme in Bangkok in Hospitality or Hotel Management?

Most would probably have work experience or solid connections in the industry.

There is a downloadable book here, which is massive and takes forever as their server is slow:

http://www.inter.mua.go.th/main2/list.php?id=pu02

From having a quick look Page 212 lists two courses - one in Hospitality and Tourism Management MBA at Prince of Songkla - and a 2 year M.B.A in Hotel and Tourism Management at Silapakorn an hour from Bangkok. Which is probably a bit more useful!

http://www.suic.org/programs/mba-hotel-and-tourism-management/

As it's a "double degree" I'm "assuming" there is some element spent studying/working in France?

But note: A research thesis track is also available, delivering a Single degree from Silpakorn University International College only. Please check with SUIC for further details.

There may well be other courses which you could consider.

Hope this helps and good luck

RAZZ

Edited June 13, 2013 by RAZZELL

[YankeeDK]

Is it not possible to see if there is a International postgraduate programme in Bangkok in Hospitality or Hotel Management?

Most would probably have work experience or solid connections in the industry.

There is a downloadable book here, which is massive and takes forever as their server is slow:

http://www.inter.mua.go.th/main2/list.php?id=pu02

From having a quick look Page 212 lists two courses - one in Hospitality and Tourism Management MBA at Prince of Songkla - and a 2 year M.B.A in Hotel and Tourism Management at Silapakorn an hour from Bangkok. Which is probably a bit more useful!

http://www.suic.org/programs/mba-hotel-and-tourism-management/

As it's a "double degree" I'm "assuming" there is some element spent studying/working in France?

But note: A research thesis track is also available, delivering a Single degree from Silpakorn University International College only. Please check with SUIC for further details.

There may well be other courses which you could consider.

Hope this helps and good luck

RAZZ

Thank you, RAZZ. I will look into that

[Julian92]

Hi everybody,

I made an internship last year in the Philippines. I worked for a 5 star hotel and did great things ( management!!)

I asked a company to help me to find a good paid internship, the name is Placement International.

you can easily find them on the net.

This company also offers me to learn how to manage an hotel and practice. I made voluntary service also..

I think they offer the same for Thailand, I was in the same case, because when I did my internship, I finished my studies one year ago, so don't hesitate, there is already a solution