Any chance of finding summer internships / work for a farang?

[SS1]

Hi everyone!

I have been reading this forum for a couple of years and have done quite a bit of research on finding jobs in Thailand. Everywhere I look the attitude is always negative and I clearly understand it is very difficult to find decent office work for farangs unless you have some very specific skills or are transferred by an international company. I have read the numerous threads and also know that the work permits can be a hassle.

But does difficult mean impossible?

I've personally lived in a few countries, currently in the UK and not liking it here much and haven't planned on staying here for very long. Finland is my home country, but I haven't lived there for over 10 years so it barely feels like "home" anymore. After visiting Thailand I thought I would love to, like many others, experience how living there would really be like.

I am now looking to find a summer internship or casual work for July - September in Thailand. I'm open to all kinds of different work, but preferably not teaching. I'm not looking for a big salary either and I receive a grant of about 35k baht per month, so I can survive on a minimal salary too. I'm more in it for the experience of working in Thailand.

Here is some background information about me:

-I'm a 22 year old undergraduate currently doing a work placement in the UK and graduating next year

-I have a strong academic record, studying international business

-I have work experience in marketing, research, sales, competitor analysis and hospitality

-I speak English, Finnish and French fluently, have learned the basics of German and plan on learning some basics of Thai in the near future. (Perhaps the language skills could help me find something in the tourism industry, such as a tour operator?)

A lot of people have been writing that it's nearly impossible to find work from Thailand online. Would you recommend doing research on potential companies first and then just going from door to door introducing myself and handing them my CV? In case of failing, I could just consider my trip as a long holiday and trying to survive on the grant.

What, if any, work could be available for me with this background?

Do you think I will be wasting my time, or would I have any chance of finding something? I would be ready to put a lot of effort into this.

Thanks in advance and would be glad to hear any success stories!

[chainarong]

The only way you will pull off any work is being either sponsored buy an expat company or a Thai company that needs your skills, you just can't walk in anywhere , in any country let alone Thailand and expect to be employed, you have stated you have spent many years studying this yet you still go ahead knowing full well of the situation, you have language skills that would get you into education , unfortunately that pays somewhere around twelve grand a year if you are lucky and you are controlled by the sponsor , your options are not bright.

[wordchild]

find somewhere else, almost anywhere would be easier and with better real opportunities for a bright young guy starting out; Australia,Dubai,Hong Kong, london etc. Apart from anything else, as an employer, I would be very wary of recruiting someone who put a desire to live in Thailand above all other considerations when looking for a job.

Edited February 20, 2014 by wordchild

[isawasnake]

The reason people are negative is because this place is a hell hole when it comes to workplaces. Believe me, the 30k you are fine with settling for will not be enough when you have to put up with illogical bs every single day. To more directly answer your question though, you can and will get work here is you are willing to work for the low wage, as you say you are.

[davejones23]

Teaching English is probably the easiest option, even though you say you'd prefer not to do it. I know a Thai guy with not very good English that teaches Maths at a local school, and he has to teach in English. He gets around 1,000 baht per hour and said he could get more if his English was better. So there is scope for teaching a specialist subject. But not sure if they'd want you for just a few months. You'd need to check with a few of the international schools. Despite what people say on this forum, good teachers can earn 100,000 baht a month at top international schools. But teaching English at a normal school will be quite low paid.

[olddoc]

A 22 year old non graduate has little or no "experience" of anything .

Sorry to be blunt but your chances of securing employment are next to zero.

With your language skills searching elsewhere would be better advised.

[SS1]

The reason people are negative is because this place is a hell hole when it comes to workplaces. Believe me, the 30k you are fine with settling for will not be enough when you have to put up with illogical bs every single day. To more directly answer your question though, you can and will get work here is you are willing to work for the low wage, as you say you are.

Thanks all for the replies,

Yes as said before I'm willing to work for a low wage because it would be temporary, just to get an experience how living in Thailand is really like. I'll have time then to think about real career options during my last year of University in the UK.

The 35k/baht per month I mentioned I will be receiving for doing nothing (student allowance) so any salary would be added on top of that. That's the reason I would be willing to accept a low salary for a while, not yet planning to settle down!

And thanks snake, you can and will from your post gave me a little bit of motivation!

[yannic]

The Delegation of the EU in Thailand accepts interns for a 2-6 month internship or so, you learn a lot but earn nothing but experience.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[Tomtomtom69]

The Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce has job placements for international graduates with little or no work experience that are looking for some work experience in Thailand. Member companies occasionally advertise for such vacancies on the AustCham website. Only problem in your case is you're not an Australian citizen as I believe these companies have the requirement that the applicant be an Australian citizen, however, I could be wrong. It's best checking with them directly but keep in mind that there aren't a lot of vacancies, so flexibility and patience will be required when looking for a position. I'd say, plan around 3-6 months in advance to be safe.

[Changnoi2]

I had a friend that grabed an intership with a wine company for 6 months that led him to getting a well paid job with another wine company. He how dares wins I guess.

You speak French, and Wine is a big growth Industry over here.

PM me and ill give you a few contacts.

[SS1]

I had a friend that grabed an intership with a wine company for 6 months that led him to getting a well paid job with another wine company. He how dares wins I guess.

You speak French, and Wine is a big growth Industry over here.

PM me and ill give you a few contacts.

That's nice to hear and gives me more motivation! Sent you PM.

[SheungWan]

If its wine you want to get into and use your French and English then the place to be re import/export is Hong Kong. Thailand should just be for R+R in your situation right now.

[SS1]

If its wine you want to get into and use your French and English then the place to be re import/export is Hong Kong. Thailand should just be for R+R in your situation right now.

Thanks for the tip, I'm interested in any industry really just looking for an internship in Asia and preferably Thailand.

You are right about Hong Kong, that and Singapore as well are destinations where I'm trying to find work.

[kurnell]

I have hired interns for the last 6 years and a fair few companies do this in Thailand also. Sadly only French so far. Try joining Bangkok Expat page on Facebook.

[Suradit69]

Teaching English is probably the easiest option, even though you say you'd prefer not to do it. I know a Thai guy with not very good English that teaches Maths at a local school, and he has to teach in English. He gets around 1,000 baht per hour and said he could get more if his English was better. So there is scope for teaching a specialist subject. But not sure if they'd want you for just a few months. You'd need to check with a few of the international schools. Despite what people say on this forum, good teachers can earn 100,000 baht a month at top international schools. But teaching English at a normal school will be quite low paid.

"Teaching English is probably the easiest option ..."

Based on the O/P's first message in this thread, his English language skills are better than most of the native English speakers who post on TV, including those who supposedly want to teach English or already do.

That said, quite often those who possess a skill aren't the best choice when it comes to teaching it to others. Since he is not interested in teaching, choosing to do it just to finance his stay in Thailand is not going to make for an enjoyable time for him nor will it serve the interests of his potential students.

I know here at Thai Visa the mantra is "me first and screw everyone else," but maybe it would be a good idea for prospective teachers to be inspired by something other than a way to holiday on the cheap.

[rickirs]

You should consider building work experience overseas before trying to work in a third world country like Thailand. The Lake Worth-Lantana, Florida USA area has the most Finns outside of Finland. You might find contacts in that community and through the Finnish Honorary Consulate there about entry job levels that might then lead you to Asia and Thailand.

[SS1]

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I have hired interns for the last 6 years and a fair few companies do this in Thailand also. Sadly only French so far. Try joining Bangkok Expat page on Facebook.

Interesting, thanks, will have a look at that fb-page. What sort of company do you operate / work for?

Teaching English is probably the easiest option, even though you say you'd prefer not to do it. I know a Thai guy with not very good English that teaches Maths at a local school, and he has to teach in English. He gets around 1,000 baht per hour and said he could get more if his English was better. So there is scope for teaching a specialist subject. But not sure if they'd want you for just a few months. You'd need to check with a few of the international schools. Despite what people say on this forum, good teachers can earn 100,000 baht a month at top international schools. But teaching English at a normal school will be quite low paid.

"Teaching English is probably the easiest option ..."

Based on the O/P's first message in this thread, his English language skills are better than most of the native English speakers who post on TV, including those who supposedly want to teach English or already do.

That said, quite often those who possess a skill aren't the best choice when it comes to teaching it to others. Since he is not interested in teaching, choosing to do it just to finance his stay in Thailand is not going to make for an enjoyable time for him nor will it serve the interests of his potential students.

I know here at Thai Visa the mantra is "me first and screw everyone else," but maybe it would be a good idea for prospective teachers to be inspired by something other than a way to holiday on the cheap.

This was a good post. Although I would be willing to accept many types of different work, I would still prefer for it to be related to my studies and work experience somehow.

I'm not exactly looking for a job just to finance a holiday in Thailand, but rather to experience how working and living there is really like. Depending on the type of work of course, I think an internship in Bangkok would be hardly a holiday, but rather an invaluable experience.

You should consider building work experience overseas before trying to work in a third world country like Thailand. The Lake Worth-Lantana, Florida USA area has the most Finns outside of Finland. You might find contacts in that community and through the Finnish Honorary Consulate there about entry job levels that might then lead you to Asia and Thailand.

Thanks for the advice, you are right about that in terms of career prospects, and perhaps will look into that once I have graduated. At the moment, however, my main priority is finding a summer internship in Asia.

[gerry123]

i would be tempted to stick with UK+ your 35k and just holiday in LOS

[Eric Behm]

Teaching English is probably the easiest option, even though you say you'd prefer not to do it. I know a Thai guy with not very good English that teaches Maths at a local school, and he has to teach in English. He gets around 1,000 baht per hour and said he could get more if his English was better. So there is scope for teaching a specialist subject. But not sure if they'd want you for just a few months. You'd need to check with a few of the international schools. Despite what people say on this forum, good teachers can earn 100,000 baht a month at top international schools. But teaching English at a normal school will be quite low paid.

Forget 100,000 Thb/month if you have no teachers examina....

Even expats with great knowledge in English will NOT get a working permit if he has no examina or a TOEFL certificate.

[VisaEd]

If you are good at 'networking' with other expats you might find yourself lucky.

I've been out here a few years and without looking for work have met a people along the way looking to hire, or working at companies who want to hire a 'expat'.

The jobs won't be advertised but most big projects and big firms can easily take on foreigners as needed.

If you can get out here and start meeting people you could get lucky.

[NanLaew]

If its wine you want to get into and use your French and English then the place to be re import/export is Hong Kong. Thailand should just be for R+R in your situation right now.

Yes, don't spoil you impression of Thailand by seeking employment here. It will knock the guild off your lily real quick! Look into southern China but beyond Hong Kong and consider Hunan and other pretty vibrant (relatively speaking) southern cities.

Keep LOS for the reality checks that you will need working in China!

[ThaiEskimo]

I hear the guys at TropicalDev.com are hiring...

[TomAikins]

Contact me at [email protected] and we can talk.

[SS1]

If you are good at 'networking' with other expats you might find yourself lucky.

I've been out here a few years and without looking for work have met a people along the way looking to hire, or working at companies who want to hire a 'expat'.

The jobs won't be advertised but most big projects and big firms can easily take on foreigners as needed.

If you can get out here and start meeting people you could get lucky.

Yeah this is my plan eventually if I don't find anything beforehand.

I'm just wondering how easy it would be to change a 90 day non-immigrant visa to a business visa, if I did find work there, and how long would it take..?