How easy to legally employ Filipina Manager?

[simon43]

I am opening a new little airport hotel in Phuket in a couple of months from now. My plan was that I would legally be employed as the hotel manager.

However, I am now thinking about taking a 'back-seat' in this new business, giving me some time to relax and to do some short trips around Thailand. I would need to employ a Manager to look after the business on a day-to-day basis.

I am not keen on employing a Thai manager. I prefer to employ a friendly Filipina lady with good customer and English language skills.

That lady will need a work permit etc. What is the situation (now or from 1st January 2015) about employing ASEAN staff? Is a hotel manager considered to be skilled staff? Will the relaxation of ASEAN skilled labour controls from 2015 make it easy/advantageous to employ an ASEAN manager?

[ubonjoe]

In this case there will be not changes because of AEC. It is only for certain professions (nurses, doctors and etc.) that it will make some things easier to get..

[JLCrab]

Most Filipinas working in a hotel seem to come in under Police Order 777/2551 2.17 -- maybe she can run the front desk when she is not entertaining in the Tiki Lounge.

[Tomtomtom69]

Most Filipinas working in a hotel seem to come in under Police Order 777/2551 2.17 -- maybe she can run the front desk when she is not entertaining in the Tiki Lounge.

That's interesting but to this day I have never identified any foreigner working at the front desk of a hotel in Thailand. Plenty of western managers standing in the background, but all hotels I've ever stayed at, from 1-star "resorts" in nakorn nowhere to 5-star palaces all across Thailand have only ever had Thais at the front desk interacting with customers. Perhaps this is because foreigners don't usually have the Thai language skills necessary to be in charge?

There was however one hotel, the Paragon Inn or something near Suvarnabhumi airport (I haven't stayed there personally but have accompanied guests staying there such as family and a friend for check-in) where one of the front clerks speaks excellent English in what doesn't sound like a Thai accent and appears to be unable to speak Thai. When I spoke with all the other staff in Thai, it was clear they were Thai but this guy was yapping away with everyone including the staff in English - something I thought was very strange. Maybe this guy wasn't Thai after all? But I always thought that foreigners were prohibited from working in such roles? After all, aren't foreign bar and restaurant managers still supposed to take a back seat, despite holding a work permit? Can someone enlighten me because it's really confusing.

[NoBrains]

Maybe you should search for a mix Thai/English ? They dont need work permit so no hassle.

My sons speak fluent Thai Isaan Dutch English but sorry must wait a few years till they finnish school...

[cabanlit]

On a point of detail, AEC isn't on 1st january, 2015, it's on 31st December, 2015.

[stevenl]

Maybe you should search for a mix Thai/English ? They dont need work permit so no hassle.

My sons speak fluent Thai Isaan Dutch English but sorry must wait a few years till they finnish school...

Yes,Finnish as a 5th language would be too much

[samran]

Maybe you should search for a mix Thai/English ? They dont need work permit so no hassle.

My sons speak fluent Thai Isaan Dutch English but sorry must wait a few years till they finnish school...

aye, but you can't afford us....

[shirtless]

I think you will have to go through the usual hassels with visa and wp, Your better off employing a Thai wish you luck.

[Grindting]

On the suk there are some hotels that have Indians working in, that cater to Indian and Arab guests. They must get their permits and what not somehow

Understood why you would want a phillipino rather than a thai, they are top notch in the service industry.

[mikeskibb]

Most Filipinas working in a hotel seem to come in under Police Order 777/2551 2.17 -- maybe she can run the front desk when she is not entertaining in the Tiki Lounge.

That's interesting but to this day I have never identified any foreigner working at the front desk of a hotel in Thailand. Plenty of western managers standing in the background, but all hotels I've ever stayed at, from 1-star "resorts" in nakorn nowhere to 5-star palaces all across Thailand have only ever had Thais at the front desk interacting with customers. Perhaps this is because foreigners don't usually have the Thai language skills necessary to be in charge?

There was however one hotel, the Paragon Inn or something near Suvarnabhumi airport (I haven't stayed there personally but have accompanied guests staying there such as family and a friend for check-in) where one of the front clerks speaks excellent English in what doesn't sound like a Thai accent and appears to be unable to speak Thai. When I spoke with all the other staff in Thai, it was clear they were Thai but this guy was yapping away with everyone including the staff in English - something I thought was very strange. Maybe this guy wasn't Thai after all? But I always thought that foreigners were prohibited from working in such roles? After all, aren't foreign bar and restaurant managers still supposed to take a back seat, despite holding a work permit? Can someone enlighten me because it's really confusing.

Many Filipinas (more and more) are actually working as receptionist in Thailand. Travel a bit and you will find out. Thing is, at first sight they may look like Thais but if they have excellent english, ask them where they are from..... the Philippines sir ( with a big friendly smile)...and that is the reason why more and more Filipinas are being now employed as front desk staff in Thailand.

Edited July 11, 2014 by mikeskibb

[Tomtomtom69]

Most Filipinas working in a hotel seem to come in under Police Order 777/2551 2.17 -- maybe she can run the front desk when she is not entertaining in the Tiki Lounge.

That's interesting but to this day I have never identified any foreigner working at the front desk of a hotel in Thailand. Plenty of western managers standing in the background, but all hotels I've ever stayed at, from 1-star "resorts" in nakorn nowhere to 5-star palaces all across Thailand have only ever had Thais at the front desk interacting with customers. Perhaps this is because foreigners don't usually have the Thai language skills necessary to be in charge?

There was however one hotel, the Paragon Inn or something near Suvarnabhumi airport (I haven't stayed there personally but have accompanied guests staying there such as family and a friend for check-in) where one of the front clerks speaks excellent English in what doesn't sound like a Thai accent and appears to be unable to speak Thai. When I spoke with all the other staff in Thai, it was clear they were Thai but this guy was yapping away with everyone including the staff in English - something I thought was very strange. Maybe this guy wasn't Thai after all? But I always thought that foreigners were prohibited from working in such roles? After all, aren't foreign bar and restaurant managers still supposed to take a back seat, despite holding a work permit? Can someone enlighten me because it's really confusing.

Many Filipinas (more and more) are actually working as receptionist in Thailand. Travel a bit and you will find out. Thing is, at first sight they may look like Thais but if they have excellent english, ask them where they are from..... the Philippines sir ( with a big friendly smile)...and that is the reason why more and more Filipinas are being now employed as front desk staff in Thailand.

That could be, but where? I speak Thai to every Thai person I meet by default (I'm fluent in Thai) but of course if I ever encountered a Filipina I would speak English. However, I still have yet to encounter any Filipinas working in a front desk position in Thailand despite travelling so extensively. The one and only time I had contact with any Filipinos working in Thailand was at an international hospital (Yanhee) where Filipino nurse assistants are used with foreign patients due to their excellent English. I suspect Pattaya and lower Suk might have some Filipinos working in hotels (however, I never go to those ultra touristy places) but apart from Filipino hotel bands I still haven't encountered any. It would be very easy for me to figure out who's Thai and who's not either by appearance or if not, by the way they talk...especially if they keep on yapping away in English and have a peculiar accent which is definitely not Thai.

[mikeskibb]

Am sure you are right. I must have encountered Thai receptionists pretending to be Filipino... but when i started speaking in Tagalog to them they replied to me in ....Tagalog without any trace of Thai accent....

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[Tomtomtom69]

Am sure you are right. I must have encountered Thai receptionists pretending to be Filipino... but when i started speaking in Tagalog to them they replied to me in ....Tagalog without any trace of Thai accent....

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There might be the odd Filipina working at hotels in Thailand but it's not common like you say - please give me an example of a hotel with Filipina staff and I'll go in there and speak tagalog to those staff, lol. There are thousands of Thai graduates in hotel and tourism management that are graduating every year. I highly doubt that they are about to be shafted for foreigners who don't speak Thai and get preference over the locals. Remember we're in Thailand here.

Anyway, of all the hundreds of hotel staff I've probably encountered over the past few years I've spoken to them exclusively in Thai and yep - they were all Thai.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Tomtomtom69

[samran]

On the suk there are some hotels that have Indians working in, that cater to Indian and Arab guests. They must get their permits and what not somehow

Understood why you would want a phillipino rather than a thai, they are top notch in the service industry.

Those 'Indians' are more likely than not Thai citizens.

[mikeskibb]

Just wait for some other comments to come in.... am sure i am not the only one to have encountered filipino front desk staff in Thailand.... they will confirm what i say.

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[Pralaad]

Most Filipinas working in a hotel seem to come in under Police Order 777/2551 2.17 -- maybe she can run the front desk when she is not entertaining in the Tiki Lounge.

That's interesting but to this day I have never identified any foreigner working at the front desk of a hotel in Thailand. Plenty of western managers standing in the background, but all hotels I've ever stayed at, from 1-star "resorts" in nakorn nowhere to 5-star palaces all across Thailand have only ever had Thais at the front desk interacting with customers. Perhaps this is because foreigners don't usually have the Thai language skills necessary to be in charge?

There was however one hotel, the Paragon Inn or something near Suvarnabhumi airport (I haven't stayed there personally but have accompanied guests staying there such as family and a friend for check-in) where one of the front clerks speaks excellent English in what doesn't sound like a Thai accent and appears to be unable to speak Thai. When I spoke with all the other staff in Thai, it was clear they were Thai but this guy was yapping away with everyone including the staff in English - something I thought was very strange. Maybe this guy wasn't Thai after all? But I always thought that foreigners were prohibited from working in such roles? After all, aren't foreign bar and restaurant managers still supposed to take a back seat, despite holding a work permit? Can someone enlighten me because it's really confusing.

Many Filipinas (more and more) are actually working as receptionist in Thailand. Travel a bit and you will find out. Thing is, at first sight they may look like Thais but if they have excellent english, ask them where they are from..... the Philippines sir ( with a big friendly smile)...and that is the reason why more and more Filipinas are being now employed as front desk staff in Thailand.

Yes and with a big friendly smile nothing gets done when you ask, because the big friendly smile can not communicate with the local staff

Nor can she call you a taxi, nor can she explain to taxi where to take you, nor can she tell the taxi bringing you where the hotel is, nor can she sort any problems you may have, nor can she translate what your paper in Thai says.

[mikeskibb]

That was not the point whether they can speak good thai or not ( which by the way most do) but rather if there are Filipinos ( male and female) working as front desk staff in Thailand. They are not there for their ability to speak thai but more for their english speaking skills and attitude towards the customer in general....

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[Pralaad]

Simon, from my understanding, Philippine staff are considered as foreigners and require WP with same conditions as yourself, but with less minimum salary to qualify.

With ASEAN coming in, i think we will have to wait and see what the actual rules would be, because at the moment its not very clear and not to mention Thailand may change or adjust what god knows what else.

Burmese are easier to employ

Filipinos working in hotels at the moment i am certain are illegal, because i get dozens of them applying for job weekly and none of them have a proper visa even after claiming they have lived and worked in Thailand.

[mikeskibb]

I never said they were legally working in Thailand. I said there were a more and more working in Thailand.....

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[Pralaad]

That was not the point whether they can speak good thai or not ( which by the way most do) but rather if there are Filipinos ( male and female) working as front desk staff in Thailand. They are not there for their ability to speak thai but more for their english speaking skills and attitude towards the customer in general....

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Please name hotels where Filipinos speak Thai, better yet name any business which has Filipino who speaks Thai?

And before you do, i will just let you know, i have been in business here full time for 7 years and i am yet to meet one who spoke Thai.

More to the point, the ones who are working, most of them working illegally.

There are plenty of Thai who speak good enough English to speak with customers.

Their attitude to customer? Try calling Citi Bank Australia and see what attitude they have towards customers

[Pralaad]

I never said they were legally working in Thailand. I said there were a more and more working in Thailand.....

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Please make examples.???

There are more and more applying for jobs, i agree with that, but certainly not more and more working front desk.

There are more and more maids or care givers, but certainly not in front of the business dealing with customers.

[mikeskibb]

April suites Pattaya 2nd rd.... filipino male .

Retro 39 Sukhumvit 39....(filipina)

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[mikeskibb]

Do you want more?

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[Shancloudy]

Just wait for some other comments to come in.... am sure i am not the only one to have encountered filipino front desk staff in Thailand.... they will confirm what i say.

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Yes.

There are some Filipinos working as a Receptionist in the hotel.

Some are working in the company. One of my friends is currently working as a Product Manager in a Thai Company with work permit and her Thai employer is very happy to her performance. She receives a monthly salary + 2% commission in every transaction.

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[mikeskibb]

Ok you are right on all fronts. There are NO Filipinos at all working as receptionists in Thailand.

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[mikeskibb]

I am not interested in having a controversy about the subject. The fact is that there ARE Filipinos working as receptionists in Thailand and that you may not have encountered them YET but others have!!!!...

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[Pralaad]

April suites Pattaya 2nd rd.... filipino male .

Retro 39 Sukhumvit 39....(filipina)

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Yeah i do, considering there are over 1000 hotels, which does not include guesthouses, motels and serviced apartments

[simon43]

There are several reasons why I want to employ a Filipina over a Thai manager. This is based on my own experience of building and owning small hotels in Thailand since 2002.

Positives for employing Thais:

1 - They can speak Thai

Negatives:

1 - They cannot accept constructive criticism

2 - They cannot manage guest complaints in a positive manner

3 - They are lazy with bad time-keeping

4 - They have zero knowledge of other countries, their culture, general knowledge of anything outside Thailand

5 - They are often xenophobic or racist towards Indian and Arab customers

6 - They lack tact or discretion when handling guest matters that should be treated in confidence

7 - Their English language skills are typically poor

8 ... 100 - on request

Of course, if I were to employ a Thai manager from a 5-star hotel, then probably none of the above would apply. But their salary would no doubt be far higher than I could justify.

I have worked with many Filipino/a staff. In general, their attitude to work, especially service/hospitality work is light years above that of an equivalent Thai.

Sorry for this generalization, and sorry if the truth hurts! My business is to provide a good service to mainly non-Thai guests, and a Thai manager simply doesn't 'cut it'.

[Pralaad]

Ok you are right on all fronts. There are NO Filipinos at all working as receptionists in Thailand.

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Do not get your knickers in a twist, f you can not handle adult debate, then do not post nonsense at all.

I did not say there are NO Filipinos working as reception,

You proclaimed it as a fact, that there are more and more, which is false.

You proclaimed they speak Thai, i stated most do not. Of course if your knowledge of Thai is same as my knowledge of Japanese, which is 0, then anyone making sounds that resemble Japanese would appear to be Japanese speaking.

As i already stated, Filipinos require same WP as other foreigners but with less minimum salary,

If business is foreigner owned, or already has 1 WP, then foreigner, the owner would have to increase capital by 2 million and employ another 4 Thai.

Otherwise, as is with most cases, they are working illegally or immigration gets monthly donations.

Putting aside already posted problems, if one was to have an unhappy employee who knew the law a little or had a bf or friend who knew the law and they were to inform on the owner, owner would be hit up for a large sum of money.