Work permit and M.E visa to non b

[Oliver2524]

Hi All,

My name is Oliver and I am new to this forum, but I hope to live in Chiang Mai (or Bangkok - if I must). I have a BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering graduate, graduating top in my class at an English university. I have 4 years hands on experience as a machine tool fitter and I will have 6 months experience as an assistant mechanical engineer within a leading global multidisciplinary engineering group, specialising in the water and utilities sector.

I was just wondering if the difficulty involved in getting a job in the engineering sector and:

- Is it hard to get an engineering job in Thailand with relatively limited experience?

- Would only speaking a very basic level of Thai impede my chances of getting a job?

- Is there any recruitment consultants to in Chaing Mai to potentially assist me?

- Are there any/many western engineering groups operating in Chiang Mai? (my preferred location)

- My present company (The Halcrow Group) has an office in Bangkok and a colleague told me that being transferred from a western office meant a similar wage would be offered. Is this standard practice?

- Is professional career development difficult, I am in the Institute of Mechanical Engineers working towards chartership - could this continue in Thailand?

Anyone who answers any of my many Q's or could provide any advice I WOULD LIKE TO GREATLY THANK YOU NOW FOR SPENDING YOUR TIME TO HELP ME (khop khun mak krup)

[earlofwindermere]

I know the Director of an engineering firms from North America who came to Thailand to open an office. Their primary goal was to hire locals due to the low wages. I think that it would be tough to compete with local engineers for jobs as the salary range is so much lower than what Westerners ask for.

[p1p]

Most Farang engineers in LOS seem to work overseas on month on- month off contracts, or equivalent.

[Pond Life]

A transfer with your pesent job seems the best way to get your foot in the door.

Once in Thailand you will soon make contacts with other engineering companies in Thailand.

To come here cold with little Thai language skills I think you will draw a blank.

[SamSipEt]

Probably best to start in Bangkok where there will be far far more jobs than in Chiang Mai.

[meadish_sweetball]

Keep studying Thai and visiting Thailand (reading forums, making contacts), but look for job training and multinational experience in/through your home country, then when you have a few years under your belt, make the move here. I also agree that Bangkok is the place to start out.

[Rinrada]

Most international Engineering and Construction companies have offices of some sort in Bangkok which you could try ...Thames Water,WSP,Balfours,Mitsui,Fluor,Ital-Thai...etc.but recon you will have more success from this side of the pond either direct from HQ or via some of the specialist agencys..Expats Net/inter.NES..Overseas Engineers...

I got most of my stints from the old Evening Standard/Telegraph (London)including good contracts in Cambodia and Vietnam as well as some of the the S**t Ho**s around the world....

If in Bangers you could always try and check out the outfits of the likes of the Brit Chamber of Commerce...unlikely.. or even chat up some of the chaps at the Lighthouse Club (Dogs Billhooks Pub -Monthly meet up)

I use to know some of them but they have mostly retired now or "gone phising" ....final paypacket...

[Rinrada]

Purely by co-incid. an old mate in Indonesia lobbed me an offer..but no thanks...hot enough here...33 degrees in the smoke.....

I have dealt with most of these outfits at one time or another and they have been given some new contracts in the area.......so could be worth a looksee....Cheers..

Civil Contractors:

Name: Bouygues Thai Ltd

Address: 489 Bond Street, T Bangpud, A Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-960-2300

Fax: 66-2-960-2312

Home Page: www.bouyguesasia.com

Services: Engineering, Procurement and Constructor serving the Commercial, Industrial, Mining, Oil and Gas sectors.

Name: CBI Limited

Address: Unit 1104, 11th Floor, Two Pacific Palace, 142 Sukhumvit Road, Khwang Klongtoey, Khet Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-653-0575

Fax: 66-2-653-0574

Home Page: www.cbiepc.com

Services: We delivers lump-sum, turnkey engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction services as well as maintenance services to the hydrocarbon industry.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consultants:

Name: Boe Offshore Enterprises Ltd

Address: Blue Canyon - Plot #98, 165 Moo 1,Thepkasattri Rd., Thalang, Puket 83140 Thailand

Telephone: 66-7-632-8130

Fax: 66-7-632-8130

Home Page: www.boeoffshore.com

Services: The company specialises in Safety Supervision; Third Party Management & Supervision; Drilling Rig Management; Project Management; Maritime Services; Well Site Services. The company also involves in Consultancy and Surveying.

Name: The Boston Consulting Group Ltd

Address: 37th floor, U Chu Liang Building, Rama IV Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Thailand

Telephone: : 66-2-667-3000

Fax: 66-2-667-3123

Home Page: www.bcgsea.com

Services: We have served clients in various industries sectors, including financial services, consumer goods, health care, energy, and telecommunications.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Drilling Contractors:

Name: Aztec Engineering's

Address: 302 Moo 1, Lampang - Ngao Highway, Tambol Pichai, Amphur Muang, Lampang 52000 Thailand

Telephone: 665-431-4364

Fax: 66-5-431-4994

Home Page: www.aztecdrilling.com

Services: The Division undertakes work-overs and drilling of exploration and production wells. These services are offered on a footage, turn-key or day-rate basis.

Name: Schlumberger Overseas S.A

Address: 9th Fl. Centri Plaza Building, 1693 Phaholyothin Road, Ladyao Chaluchak, Bangkok 10900 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-541-1275

Fax: 66 2 5411 279

Home Page: www.slb.com

Services: Schlumberger Group provides virtually every type of exploration, production and completion services needed in the petroleum industry including marine seismic research, rigs, real time drilling: fluids engineering and pumping; seismic data acquisition, processing and interpretation; data services and software, wireline well evaluation, testing and production.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elect/Inst. Contractors:

Name: Thai Rotary Engineering Ltd

Address: No.168 Moo5, Sumanaktorn Subdistrict, Banchang District, Rayong 21130 Thailand

Telephone: 66-3-869-5565

Fax: 66-3-869-5573

Home Page: www.rotaryeng.com.sg

Services: We are a market-leader, providing plant facilities engineering design, procurement, and construction services to the oil, gas, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Headquartered in Singapore, Rotary has established a strong presence in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region.

Name: Toyo Thai Corporation Ltd

Address: 22nd fl., Serm-Mit Tower, 159 Soi Asoke, Sukhumvit 21 Road, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-260-8505

Fax: 66-2-260-8526

Home Page: www.toyo-eng.co.jp

Services: Engineering, Procurement and Construction Constructor serving the Commercial, Industrial, Mining, Oil and Gas sectors.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Engineering Services:

Name: Christiani & Nielsen

Address: 50/670 Sukhumvit 105 (Soi Lasalle), Moo 3, Sukhumvit Road, Bangna, Bangkok 10260 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-398-0158

Fax: 66-2-398-9860

Home Page: www.cn-thai.co.th

Services: The Group is a comprehensive construction service organisation offering, Civil, Marine Engineering and Construction, Buildings, Public Infrastructure Works and Steel Structures including full turnkey projects.

Name: Connell Wagner Co. LTD

Address: 9th Floor Prime Building, 24 Sukhumvit 21 (Asoke) Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-260-4560

Fax: 66-2-260-4570

Home Page: www.conwag.com

Services: Connell Wagner is one of Asia Pacific's leading engineering, planning surveying and management consultancies.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

E. P. C. Contractors:

Name: Bechtel

Address: 18th Floor, SCB Park Plaza, East Tower III, 19 Ratchadaphisek Road, Ladayao, Chatuchak

Bangkok, 10900 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-545-7100

Fax: 66-2-545-7777

Home Page: www.bechtel.com

Services: Our scope of services encompasses every phase of construction including engineering, procurement, construction, construction management, and project management.

Name: Italian Thai Development Public Co., Ltd

Address: New Petchburi Road, Bangkapi, Uaykwang Bangkok 10320 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-716-1600

Fax: 66-2-716-1488

Home Page: www.italian-thai.com.th

Services: Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited is a large-scale construction contractor for both the public and private sectors. Our subsidiaries and associated companies are classified into four main business segments; public utility construction; property development; telecommunications and information and consumer products.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Environmental:

Name: Edeleanu Asia Pte Ltd

Address: 283/033-034 Laem Chabang Tower, Tung-Suk-Khla, Sriracha, Thailand

Telephone: 66-3-835-2248

Fax: 66-3-835-2280

Home Page: www.edeleanu.com.sg

Services: The company specializes in engineering and fabrication and its services include: Feasibility studies; Process development; HAZOP - Hazard and environmental assessment; Engineering, consulting, licensing, and contracting; Pipeline construction/operation.

Name: International Environmental Management Co Ltd

Address: New Petchburi Road, Bangkapi, Uaykwang Bangkok 10320 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-231-5184

Fax: 66-2-236-6276

Home Page: www.iem-thai.com

Services: The company offers consultancy in Environmental impact assessment ISO 14000; Environmental management systems; Institutional strengthening; Socio-economic studies; GIS; Oil spill response service training; Wastewater engineering; Environmental management software; Energy audits and management.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equipment Suppliers:

Name: Metro Machinery Company Limited

Address: 1760 Sukhumvit Road, Soi 52-54, Phra Kanong, Bangkok 10250 Thailand

Telephone: 66-02-274-28000

Fax: 66-02-274-27900

Home Page: www.cat.com

Services: Heavy Duty equipment for the construction industry.

Name: Expro Overseas Inc

Address: 283/033-034 Laem Chabang Tower, Tung-Suk-Khla, Sriracha Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-258-9024

Fax: 66-2-258-9090

Home Page: www.expro.co.uk

Services: The Expro Group specialises in Cased hole services; Subsurface systems. Its services are also associated with Burners; Environmental systems; Gas treatment; Heat exchangers; Safety systems; Water treatment; Connectors; Data Processing Services; Drilling equipment; Pigging Equipment; Umbilicals; Wireline equipment & tools; Drilling equipment; Drill stem testing; Downhole gauges and recorders; Logging; Perforating services; Well technology engineering Wireline equipment and tools.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inspection Services:

Name: Arah Sukma

Address: No. 428, Khoyor Road (Nam Raja) Amphur, Maung, 90100 Songkhla Thailand

Telephone: 66-7-433-3429

Fax: 66-7-433-3427

Home Page: www.oil-logistic.com.my

Services: Inspection, Expediting, Logistical Services, Quality Assurance and Engineering solutions for the Oil and Gas industries.

Name: DenRon International Ltd

Address: 98/36 Homeland, Soi 6, Dach-Udom Rd.A. Muang, Jhailand . Nakorn Ratchasima 30000 Thailand

Telephone: 66-4-275-6222

Fax: 66-4-275-6222

Home Page: www.denron.com

Services: With DenRon's many years of experience in manufacturing and trading, DenRon is well positioned to be your one stop trusted sourcing, purchasing, Inspection or marketing agent in Asia. Reduce your frustrations and work load, let Denron handle the day to day Asian operations and control costs and use your time more productively to sell more products and services.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Logistical Services:

Name: Alton International Co Ltd

Address: 48/168 Centre Place, Moo 1 Ramkhamhaeng Road, Saphansoong, Bangkok 10240 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-372-3355

Home Page: www.alton.co.th

Fax: 66-2-372-3359

Services: Inspection, Expediting, Logistical Services, Quality Assurance and Engineering solutions for the Oil and Gas industries.

Name: Moody International Limited

Address: 447/75 Rajprarop Road, Makkasan Rajjatevee, Bangkok 10400 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-254-4033

Fax: 66-2-651-6635

Home Page: www.moodyint.com

Services: Inspection, Expediting, Logistical Services, Quality Assurance and Engineering solutions for the Oil and Gas industries.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mechanical Contractors:

Name: Clough Ltd

Address: SCB Park Plaza, Unit 319B/2, 19th Floor, Tower III (East), 19 Ratchadapisek Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-500-1222

Fax: 66-2-500-1223

Home Page: www.clough.com.au

Services: We provide design, engineering, project management, procurement, construction, commissioning and maintenance services for oil and gas, petrochemical, refinery, pharmaceutical and other process and manufacturing industries.

Name: Gammon Skanska Limited

Address: MRT Chaloem Ratchamonghon. 13-14 Huay Kwang Junction, Ratchadapisek Road, Bangkok Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-275-4058

Fax: 66-2-275-4068

Home Page: www.gammonskanska.com

Services: Engineering, Procurement and Constructor serving the Commercial, Industrial, Mining, Oil and Gas sectors.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Off-Shore Contractors:

Name: Kellogg Brown & Root

Address: Sahakoi Engineers Bldg 2nd Floor, 47/10 Soi Amornphan 4, Vibhavadi Rangeit Road, Chatuchek, Bangkok 10900 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-579-7042

Fax: 66-2-579-7051

Home Page: www.halliburton.com

Services: Engineering, Procurement and Constructor serving the Commercial, Industrial, Mining, Oil and Gas sectors.

Name: Saipem Asia

Address: 5 th Fl, Ritratana Building, 1769 Ramkhamheng Road, Hua-Mark Bangkapi. Bangkok 10240 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-319-9841

Fax: 66-2-319-9849

Home Page: www.saipem.it

Services: Engineering, Procurement and Constructor serving the Oil and Gas sectors.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oil & Gas Companies:

Name: PTT Exploration & Production Public Co. Ltd.

Address: 555 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road Bangkok 10900 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-537-2000

Fax: 66-2-537-34989

Home Page: www.ptt.or.th

Services: National Oil Company.

Name: Shell Thailand

Address: 10 Soonthornkosa Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-249-0491

Fax: 66-2-249-8393

Home Page: www.shell.com

Services: Exploration and Production Contractor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Petrochemicals Contractors:

Name: CTCI Co Ltd

Address: 19th Flr. Phai Rojkijja Tower, Bang'na-Trad K.M.4 Bang'na, Bangkok 10120 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-361-4689

Fax: 66-2-361-4697

Home Page: www.ctci.com.tw

Services: The company specialises in: Engineering design for petroleum, petrochemical, Chemical and Gas processing plants; Procurement services; Fabrication of heat exchangers; Construction of Pressure vessels, Tanks and Piping plants. CTCI offers its services in Feasibility study and planning, Engineering, Procurement, Fabrication, Construction, Commissioning and Maintenance of Chemical, Petrochemical, and Hydrocarbon processing Plants.

Name: Foster Wheeler International Corporation

Address: 217 Moo 12, Sukhapiban 8 road, Tungsukhla, Sriracha, Cholburi 20230 Thailand

Telephone: 66-3-835-2200

Fax: 66-3-835-2226

Home Page: www.fwc.com

Services: Engineering, Procurement and Constructor serving the Commercial, Industrial, Mining, Oil and Gas sectors.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pipeline Contractors:

Name: JGC

Address: 1168/14 Lumpimi Tower Bldg., 13 Fl., Rama 4 Rd. Kwaeng Thungmahamek, Khet Sathorn

Bangkok 10120 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-285-5966

Fax: 66-2-285-5970

Home Page: www.jgc.co.jp

Services: Engineering, Procurement and Constructor serving the Commercial, Industrial, Mining, Oil and Gas sectors.

Name: Penspen Limited

Address: Monririn Building, (Unit C502), 60/1 Soi Sailom, (Phaholyothin Soi 8), Phaholyothin Road, Phayathai, Bangkok 10400 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-271-2574

Fax: 66-2-271-2225

Home Page: www.penspen.com

Services: Our services are structured to best match the phases of development of offshore and onshore pipelines and their associated facilities, from the first recognition of a transportation need through all phases of engineering design to construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Power & Utilities:

Name: Alstom Power Ltd

Address: 3354/6 Manorom Building 2nd Floor, Rama 4 Road, Klongton, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-671-7680

Fax: 66-2-671-7688

Home Page: www.alstom.com

Services: Power plant engineering and support providing Sales, E. P. C., O&M, and plant services for utilities, Independent Power Producers and industrial power generators for the Asia Pacific region.

Name: Amata Power Limited

Address: 33 Soi Lertnava Krungthepkreetha Road, Huamark Bangkapi, Bangkok 10240 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-379-4246

Fax: 66-2-379-4251

Home Page: www.bv.com

Services: Amata Power Limited is a Thailand-based joint venture power development and a holding company which focus on development, financing, construction, and operation of greenfield power plants for industrial parks in Thailand and in the region.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Services Companies:

Name: Nippon Steel Corporation

Address: 208 Wireless Road, 9th Floor, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-651-5664

Fax: 66-2-651-5669

Home Page: www.nsc.co.jp

Services: Steel supplier.

Name: Rockwell Automation Thai Co., Ltd.

Address: 22nd Floor, TP & T Building, 1 Vidhavadee 19, Vidhavadee-Rangsit Rd, Ladyao, Chatuchak Bangkok 10900 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-936-1500

Fax: 66-2-936-1510

Home Page: www.rockwellautomation.com

Services: Rockwell Automation is uniquely focused on becoming the most valued global provider of power, control and information solutions for automation. Backed by leading brands like Allen-Bradley, Reliance Electric, Dodge and Rockwell Software. Our mission is to help companies in virtually every industry cut costs, streamline productivity and speed time to market.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------.

Suppliers:

Name: Construction And Piling Equipment Limited

Address: Add: 40/2 Moo 5, Soi Klomjit, Sukhumvit 103 Road, Nongbon, Pravet Bangkok 10260, Thailand

Telephone: 66-2 399-0906/7

Fax: 66-2 399-0908

Home Page: www.capegroup.net

Services: Asia's manufacturer of the largest range of Mining Equipment & Accessories is a major supplier of Earth Moving & Construction Equipment. Providing a full range of Technical Services for Project Planning, Exploration, Development and Exploitation, covering the total life cycle of your Mining Project.

Name: Daihen Asia Co. Limited

Address: Mu 19, Navanakorn Industrial Estate, Tambol Klongnueng Amphur Klongluang, Pathumthani 12120 Thailand

Telephone: 66-2-909-4163

Fax: 66-2-909-4166

Home Page: www.daihen.co.jp

Services: Sales of welder, cutting machine, & industrial robot in south-east Asian countries

[hong]

Hi All,

My name is Oliver and I am new to this forum, but I hope to live in Chiang Mai (or Bangkok - if I must). I have a BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering graduate, graduating top in my class at an English university. I have 4 years hands on experience as a machine tool fitter and I will have 6 months experience as an assistant mechanical engineer within a leading global multidisciplinary engineering group, specialising in the water and utilities sector.

I was just wondering if the difficulty involved in getting a job in the engineering sector and:

- Is it hard to get an engineering job in Thailand with relatively limited experience?

- Would only speaking a very basic level of Thai impede my chances of getting a job?

- Is there any recruitment consultants to in Chaing Mai to potentially assist me?

- Are there any/many western engineering groups operating in Chiang Mai? (my preferred location)

- My present company (The Halcrow Group) has an office in Bangkok and a colleague told me that being transferred from a western office meant a similar wage would be offered. Is this standard practice?

- Is professional career development difficult, I am in the Institute of Mechanical Engineers working towards chartership - could this continue in Thailand?

Anyone who answers any of my many Q's or could provide any advice I WOULD LIKE TO GREATLY THANK YOU NOW FOR SPENDING YOUR TIME TO HELP ME (khop khun mak krup)

Those have Beng (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering can try Bluechips in Chiangmai

[Deke]

If you have experience in the utility sector, you might try some of the local outfits that provide contract consultants. Do a search for "APT Enterprises" or "PMCI'. There are others that I can't think of off hand.

Also. do a search of consulting firms that have offices in Bangkok. You might get lucky with some outfit looking to staff a new project.

[Oliver2524]

Thanks for everybody’s help, particularly Rinrada with your rather comprehensive list . This week I have actually been doing inspections for a Thames Water job - irony of Rinrada mentioning them. All the comments are greatly recieved and taken on board. I am now going to plough through the various websites seeking the elusive job.

Although I do strongly agree with Pond Life, I would really like to stay with the company I'm currently with, but I don't know when I should wait before I mention it to my boss, I don't want to "shoot myself in the foot" so to speak. I'll be out in Thailand for a month in december for a month so I'm thinking I'll mention it to my company prior to that and see what are my near-future chances of a transfer. I'll also try and setup some interviews.

Keep the helpful hints coming and thanks again to you all.

[Oliver2524]

I've now tried all the mentioned sources for jobs, but so far no luck sadly . Does anyone know of any good recruitment agencies for the engineering sector?

Thanks for taking the time to help me

[cloud96]

Hey Oliver, I know it's been quite a while and most likely you won't see this, but just in case, did you ever have any luck with the engineering jobs? I'm an electrical engineer in the U.S. who recently spent a 'gap year' in Thailand, I'd like to get an expat job in the area or some kind of month on-month off job that would let me travel around. Most vacancies I see the company is looking for someone with many years of experience already, I've only got about 3 years experience so far.