Concerned...

[benj005]

Hello all,

I just need some help. I just took a position at a public school. They desperately need a teacher. The thing is I'm on a tourist visa. They told me that they could get me a work visa, but I know that this takes time. With the visa crackdown that's taking place it has me a little concerned.

What should I do?

[benj005]

Will I be OK?

[iancnx]

Who are 'they'. If it is an agent beware. If it is the Director of the school he should get an English speaking staff member to accompany you down to the local immigration office for advice. They will tell you what you need to do according to their local processes. Don't leave it. The school should be proactive in making your employment according to the law and IMO they should pay for your work permit. Immigration first. Labour office second. Don't try and solve this without a rep from the school. Do NOT send your passport to any agent who promises you ANYTHING.

[benj005]

Who are 'they'. If it is an agent beware. If it is the Director of the school he should get an English speaking staff member to accompany you down to the local immigration office for advice. They will tell you what you need to do according to their local processes. Don't leave it. The school should be proactive in making your employment according to the law and IMO they should pay for your work permit. Immigration first. Labour office second. Don't try and solve this without a rep from the school. Do NOT send your passport to any agent who promises you ANYTHING.

Yes, it was an agent. I'm on Ajarn so he saw my resume. I was contacted on Monday that they had a position for me that was until the end of September. The public school is near Cambodia so I need to take a 4 hour bus ride to the area. I also get a condo for free while I am there. I need to leave today. I've given the recruiter my paper work, and I have sent him copies of my visa and passport.

I expressed my concern about working on a tourist visa. He told me no problem and will send the paperwork to me when I'm down there.

The job is only till the end of September. I don't know how this visa thing works in Thailand.

Thanks.

Edited August 20, 2014 by benj005

[benj005]

They need someone quickly so I will probably be teaching tomorrow.

[BKKSnowBird]

Major red flag.

No school is going to get you a WP for a job that ends in September.

Don't risk it.

[benj005]

Major red flag.

No school is going to get you a WP for a job that ends in September.

Don't risk it.

If it's a public school do they have more pull than say a language school when it comes to work visas?

[BKKSnowBird]

A work permit can be gotten quick if they want but they are not going to get you one if the job ends in September.

Why is the job for not the rest of the school year? October is normally a break and 2nd semester runs from November to March.

[iancnx]

Agree. RED Flag. Agent just wants his commission and you will be hung out to dry. Seen similar numerous cases. Don't let go of your passport under any circumstances. You may very well arrive at the school and find that it is the agents responsibility to pay you at the end of the 6 weeks. Don't do it, and don't overstay your visa. Good luck

[iancnx]

Oh I should add the condo most likely will be a room 4x4 m. Cold water shower with dirty squat toilet. Fan if you are lucky. No AC. Commonly known as a dormitory room. Don't do it!

[iancnx]

If you just want the experience go and look. You will not be obligated as there will be no contract. You will be close to Cambodia so you can just crack on across the border.

You are not allowed to work on a Tourist Visa! The agent is a liar. Do NOT overstay - the new rules will bite you in the ar$e.

[benj005]

A work permit can be gotten quick if they want but they are not going to get you one if the job ends in September.

Why is the job for not the rest of the school year? October is normally a break and 2nd semester runs from November to March.

The job is until the end of September, right at the end of the semester.

They had a teacher but he left unexpectedly, so they desperately need someone. The school wasn't even sure if they were going to bring me onboard. I had to wait for confirmation today that they wanted a new teacher. I guess they only have a month and a few weeks left. But they decided to hire me on a short term basis.

I asked about staying longer but they have a new teacher coming in for the new term in November. I guess they need someone to cover the remainder of this term.

Edited August 20, 2014 by benj005

[BKKSnowBird]

No way are they going to make you legal for 6 weeks.

[benj005]

If you just want the experience go and look. You will not be obligated as there will be no contract. You will be close to Cambodia so you can just crack on across the border.

You are not allowed to work on a Tourist Visa! The agent is a liar. Do NOT overstay - the new rules will bite you in the ar$e.

I just got my 30 day extension, and I'm on a double entry visa. I have my 2nd entry left which gives me an additional 60 days.

I know what you mean. I don't want to find myself in trouble. If they weren't cracking down on visas I wouldn't care, but this is a very sensitive time now.

Edited August 20, 2014 by benj005

[benj005]

I might just tell the agent forget about it.

Edited August 20, 2014 by benj005

[BKKSnowBird]

I would pass unless you really need the money and I bet there is a good chance they don't even pay you.

There will be plenty of jobs opening in October with a November start.

[benj005]

I would pass unless you really need the money and I bet there is a good chance they don't even pay you.

There will be plenty of jobs opening in October with a November start.

Yea. My money is getting low. This is why I'm pressed to find work. I may be able to last 2 months though.

[BKKSnowBird]

Up to you but I guarantee you will be working illegally. That is not something I would do right now.

[lostinisaan]

I might just tell the agent forget about it.

You'd not do yourself a favor by working there for a few days. Now it's not about with or without a work permit anymore.

Just wait and soon you'll find plenty of jobs, get a position at a government school and work for them directly.

Go for a one year contract and you'll be fine.

Forget the agency rip offs. And the agents who receive a part of your salary.

Good luck.

Edited August 20, 2014 by lostinisaan

[lostinisaan]

I would pass unless you really need the money and I bet there is a good chance they don't even pay you.

There will be plenty of jobs opening in October with a November start.

Yea. My money is getting low. This is why I'm pressed to find work. I may be able to last 2 months though.

Look for some tutoring then.

Offer 100 baht lessons, once you've got a group with ten kids, it's a thousand an hour.

[benj005]

I would pass unless you really need the money and I bet there is a good chance they don't even pay you.

There will be plenty of jobs opening in October with a November start.

Yea. My money is getting low. This is why I'm pressed to find work. I may be able to last 2 months though.

Look for some tutoring then.

Offer 100 baht lessons, once you've got a group with ten kids, it's a thousand an hour.

I could do that. Is it easy to find children who want to be tutored?

[lostinisaan]

I would pass unless you really need the money and I bet there is a good chance they don't even pay you.

There will be plenty of jobs opening in October with a November start.

Yea. My money is getting low. This is why I'm pressed to find work. I may be able to last 2 months though.

Look for some tutoring then.

Offer 100 baht lessons, once you've got a group with ten kids, it's a thousand an hour.

I could do that. Is it easy to find children who want to be tutored?

Depends on where you are and who you know.

[noahvail]

Is it just me, or does this sound like a maternity leave exploitation?

[benj005]

I would pass unless you really need the money and I bet there is a good chance they don't even pay you.

There will be plenty of jobs opening in October with a November start.

Yea. My money is getting low. This is why I'm pressed to find work. I may be able to last 2 months though.

Look for some tutoring then.

Offer 100 baht lessons, once you've got a group with ten kids, it's a thousand an hour.

I could do that. Is it easy to find children who want to be tutored?

Depends on where you are and who you know.

I'm in Bangkok near the sport stadium. I saw Thai women's volleyball on Saturday. They took on USA. I'm a 10 minute walk from there.

I don't have the connections though. My girlfriend knows a few people. Its not like I can just walk up to random people and ask "Do you want to learn English." Lol.

Thanks.

[wayned]

Most likely the teacher that was there quit or was fired and the agency needs a warm body to fulfill their contract commitments until the end of the semester. This is already late August so I seriously doubt that there will be any attempt to get the proper work document and most likely there never will be even if you come back next semester. In the past the agencies urge you to do a border run to extend your permission to stay because "the paperwork's not ready" but now that they have clamped down on visa exempt entries the push will be go to Laos and get a double entry tourist visa.

There will be jobs opening at the end of the semester but you won't get a 1 year contract, only one until the end of next semester in March. Finding students could be hard unless you are already teaching somewhere.

Knowing this you have to make the decision whether to accept the job and work illegally for the rest of the term in hopes that you'll be offered legal employment next semester. It also sounds like the place might be in the sticks and believe me it is a very quiet life. The school in the town near me can't keep English teachers for that reason..I think that they roll the streets in the town up at 7pm!

Good luck!

[benj005]

Most likely the teacher that was there quit or was fired and the agency needs a warm body to fulfill their contract commitments until the end of the semester. This is already late August so I seriously doubt that there will be any attempt to get the proper work document and most likely there never will be even if you come back next semester. In the past the agencies urge you to do a border run to extend your permission to stay because "the paperwork's not ready" but now that they have clamped down on visa exempt entries the push will be go to Laos and get a double entry tourist visa.

There will be jobs opening at the end of the semester but you won't get a 1 year contract, only one until the end of next semester in March. Finding students could be hard unless you are already teaching somewhere.

Knowing this you have to make the decision whether to accept the job and work illegally for the rest of the term in hopes that you'll be offered legal employment next semester. It also sounds like the place might be in the sticks and believe me it is a very quiet life. The school in the town near me can't keep English teachers for that reason..I think that they roll the streets in the town up at 7pm!

Good luck!

Thanks for the reply Wayned.

The school was actually located near the Cambodia border. It was only going to be short term. They already had a new teacher picked out for the new semester in November. The chance for me to work there for the year was not good. They just needed someone for the remaining term.

[Stradavarius37]

The answer is - walk away, go back to your home country, get a job

[iancnx]

PM sent

[BruceMangosteen]

Get the salary in advance. If they decline, forget it. I guess by now you have already been there a few days? That's long enough for the Thai's to decide if they want to keep you for the next month. If they do, insist on prepayment of the wages and do your part, teach the month. No excuses accepted for not paying you in advance. This is done all the time in professional settings. Money talks, BS walks.

[wayned]

Where do you work that you get paid in advance? Most places require you to sign in and out each day to have record that you were actually there. There aren't many companies that would pay you in advance unless it was a one time emergency request or an assignment in a remote location , certainly not a Thai school or agency.