If at 60 a school gives me a year contract will the labor office give you a work permit?

[saplaieelee]

I'm fast approaching 60 and have been teaching at this school for many years. As like any government official, Thai teachers have mandatory retirement at 60, does the same apply to non government officials ie farrongs? Assuming my school offers me a new contract after my 60th birthday (unsure if they're able to after I'm 60?), will the labor office be allowed to give me a work permit? Has anybody crossed this bridge?

[WonnabeBiker]

Why not? Is it a government school? A friend from NZ is now over 70 and still teaching. But it's at a private school...

There are all these "rules". Like the minimum TOEIC score of 600. Well, the highest paid foreign teacher at my school managed to get 540. What does this tell you?

Go for it!

[saplaieelee]

it's a government school. rules for the purpose of having rules!

[BruceMangosteen]

Government schools can indeed retain and hire people over 60. You are an at will worker. It may be used as an excuse to get rid of you etc., but there is no rule or law against. I myself have also been lied to about this. It only applies to Thai Civil Servants and even then I think the Director of the school can make an exception if so inclined. Friends have gotten Work Permits after the age of 60 as well. With all that said, if you are dismissed finding another school willing to hire someone over 60 legally may be a real challenge. You are dealing with emotions and moods, not law and order.

[lostinisaan]

There's no law regarding foreigners. I do not think that you'll encounter any problems from the labor, if the school's okay with you.

I've worked with quite a few guys over 60 and the only guy who'd to stop teaching was a 72 year old.

Best of luck.

[saplaieelee]

so, I should be able to get a work permit assuming I'm offered a contract, in my golden years post 60.

Great news, thank you. Ive held on to this unanswered question for a long time. All the konthai Ive asked have not known the answer, no one, kon thai or farong that I know of has ever taught after 60 at my school.

thanks much for the info guys!

[wayned]

I worked at a government school until I was 65 and had no problem with a contract or work permit. The biggest problem came from the Thai teachers that were forced to retire at 60 and then came back as contract employees with ridiculously low salaries.

[wilgoster]

If the school sees fit to give you a contract, Labor Ministry (Work Permit Office) will not interfere. Your age is not exceptional for foreign teachers, and would be brought up only if the school were looking for a reason (read "excuse") to not hire you again. I've heard of a 77 year old foreign teacher still working and thriving in Thailand, so age is a personal - not a policy - issue. However, age and Insurance is a whole different story.

[NoshowJones]

Why not? Is it a government school? A friend from NZ is now over 70 and still teaching. But it's at a private school...

There are all these "rules". Like the minimum TOEIC score of 600. Well, the highest paid foreign teacher at my school managed to get 540. What does this tell you?

Go for it!

There was a Farang teacher at my school age 63, he had no problem getting a work permit, and yes, it is a government school.

[lostinisaan]

Why not? Is it a government school? A friend from NZ is now over 70 and still teaching. But it's at a private school...

There are all these "rules". Like the minimum TOEIC score of 600. Well, the highest paid foreign teacher at my school managed to get 540. What does this tell you?

Go for it!

There was a Farang teacher at my school age 63, he had no problem getting a work permit, and yes, it is a government school.

I hope the OP does have the Thai social security. When you're 60+, they'll not let you join in. But when you've had it for a few years and you decide to stop teaching, you can continue paying in, having 100 % coverage.I think it's only around 400 bat/month.

Edited August 25, 2014 by lostinisaan

[Maroon Watcher]

I was told if you are "in" before you are 60 you can continue at the discretion of the school...

but then so is the contract, at any age...

[Colabamumbai]

No problem at 63 was still getting teachers "Waivers", Work Permits etc.

[Colabamumbai]

Why not? Is it a government school? A friend from NZ is now over 70 and still teaching. But it's at a private school...

There are all these "rules". Like the minimum TOEIC score of 600. Well, the highest paid foreign teacher at my school managed to get 540. What does this tell you?

Go for it!

No school ever asked for a TOEIC score 5 years teaching. If you want to be a biker consider the older Virago 1,000 cc by Yamaha, the older thin versions. Take you

where you need to go in a hurry. Where ever you live.

[quandow]

WP - yes. Health insurance - probably not. All the schools I've seen drop your health insurance at the magic age of 60.

[TerryLH]

"I hope the OP does have the Thai social security. When you're 60+, they'll not let you join in. But when you've had it for a few years and you decide to stop teaching, you can continue paying in, having 100 % coverage.I think it's only around 400 bat/month."

As mentioned. If you get in the system before 60, you're okay.

When you lose eligibility through employment, for whatever reason, if you've been in the system for 12 months you can continue to pay on your own. Regular price for that is 432 baht a month. There's a short form to fill out at the SS Office. All your info should be in their computer database. I found them very helpful.

[saplaieelee]

WP - yes. Health insurance - probably not. All the schools I've seen drop your health insurance at the magic age of 60.[/

Farrongs as English teachers (unsure if this only applies to teachers of govt schools or private organizations as well) are considered temporary workers as are thai temp workers at tessaban. health care for us comes through the welfare department. So my wife who works at TesSaban Udonthani went to the Department of Public Welfare to ask what health care options are available if she dies before me and I am 60+, and finished teaching.

They offer all temp workers including farrongs the opportunity to continue their policy they got when they were contracted teachers for 432฿/month until death. the hospitals i go to now i can continue to go to when I'm 60+. so based on what many of you have said I can both continue to get a contract and get cheaper health care to boot, directly from the welfare office. Currently i pay 750฿/month.

[saplaieelee]

"I hope the OP does have the Thai social security. When you're 60+, they'll not let you join in. But when you've had it for a few years and you decide to stop teaching, you can continue paying in, having 100 % coverage.I think it's only around 400 bat/month."

As mentioned. If you get in the system before 60, you're okay.

When you lose eligibility through employment, for whatever reason, if you've been in the system for 12 months you can continue to pay on your own. Regular price for that is 432 baht a month. There's a short form to fill out at the SS Office. All your info should be in their computer database. I found them very helpful.

Opps i see after I posted that TerryLH already shared this. So consider mine a verification!