Possibility of work in Chiang Mai?

[smotherb]

Office work? What is that? Making copies?

I said I work in an office, didn't specify what I did.

I used that as an example of something I wouldn't mind doing if jobs were available....

Shaun,

A foreigner needs a skill a Thai does not possess to get work here; the overly generic term 'office work' simply will not do.

[banglassie]

(oh, and regarding thai bars vs. western bars. that also boils down to local interpretations and corruption. Seems Udon decided to close the farang bars while keeping the thai bars going. While of course Koh Samui and Pha Ngan are not closing at all. Just saying)

[ShaunEdwards9]

Look right, I have been to Thailand on numerous occasions and loved it every time. I am taking a year out of work to experience living there for a year... Longer if the opportunity arises if I like it!

I have done research and have never claimed to be an expert at anything, nor have I read everything about a single subject.

I am new to these forums to learn more and ask questions, all you read on the net isn't gospel and learning from those 'ITK' and with experience appeals to me.

However, the amount of negative and unhelpful people on here is embarrassing... Like the above comment and many others.

I just wang to learn a thing or two, that's why I joined the forum. Don't bother commenting if it's just to have a go.

I will live in Thailand, I won't be perfect, I will learn by my mistakes, but I aim to be prepared and enjoy it the best I can.

To those that have gave me valuable information and help.... Much appreciated.

If hanging out on Thaivisa then just learn to ignore the naysayers and find out what goes when you arrive from expats and locals. A year is plenty of time if you already have experience of the country and if you utilize that time to search information.

There are many ways to all from survive to thrive here. Both legally and illegally. As stated by some one might need to be a bit creative.

And yea, I wouldn't recommend taking a job that is for Thais only. That being said, try go to a backpacker destination like Pai or Koh Phangan. For the past 5-6 years I have seen the same westerners sitting selling the same stuff on the street. All from leather handicraft to making street food. Sure it's not legal, and sure it's not recommended, but those who don't live in a box knows that corruption is nowhere going to end here in a soon future. If lucky they may sort it out on a higher level (which I believe to be wishful thinking since every institution is more or less corrupt, including the green guys I wont mention by title...)

The best way to stay long term is to invest and not tie yourself to a company. If I remember correctly you need to invest 1 million though, if you have a Thai wife. If not I think it's more (if you're married you only need to hire 2 Thais as well, which could be your wife and her mother etc.)

Teaching English is a way to get by, but unless you are really qualified the salary ain't that good and if you want to be a good teacher there will be lots of more work than just the hours you're in school. i.e. preparing classes, keeping track of students and who is on which level etc. It can be rewarding in other ways though, that would be the children. many schools are likely to play ping pong with you regarding WP until you one day realize they have no intention of actually giving you one (or until they feel secure that you will stay for a long time and actually do what they should do). That does mean you would start your work illegally. This is not uncommon, no matter what the naysayers here states... It is not the safest way to go, there is always a risk when dodging the law. But it's not the worst crime you could commit. There is much more enforcement on people who "steal jobs from Thais", then on those who do jobs that they want westerners for, especially NES.

I'm studying here, I get loan + allowance from Sweden that's about 45.000 baht/month. I live very well on that in Bkk. But then again it's all up to your personality. Some can spend 10,000 in a night (including me on stupid occasions), while others live their day-to.day life during the working days on approx 100 bt/day (which I do as well, until I get bored).

yes, prices goes up. But I still eat for 35 to 40 baht/meal on an usual day. My rent is 3600, with electricity and water usually 4200. Of which I way 3000 and the girl the rest.

But of course you will want to go of the daily routine from time to time, like you probably would back home as well, and there are days I eat for about 800 baht or more. But usually I never spend more than 500/day. And I can't say I live a poor pitiful life where I just have enough for bills. Far from it...

I'm still to get all the marriage papers sorted out. As soon as that's done more possibilities rises since many prices are cut in half, and you are allowed to work on a non-imm based on marriage if I remember correct (you still need a WP though).

This country can be hard to survive in if you think all will be served on a silver plate. But I wouldn't say it's that hard if you're just a bit creative and asks the local police department what goes and what doesn't. Try to stay legal.

However, just like Medicinal Marijuana is legal in many states in US it's still a schedule one substance according to federal law (unless that has changed recently?), I would say Thailand is kind of the same regarding many things. The real law, the state law, is the true law and can always be enforced. But then there are local laws in each province (or even each amper in some cases), best way to find out is to befriend locals and expats on the spot and not just listen to people here. Thaivisa is great for many things, and although the bitter attitude by many they still state correct facts. However, many seem trapped in negativity.

One thing you could do if you have loads of free time and money to invest (and gamble) is to learn everything about the stock market. I've met some quite successful guys here doing just that. Some state it's illegal, while some cops I have asked states it's "no problem". All is relative, it all boils down to your moral and paranoia. I would suggest spending at least a year just pretending you buy and sell stocks and doing a graph over it while learning more from podcasts and similar during the time to see if your planing seems to be safe (it is never safe, but compared to gambling on lotteries or similar one can be quite good at it and know when to stop and so on...)

I know people working as staff for guesthouses, legal or not they are there and have been there for years and years. Just saying. Same goes for guys in restaurants at tourist destinations. Bangkok is not a very good spot for those activities, Chiang Mai I don't know. Again, I do NOT recommend you to break the law. Especially not now with all the "crackdowns".

(although many of the crackdowns seems to not change much. If you read the new rules regarding commercial for alcohol and no drinking after 12:00, even if you bought it before, then you will find many saying that this is a way to get rid of tourists. Ok.. Fine.. But if that was really the case then I can't see why the only ones enforcing these laws are Thai clubs like Bpor gung Pao - songs for life bar etc. While Khaosan Road and Sukhumvit runs strong way past midnight every-night, everyday - except for rare occasions when the military comes to shut places down. But the next day it will be going again. You can even find commercial for bands that start playing 11 pm to 2 am in some cases on internet. But again, mostly in the tourist hub area.

As some Thai guy working at Khaosan said to me, "the local police tend to view Khaosan as an airport with people arriving and departing at any hours. And they have no interest in closing down things and giving a bad first impression on tourists, and besides, they make good profit from the bars that have open longer than they should...")

If I was you I would go to Chiang Mai and check it out for myself and listen to those who give good tips here. The people who just tell you to stay back home without knowing your background at all, well, just ignore them, since you don't know their background as well...

Cheers and good luck!

Banglassie, cheers for that info/help mate. Much appreciated indeed!

Some useful stuff in there which al take on board!

Regards! All the best!

[banglassie]

Office work? What is that? Making copies?

I said I work in an office, didn't specify what I did.

I used that as an example of something I wouldn't mind doing if jobs were available....

Shaun,

A foreigner needs a skill a Thai does not possess to get work here; the overly generic term 'office work' simply will not do.

Phone sales is a good idea though. Many scandinavian companies offer 50k baht+ commission and will give you WP from day one.

Not sure about similar jobs for NES, but I'm sure there should be some around. Craigslist and similar are good to check out from time to time.

[ShaunEdwards9]

Office work? What is that? Making copies?

I said I work in an office, didn't specify what I did.

I used that as an example of something I wouldn't mind doing if jobs were available....

Shaun,

A foreigner needs a skill a Thai does not possess to get work here; the overly generic term 'office work' simply will not do.

Smotherb,

I was being generic as I was just asking about the possibility of working in Chiang Mai that's all. I wasn't applying/asking for a specific job.

It's just something I would quite like to do in a nice place but if that's not the case I understand.

[ShaunEdwards9]

Office work? What is that? Making copies?

I said I work in an office, didn't specify what I did.

I used that as an example of something I wouldn't mind doing if jobs were available....

Shaun,

A foreigner needs a skill a Thai does not possess to get work here; the overly generic term 'office work' simply will not do.

Phone sales is a good idea though. Many scandinavian companies offer 50k baht+ commission and will give you WP from day one.

Not sure about similar jobs for NES, but I'm sure there should be some around. Craigslist and similar are good to check out from time to time.

To be honest this is something I have been looking at. I have a background in customer service/ relations and that could could come in handy

[connda]

You can teach English in CM for peanuts if you have the credentials. But why bother?
Look in a different country.

[ShaunEdwards9]

Office work? What is that? Making copies?

I said I work in an office, didn't specify what I did.

I used that as an example of something I wouldn't mind doing if jobs were available....

Shaun,

A foreigner needs a skill a Thai does not possess to get work here; the overly generic term 'office work' simply will not do.

Phone sales is a good idea though. Many scandinavian companies offer 50k baht+ commission and will give you WP from day one.

Not sure about similar jobs for NES, but I'm sure there should be some around. Craigslist and similar are good to check out from time to time.

To be honest this is something that I have been looking at with my customer relations/service background.

Thanks again for the sound advice!

[anon676545345]

Look right, I have been to Thailand on numerous occasions and loved it every time. I am taking a year out of work to experience living there for a year... Longer if the opportunity arises if I like it!

I have done research and have never claimed to be an expert at anything, nor have I read everything about a single subject.

I am new to these forums to learn more and ask questions, all you read on the net isn't gospel and learning from those 'ITK' and with experience appeals to me.

However, the amount of negative and unhelpful people on here is embarrassing... Like the above comment and many others.

I just wang to learn a thing or two, that's why I joined the forum. Don't bother commenting if it's just to have a go.

I will live in Thailand, I won't be perfect, I will learn by my mistakes, but I aim to be prepared and enjoy it the best I can.

To those that have gave me valuable information and help.... Much appreciated.

It's a shame I'm sure a lot more useful information would be shared but the negative attitude of some posters quickly takes threads off topic.

[rct99q]

anything is possible in this country. i started as a tourist, then saw an ad for a job with Macro, open to foreigners with proper visa, then started my own business and followed with teaching. Married to a Thai so a little easier and I speak Thai (not anywhere fluent, but well enough), and read & write it a little.

If you educate yourself a bit, learn Thai (3 months if you are serious) make connections with the locals, Thai & farang, stay away from the "bar" crowd, you can find work. Not as easy as other places, but there are possibilities.

[kjhbigv]

I know of a few westerners that work for a European company near airport plaza selling office services to western small companies. Not boiler room. Just telesales. They provide work permits etc.

So, yes, there are some jobs around.