Engineering jobs in Thailand

[Bigdata]

Hi all.

Long story short, I'm trying to figure out if I could live & work in Thailand. I'm sick of the UK's cold weather, dull food, general same-ness, and I fancy an adventure. The way I see it, I've got a limited window of opportunity to have a crack at it when I'm still young. If I don't do it now, I won't until I'm old, wrinkly and retired. I'd really appreciate any advice/comments people can offer.

My situation is as follows. I'm 29 years old. I speak fluent English and "functional" Thai. I guess I've had a pretty varied route through an engineering career. First I did a PhD in Nuclear Fusion Engineering with a focus on control and vacuum systems. Next I worked as a R&D Engineer on a railway project, leading the electrical, electronics, and software design & build for a new bit of track equipment. Now I work as a Senior Software Developer/Technical Specialist/R&D Manager/Data Analytics/Everything-Else-That-Needs-Doing Engineer for a small tech firm in the rail sector. I run a small R&D team, develop our products, go to trade shows/conferences, do bidding & tendering, do C++/Matlab coding, do electronic design & assembly when needed, and generally make sure everything works for the firm. Such is the nature of small tech. I guess I'm a bit of a jack of all trades, which is good fun, but it has downsides too when it comes to my CV because it's a chaotic story to present to potential employers.

Is someone like me employable in Thailand? If so, what kind of salary do engineers typically make? I've seen mixed reports on the internet, with some saying they get an utterly dismal 25k baht p/m, up to a lot more (where an ex-pat has been parachuted in probably). A consultancy role would be good given that I've done a both a bit of engineering and business development, but I'm too young/inexperienced for that really. Rail would be nice too, but I'd assume there's limited opportunities for that. Honestly, I'd be up for anything, so long as it isn't a dead end.

I'm lucky enough to have got a couple of investments in the UK that have turned out well. I'll be able to import 50-60K baht every month for the forseeable future to keep myself ticking over for the basics. I've had a go at estimating what my likely cost of living would be, but I'd like to hear what you lot reckon I'd need to get by. I've not got any illusions about an extravagant lifestyle, but I'd want to live in a decent size apartment, enjoy some creature comforts (a car), and have enough money left to waste on fun things too (beer, specifically). I'm hoping that my investment parachute and an engineers income will be sufficient - assuming there are suitable engineering jobs to be had. What do you reckon?

I know I probably come over as very green and wide eyed to the grizzled expats posting here. That's fair. I am. But I want to have a go at this all the same, and so I need as much advice as I can get!

Edited January 9, 2015 by Bigdata

[NCC1701A]

you sound like a smart guy.

you have some research still to do.

with your qualifications you should find work.

or course the thing to do is to get hired at a big western corp and then get transferred to Thailand.

Maybe construction? or oil? or a internet based work? writing code? a math teacher or science teacher? (low pay)

or driving instructor? (that is a joke)

your income is more than enough to live in Thailand. I would not worry about a car just yet.

there is a list of jobs a non Thai cannot do, but you are way past most of the jobs on that list.

if you can learn even basic Thai, obviously it will make a big difference.

you have some red tape with immigration and getting a work permit. If you get a real job then no problem.

i would come over for a month as a tourist and hang out.

make sure you hook up with quality people who are intelligent.

Chiang Mai is cheap and there are many universities with sharp people walking around.

Stay out of Pattaya or limit yourself to 48 hours once a year.

don't be discouraged by the responses you get on this forum. they can be very negative.

I say this because Thailand is full of train wreck people who just want to drag you down.

don't talk to "expat" people you meet in BARS, they can be the most negative bunch as they have failed in life and they want to make sure you join them.

good luck

Edited January 9, 2015 by NCC1701A

[Soutpeel]

you sound like a smart guy.

you have some research still to do.

with your qualifications you should find work.

or course the thing to do is to get hired at a big western corp and then get transferred to Thailand.

Maybe construction? or oil? or a internet based work? writing code? a math teacher or science teacher? (low pay)

or driving instructor? (that is a joke)

your income is more than enough to live in Thailand. I would not worry about a car just yet.

there is a list of jobs a non Thai cannot do, but you are way past most of the jobs on that list.

if you can learn even basic Thai, obviously it will make a big difference.

you have some red tape with immigration and getting a work permit. If you get a real job then no problem.

i would come over for a month as a tourist and hang out.

make sure you hook up with quality people who are intelligent.

Chiang Mai is cheap and there are many universities with sharp people walking around.

Stay out of Pattaya or limit yourself to 48 hours once a year.

don't be discouraged by the responses you get on this forum. they can be very negative.

I say this because Thailand is full of train wreck people who just want to drag you down.

don't talk to "expat" people you meet in BARS, they can be the most negative bunch as they have failed in life and they want to make sure you join them.

good luck

I work here as an expat in "engineering", and do drink in bars on occasion and some even in Pattaya

So yes OP be careful who you listen to, as there are those who present themselves as all knowing guru's of every aspect of living and working in Thailand and in reality they know jack

here are my comments,

1. I am confused over exactly what profession the OP has ? Seems to be a bit of a jack of all trades master of none, usually not a good attribute

2. Oil & Gas a very bad suggestion, most certainly in the Thai context - OP has no experience, and plenty of people with Phd's which are actually related to O&G

3. My suggestion his best bet would be to work as a science teacher somewhere

[Bigdata]

Thanks for the comments. I do speak basic Thai and im doing lessons to get better.

I agree about oil & gas. Ive got no desire or experience for that. No illusions there!

My job title is "senior software engineer", but Id describe myself as a condition monitoring/railway engineer on a CV, because thats what i have the most experience with.Jack of all trades master at none is a fair description. Thats just the way its worked out, because ive worked in small firms for people who want and expect me to do absolutely everything and anything.

In the past ive always got jobs through people ive known and worked with, so ive never had to do the job hunt/application/interview stuff before (not for real anyway). Problem is this time I dont have any work contacts in Thailand! Hence why im asking about the job market for engineers there.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Stay where you are, no job security, no pension, no health care, no future in Thailand.

Thailand is a place to come and spend money, not earn it.

[Soutpeel]

Stay where you are, no job security, no pension, no health care, no future in Thailand.

Thailand is a place to come and spend money, not earn it.

As an all encompassing generalisation your correct, but like most things in life there are exceptions, there are quite a few professional expats living & working in Thailand making very good money, have pensions and private health care etc

Not all farangs working here are Thb 30k/m "teachers" or DP's

[mike324]

You can get a recruitment company to line you up with a job, you seem well qualified and your experience looks like its pretty versatile and can fit in many industries. Had a friend who only did sales in his home country in Asia, he relocated to Singapore and easily found a job via a recruitment company. Singapore is also a good option, costs are a lot higher, but at the same time salaries are higher than Bangkok.

[Soutpeel]

You can get a recruitment company to line you up with a job, you seem well qualified and your experience looks like its pretty versatile and can fit in many industries. Had a friend who only did sales in his home country in Asia, he relocated to Singapore and easily found a job via a recruitment company. Singapore is also a good option, costs are a lot higher, but at the same time salaries are higher than Bangkok.

So which job/profession would that be Mike ? His CV is one of the problems its all over the place

I know your generalisng again Mike but not all salaries in Singapore are higher than BKK, and not even factoring in the cost of accommodation in Sing

[moobie]

I'm not in Thailand currently but travel out there on extended trips as and when my Projects allow. However, the majority of Engineering folk I meet out there work in my sector, that being the subsea / oil & gas sector. These people have gained their jobs in the UK (or another country) before making the move to Thailand. However, they often do not work there but use it as a base to be nearer to where they are needed. This together with the lifestyle, climate, etc. as you can imagine is a preferable mix to the UK. Another thing to note is that the vast majority of these people have a wealth of time in the industry under their belt and I would guess most are in the mid-thirties plus age group.

In my own (almost) 34 years in Engineering - I began as a 16 year old apprentice - only one of the 9 companies for which I have worked has had an operation based in Thailand and this was associated with the cigarette industry. When any role became vacant within this company the demand to fill it was huge. Very good First World wages with expat allowances in a tropical climate, as you can imagine, pushed both male and female, singles and couples with family to attempt the move. The problem was these roles seldom cropped up as most did not want to leave once they had gained them.

So whilst I wish you luck, I think you need to concentrate on your CV for as Soutpeel mentions it is a bit of a mess. Build a more focused career, try and work with a prestigious type of company with a Global reach and keep abreast of Thai news and where the business contracts seem to go. Siemens, Hitachi, etc. Then send applications out on a targeted basis (rather than scattergun everyone) to these companies in their "home" base rather than Thailand. (Any fluency in Thai should be emphasised but I know some companies would send you on a language course if a move was granted.) Once again Good Luck.

Edited January 9, 2015 by moobie

[Bigdata]

I agree my CV all over the place. The only thing that ties it together is that everything ive always done (control/software) engineering r&d, and most of it in rail. The nature of r&d in small tech firms is (in my experience) such that business pressures force you to all kinds of different things. I think small firms try to get away with employing one or two "technical specialists" who they consider versatile, to keep the payroll down. Its very fun work, but im obviously <deleted> when people ask "what can you do, then?" Because "everything nessecary to keep the firm afloat" is not especially credible.

My CV would be a problem for me in the uk too, but for the fact that Im lucky enough to have met enough people who would be happy to employ me.

FWIW, im on just over 45k & bonus in the uk. I wouldnt expect anything near that in Thailand. I just want enough to live comfortably for 4-5 years.

Ill keep my eyes on Siemens, Hitachi, GE etc.

[Bigdata]

Thanks to everyone for the comments.

[moobie]

Bigdata, I understand. I've worked for one of those small companies in the past myself and have had to do everything from conceptualise & design through procurement and into FAT. (Not fun when you are juggling projects on very tight time scales.) And although I completed a a good deal for them this is the company which few folk in Human Resources / Personnel want to talk about during an interview. They only seem to attach kudos to those projects for the larger companies, especially those with an International reach. Again Good Luck.

Edited January 9, 2015 by moobie

[Tomtomtom69]

Stay where you are, no job security, no pension, no health care, no future in Thailand.

Thailand is a place to come and spend money, not earn it.

As an all encompassing generalisation your correct, but like most things in life there are exceptions, there are quite a few professional expats living & working in Thailand making very good money, have pensions and private health care etc

Not all farangs working here are Thb 30k/m "teachers" or DP's

Not all by any means. But I think it's difficult. Another option for the OP, which I think many successful expats have found themselves in - start some kind of consultancy business in your area and work your way up from there.

Any job advertisement in Thai is a no go for any expat. Even if said expat reads Thai (which is rare) the underlying assumption is that expats don't read Thai hence there are no jobs advertised for expats in Thai. Also be careful of most job adverts in English - most are still for Thais. If anything you'd need to seek out a recruiter specialized in hiring expats and with job ads specifically for expats.

Getting hired locally as an expat is already very difficult; from abroad even more so. There are usually plenty of Thais to do most of the work in any given industry these days and they don't require a work permit or a minimum salary to be given an extension of stay.

From my observations if any company has any expats on staff it's usually much less than the 4-1 ratio that the law allows, often just 1 or 2 who are managers and oversee operations or something like that.

Of course it's industry dependent too - an expat is much more likely to be recruited for a role in sales, marketing or any other role where contact with other foreigners and the use of English and possibly other foreign languages is required. For any more "hands-on" role such as in engineering, locals do the vast majority of the work.

While I agree there are exceptions - they are rare. The vast majority of the expats you'll find at various networking events in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket are based in businesses ranging from sales and marketing to English teaching to chambers of commerce, consultancy, property, hospitality, finance and other services. Many originally started their own companies. Some do run factories and the like, but not a huge number.

[Soutpeel]

I agree my CV all over the place. The only thing that ties it together is that everything ive always done (control/software) engineering r&d, and most of it in rail. The nature of r&d in small tech firms is (in my experience) such that business pressures force you to all kinds of different things. I think small firms try to get away with employing one or two "technical specialists" who they consider versatile, to keep the payroll down. Its very fun work, but im obviously <deleted> when people ask "what can you do, then?" Because "everything nessecary to keep the firm afloat" is not especially credible.

My CV would be a problem for me in the uk too, but for the fact that Im lucky enough to have met enough people who would be happy to employ me.

FWIW, im on just over 45k & bonus in the uk. I wouldnt expect anything near that in Thailand. I just want enough to live comfortably for 4-5 years.

Ill keep my eyes on Siemens, Hitachi, GE etc.

And there in is another observation "I am on 45k & bonus I wouldn't expect that in Thailand " why the hell not ?

I wouldn't take a pay cut just because its Thailand !!!!

Edited January 9, 2015 by Soutpeel

[Tomtomtom69]

I'm not in Thailand currently but travel out there on extended trips as and when my Projects allow. However, the majority of Engineering folk I meet out there work in my sector, that being the subsea / oil & gas sector. These people have gained their jobs in the UK (or another country) before making the move to Thailand. However, they often do not work there but use it as a base to be nearer to where they are needed. This together with the lifestyle, climate, etc. as you can imagine is a preferable mix to the UK. Another thing to note is that the vast majority of these people have a wealth of time in the industry under their belt and I would guess most are in the mid-thirties plus age group.

In my own (almost) 34 years in Engineering - I began as a 16 year old apprentice - only one of the 9 companies for which I have worked has had an operation based in Thailand and this was associated with the cigarette industry. When any role became vacant within this company the demand to fill it was huge. Very good First World wages with expat allowances in a tropical climate, as you can imagine, pushed both male and female, singles and couples with family to attempt the move. The problem was these roles seldom cropped up as most did not want to leave once they had gained them.

So whilst I wish you luck, I think you need to concentrate on your CV for as Soutpeel mentions it is a bit of a mess. Build a more focused career, try and work with a prestigious type of company with a Global reach and keep abreast of Thai news and where the business contracts seem to go. Siemens, Hitachi, etc. Then send applications out on a targeted basis (rather than scattergun everyone) to these companies in their "home" base rather than Thailand. (Any fluency in Thai should be emphasised but I know some companies would send you on a language course if a move was granted.) Once again Good Luck.

I doubt very many companies would require an expat to be fluent in Thai or even anything more than a very basic understanding as the work will invariably be conducted in English. Any company that did require Thai probably wouldn't be looking for an expat per se, but if a suitable introduction was made then they may make an offer to the right candidate, but that would probably require some connections and not applying via a job advert.

I agree that most expats in engineering in Thailand are in oil&gas from my own observations.

However, someone with experience in the railway sector should hopefully see some opportunities come his way given that Thailand is about to duplify it's tracks and thus come out of the dark ages when it comes to rail travel.

I wish the OP well but for someone in his situation, realistically speaking with a PhD and his work experience I'd be looking at the USA, Canada, maybe other parts of Europe and he might even stand a reasonable chance in China more than he does in Thailand.

[ttthailand]

If I was you I would try to specialize in something or at least say one specialty and be " the expert" then you will be in demand. Most Thai engineers know a little about a few things but are not experts in anything really. I would think you should be able to get 150,000k baht up per month.

[Bigdata]

I assumed id have to lowet my salary expectations to a) make myself more attractive, and because i assumed pay would be related to living cost. But these are assumptions, hence asking you chaps. Money isnt my motivation for wanting to move. I do alright (relatively for my age) in the UK and if it wasnt enough, id try and get out to the ME/china on an arab/chinese high speed rail project. My motivation for moving is the place itself.

I did read that Thailand is making moves in rail. Looks like a good thing given what ive seen of the infrastructure and rolling stock. The rolling stock looks like its knackered second hand ex-BR stuff from the 80s or whenever. If theyre modernising infrastructure, thats something that might give me an opportunity.

If only Thailand had a train based nuclear weapons programme. Id defect in a heart beat. On an unrelated note, whats the weather like in North Korea this time if year?

[Time Traveller]

I agree my CV all over the place. The only thing that ties it together is that everything ive always done (control/software) engineering r&d, and most of it in rail. The nature of r&d in small tech firms is (in my experience) such that business pressures force you to all kinds of different things. I think small firms try to get away with employing one or two "technical specialists" who they consider versatile, to keep the payroll down. Its very fun work, but im obviously <deleted> when people ask "what can you do, then?" Because "everything nessecary to keep the firm afloat" is not especially credible.

My CV would be a problem for me in the uk too, but for the fact that Im lucky enough to have met enough people who would be happy to employ me.

FWIW, im on just over 45k & bonus in the uk. I wouldnt expect anything near that in Thailand. I just want enough to live comfortably for 4-5 years.

Ill keep my eyes on Siemens, Hitachi, GE etc.

And there in is another observation "I am on 45k & bonus I wouldn't expect that in Thailand " why the hell not ?

I wouldn't take a pay cut just because its Thailand !!!!

Taking a pay cut really kills your career since it influences how future employers value you.

However, since the OP said his decision is based only on lifestyle and not career, then he needs to look at two things to justify the moving decision. The living costs and taxes. If living costs and taxes are lower in Thailand, then yes it might make sense to accept a lower salary in Thailand since his disposable income could in fact be higher.

In fact this is what I did. Those 30% capital gains taxes dropped to 0% in Thailand and the money saved on taxes more than made up for the lower salary.

Edited January 9, 2015 by Time Traveller

[NCC1701A]

quote:

"If only Thailand had a train based nuclear weapons programme. Id defect in a heart beat. On an unrelated note, whats the weather like in North Korea this time if year?"

don't joke... Thailand and NK are good buddies now. They might sell you and put you on a fishing boat headed north.

Edited January 9, 2015 by NCC1701A

[Soutpeel]

I assumed id have to lowet my salary expectations to a) make myself more attractive, and because i assumed pay would be related to living cost. But these are assumptions, hence asking you chaps. Money isnt my motivation for wanting to move. I do alright (relatively for my age) in the UK and if it wasnt enough, id try and get out to the ME/china on an arab/chinese high speed rail project. My motivation for moving is the place itself.

I did read that Thailand is making moves in rail. Looks like a good thing given what ive seen of the infrastructure and rolling stock. The rolling stock looks like its knackered second hand ex-BR stuff from the 80s or whenever. If theyre modernising infrastructure, thats something that might give me an opportunity.

If only Thailand had a train based nuclear weapons programme. Id defect in a heart beat. On an unrelated note, whats the weather like in North Korea this time if year?

Thailand maybe making moves into rail, but it looks like it would be the Chinese, South Koreans, or even on the outside the Japanese, and having been involved with all 3 nations at some point in my career, I would be pretty certain they will use there own people and a farang will not get a look in Edited January 9, 2015 by Soutpeel

[Soutpeel]

I agree my CV all over the place. The only thing that ties it together is that everything ive always done (control/software) engineering r&d, and most of it in rail. The nature of r&d in small tech firms is (in my experience) such that business pressures force you to all kinds of different things. I think small firms try to get away with employing one or two "technical specialists" who they consider versatile, to keep the payroll down. Its very fun work, but im obviously <deleted> when people ask "what can you do, then?" Because "everything nessecary to keep the firm afloat" is not especially credible.

My CV would be a problem for me in the uk too, but for the fact that Im lucky enough to have met enough people who would be happy to employ me.

FWIW, im on just over 45k & bonus in the uk. I wouldnt expect anything near that in Thailand. I just want enough to live comfortably for 4-5 years.

Ill keep my eyes on Siemens, Hitachi, GE etc.

And there in is another observation "I am on 45k & bonus I wouldn't expect that in Thailand " why the hell not ?

I wouldn't take a pay cut just because its Thailand !!!!

Taking a pay cut really kills your career since it influences how future employers value you.

However, since the OP said his decision is based only on lifestyle and not career, then he needs to look at two things to justify the moving decision. The living costs and taxes. If living costs and taxes are lower in Thailand, then yes it might make sense to accept a lower salary in Thailand since his disposable income could in fact be higher.

In fact this is what I did. Those 30% capital gains taxes dropped to 0% in Thailand and the money saved on taxes more than made up for the lower salary.

Your correct in your first sentence, but the rest of your comment is a very strange logic and possible rationalisation to accept a lower salary.

Anyone who has worked a decent amount of time in the expat game, is fully aware that their particular job has a "salary band" attached to it, now seeing as Thailand is not really a hardship posting the lowest money one should accept is their gross for the same job in their own country in the case if the OP he has stated GBP 45k pa and this should be the starting point

[gk10002000]

I too have a technical and engineering background, BS mechanical engineering, MS applied math, 25 years in the aerospace industry. But I have not had any success when I look around trying to get hooked up in Thailand. I am pretty sure it is difficult to impossible to get in under Thai sponsorship, but I have to believe there is a way to get in via many of the international companies that of course do business in Thailand, have contracts to build major projects etc. I tried a couple of supposed international websites, and recruiters but didn't find much. I even applied directly to several of the auto manufacturers, Ford, GM. So I pretty much resigned my self to just keep doing my contract engineering work, take about 30 to 60 days off each year and holiday in Thailand. Now mulling the retirement. (57)

Good luck.

[Soutpeel]

I too have a technical and engineering background, BS mechanical engineering, MS applied math, 25 years in the aerospace industry. But I have not had any success when I look around trying to get hooked up in Thailand. I am pretty sure it is difficult to impossible to get in under Thai sponsorship, but I have to believe there is a way to get in via many of the international companies that of course do business in Thailand, have contracts to build major projects etc. I tried a couple of supposed international websites, and recruiters but didn't find much. I even applied directly to several of the auto manufacturers, Ford, GM. So I pretty much resigned my self to just keep doing my contract engineering work, take about 30 to 60 days off each year and holiday in Thailand. Now mulling the retirement. (57)

Good luck.

If you have a skill set/ experience etc which is in demand in Thailand in the engineering field , jobs are not hard to find in Thailand, recruiters will only respond to the demand of their clients.

I am not suggesting your like this but over the last 14 years in come across many expats who believe they should be given a job just because they are westerners, and get rather upset when you tell them there is nothing you can do for them as there isn't a position for them as they believe its their right to be employed

Edited January 9, 2015 by Soutpeel

[Crossy]

If you really want to play with giant train sets...

As with most industries, the decent salaries are for those with many years of experience, but we all had to start somewhere. The best way in would be via an organisation in your home country, but it's not impossible here, particularly if you have good Thai.

Talk to the rail based consultancies, PB, Systra etc.

Get in contact with the rail based body shops such as Rail Personnel.

What branch of the industry interests you, rolling stock, signalling / train control, comms, safety?

[Bigdata]

If you really want to play with giant train sets...

As with most industries, the decent salaries are for those with many years of experience, but we all had to start somewhere. The best way in would be via an organisation in your home country, but it's not impossible here, particularly if you have good Thai.

Talk to the rail based consultancies, PB, Systra etc.

Get in contact with the rail based body shops such as Rail Personnel.

What branch of the industry interests you, rolling stock, signalling / train control, comms, safety?

For the last 18 months I've been developing condition monitoring software and building electronic dataloggers which are installed in location cases and signal boxes. The software is mostly for trackside equipment. Points machines, track circuits, signal lamps, electrical supplies etc, and I've worked on real-time image recognition for level crossings and monitoring & graphical replay for 930 relays/SSI in NR interlockings. I've worked on landslip monitoring/prediction too. The software we make is supposed to help our customers monitor their assets and move towards condition based maintenance regimes. It's also supposed to help our customers prove sequences of events (at level crossing incidents or after SPAD), to work out remotely what went wrong. Most of my work has been directed towards NR & London Underground, but there's customers elsewhere in the world as well, like the USA, China, Australia and a few others where we've managed to flog our kit (none in Thailand, yet!).

I've completed Signets advanced signalling training. I've got functional knowledge of ERTMS. I'm familiar with the failure modes of common trackside equipment, having going through FMECA activities, building fault trees etc. Prior to this, I did the electronic & software design for a new type of trackswitch as part of a research project sponsored by RSSB/LU/NR. So signalling and condition monitoring are what I know best in rail. More generally, I'm proficient in C/C++, Matlab, and SQL, with a focus on machine learning and (big) data analytics. I have a first class masters degree in Electrical Engineering, and a PhD in Controls/Nuclear Fusion Engineering (so not in rail).

I know Bombardier work out of Bangkok, as do Siemens. They're mostly into rolling stock in Thailand, but I reckon that would be my best bet, and I'll check out the consultances you've suggested too. If the MRT/BTS people decide out the blue they need a condition monitoring specialist, that would be just wonderful...

Given how easily identifiable I am out of that, I should say that if my boss happens to read this, I'm not going anywhere! I'm just exploring the idea!

Edited January 10, 2015 by Bigdata

[gk10002000]

I too have a technical and engineering background, BS mechanical engineering, MS applied math, 25 years in the aerospace industry. But I have not had any success when I look around trying to get hooked up in Thailand. I am pretty sure it is difficult to impossible to get in under Thai sponsorship, but I have to believe there is a way to get in via many of the international companies that of course do business in Thailand, have contracts to build major projects etc. I tried a couple of supposed international websites, and recruiters but didn't find much. I even applied directly to several of the auto manufacturers, Ford, GM. So I pretty much resigned my self to just keep doing my contract engineering work, take about 30 to 60 days off each year and holiday in Thailand. Now mulling the retirement. (57)

Good luck.

If you have a skill set/ experience etc which is in demand in Thailand in the engineering field , jobs are not hard to find in Thailand, recruiters will only respond to the demand of their clients.

I am not suggesting your like this but over the last 14 years in come across many expats who believe they should be given a job just because they are westerners, and get rather upset when you tell them there is nothing you can do for them as there isn't a position for them as they believe its their right to be employed

I understand what you wrote and I completely agree with it. I am an independent contractor here in the USA and I work all over the place. Often the prospective clients and I don't agree on what is needed or what I can do. I have no problem with that. If the stars and planets don't align, I go to Thailand and wait until they do! This has been one of the best things about not having a "permanent" job. I am rarely without work, but when I do get some lapses, great, off to the LOS

[mike324]

You can get a recruitment company to line you up with a job, you seem well qualified and your experience looks like its pretty versatile and can fit in many industries. Had a friend who only did sales in his home country in Asia, he relocated to Singapore and easily found a job via a recruitment company. Singapore is also a good option, costs are a lot higher, but at the same time salaries are higher than Bangkok.

So which job/profession would that be Mike ? His CV is one of the problems its all over the place

I know your generalisng again Mike but not all salaries in Singapore are higher than BKK, and not even factoring in the cost of accommodation in Sing

Is it that hard to craft your CV so it doesn't look all over the place? Either your are too old to have learn how to write a good resume in school or your school never taught you that. For folks who are in their 20-30s, pretty much all colleges taught a class to craft a good resume, most are via the prerequisite English course if in an English speaking country. Based on what the OP said, his obvious focus on his CV should be on "Software Developer" and "Engineer", not "Sales" just because he did some tender and bidding or during interviews, he would not say he is a jack of all trades type of guy.

Yes I know I'm generalizing, the average Singapore salary is still higher than the average Thai, so his chances to getting a higher salary is greater, but given the higher living cost he probably ends up saving the same or maybe even less as if he was working in Bangkok, but my main point is his chances of landing a job in Singapore may be higher due to companies being more open to apply for work permits compare to companies in Thailand. So if he wants a change of scenery, I'm only suggesting to look towards Singapore too if he is not having any luck in Thailand, since he extra savings to send over, salary might not be an issue for him.

[Soutpeel]

You can get a recruitment company to line you up with a job, you seem well qualified and your experience looks like its pretty versatile and can fit in many industries. Had a friend who only did sales in his home country in Asia, he relocated to Singapore and easily found a job via a recruitment company. Singapore is also a good option, costs are a lot higher, but at the same time salaries are higher than Bangkok.

So which job/profession would that be Mike ? His CV is one of the problems its all over the place

I know your generalisng again Mike but not all salaries in Singapore are higher than BKK, and not even factoring in the cost of accommodation in Sing

Is it that hard to craft your CV so it doesn't look all over the place? Either your are too old to have learn how to write a good resume in school or your school never taught you that. For folks who are in their 20-30s, pretty much all colleges taught a class to craft a good resume, most are via the prerequisite English course if in an English speaking country. Based on what the OP said, his obvious focus on his CV should be on "Software Developer" and "Engineer", not "Sales" just because he did some tender and bidding or during interviews, he would not say he is a jack of all trades type of guy.

Yes I know I'm generalizing, the average Singapore salary is still higher than the average Thai, so his chances to getting a higher salary is greater, but given the higher living cost he probably ends up saving the same or maybe even less as if he was working in Bangkok, but my main point is his chances of landing a job in Singapore may be higher due to companies being more open to apply for work permits compare to companies in Thailand. So if he wants a change of scenery, I'm only suggesting to look towards Singapore too if he is not having any luck in Thailand, since he extra savings to send over, salary might not be an issue for him.

For me personally its not hard to "craft" a relevant CV for someone, over the years helped many people write/update their CV's, and its CV's I am talking about not resumes, which is something a little different and usually only applicable in the US and the OP is from the UK so its a CV I suspect he needs

Chances of a job in Sing maybe higher only if a company in Sing is looking for a foreigner with his skill set, if there are no companies looking for that skill set then his chances are the same as BKK, willingness to apply for work permits or work pass in the case of Sing has very little to do with it, if you have a the required skill and its a reputable company formalities such as WP are a matter of course and are not an issue

[Tomtomtom69]

I too have a technical and engineering background, BS mechanical engineering, MS applied math, 25 years in the aerospace industry. But I have not had any success when I look around trying to get hooked up in Thailand. I am pretty sure it is difficult to impossible to get in under Thai sponsorship, but I have to believe there is a way to get in via many of the international companies that of course do business in Thailand, have contracts to build major projects etc. I tried a couple of supposed international websites, and recruiters but didn't find much. I even applied directly to several of the auto manufacturers, Ford, GM. So I pretty much resigned my self to just keep doing my contract engineering work, take about 30 to 60 days off each year and holiday in Thailand. Now mulling the retirement. (57)

Good luck.

If you have a skill set/ experience etc which is in demand in Thailand in the engineering field , jobs are not hard to find in Thailand, recruiters will only respond to the demand of their clients.

I am not suggesting your like this but over the last 14 years in come across many expats who believe they should be given a job just because they are westerners, and get rather upset when you tell them there is nothing you can do for them as there isn't a position for them as they believe its their right to be employed

I have been called up by recruiters who are after expats with a specific skill set, in one case I had someone call up about an offer in the automotive industry and they wanted an expat simply because the clients, who were mostly USA based couldn't deal with the Thais and needed someone who could talk straight, with good English.

So, you're right. Except that I don't think there are many engineering jobs for expats going around in Thailand in any field. Even if you have a specific skill set it won't be easy to find any work, because there just aren't that many jobs - it helps if you know the right people but if you don't have any contacts it won't be easy at all. Most companies will prefer to hire Thais mainly because they are cheaper, no need for work permits and they understand the language and culture.

[Tomtomtom69]

You can get a recruitment company to line you up with a job, you seem well qualified and your experience looks like its pretty versatile and can fit in many industries. Had a friend who only did sales in his home country in Asia, he relocated to Singapore and easily found a job via a recruitment company. Singapore is also a good option, costs are a lot higher, but at the same time salaries are higher than Bangkok.

So which job/profession would that be Mike ? His CV is one of the problems its all over the place

I know your generalisng again Mike but not all salaries in Singapore are higher than BKK, and not even factoring in the cost of accommodation in Sing

Is it that hard to craft your CV so it doesn't look all over the place? Either your are too old to have learn how to write a good resume in school or your school never taught you that. For folks who are in their 20-30s, pretty much all colleges taught a class to craft a good resume, most are via the prerequisite English course if in an English speaking country. Based on what the OP said, his obvious focus on his CV should be on "Software Developer" and "Engineer", not "Sales" just because he did some tender and bidding or during interviews, he would not say he is a jack of all trades type of guy.

Yes I know I'm generalizing, the average Singapore salary is still higher than the average Thai, so his chances to getting a higher salary is greater, but given the higher living cost he probably ends up saving the same or maybe even less as if he was working in Bangkok, but my main point is his chances of landing a job in Singapore may be higher due to companies being more open to apply for work permits compare to companies in Thailand. So if he wants a change of scenery, I'm only suggesting to look towards Singapore too if he is not having any luck in Thailand, since he extra savings to send over, salary might not be an issue for him.

I believe there is some truth to that - although if an employer in Thailand is willing to hire you, getting a work permit processed is not difficult. The difficult part is finding a willing employer - the fact is that very few employers in Thailand are willing to take on any foreigners. Singaporean employers are much more used to doing that, but as a multi-cultural nation that relys on a large expat working population that isn't surprising. Whereas Thailand, apart from some migrant labourers from 3 poorer neighboring countries mostly doing unskilled or semi-skilled labour doesn't rely on expat labour; in fact the Thais would be just as happy doing everything themselves if they could and only hire when there is no local match for a specific skills set, but the chances of finding such an opportunity locally by yourself is very slim...particularly in the engineering sector.