Feeling sick of the USA, desperately want to return to Thailand

[Tai777]

Hello all, as you can see I'm a new member here. I am a dual Thai-US citizen currently living in the USA.

Right now I am 22 years old, male and in a junior college. I was working towards my Bachelor's degree here in the USA but I completely lost interest and I desperately want to go back to Thailand, life here is too boring and depressing for me.

I was considering learning some useful skills and enrolling in vocational programs such as learning carpentry, automotive and electrical skills. I'm wondering how far I could get in Thailand with several vocational skills from the USA and no Bachelor's degree. I know I won't need a work permit, because I hold Thai citizenship, so that would not be an obstacle for me.

I am seriously considering teaching English in one of the backwater provinces, as I can't stand being in the city, but my question is, how will I fare without a bachelor's degree? WIll I be able to make a decent living? I could possibly get a TEFL certificate.

(edit: Creature comforts such as high speed internet/hot water are not required for me, as I can live just like the rural Thais do, it is something I am used to)

Edited February 14, 2015 by Tai777

[ScarpoFongness4U]

Who is paying your bills to keep you alive in the USA?

[Tai777]

Right now I live with my mom, she is working here but she wants to go back in a couple of years and I go to school for free. At first I was super-motivated to be an engineer or something, but now I lost all that and I just want to learn some useful skills such as fixing autos, I don't have any passion left for school.

[roamer]

Who is paying your bills to keep you alive in the USA?

And the relevance is ?

[ExPratt]

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Right now I live with my mom, she is working here but she wants to go back in a couple of years and I go to school for free. At first I was super-motivated to be an engineer or something, but now I lost all that and I just want to learn some useful skills such as fixing autos, I don't have any passion left for school.

Finish your engineering degree , will open up doors for you all of your life and allow you to work anywhere in the world . Much harder to do that if you do not have a degree, Just suffer it for another couple of years .

"I go to school for free" You mean if you come to Thailand ? ,The free schools are free for a reason

Stick at it mate , you're only young , you have the rest of your life to come to Thailand

[roamer]

You do need to get real "fixing autos" ? Why you? Why not one of the other Thai kids looking for the same job...kids that didn't have your opportunities .

"Lost interest" Time to grow up up son. World don't work that way. Teaching English, well you're Thai, no degree, for that particular option your value is pretty close to zero. Marginal value .

If you don't have the "whatever" to grasp the opportunities you have in the US prior to considering coming back here to work....end of.

[Tai777]

You are probably right, I don't have any arguments to conjure up. Well, I guess I just have to endure this, could be worse though, my life at this point is not so bad.

[ScarpoFongness4U]

if you are bored take different courses

giving up at 22 on school is only good when you already have a career path or you fall into something as a result of being active in one or more occupations

very few people know what they want to do at the age of 22

most of us older guys bounced around from one job to the next until we found something we either like or we learn we were good at

take more classes and challenge yourself

because you speak Thai and don't have to jump through hoops to go back to Thailand it would be a good idea for you to find something that helps you get back to Thailand when you are older or because it's a business necessity

other than all of the above let me suggest that you hook yourself up with people in Thailand who are thi who may need contacts like you in the US

[zierf1]

Totally understandable why people want to leave the USA these days. Place sucks big time.

[Gecko123]

OP:

The vocational occupations you mentioned don't pay very well over here.

Your plan of running off to Thailand seems very short-sighted.

Get a quality education while you have a chance.

Most Thais would kill for the opportunities you have.

[BB1955]

Hang in there and tough out your education , you will thank yourself when you gain a few years .

[Soutpeel]

My advice stay in the US finish your engineering degree and preferably a masters and your life will be assured in Thailand

[Tai777]

Thanks for the advice guys

[willyumiii]

How long have you been gone?

High speed internet ( even wireless ) is easy to find in rural Thailand now..and water heaters are too!

As far as teaching English goes, you can get a job without a BA, if you have a good command of the language and speak English and not Tinglish,

Being a Thai citizen and not restricted in what work you can do here, I would consider other professions to make a living.

Even the best English teaching jobs do not pay all that well.

You must be aware of the current state of affairs in Thailand.

If you have no problem with that,

I say come on back.

[tx22cb]

You say you are Thai/American and 22 years old.

Without a degree, your main assets will be your bi-lingual language skills and your looks.

If you are somewhat good-looking/tall/toned/fit, there might be some modelling work here to get you started.

Your language skills may give you a leg-up in the hospitality industry - many new hotels here.

Unless you are unique, carpentry and motoring mechanics skills are a dime a d here, and will not utilise your English proficiency.

If you are bored and want interesting challenges, you can enlist in the (US) Army or Navy for some action.

[Tai777]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

How long have you been gone?

High speed internet ( even wireless ) is easy to find in rural Thailand now..and water heaters are too!

As far as teaching English goes, you can get a job without a BA, if you have a good command of the language and speak English and not Tinglish,

Being a Thai citizen and not restricted in what work you can do here, I would consider other professions to make a living.

Even the best English teaching jobs do not pay all that well.

You must be aware of the current state of affairs in Thailand.

If you have no problem with that,

I say come on back.

I've been gone about 2-3 years. In the village where most of my relatives reside, there are no internet lines, but there is mobile internet you can get on your cellphone/tablet from DTAC and other wireless operators, and I guess if one were to set up water heaters one could, but no one really has hot water there.

I definitely don't think all rural villages in Thailand have internet, even in Central Thailand. Even around upper Central Thailand and Northern Thailand there are a lot of ethnic minority villages without any running water or electricity. I know some friends from Isaan just got electricity in their village this year.

Yes, I speak good English, I definitely don't speak Tinglish, except sometimes when I get lazy or when I haven't been speaking English for a long time.

What other options are there besides teaching English? I prefer the North of Thailand to all other parts, but I don't particularly appreciate the touristy vibe of Chiang Mai city. I wouldn't mind working in the city as long as I was staying outside of it and could commute.

At this point I'm thinking I may as well just finish my B.S. in computer engineering.

You say you are Thai/American and 22 years old.

Without a degree, your main assets will be your bi-lingual language skills and your looks.

If you are somewhat good-looking/tall/toned/fit, there might be some modelling work here to get you started.

Your language skills may give you a leg-up in the hospitality industry - many new hotels here.

Unless you are unique, carpentry and motoring mechanics skills are a dime a d here, and will not utilise your English proficiency.

If you are bored and want interesting challenges, you can enlist in the (US) Army or Navy for some action.

I've been told I was handsome, but I'm not tall, I'm a bit taller than the average Thai guy.

Also I can't join the US armed forces, because of me being a citizen of Thailand. It's illegal.

Edited February 15, 2015 by Tai777

[Soutpeel]

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How long have you been gone?

High speed internet ( even wireless ) is easy to find in rural Thailand now..and water heaters are too!

As far as teaching English goes, you can get a job without a BA, if you have a good command of the language and speak English and not Tinglish,

Being a Thai citizen and not restricted in what work you can do here, I would consider other professions to make a living.

Even the best English teaching jobs do not pay all that well.

You must be aware of the current state of affairs in Thailand.

If you have no problem with that,

I say come on back.

I've been gone about 2-3 years. In the village where most of my relatives reside, there are no internet lines, but there is mobile internet you can get on your cellphone/tablet from DTAC and other wireless operators, and I guess if one were to set up water heaters one could, but no one really has hot water there.

Yes, I speak good English, I definitely don't speak Tinglish, except sometimes when I get lazy or when I haven't been speaking English for a long time.

What other options are there besides teaching English? I prefer the North of Thailand to all other parts, but I don't particularly appreciate the touristy vibe of Chiang Mai city. I wouldn't mind working in the city as long as I was staying outside of it and could commute.

At this point I'm thinking I may as well just finish my B.S. in computer engineering.

You say you are Thai/American and 22 years old.

Without a degree, your main assets will be your bi-lingual language skills and your looks.

If you are somewhat good-looking/tall/toned/fit, there might be some modelling work here to get you started.

Your language skills may give you a leg-up in the hospitality industry - many new hotels here.

Unless you are unique, carpentry and motoring mechanics skills are a dime a d here, and will not utilise your English proficiency.

If you are bored and want interesting challenges, you can enlist in the (US) Army or Navy for some action.

I've been told I was handsome, but I'm not tall, I'm a bit taller than the average Thai guy.

Also I can't join the US armed forces, because of me being a citizen of Thailand. It's illegal.

My understanding is your last sentence is not true, nothing stopping a dual national joining the military of the "other" country its not illegal neither country has jurisdiction over this

There may be rules to prohibit a person with dual nationality achieving rank above as certain level that's all

Edited February 15, 2015 by Soutpeel

[Tai777]

I feel joining the armed forces might be a waste of time, as it would slow down my educational progress. I'm not sure actually, but I had just heard it was illegal, or maybe just for certain ranks/positions. I'm not too knowledgeable about this topic.

I had to go through the draft in Thailand as well, but luckily I didn't get a red card.

Regardless, I still want to explore Northern Thailand, which to me is the most beautiful part of Thailand, I also like Laos but I wouldn't dream of living there, you can't make any money.

Edited February 15, 2015 by Tai777

[AZBill]

Stay with your education! It's worth a few years of boredom. I hated law school and wanted to drop out many times but I hung in there and it changed not only my life but my family's life as well because I was easily able to provide for them beyond their dreams. Do not let boredom become a victor over you! There is plenty of time to go back.

[konying]

Right now I live with my mom, she is working here but she wants to go back in a couple of years and I go to school for free. At first I was super-motivated to be an engineer or something, but now I lost all that and I just want to learn some useful skills such as fixing autos, I don't have any passion left for school.

Finish studying, become an engineer, then come back to Thailand.

Not only you will find job easy, you will get a very well paying job, especially because fluency in both languages and education

Edited February 15, 2015 by konying

[Muzarella]

I have a son working in Taiwan and doing very, very well. At your age, and 12 years ago, he was living in the US.

He was working in a pizza restaurant, and going to a FREE English class at the local college. He had the same feeling like yours, not motivated by the American way of living, but the US is one of the few countries where a young person can get a FREE, or a very inexpensive technical and language education. He likes computers, like most people at your age do...but languages and computer classes in Italy are very expensive.

He wanted to back to Italy and to keep working in our family restaurant.

I asked him to stay until getting fluent English, computer and computing related skills. He did, and later he completed a short FREE course in Robotics at the local college. He got a well paid part time computing job during his time in college, got the degree, and now is working in Taiwan for a company designing machines for auto factories around the world.

In Thai terms, he is a millionaire at 35...and with a bright future. Italy now is just his favorite vacation place where he can have the best pizza, and the only place where to speak Italian is useful...like speaking Thai in Thailand.. He fluently speaks 2 more languages, English and Chinese.

His wife is Chinese graduated in the US. They were visiting me last year in Chiang Mai. Because him, I had the opportunity to dine in the most expensive Thai restaurants. My wife speaks some Chinese, and had good time practicing. I do not speak Thai, and never will. Too old now for that.

Not so many people had the chance you are having now. Please think about, not to regret later. You are very young, and the world is very big, offering a lot better opportunities than Thailand to grow, and specially to learn. Now is the time for you to learn easily. Later in life, learning is not easy at all.

My son had the opportunity that I never had. Was he very lucky? No...he was not lucky....

"LUCK DOESN'T HAPPEN......WHAT HAPPENS IS PREPARATION TO TAKE OPPORTUNITIES"

GOOD LUCK KID.

SINCERELY.

[marko kok prong]

You are probably right, I don't have any arguments to conjure up. Well, I guess I just have to endure this, could be worse though, my life at this point is not so bad.

That's right Tai,put it into perspective,think how many people are desperate to be in your position ,another 2/3 years,and you will have good qualifications,the world is then your oyster,try to stick it out ,try and think,that right now there is a young man like you sitting somewhere in Syria or the like trembling with fear and dreaming of being in college in the Usa.

[daveAustin]

Op, my advice, move back to your country where reality does not exist and it is sanuk 24-7.

[Tai777]

Op, my advice, move back to your country where reality does not exist and it is sanuk 24-7.

What is your reasoning for this?

I don't think it's sanuk 24/7 in Thailand. They believe in reality too. A lot of them work hard.

That's just some farang myth about Thai people that is kind of disparaging, but I'm not mad.

[ScarpoFongness4U]

Chiang Mai has a thriving tourist trade and is busier than ever now.

you are selling yourself short by eliminating one of the most highly trafficked areas of Thailand for tourists

[Tai777]

Like I said, I wouldn't mind working in Chiang Mai city, but I'd prefer to have a house outside of the city where it's quiet

[abrahamzvi]

You are probably right, I don't have any arguments to conjure up. Well, I guess I just have to endure this, could be worse though, my life at this point is not so bad.

Let me just add the following: Think of what you can achieve in Thailand with an Engineering degree and some work experience in the US. With such qualifications and experience you can do a lot for yourself and help others in Thailand if you wish to come back to Thailand. I wish you a lot of success and a lot of patience and endurance!

[Trembly]

I feel joining the armed forces might be a waste of time, as it would slow down my educational progress. I'm not sure actually, but I had just heard it was illegal, or maybe just for certain ranks/positions. I'm not too knowledgeable about this topic.

I had to go through the draft in Thailand as well, but luckily I didn't get a red card.

Regardless, I still want to explore Northern Thailand, which to me is the most beautiful part of Thailand, I also like Laos but I wouldn't dream of living there, you can't make any money.

Do not abort your degree. If you really don't like your current course then change it or go to a different college but do not come to Thailand without a degree. Thais are obsessed with degrees and many hiring managers will not hesitate to shaft you on pay if you lack a degree - that's if they haven't already binned your application without a second glance for not having a degree. Not only that, but new government policies and general hiring practices are squeezing the window of opportunity pretty tight for people without degrees.

I've heard that the western engineers working on the mines in Lao get paid pretty well.

It is in no way illegal for you to join the US military. Your Thai citizenship would affect your security clearance ceiling which dictates the rank you can reach in conjunction with the jobs and responsibilities you will be allowed to undertake. Generally speaking, the higher the rank the stricter the security clearance, but some jobs allow you to reach relatively high rank with a relatively low security clearance whereas some other jobs require a high security clearance even at low rank.

Edited February 15, 2015 by Trembly

[bender92]

You could teach Thai to TV members. LOL.

[Eric Loh]

You did the right thing by opening up and inviting opinions whether good or bad. Much better than bottling up inside and making decision based on emotion and mood. I totally agreed with most asking you to persever and finish your university and bachelor degree. Speaking from experience hiring Thai staffs, I will only consider minimum a bachelor degree as basic requirement. You are still vey young and only 4 years of your life to obtain the degree. Stick in there son and you will remember you made the right decision in your latter years.