It Job Opportunities

[Sotiris]

Hi to all members.

I am a new member and i want your advice or help.

I’m seriously looking into moving out and finding work there.

I’m really after some suggestions of what options are available to me.

<---There are some words about me -->

I am a Software developer with 10 years experience in programming.(especially VB,VB.NET and MS SQL)

I have Bachelor degree in Computer science from UK university and CAE(Certification in Advance English) from Cambridge university

I have already read about restrictions that companies have in Thailand with foreigners and about the Visa problems too(multiple reentries, renewals etc)

Any help will be greatly appreciated

[Prakanong]

Hi to all members.

I am a new member and i want your advice or help.

I’m seriously looking into moving out and finding work there.

I’m really after some suggestions of what options are available to me.

<---There are some words about me -->

I am a Software developer with 10 years experience in programming.(especially VB,VB.NET and MS SQL)

I have Bachelor degree in Computer science from UK university and CAE(Certification in Advance English) from Cambridge university

I have already read about restrictions that companies have in Thailand with foreigners and about the Visa problems too(multiple reentries, renewals etc)

Any help will be greatly appreciated

My first question would be what salary would you work for or expect?

The reason is there are Thai's with your qualifications, skills and experience and they do not get much in comparison with UK salary's.

Even down here in Singapore a programmer does not get much - I have seen positions paying less than 1000GBP a month.

Now after the cynicism some hope - it is possible to get something although you might have to teach English at first and network like hel_l - I know a few who have persevered and got something

Edited December 8, 2006 by Prakanong

[Sotiris]

Well I am not UK citizen and can't compare with UK standards.

The salary expectation is the 1.000.000$ question.

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So far i have read from this forum that it is an unwritten rule that i have to be paid 30k as a foreigner.

At the other hand there is the bottom line of 40k, so not to have future problems in order to extended the Visa for another Year.(if i am right)

--------------------

I know that there is very difficult but i really don't expect more than 50k

What really an IT company could offer to a senior programmer?

[RedQualia]

Well I am not UK citizen and can't compare with UK standards.

The salary expectation is the 1.000.000$ question.

----------------------

So far i have read from this forum that it is an unwritten rule that i have to be paid 30k as a foreigner.

At the other hand there is the bottom line of 40k, so not to have future problems in order to extended the Visa for another Year.(if i am right)

--------------------

I know that there is very difficult but i really don't expect more than 50k

What really an IT company could offer to a senior programmer?

I are a software developer with gobs of experience at "everything." I once talked with the German owner of a software company in Chiang Mai about employment possibilities. He listened to my qualifications politely, smiling slyly all the while. It didn't take too long for him to say "Why would I pay you what a farang would want when I can get some Thai guy to do the same job for eight or nine thousand baht a month?" That was the end of that conversation, and the end of my aspirations for IT employment in Thailand. I'd much rather teach English, since I would be paid so much more.

That said, there remain possibilities. First, concentrate on larger firms doing business in Bangkok. Second, look for international companies with offices in Bangkok. My guess is that they would pay more.

[chiang mai]

Hi to all members.

I am a new member and i want your advice or help.

I’m seriously looking into moving out and finding work there.

I’m really after some suggestions of what options are available to me.

<---There are some words about me -->

I am a Software developer with 10 years experience in programming.(especially VB,VB.NET and MS SQL)

I have Bachelor degree in Computer science from UK university and CAE(Certification in Advance English) from Cambridge university

I have already read about restrictions that companies have in Thailand with foreigners and about the Visa problems too(multiple reentries, renewals etc)

Any help will be greatly appreciated

I have been in the IT field for over 35 years and have lived in SE Asia and China for fifteen years - I currently live in northern Thailand. I have tried every avenue for work in Asia and I have found that the only reliable way to get work here is via the UK. For some reason, when Asian companies are looking for western expertise they place their requirements with UK (possibly other countries also) agents. Time and time again I have either returned to the UK to find work and then be assigned in Asia or I have searched UK based job boards and found work in the region. It's all crazy I know but that's the way it works. I have tried approaching clients in Asia directly, tried Asian agents and extensive networking in the region and have rarely ever had any success. Just one additional note here - if you are planning on working in Asia, g-d I hope it's not just for the sake of a local female (!), be careful how long you stay. Your work experience here will be of a lesser quality than in the West and your home agents/clients will recognize that. For me personally I need to get back to the West and do a piece of work there once a year, just to keep my skills and thinking current with the industry. Good luck but be careful what you wish for!

[oscarturtle]

Hi,

Don't know if this helps but I believe the news agency, Reuters, have a big software development agency based in Bangkok. I have no details whatsoever about the scale of pay or even if they employ farang or not but it's worth following up.

All the best!

V

[Wolfie]

It didn't take too long for him to say "Why would I pay you what a farang would want when I can get some Thai guy to do the same job for eight or nine thousand baht a month?"

My reply to that would have been, "Go for it, once you've been through a dozen thai developers and seen what 8-9k gets you, you'll be back on the phone to me offering me what i want"

The guy is/was a fool, you have to be extremely lucky to get good qualified, experienced hard working thais for that kind of ca$h

(and if anyone knows of any, please get them to send me their CV)

[pedro01]

yup - not much for 8-9K but for 35K-45K you get someone decent, that speaks good English, doesn't need a work permit & will be satisifed with the salary. An expat on that deal will be on the lookout for something better IMO.

Thais for me, every time.

[Sotiris]

yup - not much for 8-9K but for 35K-45K you get someone decent, that speaks good English, doesn't need a work permit & will be satisifed with the salary. An expat on that deal will be on the lookout for something better IMO.

Thais for me, every time.

First of all thanks for your replies. A salary in the range of 35k-45k should be fine for a start

Always, any person looks for better in his life. Sometimes looks inside his company and sometimes outside of it. If his is satisifed with the working enviroment then has no point to look for another job that immideatelly offer more money.Sometimes the risk is not worth especially if you are foreigner and the job opportunities are rare.

Is the work permit the biggest problem of all?

[JacknDanny]

I are a software developer with gobs of experience at "everything.

.

I'd much rather teach English,

Good Luck with the English teaching

[prighas]

I need to add this. I have been doing a study on turnover intention of IT technical people in Thailand. These include programmers, system administrators, database designers/administrators, network specialists, webmasters/mistresses, etc.

I had around 1200 respondents distributed in Thai to more than 60 companies around Thailand. One of the major issues in the responses is the unclear definition of an IT responsibility. In other words, there is no clear distinction between a programmer, senior programmer, system analyst, senior system analyst, and other titles that are fabricated without any designated and clear defintion of roles.

The point is: if you have been working for 10 years as a programmer (senior programmer), in Thailand it could be that somebody only did this in 2 years - hence the reduction in salary.

If you seek a salary greater than 50K, I would suggest you consider a managerial position. Salaries there range between 50 and 300 K per month for MNC.

[Sotiris]

I need to add this. I have been doing a study on turnover intention of IT technical people in Thailand. These include programmers, system administrators, database designers/administrators, network specialists, webmasters/mistresses, etc.

I had around 1200 respondents distributed in Thai to more than 60 companies around Thailand. One of the major issues in the responses is the unclear definition of an IT responsibility. In other words, there is no clear distinction between a programmer, senior programmer, system analyst, senior system analyst, and other titles that are fabricated without any designated and clear defintion of roles.

The point is: if you have been working for 10 years as a programmer (senior programmer), in Thailand it could be that somebody only did this in 2 years - hence the reduction in salary.

If you seek a salary greater than 50K, I would suggest you consider a managerial position. Salaries there range between 50 and 300 K per month for MNC.

Here in Greece the situation is almost the same:S. Just to know a senior programer's salary varies from 70k to 100k (Bhat)

As you mentioned before there is no clear distinction between a programmer, senior programmer, system analyst, senior system analyst, and other titles that are fabricated without any designated and clear defintion of roles.

The keypoint is to find a job first with salary from 40k to 50k, but the restricted positions for foreingers make things very difficult.