17 and moving to Thailand
Dec 2nd 2012, 7:32 pm
#16
CM, LoS
Joined: Dec 2012
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Posts: 103
Re: 17 and moving to Thailand
OK. Assuming you are not Thai (dual Thai), then you may find it very hard to work here legally.
First of, at 17 you will not have a degree and unlikely to have any specialist experiance. You can see this limits your worth to a Thai employer. To hire you they will have to jump through hoops and show that they need you to fulfil a role that a Thai can not do; there is a long list of protected jobs, which is what you heard of as a list of jobs that are illegal to do - this is actually not true, in so far as illegal, it just means that for them to hire you in such a role (and get a WP) they would have to show specialism that you have that a Thai does not - such as native language skills - so its doable.
Putting these two facts together, it is unlikely that a Thai hotel would hire you. I would be suspicious of your offer too, for the same reasons.
Not having a degree severly limits teaching roles too - basically you would likely only get a English language school job (or NGO) which would pay very poorly. Technically (unless you got the WP for this - usually means NGO or volunteer program) it is illegal work too - a favourite of back-packers.
To be honest, if I was you, I would consider doing a degree or vocational course (hotel management, perhaps) in Thailand under an Ed Visa (Non-Immigrant O 'ED') and go from there. This teaches you the language (better), gives you a trade, connections and a visa in the interim.
Of course, this means all the cost is outwards - so you will have to find a means to pay for it. Possibly working online, chancing the language school jobs or relying on family.
Good luck.
First of, at 17 you will not have a degree and unlikely to have any specialist experiance. You can see this limits your worth to a Thai employer. To hire you they will have to jump through hoops and show that they need you to fulfil a role that a Thai can not do; there is a long list of protected jobs, which is what you heard of as a list of jobs that are illegal to do - this is actually not true, in so far as illegal, it just means that for them to hire you in such a role (and get a WP) they would have to show specialism that you have that a Thai does not - such as native language skills - so its doable.
Putting these two facts together, it is unlikely that a Thai hotel would hire you. I would be suspicious of your offer too, for the same reasons.
Not having a degree severly limits teaching roles too - basically you would likely only get a English language school job (or NGO) which would pay very poorly. Technically (unless you got the WP for this - usually means NGO or volunteer program) it is illegal work too - a favourite of back-packers.
To be honest, if I was you, I would consider doing a degree or vocational course (hotel management, perhaps) in Thailand under an Ed Visa (Non-Immigrant O 'ED') and go from there. This teaches you the language (better), gives you a trade, connections and a visa in the interim.
Of course, this means all the cost is outwards - so you will have to find a means to pay for it. Possibly working online, chancing the language school jobs or relying on family.
Good luck.
Dec 23rd 2012, 5:07 am
#17
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Buraydah , Saudi Arabia
Posts: 2,863
Re: 17 and moving to Thailand
Congrats Lucas, sounds like a foot in the door. At 17 that's all you need. Re Thai and the tonal stuff, I lived in Phuket for a few years and was told by local Thais that they don't do the tonal stuff in the South. It's not posh Thai in the south 
I learnt a little teeny bit, nid noy, and much easier not having to do the tonals. Err....not sure where your job is. Best of luck and do let us know how you get on.
I learnt a little teeny bit, nid noy, and much easier not having to do the tonals. Err....not sure where your job is. Best of luck and do let us know how you get on.
In all honesty I think the stereotyped picture of these polite , respectful Thais speaking very clearly doesn't really exist . I saw a great interview with a woman from the ministry of culture or Thai equivalent lamenting how Thais themselves ( in this time of social media etc and more and more English coming into everyday use in Thai speech ) , especially young Thais weren't speaking " proper " Thai anymore .
And then as anyone who has learnt Thai can tell you , what they teach you isn't how everyone speaks . No different to English there though really.
Dec 23rd 2012, 5:13 am
#18
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Buraydah , Saudi Arabia
Posts: 2,863
Re: 17 and moving to Thailand
to the OP I would say go for it , you have nothing to lose . Don't worry about the legal side of it too much . Not saying it doesn't matter but many people work in Thailand illegally . Keep your wits about you and have an exit fund / plan in place . Even if you do get caught ( unluckily ) all that will happen is that you get deported ( worst case scenario ) or pay a fine , you will not be blacklisted from the country . You have to do something really serious for that.
I remember when Peter Reid was the Thai Football team manager he had to do a visa run to Cambodia because the Thai F.A couldn't sort out his work permit in time .
I worked illegally in Thailand for many years with no problems. It does have its benefits in some ways .
I remember when Peter Reid was the Thai Football team manager he had to do a visa run to Cambodia because the Thai F.A couldn't sort out his work permit in time .
I worked illegally in Thailand for many years with no problems. It does have its benefits in some ways .
