AmyW89

Hi there

My husband and I are considering moving and working abroad, as we've decided that it's time for some new adventures and experiences!

He is currently an assistant head in a secondary school (maths teacher by background), and I am a clinical lead for school aged speech and language therapy services.

We are looking at Bangkok for employment, but are open to other destinations. However, we wanted a little bit of information that we haven't yet come across elsewhere. I found this site and thought it would be a good place to start!

1. What would the typical working week look like? Is it 9-5, Monday - Friday, or some variation on this?

2. Do school terms follow a similar pattern to that in the UK, e.g. 3 terms and a long break in the summer, or is it different?

3. Is there a "typical" amount of annual leave given to employees in these areas?

4. Do you have any information/guidance re. tax on wages & pension contributions, or know where to look for this information?

5. Is there an average salary for a speech & language therapist working in these countries? And are salary payments typically weekly/monthly?

6. What happens with regards to driving/getting a driving licence in Bangkok/Thailand? Is the UK licence transferable?

7. In terms of medical care, do these countries offer an NHS-type service, or more paid for, privatised care?

Thank you in advance - and sorry for the essay!!

Any form of guidance/advice/tips would be greatly appreciated

Amy

Thairetired2016

Why Thailand? What is the attraction for you?

Best is for your husband to get in touch with a school. All schools offer different conditions. Teaching is not a 9 - 5 job and a 5day week.

Do you speak Thai? If not how do you want to work as a speech therapist? Majority of patients would be Thai and Thai is the official language.

Have you done bit of research yourself to find answers to your questions?

peterpop

I have lived in Thailand for 10 yrs but am retired and not of an educational background, however I recently helped a young couple both teachers to relocate here, they lasted 1 year only nd are now back in UK.
The problem is language. Without good Thai it is very difficult to operate here. Then there are real difficulties in getting a work permit and constant hassles in renewing your immigrant status. My young friends could not cope with the corruption they encountered and the culture where Thais will say YES to everything but mean something completely different. It is called ''Face''.
My advice is to limit your search to well established private international schools only, then you have a chance. Thailand can be fun, exciting and cheap but my Thai wife manages all these things. Without her I would not stay.

scot47

I have lived and worked in Germany, Bulgaria, Poland, West and Central Africa, and in Saudi Arabia. Most of my adult working life was spent in these varied foreign countries.

When I visited Thailand as a tourist I was struck by the fact that the society is TOTALLY alien. Think carefully before committing yourself to anything. Go and visit. Have a look before leaping in.

Thairetired2016

I've come to Bangkok in 2004 as a housewife while my husband was working in Southern Africa. Why did I choose Bangkok? I love big cities, I like Thai people the way they are. I did not come to Thailand to look for a copy of my home country in Europe. Visa was never an issue (non imm O multiple entry). I took the time to learn basic Thai. Nowhere was I ever asked for a bribe.
I didn't try to work illegally.
Do you really want to blame the Thai system why your young friends failed? Before people come to live or visit here they should leave the idea of being special at home. Thais need a visa and work permit, health insurance when visiting/working Europe. Why should Brits etc. not require such when they come here? A Thai needs to speak English when he wants to work in UK. Thai is the official language in Thailand not English.

I appreciate the advice you want to give but use of common sense and sensitivity to other cultures avoids situations they had to deal with like e.g. work permit problems.

wanderlustruss

Yes, conditions and perks vary from school to school. For speech & language therapist opportunities, perhaps try in international schools or universities? I do think that you will like it here but it depends so might as well give it a year and reassess. Good luck!