What kind of jobs can I get i Bangkok

Posted by johjoergensen (244 days ago)

Hi

I am considering moving to Bangkok to spend time with my girlfriend who owns a small hotell in the better part of Sukhumvit (soi 53)

I am a freelance management consultant and project manager with more than 8 years of experience of consulting engagements, such as business proces improvement, organization restructuring, outsourcing, implementatiom of ERP and implementation of legislation. I also have teaching experience at university level.

I was wondering if anyone here could give me some advice as to job opportunities? I would be grateful to receive any ideas you may have.

Joe

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Posted by canardo (228 days ago)

Rather difficult due to the working permit regulations here. Any company need to apply for a working permit for you, which is not so easy to get, these are limited and related to a minimun salary (approx. 50.000 Bath/month). Anyway, if you are NOT able to speak Thai at all, it will be rather impossible. Better get hired as an expat and send here, much easier...

Just my 2 Cents!

Posted by Ed (228 days ago)

Agree - I spent some time in Bangkok a couple of years ago and many long term successful expats told me they could count on a couple of fingers the number of expats they met who had just showed up and found good jobs. Almost all are brought in by their companies or set up their own businesses.

But even setting up a business is tough - I knew of some people who hired the required number of Thais and had run businesses for years - who suddenly were told they would not get a visa renewal...

Hiring an expat is extremely difficult due to visa issues...

Posted by johjoergensen (228 days ago)

Thank you for the reply. So how do I get hired as an expat? Do you have any advice in terms of specific companies that I could apply for?

Posted by Ed (228 days ago)

As indicated most expats working in Bangkok worked for a multinational company in their home country then were transferred to Thailand.

Generally these companies will want someone who has specific knowledge or skills related to their particular business/job so they bring someone over rather than finding people in Bangkok and training them.

Also, like it or not, I think that companies are often sceptical of the motivations of many would-be expats who come to Bangkok (not saying this applies to you but from my discussions with people this is definitely a concern and a reason why they dont hire locally)

I did not meet one expat who was working in Bangkok for a major company who was not brought over on a package.

That said, you can start with going through the Chamber of Commerce web sites and applying to relevant companies.

It's a very long shot in the best of times to find a job in Bangkok as an expat - a lot of companies closed up shop or scaled back due to the uncertainties of new government regulations introduced a couple of years ago re: taxation and corporate structures - and now with the crisis hitting hard I am sure it will be even tougher.

Best of luck - sorry I cant offer anything more optimistic.

Posted by johjoergensen (228 days ago)

Dear Ed - thank you for the input