Need some solid advice!

[captcraig2 120]

OK....Here's the deal....My wife whom is Thai and currently living with me in the States really wants for us to move back to Thailand to raise our children and be by her family, I have a chance (due to medical reasons) for what they call displacment job training or schooling and I'm curious if any expats can throw some advice my way as to what type of training might be of most benefit for employment in Thailand? I have no idea what to even consider however I need to make some plans for the near future.

 

 

Thanks for any help you may provide!

 

 

 

 

 

Please hold the flames.....This is becoming a serious matter and I need help to keep my family happy.

[Braveheart 0]

What are your interests and/or hobbies? You may be able to do something you would enjoy doing.

[Big Chief 0]

One suggestion would be to take Thai language classes. Half the battle of getting jobs in Thailand is the language barrier.

 

There are a lot of jobs as "technical consultants" to automotive suppliers to be had here. I would take some engineering, quality control, and manufacturing engineering classes.

 

Just my 2 cents worth.

[jacko 8,827]

You might like to tell us

1) What you do currently. Might be able to apply it.

2) Where does your wife's family come from?......You might be stuck with rice cultivation!

3) Your own business, involving your wife, would be a fair approach.

[captcraig2 120]

Thanks for the input guys!

 

In answer to a few of your questions,

 

My wife's family is from Korat however we would have no problem living in Bangkok or for that matter anywhere in Thailand.

 

My background has been mainly in the sales industry with the majority of experience being in transportation and finance.

 

I've thought about our own business however my wife is the only Thai speaker and not very business oriented. I've found out a long time ago that if you start a business you better know your market and product, both of which I don't know enough about.

 

I would really like to take a Thai language class however in the midwest there are zero available. I've tried getting the wife to teach me but have not had much luck.

 

What would be the ideal senerio?...Working for a manufacturing company in Thailand as an account executive or sales rep servicing their western clients and promoting the company abroad. I've found that there are many companies that have an excellent product and no fluent English speaking person of contact available. The question of the day is how would you approach these companies and peak their interest?

 

Once again guys...Thanks for your help....anybody else with ideas please feel free to post!

[BigDUSA 71]

You could teach English as a 2nd language here in LOS. Check out www.ajarn.com This would get you in LOS with a legal job, work permit and a salary coming in until you learn the language and can move on to a better position.

[Big Chief 0]

captaincraig,

 

Your ideal thinking is exactly what I am doing now. Excpet that I bring Thai language skills and 15 years of engineering experience from working in the automotive sector.

[sinkorswim 80]

I hate to burst your bubble but unless you are qualified in a specific area that is needed in Thailand it is very difficult to get a job here or earn money here and anybody who already is earning a good living here are not going to tell you how they do it. Why make further competition for yourself.

 

The only option is open your own business......tricky.

 

or

 

Teach........basically you get up to 30000baht per month at the most.

[Big Chief 0]

If you are a good Sales guy, and have marketing skills, why not start a sourcing company and run it from Thailand? You provide supplier management and handle all the other stuff so the companies in the West don't have to. I know many people doing this and making a decent living. Some are rich, and some are struggling. If you know what you are doing, you should do okay.

[ekeheley 0]

If you've been over here a few times you already know that "things are different" here than they are in the west.....and a lot different.

You absolutely cannot preform any kind of work, or employment, (even if it's free), without a "work permit".....you probably already know that. If you're caught doing any kind of work without one, the penalties are very severe, including deportation.

A lot of work is avaiable in the teaching field, but you almost always have to have some form of formal education in the field of teaching, and a certificate to prove it. There are lots of teaching jobs available in English, and I know a couple guys who just walked in and told them they were experienced, and managed to get jobs, and in that case, the school arranges the "work permit" for you.....but the cases are rare.

What ever endeavor you decide to go into, try to bring with you some sort of certificate, dioploma, certification.....etc, even if you have to go to one of the many phoney "diploma mills", some even on line.........otherwise.....good luck.....Ernie

[ginseng 0]

is it illegal to telecommute from Thailand for a USA based job without a Thai work permit?

Edited July 28, 2006 by ginseng

[Big Chief 0]

as long as you are being paid from outside Thailand they can prove nothing. also you need to have Business Visa.

[ginseng 0]

Is it hard to get a Business visa?

[Big Chief 0]

just an ivitation letter from a Thai company is all it takes. At least, the last time I had to get one in the USA without being an expat. That was 6 years ago. Things might have changed?