Expats who are nowhere near retirement

[ginseng 0]

I'm at least 20 years away from retirement but it seems like a lifetime to wait before trying out living in Thailand full time. However without work I can't afford to stay there. The cost of living in Thailand is cheaper, but I've found even Thailand can get expensive pretty fast if you want to entertain yourself. Thus even with the lower cost of living differential one might be sacrificing a lot by taking a job with a typical Thai salary. It's more expensive to live in the USA, however the salaries are markedly higher. The higher salary here better offsets the costs of living here than A thai salary would offset the cost of living in Thailand.

 

I'm curious what jobs people have been able to land in Thailand that pay a decent salary it doesn't have to be equal to a western salary but like I said if it's too low one's not really going to enjoy living in Thailand and might be better off just taking vacations there. I'm not interested in being an English teacher, pay is way too low and no I don't think just because I come from the west I automatically deserve a higher salary than Thai people, still I wonder if any westerners have found some kind of niche and would be willing to share info.

 

Presently I'm a Portfolio administrator for a University. I do back office work.

Edited July 25, 2006 by ginseng

[Big Chief 0]

If that's the work you are looking for......good luck!

 

You can get great paying jobs in the manufacturing sectors. I was getting paid 280,000 baht per month plus expenses. Not making that now, but now I get a smaller base salary and a percentage of new business from exports.

 

When all the new projects get into full production in 2 years, I will be pulling in 400,000 baht per month.

[ginseng 0]

I don't care if I worked the same job, being a portfolio administrator just happens to be what I have the most experience in. Hopefully the skills I have could be applied to other jobs as well. What type of jobs in the manufactoring sector? I remember you posted some job info before and I appreciate you sharing information. I'm not looking for a free hand out just a lead.

[Big Chief 0]

Project Management skills is a real hot item here now. Companies are going crazy over Westerners to run their new projects from start to finish. To do this, you need an abundance of manufacturing and engineering experience. They are also looking for Supplier Quality Management people. This also requires a lot of experience in manufacturing. How can you help people and teach people if you don't know what you are doing?

 

Another good thing to have is the ability to speak Thai as well as your native tongue. This alone will not get you a good paying job, but it is a plus.

[Zeus 56]

Hey Big chief - sounds perfect for me. I am a project/program mgr. in electronics manufacturing, 20 yrs experience. BSME & MSME. I deal with contract manufacturers, suppliers, supply agreements, and million $ projects all the time.

 

I speak "nit noy" Thai, but I am willing to improve.

 

I pull down decent money here in the states , but am always looking to broaden my horizons. I think the fact that I have a stable decent job here in the US has kept me from doing anything drastic like chucking it all and heading for Thailand.

 

If you have any good contacts or recomendations for some of these opportunities, PM me or post.

 

Zeus

[Big Chief 0]

Hey Big chief - sounds perfect for me. I am a project/program mgr. in electronics manufacturing, 20 yrs experience. BSME & MSME. I deal with contract manufacturers, suppliers, supply agreements, and million $ projects all the time.

 

I speak "nit noy" Thai, but I am willing to improve.

 

I pull down decent money here in the states , but am always looking to broaden my horizons. I think the fact that I have a stable decent job here in the US has kept me from doing anything drastic like chucking it all and heading for Thailand.

 

If you have any good contacts or recomendations for some of these opportunities, PM me or post.

 

Zeus

Send me a PM and I will send you my e-mail address and you can send me your resume. Just so happens that there are a couple companies needing Project Management in Electronics.

[BigDUSA 71]

Send me a PM and I will send you my e-mail address and you can send me your resume. Just so happens that there are a couple companies needing Project Management in Electronics.

The power of networking can truly be awesome.

 

 

Teaching conversational English may not be the end job one is looking for but it gets you in country with a legal job permit and gives you the opportunity to learn the language. If one works it right by gaining access to a Thai company teaching English you get to know the powers that have the authority to hire you for other positions within the company.

 

For guys who are thinking about it. STOP THINKING and make the move. Twenty years from now you'll be sorry you didn't.

Edited July 25, 2006 by BigDUSA

[ginseng 0]

For guys who are thinking about it. STOP THINKING and make the move. Twenty years from now you'll be sorry you didn't.

My only worry is in twenty years if I'll wish I hadn't!

[winner 0]

Don't let pussy screw up your life. I have seen too many guys go back home after barely subsisting here for a few years and they find that things have changed back home! The job that they used to be good at has now changed and their skills are not considered current. or They are older and it is harder to get a job or Who wants to hire a guy who says that he has been working in Thailand for the past six years. They get a job that barely covers there living expenses in their home country and are screwed up financially forever. I have seen it happen many times. Work at home, save money, take vacations to Thailand and when you can retire then make your move.

[wannabeexpat 0]

You could be dead before you retire. As the saying goes. Life is to live, not to prepare to live. I know its an annoying saying but its true. Some people keep on putting off the things that they really want to do.Then they are too old to do them. I have been putting off emigrating for years. I think it was only a car crash I had 5 months ago that made me wake up. If the car had hit us three feet to the left we would probably been killed. Years of financial planning wasted. I was always materialistic, but its not so important anymore. Having money will always be important, but quality of life comes 1st. Learning to teach english would give you a skill that could take you to Japan,Korea,Spain etc. No need to return home.

Marry a rich woman on your travels.

[bangkapiboy 5]

The worst is to get into a serious relationship with a bargirl. That will just make your money situation a lot harder!

[Owen` 2]

I confess I don't have a great read of where the transition threshold is for working overseas, but I think there is one.

 

There are a lot of bankers who work in Hong Kong. They make western salaries, pay Asian cost of living and save/invest one helluva lot of money over 10-15 yrs. In that business, they don't fall behind.

 

I've talked to guys who go to Asia to work in other fields and the one thing they mention that catches my attention is that they work on "old stuff". In whatever field that is not finance, they do not stay current. Asia doesn't innovate construction techniques, or oil drilling techniques or whatever. Asia uses stuff already done.

 

So you will not stay current. This can be a problem. When the next technology arrives, the companies just hire the next crop of expats from the US and UK and you're put out to pasture.

 

Not sure what the cure is for this, but being aware of it may help. It would seem to say you need to go home every few years to get back up to speed.

[ginseng 0]

Thanks Owen,

 

I do work in finance so maybe I can find a niche making a western salary in Asia.