Working as a nurse or chef in Pattaya

[capdagde 1,954]

Hello all

 

Mrs Cap and I are rapidly approaching 50 and reviewing the options apart from staying where we are....

 

We'd very much appreciate input from knowledgeable BMs about the following...

 

Mrs C is a nurse (specialised in geriatrics) but we understand western trained nurses cannot work in Thailand. We've seen that many westerners seem to work as "handholders" in hospitals like Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and thought about that as an option. She is fluent in English and French and has good German. Any thoughts?

 

Our elder son is a French-trained cook currently with Ibis hotels (Accor group) and may tag along if we decide to make the leap. What are his options?

 

I'm an ESL teacher: languages degree, CELTA and 6 years experience so I should find something I guess although I understand Pattaya is "low-paid".

 

We live and work in France although we're Brits.

 

All input gratefully received.

 

Cheers

 

Andy Cap

[bigmick 840]

If it helps , the first people who rented my house came from Finland and the lady was a nurse at the BKK hospital, she came here for that job, she was offered that job while in Finland, the hospital arranged the work permit etc, and they stayed at my house for a time, her salary was not great. I would check out a restaurant called cafe des ami, The english guy there who owns the place has an english chef, i dont know anymore but im sure he can help you for info about your son, hope this helps, all the best Mick p.s cafe des ami is on soi 15 Thappraya rd

Edited July 27, 2009 by bigmick

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Hello all

 

Mrs Cap and I are rapidly approaching 50 and reviewing the options apart from staying where we are....

 

We'd very much appreciate input from knowledgeable BMs about the following...

 

Mrs C is a nurse (specialised in geriatrics) but we understand western trained nurses cannot work in Thailand. We've seen that many westerners seem to work as "handholders" in hospitals like Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and thought about that as an option. She is fluent in English and French and has good German. Any thoughts?

 

Our elder son is a French-trained cook currently with Ibis hotels (Accor group) and may tag along if we decide to make the leap. What are his options?

 

I'm an ESL teacher: languages degree, CELTA and 6 years experience so I should find something I guess although I understand Pattaya is "low-paid".

 

We live and work in France although we're Brits.

 

All input gratefully received.

 

Cheers

 

Andy Cap

 

Andy,

 

It may be worth getting your missus a CELTA before you come over. As a nurse she would have to re-qualify in LOS but there are always openings at the Faculties of Medicine at the various universities or Nursing Colleges for ESP Trainers/Support staff with a medical background. To what extent they exist in Pattaya, I have no idea but would assume that there are openings up in Sri Racha or Chonburi City.

 

Although you appear to be well qualified, I'm not sure that the quality of the immediate vacancies in Pattaya will match with what you expect. Whatever the case, I would take the time to do a fair bit of research on the ESL industry in LOS - there are a lot of scammers and operators who, to put it kindly, don't necessarily have your best interests at heart. And they're not all Thai by any stretch of the imagination.

[sailingbill 1,001]

Andy.

MY Thai teacher worked with an American Rn who did well in administration

I doubt bedside nursing is what is needed .If you wish I can put you in touch with the Nursing adminisrator.

[joekicker 53]

Tom as always has good advice. It's highly unlikely your missus would ever work as an actual nurse in Thailand, in the real world. But there are specialty jobs in the "medical tourism" industry, where her language plus medical background could get her employed - and most especially if she has a language other than English. Your Arabic would be a walk-in "yes" at several Bangkok hospitals, and if you had a medical background you'd do better.

 

I were you, I'd be considering what else to do besides ESL because it's a crappy industry, where you need huge dollops of luck in addition to skill. It's a real crap shoot, and you make peanuts. Teaching in international schools can be good.

 

I presume you realise you're neither one of you going to get rich, and the paperwork for work permits is horrible, first time around.

 

Frankly, your son probably has the best run of anyone. Look at good hotels first of all, not necessarily five-star either, and some restaurants in Bangkok - possibly a couple in Pattaya and Rayong area. He can actually make good money, and once he gets *a* job, the future is pretty bright to move upwards in salary and prestige, both. There are a lot of foreign chefs, and it seems a work permit isn't as difficult as in some of the other categories.

 

choke dee mach

[BigDUSA 71]

Check out www.ajarn.com

[asco 0]

Andy, consider work in other countrys in Asia and live in Thailand. Sadly the Thai's don't want our skills just our money

[capdagde 1,954]

Many thanks for all that guys. I'll follow up with PMs to chat a few things through. One month holiday starting Saturday - yippee!

 

Andy

[joekicker 53]

Andy, consider work in other countrys in Asia and live in Thailand. Sadly the Thai's don't want our skills just our money drunk

 

Not sure where you get this. There are a couple of hundred thousand work permits out there. Like anywhere, you have to show you're not taking a job from a local. Like anywhere, it's bureaucratic and paper-intensive. Like anywhere, people who don't persevere don't get it. At any moment, there are hundreds and hundreds of jobs for foreigners (apart from a million illegal immigrants). From advisers to the prime minister to teaching English, there's all kinds of work for foreigners.

 

I'm curious where else it's attractive. I've heard Singapore has lots of jobs but high standards, is that right?

[bolly 0]

I will toss this into the ring--

 

Not that I am recommending Japan (lots of issues and the culture differences can make your ears bleed) but japan has a huge market for ESL teachers and the salary is not too bad.

 

But for your wife--Japan is crying for geriatric nurses---a huge shortage that is only getting worse.

 

Definitely something to look into.

 

And 5 hour flight to Los!

 

best to you and yours!

[capdagde 1,954]

I will toss this into the ring--

 

Not that I am recommending Japan (lots of issues and the culture differences can make your ears bleed) but japan has a huge market for ESL teachers and the salary is not too bad.

 

But for your wife--Japan is crying for geriatric nurses---a huge shortage that is only getting worse.

 

Definitely something to look into.

 

And 5 hour flight to Los!

 

best to you and yours!

 

Now there's a thought....!!!!

 

Thanks Bolly

 

Andy

[joekicker 53]

Not that I am recommending Japan (lots of issues and the culture differences can make your ears bleed) but japan has a huge market for ESL teachers and the salary is not too bad.

 

Taiwan has a constantly expanding, very heavy demand for *kindergarten* teachers and the like to do English. You can *really* prosper, teaching kids up to about 10. A member of my family actually started out as a sort of Thaiesque on-the-road teacher and now owns his own school and lots of other things I can't afford.

[capdagde 1,954]

No Joe, PLEAAAASE not kids........ Arrrrgggggghhhhhh!

 

Strictly adults' ESL/ESP/Business for me.

 

AC

Edited July 28, 2009 by capdagde

[CheshireTom 1,377]

No Joe, PLEAAAASE not kids........ Arrrrgggggghhhhhh!

 

Strictly adults' ESL/ESP/Business for me.

 

AC

 

For choice with reputable schools teaching motivated adults, it would probably be worth considering Vietnam. ILA, LLV and IH are worth checking out. If nothing else, you'd be able to get some decent croissants and baguettes and your French might come in handy.

Edited July 28, 2009 by CheshireTom

[BigDUSA 71]

For choice with reputable schools teaching motivated adults, it would probably be worth considering Vietnam. ILA, LLV and IH are worth checking out. If nothing else, you'd be able to get some decent croissants and baguettes and your French might come in handy.

 

 

From what I've been told, China is another land of opportunity teaching business ESL.

[overseasplease 3]

Now there's a thought....!!!!

 

Thanks Bolly

 

Andy

 

Sure is...then I can take you down to Fukuoka and show you some places like soi6, but free :)