11 replies to this topic

[dixon cox]

I know guys often pose questions about working in Thailand and how much one job or another might pay in terms of salary, I found this:

http://www.adecco.co...Guide2008-2009/
- Salary guides start on page 6
- My field of work is on page 25



Their website seems to be pretty good in general, for those interested:
http://www.adecco.co.th/

Chok dee

[sev7en]

dc, you would make 8-10 000 baht like all other workers.

[dixon cox]

dc, you would make 8-10 000 baht like all other workers.

Like many people, I make it in the West and blow it in the East

[RobiSLO]

WTF I would make 150-200.000 BHT ... not bad considering Thai prices but still... live there for whole year, no skiing, no motorcycle trips to Northern Italy, no beer with friends, no Slovenia... no way. Make it in the West and blow it in the East this is it.

BR

[Ali71]

Not bad idea working out there

I like the montra

'make it in the west blow it in the east'

or you could

'make it in the west and get blown in the east'

all the same really as long as somethings getting blown

[drhoneytongue]

why would they employ a westerner and pay top dollar, when they can employ someone from their own country to work at a fraction of the price :idea:

depends on the job, and the employer...

- can they find a Thai with the same experience and qualifications?
- are they content with the work being done the "Thai way?"
- how much baby-sitting does the foreigner need with regard to language support and living in LOS?
- is fluent Thai necessary for the job?

The global market for expatriate hires is decreasing, but local hires are increasing, especially those foreigners with language skills and cultural adaptability. Corporates like to see a few HO faces around, to maintain the corporate values and fly the flag, even if most of them are two steps away from the locals, surrounded by gophers and interpreters.

And there is always room for those entrepreneurs to set up their own businesses, satisfying niche markets, creating opportunities, and parlaying their own skills and experience into a rewarding job and lifestyle.

Gotta think out of the box.....

[Rossco]

Without the Thai language skills what would you add?

Bear in mind that with your qualifications/experience you would be looking at a management role. To manage you need to communicate - locals do not tend to be fluent in English.

Education jobs are available BUT they will demand copies of original teaching qualifications etc.

Salaries are not the only issue. Consider health cover (in Thailand there is no Blue X nor free public healthcare). Consider the position you will be in - teaching the children of professionals - Police/Military/Politic etc - that could be more beneficial than cash.

If you could get your current employer to sponsor a temporary relocation deal then that would probably be a better "package".

[xsikyotox]

Most Westerners earn more money, only if the western companies sends them to Thailand to work there..

it happens..

- due promotion to oversee the branch there
- certain skills are required to be only found from westerners
- western people need outside working experiences

if you apply as westerners directly to these companies in thailand, you would pretty much earn same as any thai..

thats why most ppl rather want to be transferred as to apply there directly.. but its not that easy

[CL]

Few thoughts reading this (interesting) series of posts.

Would a Thai company hire a Westerner? Would a int' company with office in LOS hire you? No. ~10% of the Thai population speaks English professionally (Wikipedia). This ofc excludes the handful of expats that are based locally on an expat contract because of internal transfer as part of supporting business strategy, special skill needed for project running in LOS, et al. Having said that, if you don't speak Thai it is a no go plus there is very little commercial appeal for Thailand resulting in very little opportunities. I am sure there is a small % exceptions, v.small.

Also consider the many gentlemen who express interest in working in LOS, you think local HR is that stupid not to know the real underlying motivation for applying?

Even if you have a (very) 'special skill' transferring to LOS on a local contract is idiotic. All conditions are unfavourable - economic, political, social, et al. Even if you're an entrepeneur it is silly, again the local context isn't favourable. There are better places in SEA for professionals and entrepreneurs, and those with 'special skills,' and still in close enough facinity to LB heaven for wknd get aways. There, seriously, dont only consider salary, only one country in SEA which can easily out-compete west, also consider income taxes, economic growth, polictical stability and yes language, et al. There would really only be one location in SEA I would move. I did.

The point of a professional send to LOS to gain international exposoure / experience is really silly, really. If this is required for your career this is due to the professional being part of a development programme (usually hipo), no company would send you to LOS, Any western company will send you to BRIC or to take one area in Asia Pacific based either in HK, Tokyo or S'pore, not BKK. Seriously, would you send one of you talents to a commercially uninteresting market? They wouldn't.

Plus tell me really, would you? Would you really? Is there a difference between a week or two holiday and living your life professionally and personally in LOS? I think there will be. Also would you risk mixing business with pleasure so to speak. Your professional life is what will get you here, and will keep you here. Get close. Pop over for the wknd. It is more exciting :-)

[RobiSLO]

After seeing how Thai local businessmen and women work in person... you got my vote on this one. As a lawyer I was shocked how laws can be mutilated and raped in so many ways untried and unheard of even in Balkans.. and I thought we mastered it all .

You can produce proof of employment for anyone you like even though he/she never saw your business upclose, sign contracts composed by 5-year old, I wouldn’t even start how cars are bought, houses sold… To cut things short, Thailand is a great place to live but to work, especially some high profile jobs… I don’t think so.

BR

[Ivor Biggun]

I did a couple of months work 5 years ago as an outside consultant for a firm in Bangkok which had a contract down here. I was on B150k per month plus acommodation and food. Good at the time but I'm far happier NOT working Unfortunately the parent company imploded so the contract was lost.