Job Discussion Forums

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

Hello again Thailand board, I haven't posted here in quite some time! I've been home in the US for a few months after finishing a 10 year stint in Korea. The pay was stagnating even though most things at my school were pretty good. It's been a nice visit home as well, but the US is way more "interesting" than I would prefer and winter is coming...

Anyway, a few questions for you all:
1.) With a BA + TEFL + 10 years of experience what are my options?
2.) What are the general air pollution levels like in Thai cities? I know Bangkok can be stifling but have only visited there and Phuket. Could I find flexible work with my present credentials? I would ideally want to tutor adults and don't estimate needing more than 20 hours a week.
3.) How expensive is organic, gluten-free, etc. food there? After 10 years of instant noodles my digestion is terrible and I've been trying to eat healthier.
4.) I just turned 41 and have a decent vacation beard going. Is this going to complicate finding work? Additionally, is there a strict dress code in many places? I don't want to "suit up" in SE Asia.

Much thanks in advance. Very Happy

suphanburi · Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Posts: 916

It's the wrong time of year to be looking for work. April is the time to have your boots on the ground.

Your BA + TEFL + 10 years in Korea means nothing more than a fresh face with a degree (enough to get legal). Your resume means nothing. Jobs above the entry level here are based on who you know, not what you know. The market here is largely being taken over by ASEAN NNES teachers who will work for 1/2 what you will get offered.

You can expect 35-40k baht (US$1000-1200) straight off the plane for a salary package. There are no benefits included with the majority of jobs here.

You can expect 22 classes per week and a 40 hour work week is pretty standard in a school (what you are most likely to find).

Like Korea, your visa is tied to your employer. You also need to deal with obtaining a work permit.

The days of endless border hops and working at a language center on a tourist entry are pretty much near the end of their days. If you are lucky you can expect 40-45k baht at some language centers in Bangkok but you can expect 30 classes per week to earn it.

IF you are lucky you can probably find some upcountry university language center jobs who will take on a teacher with only a BA. They will pay about 25k baht but only work you about 12-15 classes per week with about 4-10 office hours on top of that.

You might try Russia. Federal Far Eastern University in Vladivostok is looking for EFL teachers. There is always the Chinese market.

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sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

If possible don't finish your 10 year stint. I'm warning you, that's what I did and it was the biggest mistake I ever made. I used to walk down the streets in Chiang Mai and Bangkok with slightly wet eyes.

Hermosillo · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:56 pm Post subject:

The beard may not prevent you from getting a job, but it will be the first thing they notice about you, and it's negative. We had about 30+ bad air days in CM, this year. It is still ultra popular with the trashpacker/teacher crowd and salaries reflect that; before you even factor in Filipinos, missionaries, and those paying to volunteer. Chiang Mai's rapidly increasing popularity doesn't mean it's getting better, and reality is that the opposite is happening. Still hard to beat, but I am planning to move to BKK, and I think I will be at least tempted to take a teaching job. For now, I am content with my retirement extension based on being 50+ and having 800K in a Thai Bank. Starting Thai teachers make 15K per month with B.Ed. and often have lots of loans.....just the thought of paying a farang more is obviously repugnant to them, and the decline in their English skills over the last decade is proof.