Job Discussion Forums

[Canadian_Guy]

How much money do i need when i first come. Now keep in mind that i wont have a job and will need to find an apartment. Thanks

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hello Canadian_Guy:

$1 Canadian = 31.19 Baht, give or take a Baht

Considering a moderate lifestyle and a focus on finding a job, I'd say you should bring along enough money to hold out for 2 months, just to be safe. How quickly you land that job is kinda hard for anyone to say. If you're smart and arrange some interviews before you arrive, you could be on your feet within as little as 2 weeks.

I voted to bring along $3,000 Canadian dollars, although I suspect you'll be up-and-running well before that money runs out. Assuming you don't burn through that 3K, it's nice to have a little 'cushion' stashed away anyway - for things like a return ticket or travel abroad while you're here.

imho - You'll spend roughly $1,000 per month on food, transportation and entertainment (31,000 Baht) which leaves you $1,000 to get set up in your new apartment, which is more than enough.

You do the math: 2 months unemployed @ $1,000 per month + $1,000 to get moved in to a new flat = $3,000.

[Volodiya]

I concur. But bring more, if you can. At three grand you're counting on getting paid not later than the end of the second month and assuming you'll find a job and start working during your first month in Thailand (neither of which is unrealistic- nor are they guaranteed). A bigger cushion wouldn't be a bad thing, at all, and might give you more flexibility in your choice of jobs.

[Canadian_Guy]

How much do things cost to start up in Thailand. Like how much do u think that a regual person would spend on stuff like food, Bills and a cell phone.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

On a typical working day, I spend roughly 500 Baht. With that, I eat very well (and usually more than I should) buy a pack of smokes, spend 2 hours in the internet cafe and pay for the Skytrain to and from the day's teaching gig. And at the end of the day I still have enough left over for a cold Chang beer at the neighborhood bar & grill.

On weekends I'll spend closer to 1,000 Baht per day.

Mobile phones are cheap, and you can buy them everywhere. For as little as US$100 you can buy a brand new Nokia 2300 http://nokia-asia.com/nokia/0,,42512,00.html $75 for a new Nokia 3315 http://nokia-asia.com/nokia/0,,27242,00.html and less for a decent used phone.



cost-of-living: (based on average prices in Bangkok as of January 2005)
________________________________________________________

1 kilo of rice = 15 ~ 25 Baht (depending on type & grade)
1 small bottle of Coke = 8 Baht
1.25 liter bottle of Coke = 26 Baht
lunch for 1 in a non-aircon Thai 'Mom & Pop' kitchen = 30 ~ 50 Baht (excluding drink)
lunch for 1 in a nicer aircon restaurant (Malls, etc) = 100 ~ 150 Baht
lunch set at McDonald's = 100 Baht, give or take 20
1 hot dog @ 7-11 with all the fixins' = 15 Baht
1 hot dog on a stick = 10 Baht
1 small grilled sausage on a stick = 5 Baht
1 lunch buffet in a 4-star Hotel (J.W. Marriott, for example) = 500 Baht
1 pack of L&M = 38 Baht
1 Bangkok Post English Newspaper = 20 Baht
1 beer in a bar = 50 ~ 150 Baht, depending on where you go
1 beer from the supermarket = 21 ~ 45 Baht, depending on brand
1 hour in a typical Soi internet cafe = 20 ~ 40 Baht (more at the Malls & touristy areas)
1 new pair of trousers (good enough to wear for work) = 450 ~ 750 Baht
1 new long-sleeved shirt = 450 ~ 750 Baht
1 month Skytrain metro pass ---> includes 30 rides of any length = 540 Baht, or 18 Baht per ride
1 roundtrip air ticket from Bangkok to Phuket = from 3,196 ~ 5,440 Baht (depending on season & airline)
1 one-way bus ticket from Bangkok to Chiang Mai = from 410 Baht (economy) ~ 797 Baht (First class)
1 city bus ticket = 10 ~ 30 Baht depending on distance travelled
1 short taxi ride = 50 ~ 100 Baht
1 short motorbike ride = 10 ~ 30 Baht
1 ticket to a Movie Theater = 120 Baht
1 brand new no-name PC = 12,000 Baht
1 brand new no-name mobile phone = 2,200 Baht
1 brand new Nokia mobile phone (model 3315) = 3,000 Baht
1 brand new Nokia mobile phone (model 2300) = 3,800 Baht
1 month's rent = 3,500 ~ 10,000 Baht, depending on how many rooms, amenities & location
1 month's electric ---> for a 1 room studio, running aircon at night (set at 24C) = 800 ~ 1,500 Baht
security deposit for apartment rental = 1 and a half or 2 month's rent
1 night in a decent 3 star hotel = 850 ~ 1,250 Baht
1 night in a cheap love hotel = 400 ~ 600 Baht



today's $ exchange rates: http://www.krungsri.com/eng/50/511.asp

[laben18]

your monthly budget will be 47,500

[Canadian_Guy]

How hard is it going to be for me to live in Thailand and get a job if i dont have a degree?

[kenkannif]

Not hard at all! It will be hard to be 100% legit though without a degree. Haven't you asked this before?

[Canadian_Guy]

Yes i have asked this before and i will probely ask it again to another person. I just like to get an opinion from different people.

[Canadian_Guy]

I know what the work legit means, but like what does it entail. Is it like working without a work permit.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Yes. It means working without a work permit.

kenkannif is right.

Finding a TEFL job in Thailand is possible, even without a degree. There are plenty of smaller schools & language 'shops' here that are willing to look the other way in that regard, assuming you have some other redeeming qualities. (a TEFL certificate, a great personality, good looks, dependability, energy and enthusiasm, or any combination of the above)

When kenkannif says you'll have problems being 'legit', he's just being diplomatic. What he's really saying is that it won't be easy to find a school that will be willing to jump through hoops to sponsor a work permit for you.

Rule #1 - Immigration Departments are in business to make this process difficult. Not only in Thailand; just hop on down to the Russia Forum and ask how many teachers have work permits. On a good day, the answer will be 1 out of 10. I know this; I taught there for 3 years. Everybody has a valid visa, but a visa is not a work permit.

The net result? Many teachers in Russia & Thailand (and other countries) are teaching without valid work permits.

This is illegal according to the letter of the law, but it is also the reality on the ground here and elsewhere. In Thailand, perhaps as many as 50% of all TEFL teachers fall into this category, and many of them have degrees.

Now here's the good news: it's not terribly difficult to live in Thailand on a tourist visa. There are borders on all sides, and travel services available to help you get across the border, get your new visa and come back the same day. Voila!

Jack's Golf Visa Bus: http://www.jackgolf.com/eng/visaService/cambodia.asp

And --- as kenkannif has also mentioned in other threads, it is not impossible for you to get a work permit without a degree; just less likely. Some people do manage it.

[AnchorMan]

This is interesting. Do a CELTA at ECC - and pass - and, so they say, you're almost guaranteed a job thereafter.
Is this guff, or are they able to pull strings?
I assume that if you're in the country for a year (without having to do the border thing) that you're there legit, like, on a work permit?