Job Discussion Forums

ronald_reagan · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 50

Well, I got my B visa yesterday. Things seem to be working out, however, I got an email from MediaKids that has told me I need to have a stamped copy of my criminal report from a police station! I had given the consulate a computer printed copy from the California Dept. of Justice. After reading posts on this board and others, it seems that it is just an unnecessary thing to bother with, the stamped document from the PD. One thing I have learned thus far about Asia is that it seems to be a documented oriented system. They love documents, certificates, diplomas, background checks, watermarks, stamps, seals, signatures, transcripts.

MaiPenRai · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK

I think the whole business with the criminal checks is a mess right now. Nobody seems to know exactly what is required. And some people are claiming to still get visa extensions and wp extensions without one.

As you say, Asia, and Thailand for sure, love shiny seals and fancy signatures on documents. The biggest problem is that half of the officers don't have any idea what they are looking at, especially outside of Bangkok. Last time I was at a Labour Office, it took 4 people to argue about what was required. They were all looking at different lists of "required" documents. They looked at my documents for about 2 seconds each, looked at their list, flipped through documents again for 2 seconds, looked at list, scratched head, called someone in to flip through documents for 2 seconds, look at list in handbook, scratch head, repeat.... It was hard not to giggle.

I would think that if your criminal check is an original and signed by an officer, has your name on it, is dated and says you have no record, it would be fine. Just be sure to smile and Wai the guys who think they are all important. I firmly believe that most immigration officers hate their jobs (its not exactly top of the pecking order as far as police work goes) and I am positive that they enjoy watching foreigners squirm a little. Let them think they are all powerful for 5 minutes, get your stamp and be done with them.

You can also get a criminal clearance letter done in Bangkok, but I've heard that it can take anywhere from 1-6 weeks depending on how busy they are and what mood they are in.

Perssis · Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 3 Location: US

ronald_reagan · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 50

ronald_reagan · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 50

So far so good. I have been in country for over a month now, and the semester has started. It has been quite easy working with Mediakids, but I have to say that they put you through this bogus training seminar in Bangkok for 4 days. I mean, they give you a hotel room in Bangkok and you get fed. I don't know about you, but I refuse to stay in a seminar all day when I have 4 free days in a hotel in Bangkok. Mediakids also seems to want to charge (or over charge for little things). For example, 350 THB, I believe, they wanted to charge for photos for work permit. They also open a bank account for you, and they have access to it. I am not so crazy about this. I think I will open my own. Other than some ticky tack things, it has been ok. Not a bad way to go if you are planning on working for 4 months. My apt (or room) is tolerable. However, before signing the contract (if any of you want to go with Mediakids) make sure you tell them that you want a refridgerator, A/C, western toilet and television in your quarters, and that you do not want to pay for any of it. You can walk away at any time and find a job in Thailand, especially as the semester approaches and schools need foreign teachers.

MaiPenRai · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 390 Location: BKK

Fairly good advice here. Depending on your resume, you can find work pretty easily in Thailand, but it doesn't just fall into your lap like it did 5 years ago. The market is demanding more and it does take a little leg work to find work expecially outside of Bangkok. It's also getting more and more complicated and difficult dealing with the paperwork side of teaching in Thailand. I think demanding a fridge and tv is asking a bit much when getting accommodations provided but I guess it couldn't hurt to ask if you need things like a tv (I have no need for a tv in Thailand, but a fridge is nice to have). MediaKids tends to have schools in Isaan and those types of areas, so getting accommodations with all the dressings might be harder than if in Bangkok. As I have said in previous posts, most schools wouldn't get photos done for you so you would have to pay anyways in most cases. 250-350 is pretty standard for getting the mass of photos you need for paperwork to work in Thailand. Some of the better or higher end schools might cover these things though. Once again, the MO on Mediakids is that it is a decent place for new teachers to start teaching in Thailand, not ideal for experienced teachers, and a fairly safe bet. The 4 month contract can be nice for some people as well.

ronald_reagan · Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 50

fetuskarate · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Thailand

so here's my experience with mk so far:
i've taught for a couple years in egypt and korea prior to coming to thailand. i saw an ad on eslcafe about jobs available, applied for it, and was hired 2 days later. i figured a 4 month contract was a good amount of time to see how i'd like the place and save up a little bit before traveling on.

so i did the 4 day orientation, which was helpful at times (thai language workshops, for instance) and useless most of the time if you've taught before. seems like a lot of people hadn't taught before, so maybe sitting there talking about lesson planning for a couple hours was constructive......

currently i'm teaching at a school up north, in a rural area. i'm living with my partner, so we actually get an extra 3000 baht back a month. sweet! our house is pretty big, we have 2 extra bedrooms we don't really use, there's a burner and a fridge, a broken television. we pay for motorbikes (2k), and electricity runs under 1k baht a month (we use the air conditioner a lot...). our school is good, the kids are friendly if not a little bit crazy in the classroom, and our co-teachers really couldn't be better.
there's not a lot to do in our town, but it's nice and friendly. there's one place nearby that has steak for under 200 baht! plus we take muay thai for less than 1k a month.

all in all, i think we lucked out with our experience. we're not spending nearly as much as we thought (for over 1k we make per day, we spend less than 100...) and everything (accommodation, school, etc) has been great. i know MK tends to bring mixed reviews, but hey, so far so good. no real complaints here.

Silent Shadow · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 5:22 am Post subject:

Hello,

I'm considering coming over to Thailand to teach for the first time and have been in contact with MK.

ronald_regan mentioned having to be on campus between 7.30 am and 4.30pm. Is this common with all employees at MK, or does it depend on what school you work for? Those kinds of hours are not really my cup of tea.

Also, I hear some of you are not even provided with a TV or a fridge! I believe such items are basic essentials, particularly a fridge; come on! Thailand's a semi-tropical country. No fridge!? Maybe after six years in China where all the mod cons are routinely provided, including a desktop computer in the apartment, I've become relatively spoilt.

Anyway, any information as regards the above would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.