Job Discussion Forums

strider42 · Joined: 06 Dec 2009 Posts: 19

Not sure if I should just make several individual posts on this but i'm going to try just one. I am coming in March to get CELTA certified, I have two bachelor's degrees. I want to do everything legally, and I want to be completely prepared for what sounds like a dizzying amount of paperwork and logistical issues regarding teaching legally in Thailand. Some people seem to say all the new requirements and laws are just hot air, others make it sound serious. I'd like to know exaclty what to expect and how to make it easy as possible for myself.

Am I going to need a criminal background check to get my work visa? I really hate the idea of going there and being asked for it and just being SOL for weeks while trying to acquire one. I can't afford to get stuck anywhere in this process.

Can I get a 90 day visa before I leave, so I don't have to deal with extending the initial 30 day one?

Are jobs available in April or will this be summertime? Do Thai schools do 1 year contracts and pay you for off time in summer?

Do I absolutely have to accept that I must cut my hair to get a job, or is a neatly kept ponytail acceptable on a man with good clothes? It's long, i'm 28, it's gonna be gone in 5 years anyway I hate to see it go before it has to :p

sr · Joined: 05 Oct 2009 Posts: 62

Firstly where do you want to teach: if you want to teach at a university you do not need a teacher’s license, so lower than a university you need a license (Thai culture why I don’t know for the people who teach it don’t know what they are talking about) It is best to bring a background check from you home state, and have all kinds of stamps (police) on it for these fools love things like that.

Personally I have never seen a teacher in Thailand with long hair, but maybe I am in the wrong places. Don’t forget the students respect you, so you have to respect them and one way is to come to school looking professional. April is a very bad time to come to teach in Thailand, as it holiday (vacation) time. MOD EDIT

The laws here change all the time for western people, so talk to the local Thai consulate, and see who long they will give you.

strider42 · Joined: 06 Dec 2009 Posts: 19

well so do I want to get the 90 day non-immigrant visa before I leave or is that not useful since I plan on working?

sr · Joined: 05 Oct 2009 Posts: 62

Get the 90 day visa before you leave.

roguegrafix · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 125

The hair thing should not be a big problem, as long as it is clean (Thais are very fastidious when it comes to cleanliness) but then again, I teach outside of Bangkok in a very laid-back uni so this may colour my answer.

Re paperwork: yes they all make you jump through hoops and as mentioned, the rules change all the time -- that's something you get used to. You might be lucky. At my uni they employ someone to look after the farangs and she does all our visa and work permit running around. All we have to do is to show our face at certain times and pay the visa fee. She even looks after our health insurance and tax returns/rebates as well !!

Whatever the case, if the school/uni is legitimate, they should provide some assistance to you in becoming legal. Bring your original degrees and any other fancy-looking certificates.

Remember Thailand is a presentation over substance country. If you look the part and show due respect to authority when necessary, you should do ok.

strider42 · Joined: 06 Dec 2009 Posts: 19

Hmm i'm particularly curious about your opinion on the hair, as it's a big enough deal i've been looking at Taiwan and just vacationing in Thailand : ) Every other post I find on it says it would be impossible for me to have long hair. It's shoulder length. I don't want to work anywhere near Bangkok if I can help it.