Job Discussion Forums

[Yoga Chica]

Hi all!

Job offer on the table with an institute before arriving in BKK...does it sound like a good gig, compared to arriving with nothing and looking for work once Im there??

In a nutshell here are the dets:

1year commitment (4mths probation period)
47-49,000b per month (avg after taxes, etc or so I was told)
visa/permit paid
1mth housing paid
5 day work week, 30hrs
hours per day 12-9 or 12-7
1mth bonus at the end
paid 1wk training
2wks off and national holidays
health insurance
location - on the 'other' side of the river!
........

Excited about possibilities and have been to BKK before - but a year commitment is pretty hefty sight unseen, would prefer 6mth - it is what it is though... would I be stupid not to jump on this right away or stupid not to say no and look elsewhere after I arrive with no problem finding something similar or even better (ie better hours, no contract or shorter contract)? Some benefits like the paid visa and 1mth housing, require accepting before my arrival to BKK. Does not accepting put you on some kind of dreaded unofficial list of 'dont hires' with everyone else in town!! ??

About me -
American, mid 30s
BA degree and 150hr TEFL Certification

If living with partner, past the party scene and looking to focus on saving money, but not living like a hermit is saving a decent amount (ie $700-1000 per mth) realistic if there are no bills to pay back home?? Only looking to spend about $250-$300pm on an apt together. Always plenty of other questions to ask but think this is the nitty gritty! If Im missing something to consider - please feel free to share!

REALLY appreciate the feedback - feel free to send a PM as well!

Cheers,

[tttompatz]

[Yoga Chica]

Really appreciate such quick feedback! Thank you!!

with commute allowance - supposed to make about 52,000 per month...though was told taxes on monthly bases are about 500baht (does this sound right?) so clearing 51500baht in the end I guess...

splitting the rent with the b/f helps and we usually go out one night a week, local food more then western and bringing lunch or dinner to work is the norm if cheaper then buying close by...pretty healthy eater. Dont want to live on same side of river as school but close enough on the other side so commute isnt horrible...outside of that my only indulgence will be taking yoga classes when I can or the occasional weekend away.

Good to hear that its a decent package - though part of the uncertainty is taking before arrival then having to stick it out if turns out not to be a very good fit...I dont think that will be the case, but one never knows and wouldnt want to be penalized by not being able to get work elsewhere in town if turned out I felt I needed to terminate, again I highly doubt but always need to consider possibilities... a chance in everything I guess

thanks again!

[warda]

I have 2k taken out for taxes, and I'm in the 30-40k range.

I'm on my first contract, so it's possible the institute's taking me for a ride. Maybe the more experienced posters can clarify?

[Yoga Chica]

2k per month taken out for taxes is a BIG difference! Hopefully someone else has words of wisdom on that front, just cant imagine why it would be so different and less for me if I would be getting paid more??? something Ill definitely need to clarify. Thanks for the input.

[roguegrafix]

I always thought that tax in Thailand was about 5%. 500 baht seems possible depending on how they structure your wages. Over 50,000 baht per month seems pretty good for a first job. I wouldn't be worrying about tax rates -- you'll probably be eligible for a refund at the end of the financial year. I got back 5,000 baht I wasn't expecting. Stick it to the tax man!

[Yoga Chica]

Great info! Had no idea I could apply for a tax refund come year end. So the 500b could be a realistic figure...no doubt, always happy to stick it to the tax man
Outside of that its the one year commitment, with no option for p/t until after a year and looong work week (30hrs student contact but 40hrs per week all-in), which does NOT include the commute over the river...that concerns me. What if they love me, but I dont love them!

[tttompatz]

[roguegrafix]

The other side of the river is probably Thonburi side which is quite nice. Stay over there and do a small commute.

[MaiPenRai]

Taxes - 150,000 baht exemption/year, 7% up to 499,000/year, 10% 500K-1mill/year. I THINK but dont quote me. Should get 2 years tax free (refund) if from America and UK I believe. Hopefully someone with definite answers can clarify. Just make sure to see your tax card/number/invoice to ensure they are actually paying your taxes and not pocketing the money. It could come back to hurt you if you stay long term in Thailand.

Thonburi - nice is not the adjective that most people would use to describe Thonburi.

Job - 30 hours contact is a lot. at 48,000/month, that works out to 400 baht/contact hour or about $12/contact hour. 300 baht or $10/working hour at 40 hours a week. Even if they didnt make you stay for 40 hours a week, you would most likely need at least 5-10 hours a week for prep and planning.

Overall, making a monthly salary at an "INstitute" is good for job security and 50,000/month is very good for a starting job in Thailand with no experience. Most full time (monthly salary)starter jobs in Bangkok will be about 35-45,000/month BUT usually only about 18-22 contact hours. MOst of these are at public/private schools though. Taking the averages, 40,000/month at 20 contact hours is 500 baht/contact hour.

It really depends what you will be teaching and how much time you will need for prep and planning. If you are teaching a variety of ages and levels, you will be very busy depending on what kind of curriculum, resources, materials they have available for teachers.

I would ask these questions to gauge if the extra money will be worth it. In the end, you can always opt out after your probation if you dont like it.

[Yoga Chica]

So helpful - thank you!

As for the 40hr work week...definitely know 40hrs is the norm. The contact hours did seem high
a bit high since I did see that other jobs with less. but there is always a trade off I guess.
The upshot...I was told prep/planning shouldnt be terribly time consuming, after first 6wks
or so, once in the groove of curriculum it should be pretty nominal amount of time.
It will be a big adjustment, but I decided to take the job and am looking forward to it!
wish me luck

The tax info is most helpful - Ill be certain to ask, but always want to do my own
du-diligence...Im American so if I am eligible for full refund during first 2yrs,
Ill do all I can to take advantage of that! is there a thai/english website to recommend
where this info might live? Is it complicated or expensive to file correct papers for this refund,
dont think the school helps with this part, said something about having to work with expensive
lawyer that no one ever does for their refund. Any of this info would be big help.

Areas to live...any recommendations of websites to use for apartment search? other neighborhoods
for relatively easy commute (less than hour in bad traffic? either side of river )or names of good buildings to
consider? neighborhoods/buildings to stay away from also a good recommendation!
Looking at a map - guess the best bridge to cross for work is 'Phra Pin Klao',
in the Bangkok Noi area.

again, thanks for any feedback and feel free to send PM if easier.

cheers,

[NigerianWhisper]

Hi,

The tax bands in Thailand are as follows:

0-150,000 baht..........None

150,001-500,000 @ 10%

500,001 - 1,000,000 @ 20%

Those bands are correct as of Feb 2010.

It is true that Brits and Americans can pay no tax for the first 2 years in Thailand. If tax is paid by the school then this will be refunded back to you. Those tax returns should be filed before the 21st March for the preceding tax year.

If you leave Thailand after those 2 years and then return say, 4 years later....you are no longer eligible for the 2 year tax-break. You have already had it.

[Yoga Chica]

Thank you for such detail on the tax info.

Can you tell me where I can find this official info, in case I need to share with the school when it comes time to collect my refund.

I was told by them that I would be eligible for a refund but that people normally dont bother to file for one because it involves paying for an expensive lawyer to take care of the paperwork and in the end isnt worth the cost, so apparently they dont help facilitate the refund process for you.

Have you gone through this process yourself? On your own or with legal assistance? Can you advise how best to do and if worth expense, if in fact it would require a lawyer?

thanks again

[NigerianWhisper]

Hi,

The school did all of our returns for us.

The tax bands are available from most lawyers/accountants in Thailand. Simply email them.

Or google............tax bands in Thailand.

[roguegrafix]

Yes my Uni does all my tax for me. "Expensive lawyers" sounds like BS to me. If the school is taking tax from you then they have the whole thing set up and "expensive lawyers" sounds like their way of trying to put you off. Make sure you get your tax number card as someone else said. If the school/company isn't going to help you, then it's not impossible to file your return yourself. Years ago a friend did this. Details are lost in time but from memory it was not that big a deal. Good luck.