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Newbie making the move!

 
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ScarletDom93



Joined: 13 Mar 2017
Posts: 14

PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 5:12 pm    Post subject: Newbie making the move! Reply with quote

So I've landed myself a job in an international school in Bangkok (not teaching ESL although I have a CELTA). Making the move at the end of the month.

Any tips about life in Bangkok would be great. I've got an apartment sorted so that's one thing off the list.

Is the visa situation really that bad/annoying in Thailand with regards to the amount of red tape?
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EFL Educator



Joined: 17 Jul 2013
Posts: 988
Location: Cape Town

PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 11:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome to the land of smiles and Good luck with the Thai visa issue...you will have a funtastc time here.. Very Happy
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sigmoid



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 1276

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Is the visa situation really that bad/annoying in Thailand with regards to the amount of red tape?


Yes, it can be these days but if you have a job lined up already, then the school should take care of it and can explain everything that you need.

Quote:
Any tips about life in Bangkok would be great. I've got an apartment sorted so that's one thing off the list.


Hopefully, your school is located in the suburbs and your apartment is fairly close to the school. BKK is notorious for nightmare traffic.

Be sure to keep an eye in the political situation. After three years of military rule and a major royal transition, there's still a large amount of uncertainty. People will dismiss the situation as being 'no problem' but that is just the veneer.

The Royal Cremation of King Rama IX will take place in late October. Schools will be closed and BKK will be thronged.
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suphanburi



Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 12:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The visa issue for someone who has all of their documentation ready is largely a non-issue.

The visa issues arise when people fly in and either do not have the correct documentation or simply try to fly under the radar for as long as they can before moving on to the next job.

For your documentation, to make things real easy,
a) original degree and a certified true copy.
b) University issued transcripts. Best if they are "official" transcripts in a university sealed envelope. Bring a couple of sets.
c) police clearance. This will vary depending on where you are from. ACRO if you are from the UK, FBI if you are American, RCMP if Canadian, etc.
d) Obviously your passport. Make sure you have MORE THAN 1 year validity remaining or your visa / work permit will only last until it expires and then you get to do it all over again with a new passport.

E) IF (and only if) you are NOT from one of the: UK, Ire, USA, Can, Aus or NZ you WILL need a TOEIC test (IELTS OR TOEF are also accepted). This also inlcudes S. Africans (who DO need a TOEIC test). Get one before you fly if you can since the TOEIC test center here is routinely booked up 8 weeks in advance (they only test foreigners on Wednesday afternoons). If you are NOT from one of the 6 then you cannot get a visa or work permit without a non-expired TOEIC test.

.
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Hermosillo



Joined: 17 Jun 2014
Posts: 176
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 6:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The best schools will let you come on a TV, hand them your passport and take care of the pile of Shiite. All one percent of them. The others have no qualms about giving you a letter and telling you to take a thirty hour roundtrip bus ride to Vientiane at your own expense, with about a fifty percent chance of success....you will likely only get 90 days. A guy on Ajarn just did a report showing 30,000 in start-up costs...not including airfare or apartment.
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