Job Discussion Forums

[Atricks]

I've enrolled in the in the TEFL International course in Phuket which starts in August, so I'll be arriving late July. I'm pretty excited. I'm 25 with a BA in Psychology, but no teaching experience, hence, me taking the course. I'm trying to set up some private lessons right now. I'm going to try to set up interviews before I come. As soon as I graduate I plan on interviewing school to school hopefully finding a job in or around Bangkok. I was recommended Korat, anyone teaching there? My mother grew up in Tak, just south of Chiang Mai.

I'm going to be returning to the states for a week to say goodbye to family and tie up some loose ends before flying out to Phuket. I'm hoping to stay in Thailand for at least a couple years.

Visa Questions
I hear it's easier to get a 60 day visa before coming and then to get a 30 day extension while in Thailand, and I was considering applying for one by mail with the Los Angeles Thai consulate since the state that I'm from (Arizona) is under their jurisdiction. However, I am currently living on a U.S. territory in Japan(for the past year and a half), and my mail gets sent to our APO address. Upon looking at the USPS website (UPS does not ship to APO's) I noticed:
"Please note: Delivery confirmation is not available for packages shipping to APO or FPO addresses"
And since my post office is notorious for losing our mail I'm apprehensive about sending my passport off to get the visa.
If I were to go on just my tourist visa and do a run every 30 days while looking for work, once I find a job and hopefully obtain a work permit, would I be able to not have to do a run every 30 days by applying for some other visa that would allow me to stay longer?
Also, if on an island, isn't it a major inconvenience to do visa runs, timewise and moneywise? What do you do, plane trips?

Internet/Computer question
I'm planning on working full time while my husband completes his degree online fulltime. So it's important to have reliable internet so that he's not kicked off during a final or test. Would ADSL be the most reliable option? I know that there's internet cafe's, but he would be spending at least 5 hours a day online, and it would be a lot more comfortable if this could be done at home, especially since most of the tests will be around 3am due to the time difference.
Also, would it be a good idea to have our PC shipped to us from the US, or should we just buy one once we get there? Would bringing a laptop be a good idea? How much do they go for over there? I've heard conflicting information about availability of laptop ports.

Thanks!

[kenkannif]

Get a tourist Visa with as many entries on as possible. Don't use LA use a Consulate. Although if your mother is Thai (which I assume she is if she lived here before?) you don't in theory even need a Visa or WP!

Once you get offered a WP you'll most likely have to leave the country to get a Non-imm B and then they'll put in for your TL and WP which in turn will extend your Visa (generally) by 9 months initially and then 12 months for as long as you stay employed with them.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hi:

Personally I'd leave the PC at home and bring the laptop - if you already have one. If not, buy all your computer stuff over here and save the hassle with shipping and customs. You can pick up a lightly used PC in decent shape for 7 or 8,000 Baht (that's $200 or less!)

The price for a new lower-end laptop will be about the same here as it is in The States: (US$1,000 +/- 200)

Yes, home ADSL is probably your best option, and it's widely available! Prices vary from 500 Baht per month all the way up to 2,500 Baht per month - depending on the package of hours and connection speed you choose.

Here's a good link to browse:

http://www.cat.net.th/isp/ (Internet Service Center / ISPs in Thailand)

One of our forum members recently recommended the Jasmine ISP, btw.

Regarding Korat, here's something you might enjoy:

http://www.thekoratpost.com/ (The Korat Post)

[Atricks]

Thanks Ken and Kent for the great info.!

I'm going to look into getting the tourist visa and just buy my computer stuff when I get there.

Yep, my mom is Thai. She's been living in the states for the past 20-some years and has U.S. citizenship now, but makes regular visits back home to see her family. I have a lot of uncles and aunts that I've never met that still live in Thailand.

That link to the Korat Post was interesting. In the employment section it had a posting for English teachers:

English teachers
Part-time and full-time
Various schools in Korat require native speakers of English. Applications received anytime during the year. Be sure to provide contact information and indicate your availability.
Monthly salaries in Korat are considerably lower than in Bangkok. Highest around 25-30,000 Baht/mo., lower scales est. 15,000 Baht/mo. Contact 01-8773981 for information.

[kenkannif]

Definitely try to get Thai citizenship then mate, it will make your life 110% easier!

Personally I'd say don't bother trying to get interviews while out of the country, do it when you get here.

[joe beets]