Job Discussion Forums

[shrewsyj]

Hi all,

I've just netted what I think is a pretty good deal - through emailing a lot of random people, I've got an amazing position in Northern Thailand for two months, teaching staff at a resort in exchange for free board and meals at said resort. I'll also be teaching at a primary school in Ban Rom Thai on a voluntary basis. I won't be paid as such, but it's the experience that counts for me, being a current CELTA trainee - it'll be my first placement after qualifying, and I've got a bit of cash saved up to cover my flights etc.

I was just wondering, has anybody got any advice on setting up healthcare cover and banking arrangements for such a short-term placement? I'm aware that I need a three-month non-immigrant visa. Any practical advice on these or any other aspects of going over to Thailand would be much appreciated.

Thanks

All the best

[roguegrafix]

You may be able to set up a bank account given enough creditation from your "employers"--usually you need a work permit. Re health - basically, don't get sick.

[makhno]

I needed a work permit to open a bank account in Thailand; you'll probably need one also. For withdrawals, you can access your home bank account via any of the numerous ATMs (for a fee, of course).

As for health insurance, many expats (as well as Thais who deal regularly with foreigners) recommend Bupa, see http://www.bupathailand.com/ but whether they'll write a policy for a very short period of cover is something I don't know. For a short-term stay, there's always the option of getting traveler's health insurance, e.g., http://www.globalunderwriters.com/ Although Thailand is one of the top 2 destinations for "medical tourism" (Singapore being the other), that doesn't mean that good-quality health care is truly cheap, so I think the "don't get sick" policy isn't the best if you can afford some coverage.