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Jobs foreigners can get in Thailand or Vietnam
06-16-2015, 07:41 AM
I'm wondering what type of jobs a foreigner can get in these two countries, other than the obvious English teaching.
Let's say I wanted to take a year off and relax, but also still work a bit to provide myself with a basic income and save a little. Is it possible to do this in Thailand? I've heard the average English teacher's salary in Thailand is $1000-$1200 per month.. Can any teachers in Thailand chime in?
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Jobs foreigners can get in Thailand or Vietnam
06-16-2015, 08:05 AM
Both locations are desirable enough that any low skill, non-English teaching jobs for foreigners would be snapped up fast by individuals willing work for next to nothing.
The only reason why there are always lots of English teaching jobs is due to high demand and high turn over, largely because no one white (the primary employment group) actually wants to live on that income long term.
Suggestion: Build a business that lets you live anywhere you want to. Or build a business in Thailand or Vietnam.
Most importantly, ask yourself what skills you have that would make you desirable in either country. If you can't answer that question, the inhabitants of these countries aren't going to go through any trouble to help you answer that question.
Since you just want to make a little cash while you relax, what's wrong with English teaching?
I'm the King of Beijing!
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Jobs foreigners can get in Thailand or Vietnam
06-16-2015, 08:05 AM
Quote: (06-16-2015 07:41 AM)Holy(Muff)Diver Wrote:
I'm wondering what type of jobs a foreigner can get in these two countries, other than the obvious English teaching.
Let's say I wanted to take a year off and relax, but also still work a bit to provide myself with a basic income and save a little. Is it possible to do this in Thailand? I've heard the average English teacher's salary in Thailand is $1000-$1200 per month.. Can any teachers in Thailand chime in?
If you're looking to teach English, Vietnam is a better bet as the market isn't saturated. I wouldn't bother teaching English in Thailand.
If you wanted to work in Vietnam or Thailand in terms of something besides teaching English, Vietnam has a lot more opportunity as Thailand is already pretty established.
Regarding specific jobs, you'll have to come here and ask around.
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Jobs foreigners can get in Thailand or Vietnam
06-16-2015, 09:10 AM
Those are countries you go to hire people, not to be hired.
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Jobs foreigners can get in Thailand or Vietnam
06-16-2015, 10:17 AM
Oh, and you shouldn't expect to be able to save money while living abroad. In my experience all the people I have known that have been able to live abroad either built a virtual company that they manage (see 4 Hour Workweek) or they saved up their nest egg in North America and then lived on the cheap while abroad, maybe working but just barely covering their expenses.
Also, there are two ways to do english teaching. Official, full-time jobs that require applications and degrees and teaching certificates (ESL certification). And freelance work "Learn American Business English" that you can hustle yourself as an hourly tutor, and certainly a mix of both.
G
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Jobs foreigners can get in Thailand or Vietnam
06-16-2015, 01:50 PM
If you do a tesol, bust your ass and (frankly) tell a few porkies about your background you could make $2000 US a month in Vietnam teaching English.
In Thailand you will only have access to second rate colleges where no one gives a toss about English and just want it ticked off. That will net you under $1000USD a month. Unliveable in BKK but rather comfortable somewhere like chiang Mai
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Jobs foreigners can get in Thailand or Vietnam
06-16-2015, 04:15 PM
Dive instructor, dive master and underwater photographer.
Chef if you're good.
Renting Airbnbs but be careful so you don't break your own contract by doing so.
Modelling and acting.
Freelance journalism.
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Jobs foreigners can get in Thailand or Vietnam
06-16-2015, 08:11 PM
JamesRodri,
What qualifications are required? Do you need a phd? Would a masters degree be enough? How about experience?
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Jobs foreigners can get in Thailand or Vietnam
06-17-2015, 01:31 AM
If you market yourself correctly, have a neat presentation and can network rather well there is a living to be made in private tutoring.
You would need a website, facebook page and some fancy business cards but it is doable. And you won't be slave to a school who may or may not give you a work permit.
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Jobs foreigners can get in Thailand or Vietnam
06-18-2015, 02:59 AM
You have already been given some great advice. Thailand is not the most receptive country when it comes to working legally here as a foreigner. There is a long list of occupations that are Thai citizen only (Burmese, Laotian and Cambodian nationals also fill these positions at an even lower wage). Add that to a 300฿ per day minimum wage, which incredibly may actually be decreased if a new bill is passed and I think you get the idea of what the local job market is like outside of foreign specialist jobs. If you have any possible opportunity to get hired on with a multinational company in your home country and have them transfer you to Thailand or Vietnam that is the best scenario. These jobs will usually include an 'expat package' and I know quite a few guys making north of $15,000 U.S a month plus housing, plus transportation, plus healthcare etc. The next level down would be an in demand occupation (foreigners prefered) by applying directly to companies or organizations here in Thailand. Examples of these occupations vary widely, but I will give you two examples of people I know personally. A program manager with a lot of experience, but still very young, working for an international aid organization earning $10,000 U.S per month and a young ambitious chef working in a five star hotel earning $7,000 U.S per month. Teaching English is very popular and for a good reason, you can hit the ground running. I am not even a teacher or remotely interested in teaching English and I am regularly asked if I would like to give some private conversation lessons. Sometimes I play along and tell them my time is very important, but I would do it for 1000฿ /hr and even had them accept at this price, so it may be possible to earn some decent money freelancing if you hustle. If you do plan on going down the ESL route do a little bit of research because the common theme among the people I know who teach English in Thailand is they seem to complain about their jobs a lot.
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Jobs foreigners can get in Thailand or Vietnam
07-12-2015, 08:45 AM
OP why dont you go teach english in Korea, Japan or Taiwan? pays well there.
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Jobs foreigners can get in Thailand or Vietnam
07-12-2015, 04:26 PM
Vietnam is still a poor country compared with Thailand or China.