What advice do Americans have for moving to Thailand for a year, focusing on jobs and housing?

Greg Butterboy Lange

Everything is different during Covid, you can’t count on your two hands how much business are closing now. There’s a strict law in what you can and cannot do in Thailand. Simply the best is a foreign company working here, they provide you all the necessary papers. If there is a Thai company who take foreign workers the wages are far from high. Do the necessary things to find out what you want and where, because it’s a big country.

Originally came here as an intern for an English Digital Marketing company and stayed after the 4 months was up because:

* I fell in love (and still am)

* I bought a condo which was great value

* I felt a freedom like I had back in Australia in the 70s

* I needed to learn to relax and stay calm and stop focussing on work

* I wanted my money to go further and not get eaten up in stupid taxes (like in Australia)

* I could take a day off and goof around and not feel guilty

* I wasn't constantly worried about money as the cost of living is low

* I wanted a simple life

Thailand is far from perfect. But I feel I've added another 20 years to my life by moving here.

what you’re asking is a very individual thing; everyone has their own unique reasons for leaving their own country and travelling halfway around the world to start up camp in an unfamiliar situation.

I landed in 2014 and find that most people are here because of dissatisfaction with their home country; rather than a sense of adventure and challenge.

Thailand is amazing but the economy is down.

I guess the country will first try to employ their locals before taking responsibility for foreigners and their families

Lot of nah sayers. Don't listen to them. I came 6 years ago and love it, no regrets. One thing I had to learn is avoid the nah sayers on this site.

Getting into Thailand right now will be tricky. I know they've begun to allow tourists in, but under very special circumstances. I think they will not all Americans in as tourist for a long time. They are allowing non-tourists Americans in, but quarantine is expensive.

The employment opportunities for you are bleak. Thailand has laws preventing non-thais from filling jobs that Thais can do. Again, and like many things in Thailand, there are exceptions. English Teacher (or Teacher of other subjects but lessons are in English), Dive shops hire Native English Speakers, or some corporations may hire you, then send you here (not likely to find those jobs here).

Tourism currently is in the dumps. There are no tourist so no Dive Shops. Teaching English is a possibility, sounds like you are qualified. There are a few agencies that you can contact and they'll make arrangements for you. That's good for 1 year or so. Your income will be sufficient to get by, but you should have some savings. Not enough money for emergencies or pleasure trips.

I would recommend finding stable online employment, anywhere. They you can go live anywhere. Currently, however, few countries are letting Americans in. Mexico I think, probably some others.

I moved there as an early "retiree" for one year to Chiang Mai. Best year of my life! I wasn't working, but could have chosen to work as an English teacher. Instead, just enjoyed the moment, spending time with photography, theater, and art. I had zero issues whilst living there. Come with an open mind and do your research first. Good luck!

Curious,,, have any aussies married a Thai woman in the last 2 years and successfully brought her over here? What process and visa did you apply for? How hard was it? did you do it alone or through an agency etc... and at what cost? ... just wondering... share you story please...

If you can generate money in the US or other country while you are offshore in Thailand then you can have your cash flow.

Getting in now is challenging. I hope that the new vaccine will get things going again.

There is a new visa that is good for 90 days and can be extended twice. This will get you to about of a year.

You can also take a trip to a nearby country to reset your visa clock. Do a lot of research on this as there is a lot of changes in this area.

So, I think there is a bit of waiting before you can go. Use this time to use your sales skills to create an online sales of something. Then when you go it can serve as your income. Research all of the details as best you can. Look at YouTube to get some feet on the ground feedback.

Best wishes.

All the best luck in the world..my friends ..but under the current regime and global stability ..think I would have a rethink..ive been there since 1996 had a great time married two great kids.. but 2020 has brought nothing but woe and pain mental pain..so much now after all this time Im seriously considering moving back to my homeland.. good luck anyway..

They're only allowing in people from low-risk countries so you should be fine

>Any Americans have success?

Many Americans have lots of success. But..

>We will need [...] stable housing

Thailand is slightly smaller than the State of Texas. Apartments are usually rented out monthly or on 6 month terms. There are *MANY* apartments here. I recommend finding a city to live, rent an AirBnB for a month, and walk around until you find an apartment you like. *ALMOST ALL* apartments will be:

- Partially furnished (have a bed, toilet with shower, TV, fridge, air conditioning, wi-fi and maybe a small cooking area on a balcony). Expect to spend between 3K to 15K THB a month on an apartment like that, depending which part of Thailand you live in.

The more money you spend, the more fancy you'll get (i.e. fully furnished, western style kitchen, more bedrooms, etc...)

>We will need jobs [..]. We both have college degrees and experience in Sales.

What type of job do you want? If you don't know any of the ASEAN languages (Thai, Lao, "Chinese", Tagalog, Malya, etc..), don't expect to do any sales. Working in a store as a clerk is also illegal. Minimum wage for Americans is also 55K THB a month, so whatever job you'll get is going to be an office job (UNLESS they are teaching, in that case, no minimum wage exist).

To find a non-teaching job, I recommend going to LinkedIn and making contacts with some of the large companies. Expect to work either in Bangkok or the Bangkok general area, Rayong (or that general area), or maybe Chiang Mai.

To find a teaching job, take a TEFL class (ideally in person), come to Thailand, and find a job. They are very very common, and should take you about a week to find one.

As of right now, the borders are basically closed to entry.

Good luck!

I’m an American living in Thailand since 2004. I love Thailand, however, things have changed in the last few years. Yes lovely people, climate etc. but the hoops that we now have to jump through are frustrating at best. On that note I have 2 houses for sale in Koh Samui with companies

I love Thailand . But your money will go further and the risk will be far less in Vietnam , philipines etc . Plus the visa rules and processes are far easier and less strict.

Unfortunately these groups should be the best place to put this status but you will see so much negativity.

“Don’t do it”

“I hope you’ve got a lot of money” “impossible”

“Can’t work”

The simple fact is there are jobs suitable as I worked in Bangkok in 2018 in the financial sector. I’m sure there is a company based in Rawai, Phuket called reverse ads. They are an American company and have absolutely loads of positions available with salaries from 45-60k plus bonus and commission

Have you been to Thailand ? Spent time anywhere ? What kind of degrees ? In what ? Work experience ? What work do you give that doesn’t displace a Thai worker ? Your best bet is to have more of an idea on what you want to do ... or be...

Got to Thai embassy web site, search visa type, you will see restrictions, ex, can't work on a retirement visa or STV or tourist, etc. Start there.

Lol

To be honest - your expectations of jobs n work will have to be moderated.

There are very limited jobs for foreigners n even if there is, you will find the pay is far short of what you earn back home and u have to adapt to live like Thais.

Cities have grown very expensive- prices are now like Singapore n nice things are getting expensive. So standard of living have to be managed.

Regulatory red tape is horrendous and basic living visa are also difficult to get or understand.

As a foreigner u will always be respected n expected to pay more than locals.

That is my 2 cents worth.. lol

So as what many commented - go live in the province but then again depend on what you want at this stage of your life.

There is no access from high risk countries for the foreseeable. There is a list and USA is not on there for obvious reasons. The repercussions of Trumps gross negligence may prove limiting. Good luck. You could apply for a teaching position next semester mid March.. First day at school starts 15th May. 🙏☺️

If you are not fluent in Thai, both speaking and writing, you will not qualify for any corporate sales job, and retail sales is a restricted job. The same with marketing. You can live in Bangkok for under US$300 a month. All tourist visas being offered now have the restriction that they can not be changed to any other visa, so coming in as a tourist then finding a job is not possible anymore. You need a degree to teach English, but to make the kind of money you want, bt60k a month, you also must have a teaching credential, and teaching experience in a school. If not then bt30k is the norm with a TEFL certificate, and no experience. Some remote schools do have living quarters for you though. That is the only teaching jobs possible without a teaching credential and plenty of experience. Also, there are no anti-discrimination labor laws in Thailand, so you can be refused a job based on your race, age, sex, appearance, and religion. You can find American corporations that do business in Thailand through the American/Thai Chamber of Commerce. They have a website, but most every corporation that has openings in Thailand will want you to have worked for them for a considerable number of years. They do not send new hires overseas to prime locations like Thailand. Unless you can get a corporate job, your husband will also need to meet all the same requirements to enter. If you try to bring your pets with, you will be severely restricted on where you can live, as most places do not allow pets. There are a few exceptions, but you will pay handsomely for the privilege. This is no longer the Thailand you visited before. Basically if you do not have enough money to live here without working for the whole year, even if you have a job before coming here, Thailand does not want you here. You can no longer come here on a tourist visa, and find a job after you get here. That is one of the restrictions added to tourist visas being allowed again.

Sheesh - tough approach - my advice is take it one step at a time and you can get there, here. You can definitely teach English if you are willing and able and have some background for it - you get an education visa first and then things tend to work out in Thailand - just be of good heart, that is very important. Housing is easy. Sales very difficult or impossible unless you get business visa which means you need to employ 4 Thai people. Would need to learn Thai I think. Wise to make $ in States and bring it here.

Seems like you have nothing planned and moving here, you are the sort of "expats" Thailand does not want right now, because in a nasty honest truth, you might end up being a leech on the country instead. Read up more, make proper plans, how much expenses do you have/need to tide through (before employment) and all the actual visas.

At the moment as far as I know we're banned because of our high Covid-19 risk. I think if you look at a Elite Visa you may have success or a investment Visa. Condo purchase. You may have a opportunity. It will take some time to clear the damaged relations of Trump to see a change. After January I believe. Good luck. You can email or call a Thai Consulate for precise, factual information.

Generally you find a job and the company arranges the work permit and visa.

Have you been before? It doesn't really work like this in Thailand for foreigners. You can't just move there for a year and suddenly get a job. Suggest you speak to your local embassy re visa options etc. And do lots of research on the country and culture etc

Hahaha what skill do u have that.. Haha best bet is to be a teacher hahahahaha

Looking myself to move!

If you can work virtually then buy the Thai Elite visa to get in and stay.

Forget it !

Consider finding a job online that you can do from anywhere. That part of workforce life is transitioning very quickly. It’s common to see many foreigners living in Thailand and working online. There are many ways to stay here beyond the initial visa stages. People pick up education or volunteer visas among others. Don’t be intimidated by the move. Many have done it. It’s getting rid of your roots in the current location that is hard.

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✈🇺🇲 US. nationals are eligible to apply for Medium Term visitor - tourist 60 days visa. 🎊‼️

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✔ Non-Thai nationals wishing to enter Thailand for Tourism purposes

✔ Non-Thai nationals with banking account balance no less than $17,000 or 500,000 baht each month for the last six month

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🙏🏻😷🙏🏻 ขอบคุณที่มา: Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C. สถานเอกอัครราชทูตไทย ณ กรุงวอชิงตัน

Government just opened tourist visa for America yesterday. You need to contact Thai embassy. Hope this help.

I am wanting to do the same thing. When are you folks planning on moving and what part of Thailand? Maybe we can transition together. I am also an American living in Hawaii.

Main expat jobs in sales is the housing market, which has an abudance of sellers and very few buyers.

This is about the 94th post on this topic I have seen recently.

Please note that the only viable job you can get in the short term is teaching English. That is unless you can find work with a US or other company based in Thailand. That would be better researched in the States to see who has offices here. It's highly unlikely you will get a job in sales because you don't speak Thai.

Read here and think again -

I have been living in Thailand for 15 years.Unless your a school teach,for get working there.It is against the law to work there.

Just have a job. I have been here for a year.

Hard to find a good paying job that will allow a “falang” lifestyle in Thailand.

I think you need to research ALOT MORE 😂.

Sounds like you may have minimal knowledge about the country, including the varying topography, infrastructure, accommodation, employment (especially research what job positions you are qualified to do and what is available to you) and general living style, including what Thai culture can entails, the amazing pros and cons as well), the expat scene, etc.

That being said, with Covid, all the policies and procedures are pretty much out the window these days. Contact your local Thai Embassy and understand what the requirements are.

If U have money you will be ok but if U hoping to go and find high paying jobs , forget about it unless one of U can get a job in a big international company in bkk

If you don't need to work then you will have more chance of success. Are you both over 50? If so consider a retirement visa

find a school in Bangkok to sponsor you or contact an "agency". they can do everything for you visa wise. however, the country is currently closed to foreigners and will be for a long time due to covid, maybe if you have a work visa they will let you in. need to call the Thai embassy in LA or DC to see if you can even get a visa now. they probably aren't issuing visas now so you're move will have to wait. also, it's the job you find in thailand before you can get a visa. so, step 1, find a job or agency, and teaching English is probably the easiest job to find, step 2 your job you find will help you get a work visa, which the embassies might not even be issuing, so call them and ask. Finding a job and getting the visa is very hard, then if they let you in you have to have health insurance and quarantine for 2 weeks in country before they let you out and you have to have 15k in the bank or some requirement like that so they know you won't get here and start begging, you need to look that up too. and FYI, not sure if you've been to Asia but they are a lot more racist than europeans and americans. just a heads up. once you get here, housing is cheap and easy to find, travel and food is cheap and fun. it's worth it if you can make it. you need to do significantly more research but don't let it stop you. you will never be fully prepared for a move like this, just do it and don't let anyone tell you you can't, unless it's the Thai embassy telling you they won't give you a visa, then you can't.

This scenario doesn't sound viable to me, but then, I'm not in sales. Presumably you've researched the job market.

Wish You The Best Enjoy the Minefields

NEED Way More Research Than This Question

it's going to be a heck of a challenge. if u plan to try for jobs, then no retirement visa ( how old are you), what college degrees? can teach?