Thailand
Unless you secure an overseas posting with a large multinational company in Thailand, getting a job can be challenging. The competition for graduate jobs is high, as there are large numbers of experienced professionals also contending for jobs, as well as an increasing number of Thai graduates with good English language skills.
Teaching English as a foreign language is a major career area for UK nationals in Thailand, as well as a gap year option. The tourism industry may offer temporary job opportunities for graduates. Employers in other sectors are more likely to consider UK graduates offering Thai language skills.
Generally an employer will require a CV and a covering letter. Some companies use online application forms, similar to those used in the UK and elsewhere.
Find out more about applying for jobs and CVs and cover letters.
Some teaching jobs can be organised in the UK before departing for Thailand. However, for other areas of work it is usually best to be in the country to arrange meetings with potential employers. Much business in Thailand is done on the basis of relationship building, including job offers.
CVs are similar to the UK style and should be no longer than two pages in length. A Thai CV does not need marital status or family information but should be well written with correct spelling. Make sure you highlight why you are the right person for the job.
Interview style is varied and will depend on the sector and the culture of the organisation. As with any interview, research is vital. Applicants are likely to be asked about their values and goals at interview. It may be possible to conduct an interview over the phone or via Skype.
UK qualifications are generally recognised in Thailand. It is becoming more usual for Thai employers to ask to see original certificates and proof of authentic qualifications.
If you are planning to live and work in Thailand, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.
There are recruitment consultancies dealing with expatriate jobseekers. They tend to have jobs requiring experience. For example:
ThaiWebsites.com provides a comprehensive list of recruitment companies. The Yellow Pages - Thailand may also be useful in providing contact details for agencies.
Networking may help you to find out about jobs that are not advertised. Use online directories, such as Kompass and Wikipedia - List of companies in Thailand , to identify and target companies that you want to make contact with. Seek out expatriate online forums to gain information and advice on industry sectors.
Formal work placements and internships are rare in Thailand with many opportunities being of a voluntary nature. Conservation, nursing, physical and occupational therapy opportunities exist through Projects Abroad . Trainees in those disciplines are also eligible.
The programme IAESTE Thailand aims to provide science, engineering and applied arts undergraduates with overseas training experience, which is relevant to their studies.
Teaching English as a foreign language is a popular choice for many UK students and graduates. It is often difficult to find well-paid teaching work, although some postings may include accommodation. The busiest time for language schools is in the holiday period between March and May. Volunthai offers teaching opportunities in rural schools in northeast Thailand. Other teaching schemes are offered by the organisations mentioned in Volunteering below.
Those who are already qualified in this area are advised to consult teaching recruitment websites such as ajarn.com and check the recruitment pages of language schools. These include:
Those wishing to take up a position as a foreign language teacher in government schools or higher education institutes must pass a Thai language test. This test does not usually apply to international schools and private language schools.
Voluntary opportunities in Thailand are wide-ranging and may include working at an elephant conservation camp, community work with hill tribe children, assisting at a gibbon sanctuary, and teaching English to monks.
The Bangkok Post Outlook has an extensive list of charitable projects in Thailand. Areas include community development, environmental issues, health promotion, and education.
Some volunteering projects offer opportunities to work with orphans and children in care, whilst others offer opportunities in health promotion activities, raising awareness of issues such as AIDS/HIV and drugs. Projects can be found through:
AFS Intercultural Programs also offer opportunities for community projects. Projects can vary from two weeks to one year.
Other opportunities include marine-life conservation and excavation projects through the Earthwatch Institute.
There may be opportunities for qualified diving instructors at some of the major resorts and casual teaching jobs may be possible for those qualified. Many restaurants and bars have live music offering possible casual work for singers and musicians. However, much of this is provided by local bands. Casual work tends to be advertised at a local level in guest houses, local newspapers and word of mouth. For any kind of work in Thailand, a work permit is required.
Some of the above opportunities can be done in a gap year. For advice on planning and taking a gap year, see GapYear.com .
Standards and quality within the Thai higher education system are monitored by the Commission on Higher Education (Thailand) .
In general, the Thai academic year is made of two semesters: semester one from June to October; semester two from November to March. The university year runs from June to March with a summer break over the hottest period of the year.
Students are awarded credits and a full explanation of the credit system can be found at Study in Thailand , which is published by the Commission on Higher Education (Thailand). At undergraduate and postgraduate levels, grading systems are generally letter based with ‘A’ being excellent.
A wide range of Masters and Doctoral programmes welcome non-Thai students at a number of Thai universities (public and private). Similar to UK postgraduate education, Masters degrees are usually one or two years in length and a Doctorate between two and five years.
Knowledge of Thai is not necessarily essential and there are a growing number of international programmes available aimed at non-Thai nationals. There are over 600 postgraduate programmes available in English. Subject areas are very varied with several universities offering courses across a range of faculties. For a list of courses that can be studied in English, see the Study in Thailand report, which can be downloaded from the Commission on Higher Education (Thailand).
Links to all universities in Thailand can be found on General Education Online - Colleges and Universities in Thailand and on Wikipedia - List of Universities in Thailand . Not all university websites have an English language version.
A first degree from a recognised UK university is generally accepted. Specific requirements vary between institutions so check on individual university websites. The Study in Thailand publication also has further information.
Some international programmes offer multiple start dates and application deadlines will be dependent on these. Contact the relevant institution to find out specific dates. Applicants should allow time for student visas to be processed prior to arriving in Thailand.
Applications are usually made direct to the universities. In addition to a Bachelors degree there may also be a requirement to undertake an entrance exam, such as the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), for those applying to business schools, or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for non-business subjects. An interview may also be involved in the application process.
At public institutions, fees for Masters degrees are likely to range from £600 to £1,200 and for Doctoral programmes the average fee is £3,000.
Private institutions charge per hour and a postgraduate qualification hourly rate would be between £45-£75 per hour.
Additional costs for student activities, health services, ID card, graduation fee, etc. can range from £75-£250.
Scholarships are limited. It is advisable to check the international students’ sections of individual university and departmental websites to find out what is available.
Some UK universities have exchange programmes with universities in Thailand.
The DUO-Thailand Fellowship Exchange Programme has been set up by the Commission on Higher Education (Thailand) to encourage educational exchanges between Thailand and Europe. You can find more details about the programme and how your university can take part at ASEM-DUO .
The British Council in Thailand is working with UK universities to develop science and technology partnerships. For more details see the British Councils Science work in Thailand .
In some areas, where professional training has been undertaken in Thailand, further qualifications may be needed in order to work in the UK. However, in general, Thailand has a recognised university education system. For a fee, postgraduate qualifications obtained in Thailand can be assessed against UK qualifications by the UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) in a ‘Statement of Comparability’.
Non-nationals who wish to work in Thailand will require a visa and a work permit. When entering Thailand on a tourist visa, you are not allowed to take up employment. Failure to observe this rule can lead to arrest and deportation.
There are several categories of non-immigrant visa. For those wishing to work, the most commonly held is type B. Once you have this non-immigrant visa you will then be able to apply for a work permit. You will not be allowed to work if you do not have a permit. If you wish to study in Thailand, you would probably select the ED visa.
Foreigners residing in Thailand for more than 90 days are also required to register their address with the Immigration Bureau (Thailand) . For further information, contact the Visa Office at the Royal Thai Embassy in the UK .
A visa entitles the holder to travel to Thailand and apply for admission; it does not guarantee entry into the country. Eligibility for admission is determined by immigration on entry into Thailand. To obtain a visa from the UK you can apply in person to the Royal Thai Embassy or by post from one of the Royal Thai Consulates in Birmingham, Hull, Liverpool, Glasgow and Cardiff. Application forms are also available online at the Royal Thai Embassy in the UK .
If you are not a UK national, contact the Thai embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits. If you are living in the UK, go to the Royal Thai Embassy in the UK.
You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Thailand.
Permanent residency is possible, although annual quotas are usually restricted in number. Applications are made to the Royal Thai Immigration Commission. Income, assets, knowledge, vocational ability and family status in terms of connection with Thai nationals are all taken into account. There are several categories under which applications for a resident permit can be made, such as investment, employment, humanitarian reasons and expertise. There is also provision for those who have stayed in the country for three consecutive years. Up-to-date information of requirements for permanent residency applications can be found at Royal Thai Embassy in the UK.
Information on public employment services is available from the Ministry of Labour - Thailand . Help and advice on setting up a business in Thailand is provided by the Thailand Board of Investment .
Support for careers matters is very limited. For the few universities that do offer advice and guidance, it is usually restricted to students from that institution.
In the event of an emergency, contact the British Embassy in Thailand for help. They can offer support in a number of areas, including what to do if you are a victim of crime, need a doctor, or are arrested or detained. They have a consular section in Bangkok.
Emergency contact numbers in Thailand are:
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
