Salary

[Adobo4life]

Hello, everyone. Just a quick question from a newbie who has been offered a  teaching opportunity in the Kingdom.

Is a 30KTHB salary inclusive of free accommodation considered "good pay"? Also, what is the average net pay based on that figure?

I am expected to shoulder travel and visa expenses, but the school will take charge in processing my work permit etc.

Thank you.

[Steve St. John]

Having a 30G salary here,... is awesome. Trust me. Lots and loads of beers and food. Thats a big budget if you will do your shopping at Ramkhamhaeng or Jatuchak.

[erick]

Hello, everyone. Just a quick question from a newbie who has been offered a  teaching opportunity in the Kingdom.

Is a 30KTHB salary inclusive of free accommodation considered "good pay"? Also, what is the average net pay based on that figure?

I am expected to shoulder travel and visa expenses, but the school will take charge in processing my work permit etc.

Thank you.

Whereabout in Thailand? 

If it's far from Bangkok, then that 30k is good enough to pay your bills and save some money.

If it's in Bangkok, that 30K less tax/insurance (3,000) = 27,000.00 net is just OK (depends on your lifestyle). But I suggest you have to SPECIFICALLY ask the tax/insurance deductions from your employer as well.

Non-B VISA = 4,000 (think of your transpo. costs / Where are you getting your Non-B Visa?)

Make sure that your employer  SHOULD PAY for  the processing of your WORK PERMIT and other TRAININGS / EXAM for your TEACHING LICENSE .  Please get more info. on the REQUIREMENTS FOR TAKING THE TEACHER LICENSE. 

Please visit the other threads here to get more info.

Don't hesitate to ask when in doubt!

good luck!

[buddhist punk]

Hello, everyone. Just a quick question from a newbie who has been offered a  teaching opportunity in the Kingdom.

Is a 30KTHB salary inclusive of free accommodation considered "good pay"? Also, what is the average net pay based on that figure?

I am expected to shoulder travel and visa expenses, but the school will take charge in processing my work permit etc.

Thank you.

What Erick said. Plus make sure your contract clearly states
1) your job description
2) 2 years or more, better if permanent [accdng to a source, 1 year contract is against the law here]

[erick]

Thanks for the feedback.

>>If it's far from Bangkok, then that 30k is good enough to pay your >>bills and save some money.

The school's location is an hour away from the city.  Back here in Manila, I earn more than what they offer, but my witholding tax makes me cringe every payday. So why "entertain" a job that pays less? I don't enjoy my current work..and ... ADVENTURE! ;-)  This is actually a short-term job. It's only for 6 months with an option to extend to a year if I so desire.

GOOD LUCK THEN!

VISA etc...

I'll be arriving with a tourist visa ( applied for it from the consulate in Makati). Originally, the college wanted me to  secure a Non-B visa from the consulate here, but since we're pressed for time the alternative was to arrive with a tourist visa which can be converted to a Non-B provided this is done within a week of arrival. The visa conversion will be done at the Immigration office in Bangkok. I was guaranteed no visa hop to the border for me.

It's STILL better if you could get your NON-B VISA in Manila.  It's cheaper.

Job Description

I've read the soft copy of the contract and the corresponding j.d. The workload is way too much for a Lecturer's position. I can't understand why I am expected to conduct workshops and researches as the need arises.

WELCOME TO THAILAND!  Working in Thailand is more of like "expect the unexpected". BTW, the Phil. concept of working is FAR from Thailand's. 

Teacher's License

I've read about the 20-hour Thai culture seminar which is a requisite for a Teacher's License. Seems like expat teachers for, schools of "higher learning" are "exempted" from this. (unconfirmed)

So I heard.


How I found the job

I saw the ad (ajarn) online and applied (sent out a CV together with an audio  file). Was pleasantly shocked to receive a response after two hours since I don't have the preferred skin tone :-)

WISE STRATEGY!


More questions...

a. should I ask for a signed hard copy of the contract before going?  YES
b. would it sit well with them if I ask for a more "specific" contract as opposed to the "general" jd I've been given. yes

[buddhist punk]

.....

How I found the job

I saw the ad (ajarn) online and applied (sent out a CV together with an audio  file). Was pleasantly shocked to receive a response after two hours since I don't have the preferred skin tone :-)


More questions...

a. should I ask for a signed hard copy of the contract before going?
b. would it sit well with them if I ask for a more "specific" contract as opposed to the "general" jd I've been given.

Outstanding strategy!!! All must learn from you.

your Q's:
a. hard copy is always wise, tedious to fax back and forth but you are assured that job is real and biz is legit
b. they have certain cultures that dictate they'd rather not bother with details, it depends on how open or, dare i say it, "westernized" they are. who's in charge or doing the hiring? have you talked to them? if you must, ask in an indirect way.

[erick]

Perhaps the audio file or the sound byte I attached may have given them a reason to review my CV as opposed to being discarded right away the moment they saw "Filipino."

I've only been in the ESL profession for about five years, but I'm also TESL and CELTA certified. . I took the training, because I wanted to be a better teacher. The CELTA is worth the investment. Mahirap siya, nangamote ako, iniyakan at dinugo ako ng sobra but it broadened my perspective, you'll learn much... humbling experience. I've also taken the IELTS. I took the IELTS because it's always nice to have proof one's command of the language. You don't have to say anything. Just work and live up to the credentials you're presenting. The upside of having taken the IELTS, you're in a position to be an IELTS reviewer because you've gone through the experience. (note: I've discovered that regardless of ethnicity, if you can teach IELTS you're hire-able)

Getting a Non-B visa in Manila seems to be the best option, but they want me there the soonest time possible. Unfortunately, getting through POEA which is now required even for direct hires will delay me for a couple of days, thus securing the NON-B in Bangkok was the alternative.

>>>b. they have certain cultures that dictate they'd rather not bother >>>with details, it depends on how open or, dare i say it, >>>"westernized" they are. who's in charge or doing the hiring? have >>>you talked to them? if you must, ask in an indirect way.

I've talked to the person in charge of hiring for the Academic staff. He's Thai, very nice and easy to talk to guy. He's been  educated overseas ( M.A and PhD in UK) excellent English. Yes, I'll ask.

Thank you again for your input. I value every feedback posted here.

I hope that what has been posted here may be able to help anyone who'd find himself in the same predicament.

good luck!  And just in case you need some "tour guiding" around Bangkok, don't hesitate to call us up. 

[buddhist punk]

Yeap, you are right Adobo4Life. I've checked out Huay Kaew Residences next to Kad Sueng Kaew. They're a bit pricey for the better rooms with basic appliances. Sarap naman ng buhay mo, pa baka-bakasyon lang. hehehe! I hope you visited the Insect Museum.

[erick]

B.P.

I was at CNX kasi dun ako nag CELTA sa ECC. Sa BKK sana, pero late na ako, so that's how I ended up at CNX.

Mahal na pala ang Huay Kaew residence? Akala ko, good find na 'yon kasi when I arrived sa CNX wala ako kakilala dun, walang mapag-tanungan. I just saw the ad online, and seeing that it was on the same street as ECC, dun na ako nagpunta. Ang funny part pa, from the residence I had to walk down that road to find ECC which is near CNX Uni kasi wala naman masyado taxi dun, pumapara ako ng "Sonthiew" di naman nila ako maintindihan. I think 1 -2 km yata ang nilakad ko and it was about 3p.m....hahaha. Needless to say my first few days  were tough. I didn't see any pinoys. Mga kasama ko lang lagi were my co-trainees.

Napunta ako sa Insect Museum, super lapit yun sa tirahan ko. Also, pag mga puti ang kasama mo, wala na silang ginawa kundi mag-byahe and be immersed sa host culture. I was at CNX for about 3 months. Now. I'm looking at teaching opportunities there, kasi I really like CNX.

 ....then we will ALL be neighbors!!

I'm working in Chiangrai.

[Adobo4life]

Chiangrai!!... I was able to go there. I've found the roads pretty good, considering that this is far from CNX already and very provincial. I remember asking, "how can a country with near zero English have better roads than the Philippines"?

[buddhist punk]

B.P.

I was at CNX kasi dun ako nag CELTA sa ECC. Sa BKK sana, pero late na ako, so that's how I ended up at CNX.

Mahal na pala ang Huay Kaew residence? Akala ko, good find na 'yon kasi when I arrived sa CNX wala ako kakilala dun, walang mapag-tanungan. I just saw the ad online, and seeing that it was on the same street as ECC, dun na ako nagpunta. Ang funny part pa, from the residence I had to walk down that road to find ECC which is near CNX Uni kasi wala naman masyado taxi dun, pumapara ako ng "Sonthiew" di naman nila ako maintindihan. I think 1 -2 km yata ang nilakad ko and it was about 3p.m....hahaha. Needless to say my first few days  were tough. I didn't see any pinoys. Mga kasama ko lang lagi were my co-trainees.

Napunta ako sa Insect Museum, super lapit yun sa tirahan ko. Also, pag mga puti ang kasama mo, wala na silang ginawa kundi mag-byahe and be immersed sa host culture. I was at CNX for about 3 months. Now. I'm looking at teaching opportunities there, kasi I really like CNX.

Ah! CNX pala type mo, sige I will PM you some details if you are CELTA certified pala.

[lengradwilson]

Hello, everyone. Just a quick question from a newbie who has been offered a  teaching opportunity in the Kingdom.

Is a 30KTHB salary inclusive of free accommodation considered "good pay"? Also, what is the average net pay based on that figure?

I am expected to shoulder travel and visa expenses, but the school will take charge in processing my work permit etc.

Thank you.

Whereabout in Thailand? 

If it's far from Bangkok, then that 30k is good enough to pay your bills and save some money.

If it's in Bangkok, that 30K less tax/insurance (3,000) = 27,000.00 net is just OK (depends on your lifestyle). But I suggest you have to SPECIFICALLY ask the tax/insurance deductions from your employer as well.

Non-B VISA = 4,000 (think of your transpo. costs / Where are you getting your Non-B Visa?)

Make sure that your employer  SHOULD PAY for  the processing of your WORK PERMIT and other TRAININGS / EXAM for your TEACHING LICENSE .  Please get more info. on the REQUIREMENTS FOR TAKING THE TEACHER LICENSE. 

Please visit the other threads here to get more info.

Don't hesitate to ask when in doubt!

good luck!

The non-B visa will only cost you 1,900 baht, but the work permit is 3,000 baht...

30,000 baht is pretty good enough.... it only shows that there is no racial discrimination in thailand....

[Adobo4life]

Hi Lengrad, thanks for the advice. You pointed out non- racial discrimination. Interestingly, the ad didn't specify "native speakers only" (or else I wouldn't have applied at all) and the pay was for 40K...I'm Pinoy, kaya tinawaran ng 10K....hahaha ayos ba! :-)

[Madam H]

Chiangrai!!... I was able to go there. I've found the roads pretty good, considering that this is far from CNX already and very provincial. I remember asking, "how can a country with near zero English have better roads than the Philippines"?

LOL! It's exactly that - the fact that they don't speak English much is why they have better roads! LOL

The Thais are very patriotic and nationalistic. They are proud of their country, their ancestry and their being "Thai". That's why they do their best to improve their own, and they will do everything to protect their own.

Perhaps if Pinoys spoke English less, then maybe we would be inclined not to think of ourselves as "better" than the other Asian countries around us, and thus, strive more to better ourselves and improve our country.

Good luck on your job hunting, and hope to see you when you reach the land of smiles!

[erick]

Chiangrai!!... I was able to go there. I've found the roads pretty good, considering that this is far from CNX already and very provincial. I remember asking, "how can a country with near zero English have better roads than the Philippines"?

not to mention MARBLE sidewalks !

 

[Dai Po]

Hello, everyone. Just a quick question from a newbie who has been offered a  teaching opportunity in the Kingdom.

Is a 30KTHB salary inclusive of free accommodation considered "good pay"? Also, what is the average net pay based on that figure?

I am expected to shoulder travel and visa expenses, but the school will take charge in processing my work permit etc.

Thank you.

What Erick said. Plus make sure your contract clearly states
1) your job description
2) 2 years or more, better if permanent [accdng to a source, 1 year contract is against the law here]

1 year job contract in Thailand is legal and there is no such thing as permanent contract here

[buddhist punk]

What Erick said. Plus make sure your contract clearly states
1) your job description
2) 2 years or more, better if permanent [accdng to a source, 1 year contract is against the law here]

1 year job contract in Thailand is legal and there is no such thing as permanent contract here

Please cite your source?

Are you referring to teacher contracts or general workers only? My source is a foreign masteral student preparing a dissertation on labor environment and labor laws specifically in Thailand.

Two year contract minimum for teachers makes sense in terms of continuity for both students and teacher. Schools prefer long "termers" over "hit-and-run", backpacker instructors looking for the next bigger salary.

[Dai Po]

What Erick said. Plus make sure your contract clearly states
1) your job description
2) 2 years or more, better if permanent [accdng to a source, 1 year contract is against the law here]

1 year job contract in Thailand is legal and there is no such thing as permanent contract here

Please cite your source?

Are you referring to teacher contracts or general workers only? My source is a foreign masteral student preparing a dissertation on labor environment and labor laws specifically in Thailand.

Two year contract minimum for teachers makes sense in terms of continuity for both students and teacher. Schools prefer long "termers" over "hit-and-run", backpacker instructors looking for the next bigger salary.

One fundamental principle in making law is that it should be fair and non-discriminatory in its application. In this case, preferential application of the labour law to one profession over the others is not fair and it is also discriminatory. We don't want to have labour law for each and every labours here, aren't we? This is the reason why Labour Protection Act 2551 doesn't mention length of contract for specifc profession/labour (by the way, Thai doesn't think that white collar workers are "labour" but only blue collar one. That's why on Labour day only blue collar get to rest).

But Labour Protection Act 2551 amended Article 17 of the LP Act 2541 stating that the employment/contract ends at the date specify in the contract without employer having to inform employee ahead of time. In case the contract didn't have time frame then the employer or employee can notify the other of his/her intention to end the contract by written letter before the next payment. To me, unless there is Ministerial orders to over rule this then this law stays.

Yes, the school preferred a long term teachers but the continuity of the education process of the school depends on school policy not on the teachers. Some school given foreign teachers a year contract but they renewed it every year many up to ten years. One year contract work quite fine with school because if teachers didn't perform well and need to be fired then the severance pay are not as big as when it reach 2 years contract. Having 2 years contract doesn't keep "hit and run" teachers at bay. After they work in school for three months, they can run off if they want. Who is there to track them down anyway?

Being for more than 20 years here and having to deal with Ministry of Labour & Immigration, I believe my information is reliable.

[erick]

This is an interesting read: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Urgent-Labor-Laws-Foreigners-U-t204517.html


Hi Folks,

I am posting this as both a potential warning, and as a question, since I am having to go through this ordeal myself.

I have a Thai family and have been living and working here, full-time, for almost 5 years. I have been a teacher at a new international school for the last two years, having completed my second year at the school this last June. In January the school sent out questionnaires to some of the teachers saying that they were interested in having them back for next year, and were we planning on staying with the school. I was one of the ones who received the letter - I checked the YES box, signed the letter, and returned it to my coordinator. I would have a job next school year - HA!

February came and went, March arrived, and people began asking at teacher meetings about when contracts would be drafted, etc. We were told that a new business and HR manager was hired, and we would have to wait while they were brought up to speed.

March evaporated, and well into April, one or two people had been given contracts, but all the senior teachers, ready to begin our third year, had not been given any. When we would ask, again, we were told that the new HR dept. was working diligently to sort through our cases and et everyone taken care of, that we had nothing to worry about, and to please be patient.

May 1st arrived and ALL senior teachers received a "Letter of Gratitude" from the school saying that our last day of work was the last day of school, and to have a nice life. WE WERE OUT OUR JOBS!

We were given only 30 day notice, and notified long after all the job and teaching fairs had concluded in January and February - we were screwed, and many of us have families and kids! There was nothing wrong with our job performances - we all had glowing performance reviews. It was unprovoked.

We approached the HR Director, asking what this meant about the summer pay. The Director responded that we would be dealt with on a case by case basis as to whether we would receive our summer pay or not - even if it was in our BILINGUAL, signed contracts. Many of us also had an air ticket as part of our contract, and we were informed then that that would not be honored.

Searching job websites, it was clear that the school was recruiting new teachers to replace us, that were being offered a substantially lower salary - they sacrificed us to cut costs.

The last day of school came and went. The following day we went to the Thai Ministry of Labor, who reviewed the situation and agreed that a serious tort had been committed, and sent us to the MOE - that it fell under their jurisdiction. They promptly reviewed the case and agreed that the school would have to honor the summer pay, as outlined in our contracts, were a little uncertain about the air tickets, but said that we would each receive THREE-FOUR MONTHS SALARY FOR EACH YEAR WE HAD WORKED THERE, since we had been wrongfully terminated. This was the policy of the Thai labor laws and the labor regulations for teachers, set by the MOE.

I had heard of this before, and felt it made sense, to protect ALL teachers from schools that created these situations at the expense of dedicated educators. The case was sent to the labor court, and was first heard at the end of June.

The first hearing went well, and the judge and all members of the court indicated that the law would be applied and that the school would have to pay the balance of each contract, and 3-4 months of salary, per year worked, to each teacher, due to wrongful termination. The second hearing was sent for the beginning of July.

At the second hearing, the schools attorney produced a copy of a law that was enacted about 4 years ago that EXEMPTED FOREIGN WORKERS from the wrongful termination penalty set by the labor laws! The judge was shocked that such a thing existed, and immediately recessed to see if this was actually true. The Labor Court did not seem to even be aware of this law!

Upon careful research, by myself and the labor court, the law IS TRUE, and there appears to be no way around it. Thus, there is NO LONGER A PENALTY FOR THE WRONGFUL TERMINATION OF FOREIGN WORKERS AND TEACHERS in the Thai courts - this makes us all very vulnerable, not to mention the very racist implications of such a law!

I am wanting to make sure that people know of this issue and am asking if anyone else has experience with this issue or similar one, and if there is any knowledge out there pertaining to this. I have met with several lawyers, who all seemed surprised about the existence of this exclusion, and upon review, felt there was no way around it and no other protectionary provisions for foreign workers.

Any insight, knowledge, etc. would be very appreciated!

Thanks!