| Situated, as it is, at the heart of the South East Asian | | | | of Asia, given that English is the global language of |
| region it is no surprise that Thailand is home to many | | | | commerce, is for people who can teach. These days |
| expats. It is not only convenient geographically; it also | | | | you will need to be educated up to University standard |
| has a modern infrastructure making it a convenient | | | | and you will definitely fair better if you also have a |
| place from which to do business. The ease of living | | | | TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) or |
| and the variety and beauty of places to live also mean | | | | TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) |
| that Thailand is also a popular place to retire. It is a | | | | qualification that qualifies you as a properly trained |
| country where a modest pension can go a long way. | | | | teacher. Apart from that there is work in the tourist |
| For those wishing to make their home in Thailand the | | | | industry if you have skills in diving or the hospitality |
| first and most important hurdle to jump is that of visas. | | | | industry. Wages in Thailand are generally fairly low if |
| Although visiting as a tourist is a simple process, | | | | employed locally but then so is the cost of living. This |
| negotiating the bureaucracy for a longer term stay is | | | | works both ways. Many people choose to work |
| more complicated. If you are employed in Thailand you | | | | "remotely" for companies in their own countries and |
| will need a work permit. This involves your employer | | | | with advances in technology and the reasonable living |
| providing proof that you are genuinely employed. You | | | | costs this is an increasing trend. |
| then apply for a non immigrant visa, preferably from | | | | When living in Thailand the expat does have to get |
| your country of origin, which allows a stay of three | | | | used to things that would generally not be an issue in |
| months. During that time you need to complete the | | | | Europe or the US. Although in many ways very |
| process of getting a work permit at which point you | | | | advanced, Thailand is also very newly developed. One |
| will be granted a one year renewable visa. For a | | | | has to deal with a, sometimes, chaotic bureaucracy, a |
| retirement visa you need to be over fifty years old | | | | legal system that lacks definition and a police force |
| and prove sufficient funds. | | | | that is underpaid and therefore unorthodox in methods |
| Once established in Thailand you will need health | | | | of law enforcement. If you are asked for extra |
| insurance. Private health care is excellent and, | | | | curricular payments and you are guilty the most |
| compared to western countries, is also very cheap. | | | | important thing is to remain friendly and keep the costs |
| However cheap it is if you should be unfortunate and | | | | down. In the main this will involve minor traffic |
| need major medical the cost does mount up. There is | | | | infringements and the standard 'fee' to walk away is |
| not really any need to be covered for outpatient care | | | | about 200 baht. When it comes to serious crimes, |
| since the insurance payouts are minimal and it is cheap | | | | especially drugs, law enforcement in Thailand is punitive |
| in any case. BUPA BlueCross is an international | | | | to put it mildly. |
| company that can take care of all this. | | | | One thing that every expat in Thailand learns sooner |
| Opening a bank account in Thailand is very simple. You | | | | or later is patience. Things don't always happen as |
| do not necessarily need to show residency but it helps. | | | | quickly as they should and sometimes they don't |
| The Kasikorn Bank is the one that seems most | | | | happen at all. To show anger and impatience, however |
| foreigner friendly. You will be issued with an ATM card | | | | justified, will probably just make things worse. For the |
| that also functions as a debit card. | | | | expat the first phrase of Thai to be learned is 'Mai Pen |
| If you want to work in Thailand there are opportunities | | | | Rai' or 'never mind'. |
| but it can be complicated. The single biggest need in all | | | | |