How to find a job in Bangkok
Bangkok is Thailand's capital and biggest city. Every year, over 22 million people visit Bangkok. Some come to see the city's sights and indulge in some Michelin-starred Tom Yum. Others are here in search of work opportunities.
Home to over 11 million people, Bangkok may be just the city where your career dreams come true. However, you will need to arm yourself with patience and proper research to get the job you want.
Finding work in Bangkok is not as easy as it seems, even though certain positions can only be filled by foreigners. However, obtaining a work permit can be a headache for both the employer and the employee.
Many jobs undertaken by foreigners fall into the areas such as IT and communications, marketing and advertising, editorial, teaching, acting and modeling, and hotel management, as big companies are often happy to fill their high-level management positions with foreign nationals who are well-versed in English.
Work culture in Thailand
Before you think about working in Thailand, it's good to know if you'll actually fit into the work culture here in the country. After all, Thailand's corporate world works very differently from that of the West.
Firstly, hierarchy is of the utmost importance in the Thai workplace. You must never go above your superiors in any case, whether you have good intentions or not. You must also always respect your superiors, whether you agree with them or not. You should also never do anything that is going to cause someone to lose face at work. In other words, know the role that you're hired for and never offer any advice on how things could be done better unless you're the one in charge. If you like voicing your opinion at work, Thailand may not be for you.
Secondly, being on time is not the most important factor in the Thai workplace – or society, for that matter. Traffic, floods, and the laid-back approach to life in Thailand mean that people will be late almost all the time; it is pretty much acceptable. You can't expect projects to get done on time, either. If you value being punctual or meeting deadlines, you may struggle in the Thai workplace.
Finally, work must be fun. Thais, in general, do not take themselves or their lives too seriously, and this spills over into office life. You'll be hard-pressed to find anyone in a Thai company who takes their job too seriously. That doesn't mean they don't like their job or don't do it well. It just means that people like to keep things light.
Types of jobs in Bangkok
If the above description sounds like you'll fit right into Thai work life, here are some positions you can check out.
Teaching
Teaching is probably the best way to ease into Bangkok's labor market. It's one of the most in-demand professions — especially if you have the necessary qualifications and English is your native language. With that, the competition is also high quality. So, if you want to land a job as an English teacher here, it's best to come prepared. In most cases, you will need a TEFL degree and at least a bachelor's degree. Some teaching experience will definitely come in handy.
On average, you can expect to make from THB 30,000 to THB 50,000 and more. If you are looking for a more high-paying position, it's best to turn your attention to international schools. Salaries there are generally higher, and you may be offered a benefits package as well, including accommodation allowance and return flights to your home city. However, these perks are becoming rarer over the years.
Marketing and sales
Thailand has a lot of local talent when it comes to marketing and sales. However, some larger companies that work with a lot of foreign clients may prefer to hire expats with specific communication and language skills.
If you are looking for a job in sales and marketing, a knowledge of English and another foreign language will be very helpful. Naturally, if you have experience in the field, you will beat the competition more easily.
The salary you should expect in a higher-level marketing position is around THB 80,000 — but this varies greatly depending on your position, the company that employs you, and other factors. Some companies may also include an accommodation allowance, in which case your actual salary may be around THB 60,000.
Embassy or consulate
Bangkok is home to a lot of embassies and consulates. If this is the niche you are considering, you will need to start getting ready as early as possible. Pretty much the only way to work in an embassy or consulate in Thailand is to apply at the respective embassy or consulate in your home country. You will often need to go through a very rigorous application process, and the job itself can be quite demanding.
On the other hand, being a diplomat in Thailand comes with lots of perks. You will get a decent salary, healthcare, pension, flight and accommodation expenses, and more. Plus, you will have excellent networking opportunities.
Hospitality
Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in Southeast Asia. It's home to lots of hotels, resorts, recreational complexes, and more. These offer a variety of opportunities in the hospitality industry. As an expat, you may find suitable positions as a receptionist, front desk assistant, and even hotel manager, provided you have the necessary skills and experience. In addition to having the needed skill set, the knowledge of multiple languages can be a big plus when looking for a job in the hotel industry.
Food and beverage
Bangkok loves good food, strong drinks, and a loud party. And if you work in food and beverage, you should have quite a few options when looking for a job in Bangkok.
If you are a chef, bartender, or barista, there are lots of places where you could potentially build a career, from smaller establishments to Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star hotels.
To work in food and beverage in Bangkok, you will need relevant skills and experience. The ability to speak several foreign languages will surely be a plus.
Freelancing
Thailand is well-known as one of the world's best digital nomad destinations; now, with the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) on the horizon, it will be easier than ever to work remotely from the country. However, most people settling here to work remotely prefer either more laid-back locations like Phuket or Krabi or the digital nomad haven of Chiang Mai. They offer a prettier landscape and a cheaper cost of living compared to the busy and hectic Bangkok.
However, Bangkok has a lot of benefits to offer, especially if you like big city life. Here, you will find easy access to high-speed internet, lots of Western conveniences from shopping malls to restaurants, and plenty of coworking spaces and networking opportunities. The hospitals tend to be much better as well, as you'll get to see Western-trained doctors.
There are lots of options for working freelance in Bangkok and Thailand in general. If you are a freelance writer, you may want to consider using services like Upwork to expand your job search. If you have other skills to offer, look into setting up an account on Fiverr for some extra income.
Tech and IT
If you work in the tech field, you will find that Bangkok offers quite a few opportunities in this sector. Some of the most in-demand skills include PHP backend development, iOS and Android mobile app development, and both frontend and backend JavaScript.
In terms of salary, a senior web developer in Bangkok can expect to make around THB 100,000 a month. Plus, you may be able to find remote work opportunities in this field, which will allow you to explore the rest of the country.
AI fields
With the rise of AI, newer opportunities are starting to open up for foreigners in Thailand. If you can speak multiple languages, for example, you can land a job training AI models on language translation. You can also work as an AI automation engineer, algorithm engineer, code evaluator, and much more. Amazon Web Services and Trip.com are two of the many multinational companies in Bangkok that are hiring for these positions.
Searching for a job in Bangkok
Many multinational corporations have a branch in Bangkok. However, relocation packages are usually only offered for very highly skilled jobs, and many foreign employees are recruited from within a company. Firstly, see if it is possible to negotiate an internal transfer with the company you are already working for. If this isn't an option, then it's worth looking at the websites of international companies in Thailand to see if there are any vacancies suitable for you.
It is generally a good idea to begin your search online on job websites in Thailand, as well as in Facebook groups. There may be lots of chances for your application to be noticed if you have applied to the posting on Facebook rather than on websites, as there are a lot of competitors on websites. On Facebook, make sure to be online always to catch the postings done by people who are looking for candidates. A Skype interview for any job you find may suffice in securing your position in advance.
Some popular job posting websites for Bangkok include:
Moreover, be aware that this could be a lengthy process and that you'll need to consider visa restrictions. If you do take this route, it is worth contacting a recruitment agency in Bangkok as they will have the necessary contacts and know the best options available to you.
In the meantime, also try searching in the English newspapers, such as The Bangkok Post and The Nation. There are lots of cafes and hotels that display these papers every day if you want to browse through the job sections quickly, and it is also available online.
Various networking events and job fairs are also held in Bangkok, so you could attend some of these to meet people and make connections. The calendar for fairs is also available online. A few great places to network in Bangkok are BITEC in Bang Na and Impact Muang Thong Thani job fairs.
Note that recruitment in the tech sectors only happens via headhunting. Large companies offering high salaries typically look for the most experienced programmers. However, even if you are just starting out, you may find quite a few options with smaller companies as well as project-based work.
It is a good idea to start building a professional network in Bangkok before arriving. You should also check local IT and tech forums and check expert groups for openings in your field.
Professional social media can also be of great help when job hunting in Bangkok. For instance, if you have a LinkedIn account, make sure to keep your page fully updated and change your location to Bangkok. You can also change your LinkedIn URL to something more than just https://www.linkedin.com/in/first-name-last-name. Instead, go to your settings and try https://www.linkedin.com/in/first-name-last-name-AI-engineer-bangkok or another job title. This will make you more visible to local recruiters and might send more job opportunities your way. You can also change your LinkedIn profile status to “open to new opportunities” — this will demonstrate to the recruiters that you are available for work.
Working in Bangkok
It is advisable for people who are planning to work in Bangkok to search for jobs online first before going to the city empty-handed. First and foremost, you need to have the skills and experience in the sector that you are applying from, command of English goes next.
You will need to ensure that your means of employment can cover your living expenses in the capital, as the cost of living in Central Bangkok is a lot higher than in other parts of the country. The dazzling attractions of rooftop bars, fine dining establishments, shopping malls, and modern accommodations can all add up. That said, it is possible to live in the city on a modest budget, so long as you are happy to eat street food and rent in a more remote area without the trappings of luxurious expat life.
There are also some jobs that offer free accommodation and food, so just bring out the best in you when invited for interviews.
Working hours and holidays in Thailand
The official maximum number of working hours in Thailand is 8 hours per day and 48 hours per week. All employees are also entitled to a mid-day break of at least one hour.
According to Thai labor law, employers mustn't force employees to work overtime without their agreement. However, this is often done in case of a “work emergency” — for instance, when the company is working under strict deadlines. In a lot of cases, it will not come with extra pay.
There are 19 national holidays in Thailand, some of which are celebrated for more than one day. What's more, if a holiday falls close to the weekend, the days will usually be added up so that employees can get more time off. Here's a list of ten of Thailand's major holidays:
- New Year's Day (Jan 1);
- Makha Bucha Day (dates vary);
- Chakri Day (April 6);
- Songkran Festival (April 13–15);
- Labor Day (May 1);
- H.M. King's Coronation (May 4);
- Visakha Bucha (dates vary);
- H.M. Queen's Birthday (June 3–5);
- Asahna Bucha (dates vary);
- King Vajiralongkorn's Birthday (July 28–29);
- The Queen Mother's Birthday (August 12–14);
- Chulalongkorn Day (October 23–24);
- King Bhumibol's Birthday (December 3–5);
- Constitution Day (December 10–12).
When it comes to the leave policy, the conditions for annual leave, sick leave, and more may vary depending on the company you work for. However, in most cases, you will be entitled to up to six paid annual leave days per year. When it comes to sick days, you should be allowed to take as many sick leave days as you need (as long as the total number of days is under 30 days per year).
Maternity leave allows for up to 98 days of off time. Forty-five days of these will be paid leave.
Visa options for Working in Thailand
If you plan to work in Thailand, you will need to figure out how to arrange your work and stay. There are several visa options for working in Thailand, depending on the type of work you do and how long you plan to stay.
In most cases, if you plan to work full-time for a company in Thailand, you will need to first apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa Category B and then obtain a work permit. To do so, you will need to have a job offer from a company in Thailand. Typically, your employer will guide you through the process of applying for a work permit and obtaining the necessary documents. Note that your work permit will be tied to the company you used when applying. This means that if you decide to change employers, you will need to apply for a new work permit.
If you plan to live in Thailand while working remotely, you have a wide range of visa options for your stay:
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): The new DTV allows foreigners to work remotely from Thailand for a maximum of 180 days per year for up to 5 years. Because it's still a new visa, it's unclear if you can extend the 180 days for another 180 days each year;
- Dependent visa: If you are married to a Thai national or are the parent of half-Thai children, you can get a Thai work permit while on a Thai dependent visa. A Thai-dependent visa gives you 365 days in Thailand, and it can be renewed every year;
- Tourist visa: These visas let you stay in the country for 60 days and can be further extended for 30 more days. You can then leave Thailand, renew your visa, and re-enter the country again;
- Education visa: You can also apply for an education visa by enrolling in a language course, cooking course, Thai massage course, etc. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to attend a minimum number of classes for your visa to stay valid;
- Thailand Special Tourist Visa or STV: This type of visa was introduced by the Thai government during the COVID-19 pandemic and was designed for those wishing to date in the country for a longer period of time. With the STV visa, you will be able to stay in Thailand for up to 9 months.
Note that the above visa options are only available to those who plan to work in Thailand remotely.
Important:
Working in Thailand without a work permit is illegal and punishable by deportation.
Good to know:
Some more good news for digital nomads: Phuket officials are considering a visa scheme for digital professionals who plan to live and work remotely from Thailand. Under the proposed legislation, eligible expats will be able to apply for a work permit and stay on the island of Phuket for 6 months to a year.
Finally, if you are ready to make an investment in your life in the country, you may want to consider the Elite Visa Program. The Elite Visa lets you live and work in Thailand for 5 to 20 years. The downside? You will need at least $15,000 to apply for the five-year Elite Visa.
So, here are the key takeaways:
Bangkok is Thailand's capital, the biggest city, and home to lots of work opportunities in a variety of fields. The easiest way to get your foot in Bangkok's job market is to get a language teaching job. You can expect to make from THB 30,000 to 80,000.
To find a job in Bangkok, use online resources, headhunting agencies, social media like Linkedin, networking, and more.
To work in Bangkok legally, you will need to apply for a work permit. You will have more visa options if you are working freelance and are not employed in Thailand.
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