Working abroad

[erikd]

I'm considering moving to Thailand and find a java development job there (not necessarily gaming). I think there is demand for java developers in Bangkok, but does anybody have experience with working abroad for a longer period of time (esp. in Bangkok or somewhere else in Thailand like Chiang Mai)? Like working conditions, pay and working hours? Any suggestions?

(FYI, I'm thinking Bangkok because I like Thailand and Bangkok but mostly because my girlfriend is Thai. All these long distance phonecalls and plane tickets to and from Thailand are starting to bust my bank... :-/)

[Bombadil]

I don't but probably Andrew Davison knows, the autor of the nice book "Java Graphics and Gaming". He regularly posts some chapters in this forum and resides in Thailand.

Good luck!


PS: I liked the Thai movie Ong Bak

[JasonB]

My wife is Thai-Chinese (born in Thailand, grew up in Bangkok).  She thinks you'll be lucky to find a reasonable job in Chiang Mai, esp. considering all the major corporations are based in Bangkok.

Working hours are pretty normal apparently.  9-5.  The big killer in Bangkok is that if you're not living in the city, you've got HUGE commute times.  i.e. 3 hours either way depending upon where you are.

Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!

[erikd]

Thanks for the replies.
Yes, I think I'll have a better chance in Bangkok. If I find a job there, I don't think I'll have a problem finding an appartement in the city. Last time I was there I saw there's plenty of appartements available for a reasonable price.
One concern I have right now is that I might have to give up my home here as I suspect the pay will not be sufficient to pay my rent here in holland. Choices, choices...  :-/

[JasonB]

From a pay perspective I suspect that it's better to get a job for a company in your country of origin and then get a transfer.  My wife has friends who have done that.  Their normal salary turns into a huge amount of money in Thailand (as you are already aware, I'm sure).  In any case, if you're working for an international company, the pay is usually better than the average thai wage (by an order of magnitude).

Big question though.... khun phuut phassa thai mai?

[erikd]

Phom phuut phasa thai nit noy. :-)

[cfmdobbie]

*scratches head*  Well, it's not ROT-13...

[JasonB]

Phom phuut phasa thai nit noy. :-)

Forum Etiquitte 101:  How to confuse your fellow forum members.....  Start writing Thai with english phonetics....  

Anyway, the reason I ask is that you'll probably have an easier task getting a job if you do speak a bit of Thai.  It won't be true for everywhere but certainly some Java jobs I've seen advertised there in the past have said both Thai and English.

[erikd]

Yes, I know learning thai is very important. Not only for getting a job, but mainly as a courtesy to the thai people. And it's better to speak thai with my girlfriend instead of english because english is neither our first language anyway...
I can speak some thai, but if they start rattling in thai quickly I get difficulties understanding. Chuai phuut chaa chaa noy! and all that...  
And sometimes they don't understand me if I use a wrong tone somewhere. It's so difficult sometimes... :-/

[Mojomonkey]

Just learn Esperanto!  

Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!

[JasonB]

And sometimes they don't understand me if I use a wrong tone somewhere. It's so difficult sometimes... :-/

My wife has learnt English since about 3 years of age.  So we don't have any problems there.  
But NZers have a nasty habit of talking too quickly, and I do the exact same thing when I try to speak Thai.  Makes it difficult for them to understand what I'm saying.  Then again, when Thai's start talking quickly, I understand about 1 word in 10 (if that).

Phom kid wah khun phuut passa thai dee gwa phom.

Anyway, good luck with your plans.  You'll have to let us know how you get on.  I'd definitely be keen to hear.

[erikd]

Sure, I'll keep you updated about my plans.
Anyhow I'll be in Thailand again during the 1st 2 weeks of Januari but I'm not sure yet if I'll be able to do job interviews during that time since we'll be spending most time at her parents...
Thanks for your tips.

Phom kid wah khun phuut passa thai dee gwa phom.

Khawp khun khap, tae mai kit waa.