Bangkok - Post Report Question and Answers
What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Due to low local wages, you could possibly find a job, but would be limited. Maybe at one of the more expensive local schools or in a European/U.S. company's Bangkok office. - Feb 2023
US Embassy folks should consult with the Community Liaison Office. - Jan 2023
The U.S. Embassy is massive here (biggest US mission outside of a war zone anywhere in the world) so there are a fair number of EFM positions, or USG contractor positions (PSC) for which EFMs are eligible to apply. That said, as is the case globally, the number of well-paid, intellectually challenging EFM jobs at the embassy is somewhat limited. Many embassy spouses run their own home businesses, or are digital nomads (since Thailand has excellent Internet infrastructure and is a bit of a growing hub for tech and digital nomads). A few embassy spouses teach, or work at one of the many UN or other international NGOs here (again, Thailand is a regional hub in this area also). - May 2022
No bilateral work agreement here so most spouses that want to work get jobs at the Embassy. - Aug 2019
No bilateral work agreement with US, so mission jobs or telecommuting are the most frequent types of jobs. - Apr 2017
It seems like there is a mix of everything, although the U.S. and Thailand do not have a bilateral work agreement, so keep that in mind. There are a ton of EFM jobs at the embassy, but this is also a huge Mission, so there is a lot of supply as well. - Nov 2016
Nope. This is the downside of things, especially for embassy spouses. There is no agreement with the Thai government. - Aug 2015
Not so much, but it depends on the skill set. If people have any experience working for major NGOs then it will be better. The U.S. Mission has a fairly wide array of jobs for family members. - Aug 2014
For embassy family members, no, as there is no bilateral work agreement and we are not supposed to work on the local economy. If we do, we must have the sponsoring company secure our work visa. If you have a teaching background there should be opportunities. UN offices and opportunities in the region. Beyond that, volunteer. - May 2014
NO! Thai wages are far lower than we are accustomed to. - Jul 2013
Not really. Work permits are very difficult to obtain. - Jun 2013
It depends. Thai immigration can be a bit touchy. Working while here on a spouse's visa can be hard to do. - Jul 2012
For teachers- tons. Otherwise it seems to be hard. - Oct 2011
Teaching seems to be the ideal way to start out here. With a base in the city, you can start to look for other areas of work. Wages won't be as high as in the west, but you can afford so much more and have a far better time with your money. I consider it a perfect recession getaway! - Aug 2011
There must be - all of these expats can't be here only for the red light district. - Jul 2011
I seem to see a lot of spouses finding work when they want it, mostly at the embassy, but not exclusively. - Feb 2011
Not terrific. NGOs, embassies, international schools, and English teaching. Pay varies wildly. - May 2010
mostly teaching english, unless you are very good with thai - Jan 2010
This is often a real sticking point for many trailing spouses here, in that there is no bi-lateral and or de-facto work agreement between Thailand and the US, so work permits (I'm told) are pretty hard to come by. I do know of several spouses here who work as substitute teachers, even though they don't have a teaching background or a teaching certificate. I'm told that, at least at the elementary school level, all that's required is either a BA or a BS in anything. - Jul 2009
Not as much anymore. Some teaching. - Apr 2009
If you want to take any job, English teaching jobs are fairly easy to find. To get a job at a better school, whether Thai or international, you'll need a teaching credential and need to do a more formal search. Get your ducks in a row before starting your search. - Feb 2009
