How to Find an International Development Job in Thailand

Introduction

Scrolling through my inbox, hiding between work-related emails, there is often a message from an unknown sender. Having found its way passed the spam filter and with an innocuous subject heading, I indulge myself in a small bit of procrastination with a click. It’s a request for a meeting, for information, for help. Another note from a friend of a friend looking to break their way into the field of international development. More specifically, a note asking about available opportunities for working in Thailand. I smile, and click reply.

Usually I provide a short talk over coffee or noodles, trying to dispense any advice that I can. Most of what I want to convey can be distilled into this book. I’ve included resources to help beginning job seekers and hopefully some nuggets of information for more experienced professionals. The information provided is based on my own experiences working in international development for 8 years for a variety of organizations, and that of colleagues and acquaintances that I’ve made over the years through work, meetings, and events. I wanted to create a short document that addresses many of the frequently asked questions that I’ve received. My intention is to provide something that you can read over coffee (or noodles) that could help start your job search process. I hope that I can address some of your concerns, and provide ideas for expanding your job search in Thailand.

Over the course of several years I have fielded numerous requests for informational meetings over coffee, possible openings with different non-governmental organization (NGO) employers, and general advice for conducting a job search in the international development field in Thailand. I have conducted hiring interviews, used networks to find jobs for potential applicants, and worked for local and international NGOs in Thailand. I have worked alongside amazing local NGOs, helped secured funding for project work, managed projects, conducted evaluations, and aided emergency responses. I have faced many of the challenges that prospective applicants for development careers endure and have a good sense of the challenges and opportunities available in Thailand.

For job seekers coming to Thailand for the first time and for people who are seeking to begin a career or make a career switch, a personal guide or an extra pair of eyes is extremely useful. Securing work in Thailand can be difficult, and within the development field, finding an entry level position can be challenging. For more experienced development professionals, the path can be easier, and this book may be used less as a guide than as a reference – a handy shortcut to support your networking as you look for your next contract or consultancy. Finding a job can be an arduous task. However, a job search can also be illuminating, pointing out new paths to carve and new skills to develop. Working in development can be incredibly exhilarating and rewarding, and following a career in development is well worth the challenge of a job search.

While I believe job-seekers searching for entry-level work or volunteer positions may find this book helpful, I hope experienced job-seekers will also be able to utilize the resources mentioned throughout. As with any career field, those with more experience have a leg up on those without. Working internationally also brings the challenge of competing both with the global labor pool and with a well-developed and talented local labor force. It’s always important to manage your expectations when searching for work and when working abroad. Although it’s important to manage expectations, having the right information and networks at hand can kick start your new career. I hope this book encourages readers to engage in development work, we need passionate people.

Working in Thailand

Why Thailand?

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Many people want to work in Thailand. Specifically they want to work in Bangkok. More specifically they want to enjoy the lifestyle that makes Bangkok so exciting for the many of the foreigners living and working here. Bangkok regularly finds itself topping the polls as a live, work, and play destination. This creates several challenges for job seekers in general and for those wanting entry level work in development especially.

Bangkok is home to many development organizations, international NGOS, and local NGOs working on a range of issues. Some agencies address regional issues such as trafficking and migration and others are focused on local challenges. Bangkok is also the regional hub for several agencies with offices based in Thailand and project work located throughout Asia. There are opportunities in Thailand for job seekers at any stage of their career path.

Despite Thailand’s ascendency to the status of middle income country, several challenges still exist. With political upheaval, economic turbulence is not far behind. In such cases, people