Engineers can build a global career in Thailand instead of the West
Hello, I am a software engineer working as a local hire in Bangkok 🇹🇭
When engineers hear about "building a global career abroad," most people probably think of the United States or Europe. I was the same at first. But after actually working in Thailand for a few years, I feel that the West is not the only correct answer for a global career. This time, I will introduce the reality of working in Thailand while comparing it with the West.
Benefit 1: Lower cost of living than in Japan or the West
Local hiring in Thailand does not necessarily mean a higher salary compared to being a company employee in Japan (it depends on the company), but the cost of living is lower than in Japan.
For reference, according to data from the cost of living comparison site numbeo, if Bangkok's cost of living index is 44, Tokyo is 55, London is 90, San Francisco is 95, and New York is 100 (the base city). In other words, it is not only cheaper than Japan, but the cost of living is more than double that of Silicon Valley or New York. Even if the salary is high when working in the West, rent and prices also skyrocket, so I think Thailand is a very attractive option when considering disposable income.
Benefit 2: Global experience at multinational companies
Foreign companies in Thailand are truly multinational. Just among my colleagues, there are people from Western countries like the US, France, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Ireland, and Poland; Asian countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, and Bhutan; and I also have African colleagues.
Since everyone is a native English speaker or has worked in English-speaking countries for many years, my English proficiency is by far the worst 😅 But because of that, my English communication skills are inevitably sharpened.
Benefit 3: Lower hurdles for employment
To work in the US, you have to win the H-1B visa lottery, which is said to be getting tougher every year. Some European countries also have strict requirements regarding educational background and salary levels. On the other hand, local hiring in Thailand does not have luck-based elements like a lottery; once you get an offer, you can proceed with the work permit process. I feel the hurdle is lower as a "first step" for an overseas career.
Benefit 4: Good access to Japan
With a 5-6 hour flight and only a 2-hour time difference, the ease of returning home temporarily and communicating with teams in Japan is a strength that the West does not have. Compared to the West, which involves flights of over 10 hours and a time difference of nearly half a day, the psychological distance feels much closer.
Benefit 5: Ease of living
This is entirely a matter of preference, but Thailand has delicious food and is easy to live in. There is also plenty of Japanese food, so if you miss it, you can eat it right away 🍜
Concern 1: Administrative procedures are annoyingly tedious
Compared to living as a company employee in Japan, there are many things you have to think about and do yourself. You need to handle your resident registration, pension, insurance (private insurance is almost essential as Thailand basically has a 100% out-of-pocket system), and health checkups on your own. In addition, there are continuous, frankly quite annoying procedures such as annual visa renewals, work permit processing, submitting a TM30 every time you enter the country, and reporting your residence every 90 days via TM47.
Concern 2: Loneliness
Since my English and Thai are at a business/daily conversation level, there is always a frustration of not being able to express everything I want to say. However, there are many Japanese communities, so if you can create a place where you can talk, your feelings will be much lighter, and you can help each other out.
Concern 3: Many temptations (lol)
This might not need an explanation. Depending on how you look at it, it can also be a benefit.
Concern 4: Salary ceilings and career branding
Even when considering purchasing power parity, foreign-affiliated offers in Thailand often fall short in absolute terms compared to headquarters-level positions at companies like GAFAM. Furthermore, compared to a resume that says "worked in Silicon Valley or London," a background of "worked in Bangkok" still lacks recognition in some situations. In addition, Thai offices are often regional hubs rather than headquarters functions (core development/R&D), so opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technology tend to be more limited than in the West, where the headquarters are located.
Summary
The West is not the only correct answer for a global career. If you prioritize ease of living and the ability to take on challenges, Thailand is also a sufficiently attractive option.