Pay and Conditions at Airlines in Thailand

[777-300ER]

G'day,

I was wondering what the pay and conditions are like for airlines in Thailand such as Phuket Air and Orient Thai for expats (Australian). I understand that there are labour laws that effect the employment of expats over thai nationals, but from this board it appears that there are many expats working over there.

Also I was wondering if any license conversions are required to fly there from an Australian ATPL, MECIR?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[PIA747]

Phuket Air pays a miserable $4000 to its 747 Captains. All of them are ex- philippine airlines. Orient thai has now gone up to $5500.

[varigflier]

Thai laws require them to hire nationals first and then expats but at this stage there are not enough qualified nationals so expats are getting hired. At O.T it is 3500 for F/Os and 5500 for captains. Heard it was fun to work there.

[topman999]

PIA747,

$4000 a month in thailand is a lot of money ! To put it in perspective, a nice modern 2 bedroom apartment not too far from the airport can be had for 6000B a month (about $130 US a month). Food is very cheap. Very healthy, wholesome meals can be had for <$1 and are very easily got from the street vendors. Very common in asia and is top quality. Large bottles of beer are a similar price, but if bought in 7/11 its about 30c a bottle. Its a lovely place to live in and very very reasonably priced. So while $4000 may not seem like a lot...in reality it is. HOWEVER, as always, if kids are involved in the move to asia than yes, its not very high, but still enough to get by ok. Best suited for the single or divorced !

[Iso]

topman99; do you live in BKK? If you can get a "good" appartment for that price, you have performed a miricale. They cost 3 to 4 times that amount. As much as the food of the street vendors is nice sup, it is not the way to live all the time. Reality check please. The beer prices. Tell me where your 7/11 and I will come and buy there. My prices are certainly different from yours.

Yes, the place is reasonably cheap, but there are many other costs to consider, ie transport, toll fees, many personal expenses that you would not be aware with some of these companies. OT has had to pay more to get their pilots to stay, as they were leaving.....for the money! Phuket Air will experience the same. The market for pilots is shrinking rapidly and one has to consider what kind of debt they might be servicing back at home, and other commitments and responsibilities. It's nice to be flippant with...." you can go along way in BKK with $4000...." reality is, most of the expats come from countries where $4000 doesn't go very far. It would be nice to enter the fairy land idea that everything is cheap in BKK, but the reality, it is not.

For those of you considering a position in BKK, don't let my comments put you off, but take them for what they are. It is a nice place and many fun and enjoyable things to do. Most of the companies here that hire expats are very good, but come with your eyes wide open.

[Capt.Pugwash]

Yep, THB 6K per month won't get you much of a place to live in BKK. A couple of good soapies perhaps...:ok:

[yyzdub]

To add to those comments re: living costs in BKK - I paid 8000THB for a single room studio apartment, granted in the City Centre, a month which consisted of a bathroom, a bed, and a television set. A 2 bedroom place would run at the very least 27000 THB and for something that would make the living transition to Asian culture easier, you would be looking at roughly 40000 THB/month.

As for food and beer - beer is cheaper at the 7/11 however at a pub/bar and even more at a club you are looking at a little more than a Euro. If nightclubs are your scene expect at least a 5-10 Euro cover charge. In reality, most things are the same price as you'd find anywhere unless bought from street vendors - which do have fantastic food, probably the best in the city. As for anything else, expect Western prices.

I loved the city, great experience and I'd probably jump on an opportunity to go again. Keep an open mind and my advice would be to try and learn a little thai and get yourself invovled with some things down there ie. get into the Thai culture rather than spending most of your time with ex-pats.

YYZDUB