Moving to Thailand to work questions

[naomi]

Moving to Thailand questions:
After years of looking for a job in Asia. I'm finally close to landing one. I am negotiating the salary package right now.
I realized that Thai salary (in a large Thai-owned company)will be lower than what I am making, but I'm thinkingthat the package should be equal if not better than what I have now. One big shock I have already is the school fees. I have a kid.
The internatonal schools from what I've researched are gouging both the expats and the Thais. There's no way an average Thai or even a rich Thai can afford these schools unless it's old money. And for the expats, this must be negotiated in the package because there's no way for an average professional with family can even come close.
Can you guys share some of the salary packages that you have experienced? What is typical?
How about housing allowance? I wish I don't have to live in the Ekkamai area, but it seems like it's the only way.
Do you also get car allowance?

[NangrongJ]

As one who has worked in many countries 'the package' is exactly that, it covers everything. Providing you have informed them of your family details there should be no problem although they will try to resist. It's really down to how badly they want you or need your expertise.

The fees they would pay the school as part of your package would be much less that you would pay - as a farang!

I would respectfully suggest you hold out to get the school fees paid.

[Buckethead]

I know I am replying to a pretty old post. I am a Thai national, but work on what is basically an expat package which also includes school fees for my daughter to attend international school. You should be budgeting at approx. USD 17,000 per year for schooling at international schools around Bangkok. This is a median price for most international schools here and they tend to increase their tuitition fees annually. There are more expensive schools and a fewer less expensive schools, but most of them are in this price range. You won't have to pay more as an expat than a local for school fees as most local international schools want to attract as many foreign kids to study as possible. This helps to attract the local kids which make up the vast majority of students at "most" international schools here. Just go to any of their websites and you will see that they all post their fees quite clearly and in plain view. Be aware that British based curriculums normally consist of three terms while American based curriculums normally consist of two terms / semesters. Be very careful about your package calculations as from experience, you will be required to pay the income tax on whatever your company pays out in school fees (in my case, 30%) and if this amount is combined with your month salary then you will have very little leftover to pay your school fees. If you ask me, then it would be wiser to rent a house in a less central location and drive to work everyday. I live near the new airport and workk in Ekamai and it only takes me 50 minutes to get to work in the mornings, but I rely heavily on the expressway system. This would be much cheaper than renting an apartment / condo downtown. Most of the international schools are also located on the edge of the city and this would be better for your kids as they won;t have to spend so much time in traffic. I don't have housing allowance or car allowance since I own both already.