University Council Seeks Longer Visas For Foreign Students, Profs: Thailand

[webfact]

University council seeks longer visas for foreign students, profs

CHULEEPORN ARAMNET

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT) has vowed to continue pushing for longer visas for foreign lecturers and students.

At present, foreign students in Thailand need to renew their visa every three months, while foreign lecturers also need to renew their visa often.

"We will write to the Foreign Ministry for help," CUPT president Prof Somkid Lertpaithoon said yesterday.

Somkid, who is also the rector of Thammasat University, said the CUPT had already raised this issue with the National Police Office and the Immigration Bureau.

"But the police did not agree with our proposal," he said, adding that granting longer visas would help ease Thailand's entrance into the Asean Community.

Somkid said universities study the qualifications of foreign lecturers and students before recruiting them.

"The government should trust the universities' judgement and adjust visa regulations," he said.

Somkid disclosed that CUPT also planned to ask the government to adjust the salary subsidy granted to foreigners, which was currently fixed at just between Bt20,000 and Bt30,000 per head.

"This rate has been used since 1999, and is very low when compared to the rising cost of living," he said, adding that this low rate made it more difficult for Thai universities to attract well-qualified lecturers.

"The CUPT has already instructed each university to determine the most appropriate amount for subsidy and we will propose the figure," he said.

-- The Nation 2013-02-21

[mike123ca]

Speaking to the admin at my school, 30,000 Baht is a very high wage.

I wonder who is lying to me?

[overherebc]

Isn't the subsidy paid to the university, by the government, while the salary paid to the lecturer is negotiated between the the university and the lecturer ?

[KBAA]

30.000 for a Thai teacher who there not can speak English, yes there is 30.000 a high salary !

But as now, when English "teachers" only get 30-40.000 Baht a month, the schools only attract lower qualified personel !!

Most of these English "Teachers" are not teachers at all, they speak English and teach English, but had never recieved proper Teacher training (TFL or what these few weeks courses are called is nothing, in Europe it take min. 1 full year to qualiyfi to teach kids) !

If the Thai goverment sendt the 10% Teachers best in English abroad ½-1 year under their education, then would the whole English teaching get a big jump upward, as these teachers then could teach the higher classes and the teachers who had the lower grades, then could 1-2 good English teachers at one school, do so much more !!

[tesolguru]

30,000 is not that uncommon for a foreign teacher, but I have a Thai friend who is making 60k in an elementary school, so... (yes, that is not a normal salary for Thai teachers - she has completed all the hurdles to get the max teaching certification currently available to Thai teachers)

[Tatsujin]

How about getting rid of the stupid 90 day reporting whilst they are at it...?

[TechnikaIII]

How about getting rid of the stupid 90 day reporting whilst they are at it...?

Simply because it provides occupations for the grossly numerous population of government employees. ... and needless to say, revenue.

[youngXpat]

30.000 for a Thai teacher who there not can speak English, yes there is 30.000 a high salary !

But as now, when English "teachers" only get 30-40.000 Baht a month, the schools only attract lower qualified personel !!

Most of these English "Teachers" are not teachers at all, they speak English and teach English, but had never recieved proper Teacher training (TFL or what these few weeks courses are called is nothing, in Europe it take min. 1 full year to qualiyfi to teach kids) !

If the Thai goverment sendt the 10% Teachers best in English abroad ½-1 year under their education, then would the whole English teaching get a big jump upward, as these teachers then could teach the higher classes and the teachers who had the lower grades, then could 1-2 good English teachers at one school, do so much more !!

And god help the kids if you are a teacher!

[youngXpat]

Speaking to the admin at my school, 30,000 Baht is a very high wage.

I wonder who is lying to me?

Erm, no.

[Unwisemonkey]

Somkid disclosed that CUPT also planned to ask the government to adjust the salary subsidy granted to foreigners, which was currently fixed at just between Bt20,000 and Bt30,000 per head.

I'm having trouble believing this figure, not unless it's offset by Filipino teachers. Let's do the low end of the spectrum: Government subsidizes ฿30,000 for a teacher. The Head of the school demands the low end ฿150 baht per class hour taught average 20 hours a week equals ฿3,000. Multiply by a foreign staff of 5 and then 4 weeks in a month, that's ฿60,000 per month for the head.

It's not economically viable for the agencies that pay the tea money to the head for foreign staff; tge agencies would not even exist with these kinds of numbers, Unless the tuition costs are covering it.

Beyond that there is the fundamental issue of the government policy of do as I say not as I do. A foreign company must provide a minimum salary of ฿60,000 a month for the foreigner they are hiring but schools are exempt? Lame.

[harrry]

This topic refers to University students and lecturers not those in high schools etc. I cannot understand this as students at a university are entitled to apply for one year visas not 3 months. He may be confusing 90 day reporting which is still required.

Edited February 21, 2013 by harrry

[hansnl]

How about getting rid of the stupid 90 day reporting whilst they are at it...?

Or a longer extension of stay for people in Thailand for 5 years and more AND the 90-day reporting?

[hansnl]

How about getting rid of the stupid 90 day reporting whilst they are at it...?

Simply because it provides occupations for the grossly numerous population of government employees. ... and needless to say, revenue.

90-day reporting is free......

[BWPattaya]

How about getting rid of the stupid 90 day reporting whilst they are at it...?

Simply because it provides occupations for the grossly numerous population of government employees. ... and needless to say, revenue.

90 Day reporting costs nothing so how does it provide revenue?

[mike123ca]

If you report late, they will hit you with fee's, fines or threaten you with revoking your perfectly

good visa. Back home, the only people who do reporting are those who are on parole from prison.

Amazing Thailand

[traveler103]

A foreign teacher on staff will usually earn 20,000 to 22,000 per month at a government university. Generally they are called lecturers and usually are required to have at least a BA or MA degree. Many universities will pay an additional 8,000 baht for off campus living expenses. Obviously this is very low. For a Westerner to teach at a primary or secondary school, they must have a teacher's license or pass the Thai teacher's test. I took a one year teacher's course and took the tests and received my Thai teacher's license. In addition, it was necessary to complete the Thai Culture Course which is approximately 20 hours. As part of taking the Thai Teacher's Course, you must work at a school and an advisor will visit you and the school at least 2 times during the course. I found the course to be very good. The license is for 5 years and then has to be renewed. A Teacher's License is not required to teach or lecture at a university. Lecturing as non staff at at University gets you more money but it is not steady and you do not know from term to term if you will get any classes or how many. I have been lecturing for the past 3 years and do okay. In addition, I volunteer 2 days a week at a Temple school who assists with the yearly work permit and visa. I am all in favor of higher pay and longer visa tems.

[culicine]

 

How about getting rid of the stupid 90 day reporting whilst they are at it...?

Simply because it provides occupations for the grossly numerous population of government employees. ... and needless to say, revenue.

90 Day reporting costs nothing so how does it provide revenue?

 

When you miss it by more than 7 days, it provides 2000 baht to the powers that be:)

[KhunMichael]

You get what you pay for... Pay peanuts, get monkeys. TOO HARD TO UNDERSTAND????

[Scott]

You get what you pay for... Pay peanuts, get monkeys. TOO HARD TO UNDERSTAND????

A little hard to understand. Are you referring to teachers or University lecturers, or immigration officers or members of the University Council or the Foreign Ministry?

[Baerboxer]

 

How about getting rid of the stupid 90 day reporting whilst they are at it...?

Simply because it provides occupations for the grossly numerous population of government employees. ... and needless to say, revenue.

90 Day reporting costs nothing so how does it provide revenue?

 

When you miss it by more than 7 days, it provides 2000 baht to the powers that be:)

Why would you miss it? If you choose to miss it, you pay the fine. It's your choice. Hardly a revenue generating scheme.

It's an anachronism that should be dispensed with - but's that a different issue.

[Baerboxer]

You get what you pay for... Pay peanuts, get monkeys. TOO HARD TO UNDERSTAND????

Rubbish! I know several expat teachers and university lecturers who are excellent. They choose to live in Thailand for family or personal reasons and accept the employment conditions. That's the problem with "sayings" - they generalise, stereotype, often provide inadequate metaphors and similies. Hard to understand but it helps to think,

[Trembly]

Regarding the 30000; the government calls it a subsidy, the institution calls it a cap.

[TechnikaIII]

How about getting rid of the stupid 90 day reporting whilst they are at it...?

Simply because it provides occupations for the grossly numerous population of government employees. ... and needless to say, revenue.

90-day reporting is free......

Since when has it been free? Because I have been advised by many that when I have my study visa, I have to turn up every 90 days with 2,000 Bt. Are we talking about the same thing?

[harrry]

How about getting rid of the stupid 90 day reporting whilst they are at it...?

Simply because it provides occupations for the grossly numerous population of government employees. ... and needless to say, revenue.

90-day reporting is free......

Since when has it been free? Because I have been advised by many that when I have my study visa, I have to turn up every 90 days with 2,000 Bt. Are we talking about the same thing?

No.. The 90 days you ae talking about is for an extension. THis costs about 2000 baht. You also seperately have to report your address every 90 days of staying in the country. THis is a seperate requirement and not doing so is a fine too.

[tombkk]

This topic refers to University students and lecturers not those in high schools etc. I cannot understand this as students at a university are entitled to apply for one year visas not 3 months. He may be confusing 90 day reporting which is still required.

I can confirm this. I was on a non-imm Class ED visa when studying at university here, and the extensions were for one year at a time.

[richard10365]

At Payap University in Chiang Mai, the international students get a 1 year visa. They still do the 90 day report just like every other foreigner in Thailand who lives here throughout the year. I think that immigration will not listen to someone who comes with a complaint which is comprised of inaccurate facts. CUPT president Prof Somkid Lertpaithoon seems to have some poor advisers.