GUIDE TO LIVING AND WORKING IN BANGKOK

Introduction

Although a number of international law firms have opened offices in Bangkok during the course of the last few years, the market for overseas-qualified lawyers is still small. One reason for this is the restriction on non-Thais becoming locally qualified and thus being able to practice Thai law, but another consideration is the limitation on the number of non-Thai citizens that any business can employ. In the broadest of terms, for each non-Thai employee, there are requirements as to the size of the business and the number of Thai employees.

As a result, the Thailand offices of international law firms each have a healthy contingent of Thai lawyers and unlike in, say, Singapore, there is no restriction on them practicing Thai law while working for an international firm. Therefore, the firms typically undertake both local work, through their local lawyers, and cross border, international work, usually through their overseas qualified lawyers.

Outside of work, most ex-pats find Thailand to be a fascinating place to live. It is generally considered to be a safe country and has a sunny, hot sub-tropical climate (although there are always plenty of showers during the rainy season). Compared to some of the other Asian capitals, such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo, Bangkok is a much cheaper place to be based. Whether it is the cost of renting an apartment, paying for a meal out or buying a typical bag of groceries, the cost is very reasonable indeed. In particular, for a roughly similar apartment, you would probably pay between a quarter and a fifth of what you would expect to pay in, say, Hong Kong. There are plenty of good options accommodation-wise too, whether you are looking at relatively basic apartments, flashy condominiums or even detached houses with gardens and private pools.

There is no shortage of good quality international schools in Thailand, at which western teachers teach western curriculum. The facilities at some of them are nothing short of superb. In addition, local live-in maids are cheap and easy to come by, all of which means that Thailand is a very good place to raise a family.

Leisure-wise, Thailand is particularly well served. There are no end of sports and country clubs, which typically have excellent facilities in beautiful settings. Golf is especially popular amongst ex-pats and there are plenty of top quality and reasonably priced courses to choose between. Shopping options are as wonderful as they are varied. At one end of the spectrum are the polished shopping malls, such as the Emporium on Sukhumvit Road, while at the other are the vast array of markets, such as the massive Chatachuk weekend market out towards Don Mueang airport.

Thai food is of course famous around the globe and, if you like your food spicy, there are few better places than Bangkok for eating out, although that doesn't necessarily mean eating at top end restaurants. Many streets are positively alive with stalls serving a wide variety of local dishes, which are often extremely good and always very cheap. You can expect Thai colleagues to invite you to join them for lunch and it is a very good way to discover some of the better spots.

The night-life in Bangkok is also world famous. Pubs and clubs are plentiful, busy and a lot of fun. Thais are a fun loving race and usually make excellent hosts.

Thailand is home to no end of beautiful beaches and picturesque resorts. Domestic flights are very reasonably priced and so there is no reason at all not to take the opportunity to get away regularly on weekends. Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui all offer great options for relaxing breaks on clean, palm tree lined beaches and are all less than an hour's flight from Bangkok.