I want to hire a Personal Assistant in my home office.

[bruce_nyc]

Hi, Gang. Long time no see... I live in Bangkok now, and my 2 boyfriends and I live here together. So much to tell you all, I could fill a couple volumes or more...

But the reason I'm posting this topic is.... I want to hire a Personal Assistant... in my home office.

Does anyone have any tips or advice about: how to find someone (in Bangkok) who has a great work ethic, speaks English well, and is smart.

Also, are there any legal obstacles I need to be aware of...? Solutions?

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[bucknaway]

What you may need is a Mamasan =))

Good to see you active on the boards

Also, are there any legal obstacles I need to be aware of...? Solutions?

You're legally able to hire office labour that is you have work permit and an appropriate visa status? Surely you should be asking a legal company with expertise in this area such as Sunbelt or Siam Legal rather than a bunch of sex tourists, English "teachers" and clapped out retirees?

[bruce_nyc]

But I asked here.... and I got your excellent advise. Thanks for the tips and referrals.

I already interviewed and hired one..... He starts tomorrow morning at 8:00am..... so I'll get right on those legal details. Thanks.

[Manforallseasons]

[quote="bruce_nyc"]Hi, Gang. how to find someone (in Bangkok) who has a great work ethic, speaks English well, and is smart.

Does that leave out your 2 boyfriends?

[bruce_nyc]

Yes. Because (1) They are my boyfriends..... not my paid staff, and (2) They don't speak English well enough, and (3) They basically barely have any work ethic. More of a "shopping ethic". No news there.... eh?

Good news is: I hired a new PA already. Today was his first day. His English is nearly as good as mine. He has a very strong work ethic. He is happy to work long hours and 6 days a week. And the salary he asked for was significantly less than I was expecting to pay. This allows me to offer him raises and/or bonuses as he proves himself "invaluable". He's not Thai. He is Philippino.

Today was his first day. So far, it went very very well.

By the way, he doesn't speak a word of Thai. At first I thought that might be a disadvantage. However, now I think it's great. English will be spoken in my office at all times.... so I'll have a clue what is being discussed. English hasn't really been a handicap for me in dealing with stores etc in Thailand. Every store has at least one person that speaks enough English to explain the details of a transaction. In fact, I find it better when my boyfriends are NOT there..... because store clerks ways search for the Thai person and direct all communication to him. Then they have this huge long drawn out conversation.... where at the end, NO ONE bothers to tell me anything that was discussed. I have no idea what I just bought or conceded to!

With my new PA, they guess he is Thai and start speaking Thai to him..... which is always amusing.... until one or both of is say, "Sorry. We are not Thai. We only speak English.". Then they magically start speaking English ..... and I understand everything. It's awesome!

[MiniMee]

He is Philippino.

Great! So now not only do you need a work visa, but your PA does too!

There used to be a law that required a company to employ at least 6 Thais for each foreigner they employed. Does anyone know if that is stil the case?

[bruce_nyc]

I'll check with the law firm because we're not a business. He's a personal Personal Assistant. We are operating no business. It would be more similar to hiring a housekeeper for your personal residence. Do people create a Thai "company" just to hire a housekeeper...? I doubt it. But I'll let the lawyers tell me.

I was asking here mainly for ideas on how to find someone... but now that I have, I'm good.

[focusedinthai]

Bruce -

You are fine - don't worry - don't let these other 'do gooders' that think they know everything about Thai law try to influence you. The law states you are certainly permitted to work on your own, earning your own money, in your own home as long as you do not have a shop, or rent office space in a complex. There are actually an estimated 5,000 expats in Bangkok alone that work from home, earning their own income via either the Internet or a source out of Thailand. They live here because they enjoy it, but obviously need to earn a living. They are not 'taking a job from a Thai'. Your example of the housekeeper is a perfect example - what you do in your home stays in your home. Work away - Let your Filipino work away. Unless you expand into something bigger and start marketing in a store space or something, you just need a valid visa to remain in the country. PS - how do I know this? I have happily worked at home in Thailand for nearly 10 years. I have had several PA's over the years - some Thai and, yes, some Filipino. We are perfectly within the law to do so, and I have a lawyer that has confirmed this. Ask these other posters if they know what they are talking about, or if they are just spouting the rubbish that the 'so-called' experts are spouting on Thai Visa and other forums. I learned a long time ago not to list to Expats on Thai matters. Ask the Thai's - it is their country as all. People from Texas don't come to Thailand to ask Thai's how to ride a horse...

Cheers -

Jason

I'll check with the law firm because we're not a business. He's a personal Personal Assistant. We are operating no business. It would be more similar to hiring a housekeeper for your personal residence. Do people create a Thai "company" just to hire a housekeeper...? I doubt it. But I'll let the lawyers tell me.

I was asking here mainly for ideas on how to find someone... but now that I have, I'm good.

[billy2bs]

Maybe i am a bit naive but what do you want your PA to do for you. Just curious and nosy that is all.