Rumor: The Filipino teaching and entertainment communities in Thailand are getting the flak from the economic crisis situation in Thailand.
AMC: That’s what they thought and they were partly right. First, generally the Filipino teaching community has the advantage in terms of its numbers of teachers. Getting a job in Thailand is getting more difficult because of the amazingly huge number of Filipino job seekers in Thailand and not what others believed that Thailand’s uncertain economy has caused it. There are many job vacancies out there, it’s just that they are easily get filled with teachers who accept below meager salaries controlled by private teacher agencies that handle government projects in deploying teachers in selected areas in Bangkok and other cities and provinces. Schools that are stressed in processing their foreign teachers’ work permits and licenses opt to contact private teacher agencies in providing them with teachers. And this is now the trend in the foreign teaching industry in Thailand. Also, there are schools that are strictly following the licensing laws and so if you are a non-education degree holder, chances are you might not get the job or you might find yourself lined up with the others at the doors of language schools and “teacher” agencies. Plus notice how the number of schools increases in requiring its foreign teachers to pay the entire VISA and work permit fees, and worst some stop issuing the needed papers to process teachers’ work permits.
Meanwhile, the story in the entertainment industry is quite the opposite. It was honestly affected by the political and economic reservations in our host country. Cropping up sad stories of cutting budgets, non-renewal of contracts and other work-related insecurities are true. And Thai entertainers are perfecting their singing and English language skills to get a few jobs in major Bangkok hotels. And again, young Filipino entertainers are flying in the land of smiles to try their luck…I guess the oldies need to start looking for other means of living because the young ones are starting to replace them.
Rumor: The newly organized “Filipino Expats’ Community Services” group emerges from two “mother” Filipino organizations in Thailand: UFT and AFT.
AMC: It’s true. And forming groups among the growing number of Filipinos in Thailand is inevitable; in fact, encouraged by the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok. The Filipino Expats’ Community Services has a different way of helping the community and I think that’s avoiding too much politics in its realms. Honestly, just like the rest of the organizations, as long as each organization is doing the right thing to make their members happy and satisfied, then there is no reason to make this matter an issue. Though UFT and AFT might feel “incomplete” due to the deflection of some of their strong officers, I guess it is something that needs to be resolved within their respective organization. UFT and AFT, meanwhile, remain strong and active in hosting festivities and events that give every Filipino in Thailand a chance to feel that they are not that away from home. Plus, a group of Filipino teachers in the south of Thailand formed its organization just recently…and this is definitely good news to our teachers out there. Kudos to the Philippine Embassy – Bangkok in supporting all Filipino organizations’ activities!
On a personal note, special thanks to Ate Loli and Consul Randy for the support to the Association of Cordillerans in Thailand during the Cordillera Day held in May, 2009.
