Hi Skit,

Moving to Thailand is not like 'emigrating' to Oz. For starters, it is quite difficult to get residency (takes a number of years, tax records, is subject to a per country cap of 100 people - although this is not really aproblem with westerners as so few get to the 'counting' stage) and it does not gve work rights either (although work permits are easier to obtain with it as Thailand recogniswes that a resident would need to work). There are a number of sites dedicated to teaching in Thaailand and list jobs (try Ajarn.com - living and teaching in Bangkok or Ajarn Forum - Living and Teaching In Thailand as well as http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Teaching in Thailand Forum.

Legally your wife needs a degree and a teacher's degree/cert etc (and TEFL is she wishes to teach English as a foreign language - not a legal requirement, but a must for better paid jobs). She will probably be able to get a job offer and apply for an No-Immigrant 'O' (B) VISA and the school should sort out the work permit (don't work without one unless you want to risk deportation).

There is almost no chance you being allowed to work as a plumber though (as this is a job a Thai can do - according to the protected job list) as you would not be able to get a work permit. You could get a job as a trainer perchaps, or maybe if you have expertise in some specialist area (or can land a government job). You could have your own plumbing firm, but you couldn't work for it (mad eh?).

I would suggest you really scrutinise sites like ThaiVisa.Com (especially the forum) and Hull Consulate as they have good info on Visas - oh, and use them rather then the London Embassy (trust me on this!!!!)

You will find it hard to live as a farang (western) couple in Thailand on a single teacher's salary however - especially in Bangkok. If you have savings, be carefull not to spend it all - you may need to cut and run at some point.

There are legal minumums of pay based on country of origin, but teaching jobs are allowed to pay less than this - University lecturers and subject teachers (especially in International Schools) get good wages (comparatively) - state schools in the sticks will barely cover the cost of living (and a frugal living at that) - your rent may easily eat up 3/4 of your wage and all that fun you had on your trips will only exist in your memories.

One suggestion though - your wife may be able to take a year sabatical from her post in the UK and you could both try it for a year. This will open your eyes better than anyone here could. You need to consider what you can do (legally) here too - rental income from you UK home could help lots too.