What should I do about my Non-B visa and job resignation in Thailand?

Hi guys,

I am currently in a delicate situation and I came here seeking advice from you.

Here is my situation:

I have been here in Thailand since last summer on 3 (60-30 day) tourist visas. At the beginning of this year I was looking for a job as an English Teacher and I found one at a government school in Bangkok, which I started beginning of May. The school helped me to attain my 90-day Non-immigrant-B visa (I did the visa run, had the school’s paperwork, had to pay for the visa myself and came back without a problem). I have not received a work permit yet, the school is processing it (I have not paid for it, yet. They said it’s another 4k THB or so).

Now, the work situation at my school has turned out to be way worse than advertised and what they have told me. Long story short, my intention is to leave that school, but to stay in Thailand. And here the issues arise...

According to my contract, I barely have any rights, although the school seems to have all the rights to kick me out or to penalize me for various reasons... They are not breaking anything in the contract (e.g. 25 teaching hours). The only rescission clause states that I can rescind with at least one month notice and still get paid for that month. Now, if you google that, horror stories of teachers not getting paid or having their lives basically becoming horror stories come up in bunches. A lot of people say just to leave the country (and not come back?).

My questions:

- Do you have any experience with rescission from work contracts or these teaching situations?

- I am on the 90day Non-B Visa (not extended to 365 days yet). Is my visa already bound to a work permit? I don’t know if I am on a work permit yet, since I haven’t even paid the fee for it. Also, I don’t know how and when I get the permit…do I just get it from the school?

- In case I am not on a work permit, is my Visa bound to my work contract? What if I just leave the school? Would I be able to stay on my current Non-B visa?

- Most likely scenario: I want to do a visa run and come back on (my 4th) Tourist visa. What’s the best way to do that? Will I get in trouble for having a non-B visa cancelled without having a re-entry?

I am feeling that I might have a way out since it seems like my work permit is not done, yet. Also, quitting teaching contracts in the middle of the contract seems to be quite common….do all these people just flee the country?

I know, quitting a contract in a weird way is not very professional and if this were the U.S., I wouldn’t be afraid to do it the official, legal way. But since I hear a lot of negative experiences dealing with these schools (and my school seems to be that way), I come to you for advice first.

Best wishes, Stephe