The history of the Russian IT specialist who moved to work in Thailand

There is a lot of melancholy and some despondency in Russia. Even many close friends are negative almost always. It is depressing. So, I went first of all to change my surroundings.

I was born in Kemerovo, where I studied applied mathematics at KemSU in the same year and a half. I quit because I was going to learn programming, but this was not taught. To cram abstract math is one torment. In addition, I began to master the creation of sites on the Internet and wanted to continue to do this. University only interfered.

After graduation, I turned up a case, and I went to Moscow, where I lived almost 10 years.

He worked in different offices, until he was tired of “working for his uncle”, began to work independently in the form of a “virtual” web development studio and CEO. I had a 2-3 assistant remote, the office was never superfluous. We made websites and SEO for clients.

I no longer saw the point of staying in Moscow. I didn’t have to go to work for a long time, all the clients were deleted. He returned to Kemerovo and settled in the country. I lived there for a couple of years. Again, boring, and decided to try to live abroad. It was a long time idea to go to Thailand on Samui. I flew to see how it was and what. He returned to Russia in 4 a month to complete the work and fly back to Samui for a long time. So the choice was more random, but I liked it.

“We will never be“ ours ”here. In Thailand, this is felt very clearly. " / Photo from personal archive

About language proficiency

I taught English “in computer”, read technical texts, it gave a large vocabulary, and I studied grammar at the lyceum.

When I flew to Thailand, I knew English well enough to order something to eat. The first two weeks never spoke Russian. So a sharp immersion in the language environment helped me to speak. But Thais speak English very badly, so I was glad for every opportunity to communicate with native speakers.

After the move, I watched a lot of video courses in English - this has already allowed me to switch to a completely different level of language - when you no longer think about translation, but you immediately catch the meaning even if you don’t know all the words.

I don’t know Thai, a few words, numbers and everything. Very difficult language for Europeans, it is necessary to study for a long time.

On the difficulties of the first time

The first two weeks I lived in Phuket, as an ordinary tourist at the hotel, because I flew on a voucher (cheaper) and only then threw away a return ticket and left for Samui. In the first days I just rested, looked at the country, people, got used to the kitchen.

The most difficult was the lack of transport. In Thailand, no one walks on foot, because it is very hot, plus almost no pavements anywhere. Without transport here in any way.

About a month later I could not stand it and rented a scooter, although I had never driven a scooter or a motorcycle before. It was scary, and even left-handed movement. A few months later I bought my scooter. When he returned to Moscow, he went through motorcycle driving courses. Slowly grew to a large motorcycle on the 1300 "cubes".

About housing problems

On Samui, almost all visitors "long-livers" rent houses. I have a rather large two-bedroom house in the "jungle" with an open terrace. Once at home I sit at a computer, turn to the side, and a healthy scorpion walks on the floor. So here it is. Therefore, almost all Thai houses are raised above the ground by a meter or two. Well, because of flooding during heavy rains, too.

Find a decent house is a problem. Often, good houses are transferred "inherited" from one farang (as the Thais call Europeans - Approx. Ed.) To another.

Good internet often becomes a problem. The master is usually terrible. You have to do it yourself, and this is either a contract for yourself with at least six months in advance, or you need to negotiate with the owners, which is not always possible. Plus, not everywhere in general, in principle, it is possible to draw a good line.

About the difference of mentalities

The mentality of the Thais is very different from both Russian and European. Over time, you begin to understand the motives of their actions, but still, in our opinion, they are categorically wrong. Sometimes it infuriates a lot.

As a rule, this is due to the “loss of face”. If the Thai man has “nakosyachil”, he will never admit it and will build all kinds of nonsense, just not to admit the mistake. And the attempt to bring it "to the clear water" can end in a serious conflict. So that he does not “lose face” (and this will happen if he admits a mistake or it becomes obvious that he committed it), you need to get around the situation from the other side. This is very difficult. And to achieve the goal, and not lose face - neither him nor his own.

"In Thailand, no one walks on foot, because it is very hot." / Photo from personal archive

On the division into "their" and "alien"

We will never be "ours" here. In Thailand, this is felt very clearly, though not immediately. But in many places around the world there are quite extensive Russian communities. Samui has a lot of long-livers, expats from Russia.

We also have quite a few wintering campers every year. We almost never communicate with tourists - well, except for friends who occasionally come to us. This is me to the fact that many Russians here even do not really know English and live, communicating only with the same Russian “long-livers”.

About the features of work in Thailand

In Thailand, there is a certain technical pofigism. “If the page in the browser opens, it means the Internet is there!”, - this is how technology can be described here. Almost in any large or average Russian city is better. Of course, certain “oases” come across, but this is a rare exception to the rule.

For me, when moving almost nothing has changed. I worked remotely before.

Working remotely is generally much easier than many people think. Whoever doubts - let him read, for example, Tim Ferris' 4-hour work week. About 4 hours - not everyone can, of course, but many of the principles of remote work that are described there, I apply every day.

What needs to be changed in Russia

In Europe and America, the level of technology is much higher on average. Partly, the secret is in English. It is an international language in programming and in IT as a whole.

I recently very actively studied modern programming. Without knowing English, the programmer, and indeed any IT specialist, cannot achieve a good level.

And at the same time, knowing English, you can become a professional programmer, studying video on YouTube. There is so much high-quality and relevant information, how many in any Russian university you will not find.

About wanting to return

Return for good is unlikely. Only for training.