How do I quit respectfully in Thailand ?

Table of content:

1. First, prepare for what comes next in your career
2. Check your employment contract
3. Notify your employer
4. The resignation letter
5. Leave a positive last impression!
6. Think about the reference when you quit in Thailand!

How to resign from my job?

There are good reasons to quit in Thailand: the desire to learn something new, moving to another city, or a better offer from the competition. But sometimes you leave your work for the wrong reasons: Maybe the job was not a good fit or there were irreconcilable differences with your bosses or colleagues.

Although you may have been looking forward to it, avoid a dramatic departure with a lot of fuss and bad words, which will only give you short-term satisfaction. It is important for your professional career to quit respectfully without hurting your colleagues and boss. Don’t rush into things and don’t argue with anyone – they could be useful to you again.

If you are convinced of your decision to leave your current job, you need to prepare your resignation properly. So we have put together what we think is essential in case of a dismissal.

1. First, prepare for what comes next in your career

Your current work may be boring, but at least you earn a salary. Use it as a basis to prepare for the next step with peace of mind. Even if your boss is incompetent and annoying, and you think you can’t stand your job one more day: take it on yourself until you find a new job. Leaving your job too soon and being unprepared for unemployment will sooner or later lead to an emergency that will force you to make compromises when choosing a new job. And you won’t be much happier in the new job.

Make sure you know what is your career goal, what you are good at, and what you want to develop. If you leave for a better offer it may turn out that the responsibilities are not what you wanted or what you are capable of. You will finish struggling in your new position and if you decide to leave your new job too soon, it will give a negative aspect to your resume.

This is what we call a job hopper. It is someone who works briefly from one position to another rather than staying in a company for the long term. This can look very suspect and you will look unreliable. Recruiters and HR could avoid contacting you because of that.

2. Check your employment contract

Most employers will not stop employees if they quit. This means that if employees want to leave, they will not stop them, because they know that they will not be performing well for the company anyway.

However, it is important to know your notice period and to respect it. You also need to know if there are any termination requirements listed in it. It would be a pity to lose your new job immediately just because you have to work a few more weeks at your old company because of a missed notice period. You can find your notice period in the employment contract. In Thailand, you commonly have 1-month notice period or 2 months for executive-level positions.

3. Notify your employer

Before giving your notice to your current employer, we advise you to first sign your contract with your new company. This will avoid bad surprises if, for example, you quit in Thailand and the new company decides not to hire you anymore…

According to the etiquette, you need to inform your employer verbally in the right terms before filing a resignation letter. A notice is like a break-up, to keep good relations with your employer and good memories of your work, you must do things properly.

Make an appointment with her/him, taking enough time to discuss it properly and explain your reasons constructively. You may want to explain why you are interested in the new job. It could be because of the new industry, a higher position, or new skills that you want to develop. You will inform the rest of the team and your colleagues later. Be courteous and professional while discussing with her/him.

Don’t forget to be flexible if your superior asks you to stay a little longer in the company. This will make your leave pleasant and ensure you get a positive reference for your next job. Also, discuss handover and plan your leave. This will show professionalism and respect.

4. The resignation letter

After verbally informing your direct report about your resignation, she/he will notify his superiors and HR. Only after they all have been notified, you can give them your letter. The resignation letter is the only official way to leave your job.

For a resignation to be legally valid, it must be in writing and signed. An oral notice or an e-mail is not sufficient. Of course, your employer may accept other forms of termination than a hand-signed one – but to be on the safe side, you should not rely on them.

The letter should include a detailed list of the reasons why you wish to leave your current job. Also use the word ‘resignation’ explicitly, for example in the subject line. Finish the letter with a positive note about your position and your boss, as a thank-you sentence.

You can write it yourself or also ask HR to get a resignation form.

Once your letter is given, HR will proceed with all social security, provident fund, and other important matter. Don’t hesitate to ask them for more information about your rights if you need to. Also make sure that you get all the benefits you are entitled to receive.

Here you can find some examples of termination letters that we have prepared to help you.

5. Leave a positive last impression!

Even if you have managed to resign and are looking forward to finishing your current job, don’t give in to the urge to speak too negatively about your former employer. Even if you never want to go back, you may find yourself working with certain superiors or colleagues in another company. It is, therefore, better to ensure that your reputation and relationship with your superior remains positive while leaving the company.

Also take the time to say goodbye, e.g. by sending a group e-mail to colleagues and clients or business partners. It will show that you are leaving the company on good terms, without any conflict. And don’t hesitate to personally thank the people you were closest to and those who helped you along the way.

6. Think about the reference when you quit in Thailand!

You are entitled to a work reference, and you should ask for it. The best thing to do is to express your wish to obtain the document directly at your notice interview. The certificate is another reason why it is wise to refrain from expressing your dissatisfaction with your former employer, even after you have been dismissed. After all, they could return the favour with a wrong assessment in the reference. It is certainly unprofessional, but superiors are only human!

The work reference will usually be provided by HR. The letter describes the position you had and indicates your last salary. It is very important to get it. The new company you are applying to may request it.

If you still have doubts about whether you should quit your job in Thailand, you can take our quiz « Should I quit my job ? » we have prepared for you.

We have also written an article, “Should I quit my job? The SMART goals“, which can help you make your decision and know where to start.

As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, it is better to leave your job if you already have leads for a new position, or if you have already found a new job.

If you need more advice about leaving a job or about your background and profile, contact our team in Bangkok. Our advisors are in daily contact with candidates in your situation, and we know how difficult it can be to get started.