What ISN'T allowed on a Thai resume?

nah you're not wasting your time. thai resumes are stuck in a weird limbo between old-school government forms and modern hiring standards. the photo thing is real, but most of the other stuff people do is just copying what they saw someone else do ten years ago.

one page is actually good here, especially for anything under 10 years exp. the longer resumes work for senior roles at government-adjacent places or family companies, but for startups, agencies, or any international firm, concise is better. the "about me" section is common but honestly useless - it's always "hardworking team player" fluff. skip it.

hobbies section is a cultural holdover from when companies wanted to judge your "character" outside work. ngl, putting "listening to podcasts" or "watching netflix" makes you look like you have nothing better to do. if you include hobbies, make them specific or skill-adjacent like "competitive badminton" or "photography" - something that shows discipline or creativity.

biggest thing you might be missing: thai resumes usually include marital status, age, and sometimes even a copy of your ID or house registration. that's considered normal here but looks weird on a one-pager. just leave those off unless the job ad specifically asks. the companies that care about that stuff will ask for it separately anyway.

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The photo rule is actually stricter than you think. It needs to be formal, head and shoulders, and you should look approachable but not smiling too wide. I've seen candidates rejected just because the photo looked casual, even with great qualifications.

One thing nobody's mentioned is the "expected salary" line. Thai resumes almost always include it, and it's not weird here like it would be in the West. Just put a reasonable range, don't leave it blank, and don't say "negotiable" unless you're applying to a foreign company.

The real cultural quirk is that Thai hiring managers often read resumes as a character check, not just a skills list. That's why the hobbies section exists, they're looking for signs you're stable and sociable, not just productive. So "watching movies" is fine if you're applying to a media company, but useless for a finance role. Tailor it to the vibe of the place.

Also, never use a template with columns or sidebars. Thai ATS systems are still pretty basic and they'll mangle your formatting. Single column, clear headings, standard fonts like Tahoma or Angsana New. That's what HR here is used to scanning.

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honestly the one page thing is fine but dont stress if it spills to two for senior roles. i've seen plenty of thai managers in big corps hire from two page resumes because they want the full work history, especially if theres gaps or government stints involved.

one thing you might not know: the photo isnt just decoration. it needs to be in professional attire, suit or office wear, and it has to look current. i've seen resumes get binned because the photo was from a wedding or a beach trip. also, the photo goes top right or top center, not bottom left like some western templates do.

for the "about me" section, i'd say cut it entirely if you can. thai hiring managers skim it but they dont trust it. theyll read your work history and maybe call your references. the hobbies thing is worse, it reads like filler. if you must keep it, one line max.

also, dont bother with a skills section that lists "microsoft word" or "basic english" unless the job ad mentions them. that comes across as padding. the format that actually works here is work history first, then education, then a short certifications section if you have any. thats it.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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