Hi Karsten!
Just thought I'd give you my two cents worth! I've been along the same path as you and being around the same age as you, here is what I found:
It is not easy!!
Good, cushy jobs like major hotels and bars will be filled up by trained staff through their own recruitment and career process. 5 star hotels send the managing staff around and the jobs advertised will be lower ranking with ditto salary where Thai's will be preferred. You can get sales positions that basically are commission-based, but you will work your ass off earning some money.
I ended up working in the diving industry, but that is also hard work for not very much money. A bilingual dive instructor can make 70 000 baht (English and/or Scandinavian languages and French/German), but will work non-stop and never really enjoy the lifestyle (but will, of course, get to dive a lot).
English teacher looks life the safest bet if you are quite young. Do an IELTS-course and you will find work quite easily! The pay is not all that good, but you will have plenty of time off and get to know Thai culture through students. Language schools are also likely to offer work permits - something you will never get while diving!
In any case, I wish you luck! And I agree with you - having something to do makes a long stay much easier! And more fun!
