Side Income for Teachers in Thailand: Tutoring, Online, Legal Limits
Day Job First. Ask the School. Never Tout in the Yard.
I've lived in Thailand for 20 years, and from our office in Ban Lum I tell new teachers the same thing about extra work: your day job comes first, and your work permit names your school. Ask your school before you take on tutoring or online students, and never recruit students in the school grounds. Every figure on this page is an example only. This is not legal advice.
Your school job comes first. Your work permit names your school, so it does not automatically cover other paid work. Whether private tutoring or online teaching is allowed in your case is case-specific, so ask your school first, then check with the Department of Employment or a qualified adviser. Never recruit students on school grounds. Rates vary, and every figure here is an example only, not guaranteed. KET is a placement agency, not a legal or tax adviser. For the permit basics, see our Thai work permit guide. For pay, see our teaching salary guide.
01: Private Lessons: Ask the School First
After-school and weekend requests come second to your contract.
"In 20 years here, I've seen extra teaching offers turn up once a teacher is settled in a town. Whatever comes up, the day job comes first. Be on time for morning assembly and mark your books. That is what protects your reputation with the school."Matthew John : Co-Founder & Operations Manager, KET
General Conversation 🗣️
One-on-one sessions for young learners: phonics, reading and speaking confidence. Rates vary with the town, where you meet, and how long each session is. Ask your school before you say yes.
TOEIC and IELTS Prep 🎯
Some university students and adults look for help with exams. For the test itself, see our TOEIC test guide. Exam coaching is still extra work, so ask your school first.
Never Tout in the Yard 🏫
Do not recruit or advertise tutoring to students in your own school, and never do it on school grounds. It can put you in a tricky spot with your school and your Thai co-teachers.
02: Online Teaching: Ask First Here Too
Evenings and weekends from your room, with the school's say.
💻 Online Lessons
Some teachers teach online in their free evenings or weekends. Pay and rules depend on the platform, so read its terms. Online work can raise the same work permit questions as private tutoring, so ask your school first and check with the Department of Employment or a qualified adviser. This is not legal advice.
You will need a steady internet connection. Test your connection before you accept any live booking.
| Format | Typical Arrangement | Example Rate (Not Guaranteed) | Things to Think About |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Person Conversation | Local students or young learners after school | Example only: 350 to 600 THB / hr | Travel time to the student's home or a cafe. Varies by province. |
| Exam Prep | IELTS, TOEIC or business English for adults | Example only: 600 to 1,000+ THB / hr | You need to know the test format and timing well. |
| Conversational Online | On-demand adult conversation platforms | Example only: $10 to $14 USD / hr | Less prep. Pay depends on the platform and the exchange rate. |
| Marketplace Online | Self-profile platforms | Example only: $12 to $25+ USD / hr | You build a profile and intro video. A platform may take a commission. |
* These hourly figures are examples only. We have not checked them, and they are not guaranteed. Real rates depend on your agreement, your town, your qualifications and the platform's terms.
03: Your Permit Names Your School
Case-specific. Not legal advice.
Your Permit Names Your School 📜
Your work permit names the school you work for. It does not automatically cover other paid work. What that means for your case is case-specific. For the basics, see our Thai work permit guide.
Ask your school and the DepartmentAsk Before You Say Yes 🤝
If a family asks you to tutor their child, tell your school first. It avoids misunderstandings and keeps your main job safe. Your school's rules and your contract come first.
Ask firstWho to Ask 🧭
KET is a placement agency. We are not your employer for extra work, and we are not a legal or tax adviser. Ask your school and the Department of Employment, or a qualified adviser for legal and tax questions.
⏱️ Keep Your Energy for Monday
Young learners need patience and energy every day. Too many evening hours leave you tired in class. Keep extra hours light, and leave time to rest and see Thailand.
04: Side Income: Four Steps
In order, and case-specific.
🛠️ How to Think About Side Income as a Teacher in Thailand
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Put Your Day Job First
Do your school duties first: morning assembly, lessons, planning and marking.
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Know What Your Permit Says
Your work permit names your school. It does not automatically cover outside paid work. Ask your school and the Department of Employment, or a qualified adviser, about your case.
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Ask Your School Before Offering Lessons
Speak openly with your school before you say yes to any private or online students. Never recruit students on school grounds.
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Keep Your Hours Light
Keep extra hours modest so you have energy for Monday assembly and your daytime classes.
05: Sample Extra Income: Example Only
Move the sliders. Not guaranteed, and not a promise.
🧮 Sample Monthly Estimator (Example Only)
Slide the hours to see a sample month. The hourly rates and the base salary are examples only. We have not checked them, they are not guaranteed, and real pay depends on demand, term breaks, your town and your agreements. Extra work also needs your school's OK first. For real salary information, see our teaching salary guide.
* The sums use an example base salary of 35,000 THB plus four weeks of the hours you pick. They are examples for thinking only. They are not a quote, a contract or a promise of income.
Side Income Questions
Can I take on extra teaching hours alongside my school job?
Some teachers do have free evenings and weekends once they settle in. Your school contract and your school's rules come first, so ask your school before you take on any extra work.
Is private tutoring covered by my school work permit?
Not automatically. Your work permit names your school, and it does not automatically cover other paid work. Whether private tutoring is allowed in your case is case-specific, so ask your school and check with the Department of Employment or a qualified adviser. Never recruit students on school grounds. This is not legal advice.
What rates can I expect for private tutoring?
Rates vary by town, subject and family, and we cannot promise any figure. The rates on this page are examples only, not guaranteed.
How does online teaching fit into a teacher's schedule?
Some teachers teach online in their evenings or weekends. Pay and rules depend on the platform, so read its terms. Ask your school first, as online work may raise the same permit questions. You will need a steady internet connection.
How do I keep my standing at school while doing extra work?
Keep the day job sharp: be on time for morning assembly, work well with your Thai co-teachers, and do not let evening work leave you tired in class.
Matthew John
Co-Founder & Operations ManagerI'm Matthew, co-founder of Kids English Thailand. I've lived in Thailand for 20 years and work from our office in Ban Lum, Sukhothai. Since 2009 we have placed over 1,500 teachers in Thai schools, and I still learn something from my Thai colleagues every year.
