Picture this: you’ve just landed in Thailand, the air humming with the scent of sizzling woks, lemongrass, and a hint of jasmine from a nearby temple. It’s been my home for 25 years—since my first school days in Chiang Rai—and I’m still head over heels for its flavors, its people, and the way food here weaves stories into every bite. For newcomers, diving into Thai cuisine can feel like stepping into a vibrant festival of tastes, and learning Thai food vocabulary is your golden ticket to join the celebration. This isn’t just a list of words—it’s a map to connect with Thai culture, order Thai dishes like pad thai or mango sticky rice with confidence, and savor the heart of a land I adore. Whether you’re a first-timer at a Thai restaurant, a new teacher with Kids English Thailand, or dreaming of Thai cooking in your own kitchen, I’ll walk you through this journey with the warmth Thailand’s poured into me over decades. Let’s dig in—slowly, deeply, dish by dish!

After 25 years of calling Thailand my home—starting with my first school days in Chiang Rai—I’ve come to adore this land of golden temples, spicy aromas drifting from bustling markets, and the gentle smiles that greet you everywhere. For new teachers stepping into this vibrant country, understanding the dress code teachers in Thailand follow is your first warm handshake with Thai culture. It’s not just about clothes—it’s about showing respect, blending into the classroom, and embracing traditions as welcoming as a bowl of tom yum or as soothing as khao soi. Whether you’re a foreign teacher here to teach English abroad or joining a Thai school, I’ll guide you through these tips and guidelines with the care I’ve learned from Thailand over decades. Let’s make your start smooth, respectful, and full of heart!

Imagine stepping off a plane into Thailand’s warm embrace—spicy street food wafting through the air, friendly smiles greeting you, and a world of adventure waiting. Whether you’re here to teach English (like the folks we support at Kids English Thailand, my teacher staffing crew), chase an expat dream, or just soak up the Thai vibe, renting an apartment in Thailand is your ticket to calling this place home. New to Thailand? No sweat—finding a spot might feel like a puzzle at first, but it’s a fun one, and I’m here to help you piece it together. With 25 years of Thailand under my belt, I’ll break it down simply—extra handy tips for teachers included—covering everything from Bangkok’s hustle to Chiang Mai’s chill. Let’s get you settled into your own Thai nook!

Welcome to Thailand, a country of golden temples, bustling markets, and roads that twist through landscapes I’ve loved for 25 years, ever since my first school days in Chiang Rai. Driving here has opened up its wonders in ways I can’t imagine living without, and if you’re a newbie—perhaps teaching English, settling as an expat, or just staying for a while—obtaining a Thai driving license is your golden ticket to explore it all. It might feel like a big step when you’re new, but don’t worry—I’m here to walk you through every detail with the warmth and patience Thailand has taught me over decades. Let’s get you ready to drive safely on these incredible roads, step by step, with all the tips a newcomer needs!

Thailand has been my home for 25 years, ever since my first school days in Chiang Rai, and its seasons still captivate me. This tropical gem in Southeast Asia, with its warm year-round embrace, offers something magical in every month. From the misty mountains of the north to the sun-kissed beaches of the south, Thailand hums with life—humid, vibrant, and welcoming. Whether you’re dreaming of a luxurious holiday or a quiet escape, I’m here to guide you through the three seasons—hot, rainy, and cool—and help you pick the best time to visit Thailand. Let’s explore the weather in Thailand, regional quirks, and dazzling festivals together.

Sawasdee from Thailand, my home for 25 incredible years! I still remember my early days as a teacher in Chiang Rai, surrounded by eager students and the gentle hum of northern life. Over the decades, I’ve seen how English can transform lives here, especially for teachers. If you’re new to the TOEIC Test Thailand journey or aiming to teach in this beautiful country, the TOEIC Test (Test of English for International Communication) is your key to success. Whether you’re in vibrant Bangkok or peaceful Chiang Mai, this guide—written with my deep love for Thailand—will help you navigate the TOEIC Exam in 2025. Let’s get started!

After 25 years in Thailand, now settled in Sukhothai, I’ve come to adore this “Land of Smiles,” where rice paddies stretch beside vibrant cities and timeless temples. The Thai wai, a traditional greeting, embodies the warmth of Thai culture—a gesture I’ve used to connect with Thai people since my early days here. For newcomers, mastering the wai is your key to unlocking Thailand’s heart. Let’s dive into this customary greeting, its meaning, and how to use it, with the affection I’ve grown for this welcoming land.

For 25 years, Thailand has been my home, its rivers and traditions weaving into my life since I first arrived in Chiang Rai. Now, living in Sukhothai—the very cradle of the Loy Krathong festival—I feel its heartbeat even more deeply. The Loy Krathong festival (or Loi Krathong festival, as some write it) and Yi Peng turn November’s full moon into a celebration of light and gratitude. I’ve watched krathongs float on Sukhothai’s ponds, their candles flickering, and released sky lanterns into the night sky elsewhere, each moment a love letter to this land. These are more than events; they’re the soul of Thai culture. Let’s explore the Loy Krathong festival, the Loi Krathong festival, and Yi Peng, from their Sukhothai roots to their 2025 glow, with the warmth they’ve kindled in me over decades.

You’re here to teach English, beginning your journey in Thailand—a vibrant new place alive with beauty. The ancient temples shimmer under the sun, the food is fresh and inviting, and the people offer a truly special kindness. Yet, that initial excitement might soften after a few weeks, perhaps in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. Your room feels quiet, the Thai language challenges you, and you miss your family back in your home country. That’s homesickness whispering, and with 25 years of cherishing this remarkable country, I’m here to guide you through it with care.

There’s no need to feel overwhelmed. This guide is crafted for first-timers like you—new English teachers stepping into Thailand’s extraordinary world. I’ll share personal stories from my decades here, offer gentle steps to settle, and answer questions like “Can I live on $1,000 a month?” It’s plenty, especially in northern Thailand, where 17,000 THB ($500) covers a good life. We’ll address that feeling of homesick in Thailand, find ways to feel good, and help you embrace your new city. Let’s flow through it together, honoring the grace of this land with practical, warm advice.

You’ve just arrived in Bangkok, where a gentle, warm wind carries the enticing smell of spicy grilled chicken cooking on a nearby street stall. The distant sound of temple bells offers a quiet greeting from this lively city. As a foreign teacher holding your bachelor’s degree, you’re entering a realm that’s exciting, uncharted, and ripe with opportunity. The heat surrounds you like a soft shawl, and then you hear “Sa wad dee ka!”—a joyful call from Thai students smiling widely at you near a busy school gate. This is your opportunity to teach English in Thailand, merging teaching jobs with the dynamic rhythm of Thai culture in a breathtaking part of Southeast Asia. With its temples, delicious food, and friendly smiles, Thailand is a dreamland for English teachers craving an unforgettable journey.

Sweat beads on your forehead as you weave through a bustling Thai market, the scent of grilled satay and jasmine rice swirling around you. It’s been almost 90 days teaching English in a small school outside Bangkok, and today’s the day you tackle your first 90-day report. With your passport tucked safely in your bag, you’re headed to the Immigration Office, heart racing with a mix of curiosity and pride. This isn’t just a chore after 90 days—it’s your rite of passage as a foreign teacher embracing life in Thailand, a land of warm smiles and endless wonders. Let’s dive into 90-day reporting and make it as easy as a Songkran splash!

For a newbie teacher, Mother’s Day—or Wan Mae—is a chance to step outside the classroom and into Thailand’s heart. Celebrated on Queen Sirikit’s birthday, it honors the “Queen Mother” of the Thai people and every nurturing soul—mothers, aunts, grandmas. Unlike Western brunches, this public holiday bursts with jasmine garlands, Buddhist gratitude, and community spirit. Here’s your guide—what, when, how, and why—written with deep respect for Thailand and its warm families.

For anyone new to Thailand, the Thai school calendar is a captivating puzzle, far removed from the August-to-June grind of North American school calendars or Europe’s fall launches. It’s a schedule molded by rainy seasons, blistering hot seasons, and a culture that celebrates learning with flowers, dances, and community heart. This guide unpacks it all—when it happens, what it’s like, and how to join in—whether you’re itching to teach in Thailand or just curious about the Land of Smiles. It’s written with deep respect and love for this incredible place, its people, and their ways.

A foreign teacher stands in a Thai school courtyard, surrounded by the lively buzz of students speaking a language still unfamiliar, when suddenly they turn with flowers in hand, bowing in a way that catches the breath. This is Wai Kru—a tradition so warm and steeped in respect, it feels like Thailand’s heartfelt welcome to those who teach. It’s a June morning, the air alive with gratitude as these kids honor their teachers with gentle gestures. I’m Matthew, here to guide you through this beautiful experience and share its magic. Whether you’re an English teacher eager to join this world or simply curious about its vibrant culture, this 2025 guide unveils Wai Kru Day—a ceremony that pulses at the heart of Thailand’s schools. Let’s step in with wonder and a smile!

You’re sipping a sweet mango smoothie, the warm Thai breeze brushing your face, when a wild idea hits: Why not stay here and teach kids in Thailand? Suddenly, you’re dreaming of a classroom filled with giggling students, a chalkboard, and a life in this colorful country. But then—bam!—someone mentions a license, and it feels like you’ve tripped into a jungle of rules. Don’t sweat it! I’m Matthew John, your friendly trailblazer. After dodging visa extensions and puzzling out Thailand’s ways, I’ve joined forces with Kids English Thailand to break it down for you. Whether you see yourself at a lively international school or a laid-back language school, this guide will help you snag a work permit, a non-immigrant B visa, and the Teachers Council of Thailand (TCT) license to teach legally in 2025. Let’s swap confusion for confidence and get you ready—with a grin or two along the way!

Picture this: You’re a foreign teacher fresh off the plane in Thailand, clutching your non-immigrant B visa, buzzing to start a teaching job at one of Thailand’s top international schools. You stride into a Thai school bathroom, expecting a trusty roll of toilet paper, only to lock eyes with a bum gun—a handheld bidet sprayer poised to flip your hygiene script. Don’t sweat it; this 2025 guide to how to use a bidet in Thailand is your go-to manual, blending step-by-step know-how, real tales from the immigration office grind, and up-to-date info to make you a bum gun pro. Whether you’re wrestling with work permit requirements for teachers in Thailand, juggling Thai visas, or dodging tourist visa woes with your valid passport, mastering the Thai bum gun is as vital as your bachelor’s degree or employment contract. Let’s wash away the confusion and get you thriving in Thailand, one spray at a time—because once you use the bum gun, there’s no going back!

If the maze of Thai visas, work permits, and teaching licenses feels daunting, don’t worry—this guide is your trusty machete, slicing through the entire process with precision and detail to get you teaching in Thailand by 2025. This isn’t a skimpy overview; it’s a comprehensive deep dive crafted for foreign teachers eager to inspire in Thai schools, international schools, or language schools, though it’s packed with value for any foreign nationals eyeing a job here.

Hey, fellow Thailand lovers! I’m Matthew, and as teachers living here, we know Christmas at school in a Thai primary setting is pure magic. This blog post dives into the heart of Christmas celebrations in a Thai primary school from my perspective. Forget snow and silence—it’s a balmy 30°C, Santa hats replace uniforms, and classrooms burst with laughter and life. Teaching English with Kids English Thailand has shown me how this annual Christmas tradition fills our hearts with joy, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. This isn’t just a holiday—it’s a love letter to the Thai spirit we adore.

Hey, fellow Thailand lovers! I’m Matthew, and as teachers living here, we know Christmas at school in a Thai primary setting is pure magic. This blog post dives into the heart of Christmas celebrations in a Thai primary school from my perspective. Forget snow and silence—it’s a balmy 30°C, Santa hats replace uniforms, and classrooms burst with laughter and life. Teaching English with Kids English Thailand has shown me how this annual Christmas tradition fills our hearts with joy, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. This isn’t just a holiday—it’s a love letter to the Thai spirit we adore.

Teachers Day in Thailand, celebrated annually on January 16, is a heartfelt tribute to the educators who shape the nation’s future. Known as Thai Teachers Day or National Teachers Day, this holiday reflects Thai culture’s deep respect for teachers, orchestrated by the Ministry of Education to honor their dedication. Let’s dive into this special day’s history, significance, and traditions.