Teaching Thailand
Knowledge Hub FAQ

Is a degree required? Yes. To be legally employed in Thailand, the Ministry of Education requires a Bachelor’s Degree in any field. This is essential for your Non-B Visa and Teacher's License waiver. Read our full 2026 Visa Guide →

What is the salary? Verified teachers earn 30,000–36,000 THB net per month depending on school and province. Low living costs in Northern Thailand allow savings of about $100–$300 USD monthly.

Is there a placement fee? No. $0 placement fee. Orientation is $400 on arrival and covers Bangkok pickup, hotel, meals and training. A 5,000 THB visa/work-permit amount is reimbursed.

What is the 15,000 THB hold? Some paid contracts deduct 15,000 THB across the first months and return it at the end of the contract, plus the 5,000 THB visa refund.

How does placement work? You apply. We build a profile (CV, photos, intro video) and send it to partner schools. If a school selects you, you get a written offer before visa filing. Then paperwork, Bangkok pickup, Sukhothai orientation and move-in.

Can couples be placed together? Yes. We aim for the same school or the same town.

What documents do I need? Original degree and transcripts, plus a clean police check from your home country. Do not laminate the degree. Authenticate it when we tell you.

How fast do you reply? 24–72 hours after the apply form.

How does housing work? You pay rent. We help find a 3,000–8,000 THB studio before you arrive. Some schools give an allowance.

When are the intake deadlines? We recruit for April/May and October 2026 intakes. October pickups are Oct 10, 17, and 24, with Term 2 starting in November. Check your eligibility here →

How does the Digital Work Permit process work? Thailand uses a Digital Work Permit (e-Work Permit) system under the Ministry of Labour. K.E.T. coordinates directly with school authorities to ensure 100% legal compliance. KET supports the Non-B e-Visa and digital work permit with the school. You still supply documents.

Is a Criminal Background Check required? Yes, a clean criminal background check from your home country is mandatory for the Teachers' Council of Thailand (TCT / Khurusapha) licensing waiver.

Can I teach subjects other than English? Yes. There is high demand for Math, Science, and PE teachers in English Program (EP) schools across Thailand.

Can non-native English speakers apply? Yes. You need a bachelor’s degree and strong English, typically IELTS 6.5+ or TOEIC 860+.

Do I need a KET TEFL certificate? No. Any recognised TEFL is accepted. KET does not run the certificate course. We run the classroom practicum in Sukhothai.

What is the KET TEFL practicum? 14 days in Sukhothai: about 1 week orientation and 1 week teaching in real partner schools (about 40 hours). Online TEFL courses do not replace this classroom time.

Is a degree required? Yes for a paid legal job and the Non-B visa / work permit. The practicum does not replace a bachelor’s degree.

Can I do the practicum without taking a paid job? Yes. Standalone practicum is available in open semester months if you already have work or only want the classroom hours and a staffing reference.

What do I get at the end? A verified staffing reference from Matthew John / KET, classroom hours in Thai schools, and orientation. You do not get a new TEFL certificate from KET unless you already brought one.

How long is it and when are the pickups? 14 days. Main pickups: May 10 and November 1 (2026 and 2027). Sunday VIP van from Bangkok Mochit 2 to Sukhothai.

What does it cost? Pay on arrival in Thailand after you see the setup. Economy path about $435 USD (self-funded room and meals). Joint residency about $700 USD (14 nights AC suite + meals/transport). Early Years add-on about $900 USD.

Can non-native speakers join? Yes, with a degree and strong English (typically IELTS 6.5+ or TOEIC 860+).

Can I volunteer teach without a university degree? This is unpaid. You stay on a Non-Immigrant ED visa, not a paid work permit. Our Volunteer Residency is specifically designed for gap-year travelers, career-breakers, and retirees aged 18+ who do not hold a Bachelor's degree. You can make a real impact in rural schools while living legally in Thailand.

Is volunteering in Thailand legal without a Work Permit? Legally, you cannot receive a salary without a Work Permit. Our volunteers stay on a Non-Immigrant ED (Education) Visa, which allows you to reside in Thailand legally while participating in cultural exchange programs.

Do I get training before I start volunteering? Absolutely. Every volunteer joins our 6-Day Launch Week in Sukhothai. You’ll receive workshops on lesson planning, Thai etiquette, and classroom management before meeting your students.

Where do volunteers live during the residency? Volunteers stay in private AC rooms at our boutique Sukhothai HQ Hotel with ensuite bathrooms and high-speed Wi-Fi included.

Why is there a fee for volunteering? Your fee covers private hotel stay, 3 meals a day, VIP Bangkok pickup, and 24/7 in-country support. This ensures a safe, high-quality experience.

Do I need a university degree to join the Summer Internship? No. The Summer Internship is open to university students, gap year travelers, and career-breakers aged 18+ without a degree.

What is the "Signature Rotation" experience? Our model allows interns to rotate through Kindergarten, Secondary, and English Camps, gaining a complete K-12 perspective of Thai education.

What are the 2026 Internship dates and duration? The Summer Internship runs for 4 to 6 weeks during peak camp seasons (April/May and October).

How do I apply for the 2026 Summer Cohort? Applications are processed via our 24-72 hour fast-reply system. Start Your Summer Application →