Teach in Thailand
Knowledge Hub FAQs

Yes for all paid teaching roles. The Thai Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Education legally require a physical, unlaminated Bachelor degree in any field to issue a Non-B visa and Digital Work Permit. Candidates without a degree can explore our free volunteer residency instead.

Read complete credential standards in our Visa and Work Permit Guide.

Standard public and Northern partner schools pay 30,000 to 36,000 THB net monthly. Private schools or Bangkok English Programs pay 40,000+ THB net, but Bangkok partner schools require two years of verified teaching in Thailand first.

Review real living expense breakdowns in our Salary and Savings Guide.

No. KET charges $0 in placement fees. Partner schools employ teachers directly and fund our staffing services. You never pay a recruitment charge to secure a contract.

Explore verified openings in our Paid Teaching Jobs Hub.

Salary is paid on the 10th of each month for days worked during the previous month. It is pro-rata in month 1 if you start mid-term. For example, April 2027 arrivals who start teaching in May receive their first paycheck on 10 June.

From around month 2 or 3, 3,000 THB per month is held, capped at 15,000 THB total. When you finish your contract, the entire held amount is returned on your final payday alongside your last salary.

The teacher pays rent. KET helps you find and inspect a private, air-conditioned studio apartment near your school before arrival. Rent in Northern provinces typically ranges from 3,000 to 8,000 THB per month (Sukhothai averages 3,500 to 6,000 THB).

October 2026 is full. Apply from November through March for our April 2027 intake in Sukhothai or Chiang Mai, as well as partner schools across Phitsanulok, Tak, Lampang, and Phetchabun.

No. KET partner English Program and bilingual schools in Bangkok strictly require a minimum of two years of verified teaching experience in Thailand first. New teachers start in our Northern network.

Review the capital career pathway on our Teach in Bangkok Transfer Track.

Yes. Non-native speakers holding a Bachelor degree and demonstrating verified C1+ English proficiency (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEIC 860+) are eligible for paid placement and Non-B visa support.

To apply, submit your details at /apply-now and review your introduction video guidelines at /intro-video.

The orientation fee is 400 USD, settled on Sunday in cash as 13,000 THB. It includes Saturday morning pickup from Bangkok Mo Chit 2, 5 hotel nights in Sukhothai in a private AC room checking out Thursday morning, training meals, a permanent 5G Thai SIM card, classroom preparation, and an escort to your school.

Read the full itinerary on the Sukhothai Orientation Week Guide.

October 2026 is full. For the May 2027 semester, orientation pickups are Saturday 17 April, Saturday 24 April, and Saturday 1 May 2027 at Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal in Bangkok at 08:00 AM.

Teachers who have taught in Thailand before can test out at HQ. Take the culture and teaching test: pass and skip the 5-night orientation to go straight to your apartment. Fail and complete the full week.

Bring your physical original Bachelor degree certificate, sealed official transcripts, home country police clearance, valid passport, and digital arrival confirmation (TDAC). Never laminate original academic certificates.

Our $700 USD all-inclusive TEFL Practicum in Sukhothai (paid on arrival, $0 upfront) includes Friday Bangkok pickup, 3-day orientation training (Fri–Sun), a 7-day classroom practicum (Mon–Fri across Kindergarten, Primary, and High School), private hotel accommodation, meals, an Official TEFL Practicum Certificate, Job-Seeker Guidance, and our Thai School Directory. Upcoming intakes: Jan 15, Jan 29, Feb 12, Jun 4, Jun 18, and Jul 2.

Review full schedule details on our TEFL Practicum Page (/tefl).

A 120-hour TEFL is recommended for classroom confidence, but it is not legally mandated by Thai immigration if you hold a Bachelor degree. Any recognized 120-hour TEFL or our Sukhothai TEFL Practicum is accepted.

Yes. The $700 USD TEFL Practicum is designed for independent job-seekers and new teachers who want real Thai classroom experience, an official practicum certificate, and our nationwide Thai School Directory to apply directly to schools.

Yes. Our skills-based community volunteer residency is open to participants aged 18+ without a degree. It is unpaid and does not involve a paid work permit.

Zero. Volunteering with KET is completely free with no program or placement fees. Volunteers only pay for their personal living expenses and food.

Email Matthew John directly at matthew@kids-english.org with your target dates and skills, or review our Volunteer Residency Page.

Your hiring partner school is your legal employer on contract. KET coordinates the paperwork, prepares school sponsorship letters and WP-3 style files, and walks you through the visa and work permit steps.

Read the full process in our Visa and Work Permit Guide.

Embassy fees for a single-entry Non-B visa vary by location, typically ranging from $50 to $200 USD (such as $80 USD on the Laos e-Visa portal). In-country visa extensions at provincial immigration cost 1,900 THB.

See fee details on the Visa and Work Permit Guide.

If you enter Thailand on a tourist entry or visa exemption while your school papers are finalized, a planned consular visit to Savannakhet or Vientiane, Laos is the established route to obtain your initial 90-day Non-B e-Visa via thaievisa.go.th.

The paper TM.6 form is obsolete. Foreign arrivals must register their free Thailand Digital Arrival Card online at tdac.immigration.go.th between 48 and 72 hours before boarding their flight.

Arrival steps are listed in the Visa and Work Permit Guide.

Every 90 continuous days spent in Thailand, you confirm your current residential address with Thai Immigration. This can be submitted online or in person at your provincial office.

Compliance details are in the Visa and Work Permit Guide.

Thai school directors review dozens of paper resumes every week. A short 45 to 60 second video lets them hear your English pronunciation, see your warm classroom presence, and verify that you present yourself professionally.

Follow the filming blueprint on our Teacher Intro Video Guide.

First, submit your application at /apply-now. Then upload your video to YouTube as unlisted or to Google Drive with link sharing turned on, and email the link to placement@kids-english.org.

Full submission steps are on /intro-video.