Overview of Teaching English in Thailand
Considering teaching English in Thailand? With some of the most stunning locations, rich culture, delicious foods and kind people, Thailand offers teachers a chance at a deeply fulfilling career and affordable lifestyle in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
The tropical climate ensures warm weather all-year round, and Thailand borders being situated with countries such as Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia and Cambodia give you more opportunities for travel.
Whether you want to experience life in the buzzing capital, Bangkok or a quieter step of life in Chang Mai. There is a place for you in the shimmering “Land of Smiles”, also known as Thailand.
Why Teach in Thailand?
Fund your travel dreams by working at the same time. Many of us have places we want to go and things we want to see. By taking the opportunity to work teaching English and the affordable lifestyle in Thailand, those travel dreams can become a reality. Whether you want to explore more of Thailand or go on a trip to Malaysia over the summer, your dreams can be attained.
Whilst living and working here you’ll also get to immerse yourself in the captivating Thai culture, especially in your schools and local community. All over Thailand you will have chances experience holidays such as Songkran (Thai New Year), Loy Krathong, and a summery Christmas.
From a spicy Thai green curry to sweet sticky mango rice, enjoy all Thai cuisine has to offer in local restaurants, at food stalls or invitations from locals to sit and dine with them outside in the evenings. Eating is a social affair here. Tables packed with exquisite dishes to be shared in great weather and in even better company.
Another great thing about Thailand is how affordable it is. On a teacher’s salary of ฿30,000 (baht) you can live very comfortably. Accommodation in reasonably priced, public travel is inexpensive, and if you enjoy Thai street food, eating out in the week won’t strain your wallet either.
Thai people are some of the most hospitable, welcoming people you’ll meet and if you ever need a hand there is usually someone willing to help you. Even if you don’t speak Thai or they don’t speak English, just trying will open the gates to many opportunities.
Teaching in a place mildly or massively removed from where you are from is sure to lead to opportunities for personal, professional and cultural growth. Become more flexible and adaptable. Learn more about cultural sensitivities and solve problems in your day-to-day life. See firsthand the positive impact you have on your student’s, co-teacher’s and community member’s lives from simply interacting with them. Help build their confidence and progress in their language endeavors.
And last but not least, the job opportunities. From age range to school types and levels, there is something for everyone. Whether you are fresh out of TEFL/TESOL, a recent graduate, wanting a change in fields or a veteran in the ESOL game, Thailand has something for everyone. Many companies and schools provide assistance with accommodation, visa applications, work permits and getting you acclimated to the new environment making the move a low stress one.
Requirements to Teach in Thailand
In general, these are the requirements to obtaining a visa or work permit in Thailand
A bachelor’s degree in any field
Native English Speaker (preferred)
English Proficiency Proof (for non-native speakers) e.g. TOEIC 800 / IELTS 7+ etc.
Documents (original degree, transcripts, certificates, and a recent police clearance certificate from your country)
Degree Authentication (legalized in your home country and Thai Embassy before arrival)
TEFL Certification (beneficial, but not required)
Age 20 – 50
Health Check (done in Thailand or your home country)
Teaching Experience (beneficial, but not required depending on position)
Commit to 1 year contract (sometimes 1 semester contracts are available)
With different companies you may find some variations but in general these are the basic requirements to teach in Thailand
When to start looking for work in Thailand
The academic year is split into 2 semesters. The first semester runs from May to October followed by a short break. The second semester is from December to March, with a lovely long summer break in March and April where schools close due to the hot weather. The exact dates will depend on where you are in Thailand.
Schools generally start the hiring process a couple months before the start of the new semester. However, even during off-peak times you can still find vacancies for teachers throughout the year, especially at language centers and with recruitment agencies.
Living in Thailand
Accommodation
This is likely to be the biggest expense for you. Accommodation in Thailand is very affordable compared to the west. In popular places such as Bangkok, Krabi and Chang Mai, rent for a single person starts from ฿5700 baht to a more luxurious ฿28, 000 and upwards a month. As you move away from the center the prices may start as low as ฿3,000 a month.
In more rural areas the price for a standard room can range from ฿2000 to ฿9000 whereas tourist areas may have a higher starting price. Higher prices in less populated areas usually include many amenities such as weekly cleaning, laundry services and pool and fitness facility access.
More modern apartments will have kitchens inside and some older models will have outdoor facilities. Condos will have more modern facilities compared to apartments, even the older condos.
When getting an apartment some companies and schools may provide housing. However, some provide assistance in finding accommodation but the costs will be for you to pay. This will typically be one month rent, a one-month deposit. Some condos may ask for 2 months deposit instead. For more luxurious apartments you may incur more costs such as, service fees, fees for facilities etc.
If these costs put a halt on your plans to move to Thailand, not to worry! Staying at share houses or guest houses until you make enough money for your own accommodation is always an option when getting started.
If you are relocating with family and want more space, typically a three-bedroom apartment in the city can range from ฿17, 000 to ฿80, 000+. As you move further out of the city prices can range from ฿10,000 to ฿60, 000+ a month.
Depending on your lifestyle, budget and amenities you are looking for, each place has its own benefits. Whilst living outside the city center allows for a most cost-effective lifestyle and opportunities to save money, living in or near a city center lets you enjoy an abundance of social activities and access to western ingredients, people and public transport. For a quiet, cultural stay, places like Chang Rai, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin and Phuket might be appealing, for an active city life living in a city center, Koh Samui, Bangkok or Pattaya may be more for you.
Toilets
The land of bum guns and squatty potties. It might take some getting used to if you have never used a bidet or the Japanese washlette toilets but the whole process is part of the cultural experience and very hygienic.
Read the ultimate guide to navigating Thai toilets.
Here are the highlights:
Bring tissue/wipes
Don’t be afraid of the bum gun/water buckets!
Don’t flush tissue or wipes. Put them in the bin.
Squatty-Potties are your friend
Garbage Disposal
There will be an allocated spot for you to dispose of your rubbish. It may be on the street outside of your residence, down the street or an allocated bin room in your condo. There is usually a small monthly fee for garbage collection. Some people make a living off collecting a selling plastics so you may see people going through the trash.
Buses
Once you get on the right bus going in the right direction, you get on and take a seat. The conductor will come to you. You tell them where you want to go and they’ll charge you for your ticket. On more modern buses you can use the transport card (rabbit) tapping in and out, but bring cash just in case.
Cost of living
The cost of living can be very low if you live similarly to the locals. Offical estimates state that a single person household’s monthly costs to be around ฿17, 680 and a family of 4 around ฿62,688. Depending on your life-style & where you buy, these numbers could be higher or lower. I have heard of people only spending 200 on electricity when being extremely frugal (no air-con, fan only, no big electrical devices etc.)
Start-up Costs
Accommodation
As mentioned above, rent could be as low as ฿2,500 or as high as ฿150,000 a month, plus the deposit. When looking for a place make sure to see if it comes furnished, if you need bedding and a frame and other basics.
Internet
Prices can range from ฿376 - 583 a month. Your apartment may come with internet already so you might not need to worry about installation costs. Many providers run promotions for packages and installation (if needed) so keep a look out for these deals.
Utilities
On an average sized apartment (85m2 sq. ft), utilities will usually be between ฿1,500 to ฿3, 000. This estimation includes electricity, water, cooling and waste costs.
SIM contracts
When first arriving you may be tempted by a 7-day or 30-day tourist SIM at a Seven Eleven or buying one at the airport for the convenience. This might be just what you need for the short term but going to a mobile dealer, choosing your phone number, choosing your phone provider (the top are AIS, True Move, Dtac and TOT) and getting a Sim contract that you can top up monthly are usually better for the long term.
To get a SIM you find a shop, bring your passport with you and ฿49 – ฿300 baht later you will have a working SIM (also very useful when going to immigration for an extension or change of status), data and the option to make and receive calls for low prices ฿1-฿3 a minute).
For bulkier deals you can get minutes, unlimited messages and data, but if you just want a basic contract with data and the ability to communicate something like this would be ideal. You can always change your contract once you have a better idea of the needs of your school and best ways to contacts those around you.
Health Check
This is usually a very straight-forward, all-inclusive test done in a few hours. Some with same day results, and some you come back to collect. Health checks run from ฿200 to ฿1500. Public hospitals are where you’ll find lower prices but they are usually extremely busy so you may be there all day.
Your school or company may help you set up appointments, whilst others suggest hospitals to visit in Thailand, give you directions and send you on your way. There are, however, many guides online with step-by-step walk-throughs for health check procedures online. Some of the hospitals they suggest have someone to help you in English, whist in more rural areas they may not speak English but will understand what you are there for, whisk you around the hospital and get you all the tests you need for this step in your work permit/visa process.
The certificate will only be valid for 30 days once you get the results and the tests must be conducted in a hospital authorized to do so. Here is a list of some authorized hospitals and here is an affordable hospital in Bangkok. There are many more hospitals that you can go to that are not on this list. Just google and do a little research to make sure.
Visa Fees/Work Permit Fees
Most teachers will be applying for the Non-Immigration B Visa (฿2,000 -฿5,000) and work permit (฿700 - ฿3000). Some companies cover this cost, some will ask you to pay it and they reimburse you at the end of the contract and others will ask you to pay for it.
If you have been in Thailand for 30 – 60 days already you may need to head to Immigration for a 30-day extension for ฿1900, in case there is a delay or gap between your new visa status taking effect.
In cases where you have nearly used the full amount of your visa time, a visa run might be on your cards. By land, this can be as low as ฿4,000 whereas by air it is the cost of the cheapest round-trip ticket available, plus transport to and from airports and any potential visa costs for when you arrive at your destination before hopping on a plane straight back to Thailand.
Start-Up Costs
Groceries & Eating Out
Depending on your eating habits and energy levels, buying and cooking may work out cheaper or more expensive than eating out. An average meal may cost ฿60 – 100 in a cheap restaurant or food stall where buying all ingredients for teriyaki chicken may cost you much more. Buying and cooking some Thai food would on average cost less but overall living costs may creep up (electricity use, extra water etc.) In the cities supermarkets may be more convenient but in further from main cities, buying from local vendors and markets will definitely be cheaper. Thai people tend to eat out more also as it works out cheaper than buying all the ingredients.
Household Items
In theory, shipping your items from home to Thailand sounds great but for many of us we will have to start again. Thailand tries to be more environmentally conscientious so even though you will find many things new, especially online, second-hand items can be the perfect place to begin. If you don’t have a car, you can always pay for delivery or use Grab, LineMan or Bolt and have a driver pick up your items and deliver them straight to your door. Don’t forget about detergent!
Clothes & Shoes
If after you start working you find yourself sweatier than anticipated there are many places to buy clothes in Thailand. Big department stores with stores like Uniqlo have a great range of sizes, but if this is something you worry about being able to locate easily, we recommend bringing a few extra’s from home or checking online for options that can be delivered straight to your door. You can also find lots of western brands and stores all over Thailand, even at wholesale prices. Alternatively, you can go to the market and buy your clothes there. Beware of tourist traps and if you want a truly Thai experience you can try your hand at haggling.
Water
We all know water is important. Whether we drink enough every day is another story. Please note that water from the taps in Thailand is not safe and you are strongly advised to NOT do so and to purchase either “drinking water” or “mineral water” from shops or water stations. In more rural areas, going to buy water every day might be arduous, especially if you don’t drive. Getting a 6 -pack or 5L bottles delivered is an option if carrying them isn’t one.
Public Transportation
Getting around Thailand is very affordable. The bus system is vast and short journeys one-way on buses can range from ฿8 on older models and ฿30 on modern air-conditioned buses. The trains (SRT, MTR, BTS SkyTrain, APL) are rated by distance but still low in cost from ฿5 onwards.
e.g. (Bangkok to Chang Mai = ฿428 – ฿1338)
(Saphan Mai station to Bang Wa station= ฿62)
Purchasing a rabbit card for ฿200 with a max ฿4,000 allowance will save you ฿1 on BTS, smart buses in Phuket the RTC City Bus in Chang Mai. Journeys. You can also use it for smaller purchases in certain retail stores and restaurants.
If you ever miss the last bus or get tired of walking you can hail or book a tuk-tuk or motorcycle driver and get where you need to at any time of the day or night.
Car & Motorbike Rentals/Buys
If you have an international license and want to drive in Thailand, you will need to rent or buy a vehicle, insurance and have gas money. Bike rentals usually give you a helmet and some come with insurance however you may want additional insurance for what they don’t cover.
Bicycle & E-scooter Rentals
In scenic places like Chang Mai and Sukhuthai you will see many tourists and locals riding bicycles to get around. Some schools, especially in the countryside, are likely to lend you a bicycle to get to school but if not, you can always rent one or buy one second hand in shops or on places like FB Market place (do beware of scams). E-scooters are another option to get around. With e-scooter rental places a stones’ throw away in the busy city you can rent by the hour, day, week or month.
Additional Amenities
If you are looking to take a cooking class or join a gym you’ll need to do a bit of research to see what is available in your area. For an idea, in Fitness24/7 a gym membership can cost ฿899 -1,299 and extras will, of course, cost extra. Watching a movie on the big screen can range from ฿150 – ฿320 (discounts and snacks not included)
Useful Apps & Websites
Food – GrabFood / LineMan / FoodPanda
Transport (maps) Moovit / ViaBus / Google Maps
Transport (travel) Grab / Bolt / LineMan / AnyWheel
Weather - ThaiWeather
SNS – Line / Facebook Messenger / IG / Whatsapp / Telegram / Snapchat
Shopping – Shopee / Lazada / Amazon / FB MarketPlace / Craigslist
Translation Apps – Papago / Chat GPT / Google Translate /
Payment Methods
Cash – You can use cash everywhere in Thailand. Workers can get paid immediately and will be more likely to take your taxi booking
Cards - Visa, Debit, Credit Card
E-wallet - LinePay / Your Thai Bank App (transfer or Scan) / TrueMoney /
International Transfers – Wise / Western Union / SentBe (Vietnam and Korea specifically)
Working in Thailand School/University Types
There are typically six types of schools in Thailand.
Public Schools
Private Schools
International Schools
Private Language Schools
Universities
Private English Lessons
Here is a little more information about each type of institution.
Public School
The first 9 years (grade 1 – grade 9) are available for free. Students then have the option to continue in school for a further 3 years (until grade 12) but it is optional. Due to the accessibility of public schools, classes will be larger than most of the other schools on the list. There will also be a lot of mixed levels and abilities in class. Factors such as school funding may also contribute to available materials and support for students e.g. special needs, high level students etc. There may even be disparities from class to class in the same school and grade. This however gives you a chance to teach many levels and adapt classes and materials to help students succeed in class. The working hours are your standard 8-4, arriving at 7:30 and if there is an event on the weekend or a half day on a Saturday you may be expected to attend. Many public schools offer a housing allowance and paid vacations.
Private Schools
As a charged alternative to public schools, private schools are more likely to have smaller numbers of students. This also means you may have a myriad of cultures in each class depending on the city and location of said school. In public schools you are usually given more creative control as long as you achieve the educational goals and follow the curriculum. In private schools there is likely to be someone making sure you are on route to achieving short and long-term goals when planning classes and offering a hand if you ask for one, especially for newer teachers learning the ropes. Private schools also have more than one standard program for students to choose from e.g. basic program, intensive program, Thai only programs and even Thai & English combination classes.
Many private schools offer a housing allowance, dormitories and paid vacations. As private schools may be a little more demanding and parents are paying for their child to attend, they may look more at your experiences, level of education, nationality, English/Thai proficiency and qualifications.
International Schools
These schools also have a mix of Thai and expat nationals. They usually follow a non-Thai curriculum e.g. UK, USA, Canadian, etc. Other international schools may be for students from a specific country e.g. China, South Korea, Japan etc.
The high price point at these schools are reflected in their results. One of the ways they do this is by hiring the right teachers to uphold and maintain their standards. Some of the benefits you may see are contract bonuses, raises at the end of the year, health insurance and reimbursements of your flight to Thailand.
Private Language School
A great place to teach English to kids and adults if you aren’t sure what ages or levels you want to teach. You get to try a bit of everything all at once. The sizes of classes are one-to-one or small groups which won't strain your classroom management skills. And if the education system’s 8-4 is not your speed a language school may be more yours. With work starting in the late morning or early afternoon till the evenings you can beat rush hour traffic and enjoy a slow morning coffee.
Usually, teachers are expected to set up everything for classes (equipment, materials, lesson plans books, worksheets, chairs, etc.) Some places offer some assistance but if they don’t, asking other teachers in school, online and using online resources may be a great way to get you started. These are paid classes people attend and their motivations may differ.
In some cases, very few, students are enrolled by their parents and their motivations may be lower than others but after some time, they can find their own ways and reasons for enjoying the classes for themselves, especially with the help and encouragement from amazing teachers like yourself.
Depending on the size of your school you may be offered incentives like contract completion bonuses and student signing bonuses, health insurance and 10 days of paid vacation.
Universities
A well-respected position in Thailand. If you are teaching English to support students studying in English (English for Academic Purposes aka EAP) or whether you have a masters in a specific field and are teaching a university course to university students in English both are highly regarded. University teachers have a lot more freedom with their time. To attend classes and meetings when scheduled and do whatever else they need on and off campus when their schedules are free.
Your experience, qualifications, university location and amount of work the university is looking for will all contribute to your salary.
Private English Lessons
For an extra bit of income, tutoring privately online or face-to-face is a great source of income. This is usually a way to get a few extra hundred baht a week as doing this full-time requires you to have enough students to pay your living expenses.
With its appealing flexibility, full control of materials and your schedule and where you work tutoring is very appealing when you have consistent students to teach. If not, it is the least stable option in the beginning.
Teaching Duties
To educate students in English in the key skills and competencies
To safe-guard and ensure the wellness of all students and those under your care
To be a cultural ambassador and learn about Thai culture and be a part of a positive cultural exchange
To promote positivity, and confidence is students in the language learning ability and skills
To learn and grow as a teacher, professionally, personally and culturally
To work with schools, teachers and company employees to achieve academic and company goals
To prepare or be a part of preparing lesson plans, materials and school events
To be friendly, respectful, a good role-model and approachable at all times
To build meaningful rapports with teachers, parents, students and all you encounter
Expected Salary
Public School ฿25, 000 – ฿55, 000 a month
Private School ฿35, 000 – ฿70, 0000 a month
International School – ฿80, 000 – ฿170, 000 a month
Private Language Schools – Full Time ฿25, 000 – ฿40, 000 (you may see advertisements for an hourly wage, the salary above in based on those figures) Part-Time ฿300 – ฿1,000 per hours
University – ฿30, 000 – ฿60, 000 a month
Private English Classes – ฿300 – ฿1000 per hour a month
Taxes and other deductions
The taxes are very straight-forward. Here is a short-list of some deductions you likely see:
- Personal Income Tax (PIT)
- Social Security
Additional ones may be
- Provident Fund (like a retirement saving plan)
- Medical Expenses
For more info on taxes click here
Things to Consider Before Moving
There is such a variety in Thailand. Mountain regions, sandy beaches, populous cities and more. Doing research (and not just reading reddit posts) will make all the difference. Some things to consider are 1) How easily can you get around? 2) What’s the weather like during peak summer and rainy seasons? 3) Can you live comfortably for the duration of your contract?
Here are some questions to help you narrow down your options.
If you don’t have a license, can you cycle or walk up and down hilly mountains? (terrain)
If you are walking to work every day during rainy season, what items will you need to get to and from work as dry as possible? (terrain and weather)
Will you need insurance in case your area suffers from a flood? (weather)
Can you acquire items you want or need to live comfortably? (lifestyle)
If you like a quieter life will the city’s background noises drive you up the wall? (lifestyle)
If you are unsure of what you’d like, think about where you’d like to live (mountains, village, suburbs, city, cultural, etc.), preferred climate and google some information about places that may meet your requirements in Thailand.
Thai Weather
Thai weather can run very hot in summer, warm with refreshing winds in the winter and lots of rain for the rainy monsoon season. Schools close at the end of March till May due to this intense heat. Even though the climate is warm, during Winter from mid-December to late Feb, a light jacket may be a necessity in the mornings and after the sun sets.
Thai culture, communication styles, and big holidays
Thai culture runs deep. Their history is extensive, kindness is a kind of currency and their spicy means spicy. Greeting and terms off address go a long way to showing respect to each other in the age-based societal system. This goes in and outside of the classroom.
Most of us love a reason to celebrate. In Thailand whether they celebrate that holiday or just enjoy its’ festivities there is usually a celebration for it somewhere. From the beautiful floating lanterns for Loy Krathong to the free-for-all water splashing during Songkran (Thai New Year) you’ll see a diverse number of costumes, traditions and decorations all throughout Thailand
Days Off (PTO, sick days, etc.)
Unlike in the west, the paid vacation days you are offered will not be as numerous as you are used to. The days you are offered will count as PTO, sick days and hours used to run errands or head to immigration. The upside to this, however, are the paid school holidays. During the October breaks you are likely to get paid for them. If not, there are always summer camps to help fit the shortfalls.
Language Level/barriers
Although English is unofficially considered one of Thailand’s second languages, many of the older generations may not be able to speak it or be literate in Thai. So, if using chat GPT, Google Translate or Papago is how you plan to survive you may need to use the text-to-speech (TTS) option so you can communicate.
Learning some basic Thai phrases, the polite ending “krap” for males or “ka” for females, using the “Wai” hand greeting and standard terms of address “Pee” and “Nong” can go a long way to building good relations between those you encounter every at work or supermarkets and during one-time only interactions. Being immersed in the culture you are sure to pick up some words and phrases which will go a long way to making your stay in Thailand a little easier. Don’t be afraid and take that step to that food stall and if all else fails, pointing at what you’d like and showing how many with your fingers will also do the trick.
