How to Pick a Teacher Agency in Thailand
An honest comparison of how foreign teachers secure jobs in Thai schools. Compare school-funded agencies, fee-charging placement programs, and independent direct hiring so you can choose the route that matches your budget and experience. Kids English Thailand is one licensed option operating from Sukhothai.
School Employs Directly : What an Agency Actually Does
The Hiring School is the Legal Employer: In Thailand, legitimate educational recruitment means your contract is with your hiring school, not with a recruitment agency. The school serves as your legal employer on contract, satisfies Ministry of Education rules, and holds direct administrative authority over your classroom schedule.
The Agency Role: An agency introduces qualified educators to partner schools with verified vacancies, coordinates candidate profiles, verifies university credentials, and prepares the legal paperwork pipeline (Non-B visa documentation, Section 60 digital work permits, and Khurusapha teacher licence waivers).
No Agency Can Guarantee a Job: Placement always depends on meeting statutory requirements (an original unlaminated Bachelor degree is mandatory by Thai law for paid work permits), passing background checks, and being selected by a school director after profile review.
Compare the Three Hiring Models
Understand the trade-offs between school-funded agencies, fee-charging programs, and direct hiring through job boards.
| Feature | School-Funded Agency (e.g. KET) | Teacher-Pays Agency / Fee Program | Direct Hire (e.g. Ajarn.com) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placement Fee to Teacher | 0 USD (Free placement) | Charges applicant upfront placement or internship fees | 0 USD (Free to apply) |
| How the Agency Earns | Partner schools pay a recruitment fee directly to the agency | Funded by applicant fees, school fees, or both | None (Schools pay job board listing fees) |
| Legal Employer | The hiring partner school on contract | The school or occasionally a third-party management firm | The hiring school directly |
| Visa & Work Permit Help | Coordinated by agency team (Non-B, work permit, Khurusapha) | Usually coordinated as part of program fee | Teacher coordinates directly with school admin staff |
| In-Country Arrival Support | Group pickup, orientation week, apartment check-in assistance | Orientation or training week typically included in package | None (Teacher arranges own travel and apartment search) |
| Net Monthly Salary | 30,000 to 36,000 THB net North (40k+ large city) | Variable depending on program structure | 30,000 to 50,000+ THB negotiated directly |
| Best Fit For | First-time or returning teachers seeking structured ground support without placement fees | Candidates wanting extensive pre-departure packages who do not mind paying program fees | Experienced teachers already in Thailand with local transport and housing sorted |
How KET Operates in Thailand
Kids English Thailand is a family-run educational placement agency based in Ban Lum, Sukhothai. Here is exactly how our placement structure works:
0 USD Placement Fee
KET never charges applicants a job placement or recruitment fee. Our partner schools fund our staffing operations directly. Your offered contract salary is paid in full with zero agency deductions.
Paperwork Coordination
On paid contracts, KET coordinates your school sponsorship letters, Non-Immigrant B visa documents, Section 60 digital work permit, Khurusapha teaching licence waiver, and Thai bank account setup support.
Sukhothai Orientation Week
First-time teachers attend our 5-night arrival week in Sukhothai (Saturday pickup at Bangkok Mo Chit 2 to Thursday checkout). The 400 USD fee (settled on Sunday in cash as 13,000 THB) covers private AC hotel lodging, training meals, a 5G SIM card, and a personal move-in escort.
Teacher Pays Rent, KET Helps Find
Teachers pay their own rent. Before arrival, KET coordinators help you find and pre-inspect a private air-conditioned studio apartment near your school. Rent in Northern provinces typically costs 3,000 to 6,000 THB monthly.
Non-Native English Speakers
Non-native speakers holding a university Bachelor degree and demonstrating verified C1+ English proficiency (IELTS 6.5+ or TOEIC 860+) are eligible for legal placement and Non-B visa support.
Roots Since 1945, Founded 2009
Our family has lived in Ban Lum, Sukhothai since 1945. The KET placement agency was officially founded in 2009 under registered Thai company #0643557000537 and Labour License #0110/2562. Matthew John oversees operations.
How Working with KET Actually Works
A realistic four-step timeline from your initial application to standing in front of your classroom.
Submit Profile
Complete our online form at /apply-now with your resume and degree scan. Record a short intro video introducing yourself.
Coordinator Call
Speak with our team to review your qualifications, preferred grade levels, and province options across Northern and Central Thailand.
Review School Offer
Schools review your profile. When a school extends an offer, you receive a clear written statement of monthly salary, weekly teaching hours, and location before accepting.
Orientation & Move-In
Meet at Bangkok Mo Chit 2 on Saturday for your van to Sukhothai. Complete your 5-night orientation, then travel with a coordinator to your school town for apartment move-in.
⚠️ Questions to Ask Any Agency Before Signing
- Who is my legal employer on contract? If an agency claims they are your employer rather than the school, ask how they handle Ministry of Education licensing and tax filings.
- Are there hidden placement charges? Ask if any money will be deducted from your monthly salary for "placement fees" or "coordination fees." KET charges 0 USD in placement fees.
- Will I receive a written school offer before flying? Never board a flight to Thailand on a verbal promise without a written offer confirming salary and location.
- What visa status will I hold? Legitimate teaching requires a Non-Immigrant B visa and digital work permit. Never work on a tourist visa or volunteer visa for a salaried school position.
- What happens if the placement is not a fit? Review the agency replacement policy in writing in case of performance concerns or administrative changes.
Essential Candidate App Toolkit
Download these communication, transport, and banking tools before landing in Thailand.
LINE Messenger
Primary communication app used by Thai schools, coordinators, and landlords across the country.
Wise Transfer
Low-fee currency exchange for transferring setup funds or sending savings back home.
Google Translate
Camera OCR tool to translate Thai school notices, cafeteria menus, and daily signs instantly.
Grab & Bolt
Cashless ride-hailing and food delivery apps operating across major Thai cities and regional hubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actual placement costs for teachers with KET?
KET charges 0 USD in job placement fees. Schools pay our recruitment fee directly. First-time teachers pay an arrival orientation fee of 400 USD (settled on Sunday in cash as 13,000 THB) which covers 5 hotel nights in a private AC room, training meals, a 5G SIM card, school teaching practice, and transport escort to your placement town.
Who is my legal employer when placed through an agency?
Your hiring partner school is your legal employer on contract. KET coordinates candidate matching and files the candidate paperwork: Non-B visa documentation, Khurusapha teacher licence waiver, and Section 60 digital work permit. KET does not act as your direct employer.
What is the difference between a school-funded agency, a fee-charging agency, and direct hire?
School-funded agencies charge teachers 0 USD for job placement because partner schools fund recruitment. Fee-charging agencies charge teachers large upfront placement or internship fees. Direct hire involves applying straight to schools through job boards like Ajarn, where teachers negotiate contracts and manage visa paperwork independently without agency support.
What salary can I expect teaching in Northern Thailand?
Standard public and Northern partner schools pay 30,000 to 36,000 THB net per month. Private bilingual schools or large-city partner schools pay 40,000+ THB net per month where those seats exist. Explore real expense breakdowns on our Salary and Living Cost Guide.
How is teacher accommodation handled?
The teacher pays their own 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 6,000 THB per month.
Can non-native English speakers apply through KET?
Yes. Non-native English 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 coordination.
Is a university degree mandatory for paid teaching roles in Thailand?
Yes. The Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Education legally require an original, unlaminated Bachelor degree in any field to issue a Non-B visa and digital work permit. Applicants without a degree can explore our free community volunteer residency instead at Volunteer Residency in Thailand.
What happens if I have already taught in Thailand before?
Teachers who have taught in Thailand before can test out at KET HQ in Sukhothai. Pass the culture and classroom assessment, and you can skip the 5-night orientation to move directly to your accommodation. If you do not pass, you join the full orientation week.
Explore Your Placement Options
Whether you apply with KET or explore direct school listings, choose a pathway that keeps your placement legal, transparent, and fee-free. Our team is here to answer your questions.