Searching for a country to teach in 2022 I looked at teaching in Thailand international schools as the country offers teaching posts in cities around Thailand in land, by the beach/ocean and many in the capital Bangkok.
You can jet away to a tropical climate teaching long term or a contract for 2 years renewable. Teaching jobs in Thailand public & international schools are at all levels from nursery, elementary and high schools from 4-18 years old students.
There are jobs for teachers in schools all year round starting in August or April. You can also experience the country teaching English in Thailand at a language school or one of the government 2nd tier schools.
What attracts me to relocate to Thailand from the UK is teachers generally have a lighter class timetable at international schools compared to a teacher in UK or USA government schools as not so much student data collection, resulting in a more relaxed teacher & personal life balance.
Thailand school teacher salary benefits package 2022
- Salary per month for international school class teachers: 40,000-180,000 Baht per month, depending on experience, qualifications, location, school type and native English speaker or not, income tax is payable. Government school 25,000 – 65,000 Baht. Management or leadership positions pay more.
- Accommodation: Some schools provide single/shared apartments. Others assistance to find a suitable living area with allowance.
- Holiday’s: As per employment law Thailand and school breaks in summer, festive times.
- Air flight ticket: Ticket in advance, one-way or your own ticket depending on the employer.
- Health insurance: Provided by the employer.
- Contract length: 12 months plus, although 2 years is normal for state and international schools that’s renewable.
- One or two free or subsidised children school places for international school.
- Possible performance bonus.
Salary example for grade 5 certified teacher with 10 years experience in a top Bangkok international school 90,000-130,000+ Baht per month in 2022
What is a good secondary school subject teacher salary in Thailand in 2022? 6+ years experience 80,000-140,000+ Baht per month for top international schools
International school teacher requirements Thailand
- BA/BSC, BEd and above bachelor degree (Thai Ministry of Education restrictions for a visa).
- Fully qualified teacher status from your own country
- Native or near native English speaker for English subject .teachers.
- 2/3 + years experience minimum, although some British or US schools employ newly qualified teachers (Check NQT requirements).
- Excellent or outstanding classroom practitioner.
- Clean criminal record background. UK residents must be from Acro here for residency or FB! record.
- Preference for western trained teachers from Canada, US, South Africa, Ireland, Australia, UK, although not always.
- Degree transcripts for some state and international schools.
- In good health.
- 2-3 good teaching references from current and or previous school. (They will request references before a formal interview).
- Age limit under 60 years old.
- Experience teaching abroad is desirable (Not essential).
Teaching in Thailand international schools
Schools start around 8am and finishes around 4pm, with each school setting they’re own time. Academic year follows the western calendar August to June following year for international schools, such as teaching British curriculum.
Qualified licensed school teachers from Australia, South Africa, United States, UK and other countries can apply for Thailand international school jobs or the state government sector education in public schools.
You would be teaching you’re own specialist subject at kindergarten/nursery, primary or secondary/high school to children from 4 to 18 years old, also, teachers of English jobs available in public schools.
Choosing to teach as a full time teacher, your classroom teaching hours from 18 to 25 hours plus preparation are very similar to your own country.
Lessons are in English at Australian, Canadian, US and British schools so you don’t need to speak Thai to teach a subject or English in Thailand?
Teacher school day from 7:30am to 3:30pm 5 days per week with about 179 days per year. Class sizes can have from 10 to 22 students per class depending on the subject and age.
Curriculum and examinations are UK AS/A Level, US, Canadian, Australian, International Baccalaureate and others, where each school chooses to offer one or more.
All schools are not the same, the way they are operated, run, salary level, resources, hiring requirements, expectations and reputation. You should research the school and employer well before accepting a teaching position to see if is a good fit for you.
Teaching in Thailand can be obtained to start in August, January, March, April following a face to face or Skype interview.
Pros & cons teaching at an international school
| Teacher pro’s | Teacher con’s |
| Organised professional work environment | Higher entry level for qualifications & experience |
| Highest teachers pay in Thailand with substantial means to save | Longer hours and take work home also |
| Potential long term stable job position | High expectations of good student grades |
| Good employee benefits including free apartment or allowance, paid flights, health insurance | Keep up with subject area and curriculum changes |
| 2 days off together, evenings off and long holidays, 10 weeks plus | Work permit sponsorship controlled by employer |
| Better quality of personal life and choose of social life | Lower teacher salary compared to many other countries |
Teachers day and school students
Choosing to teach as a full time teacher, your classroom teaching hours and preparation are very similar to your own country, in excess of 40 hours a week, 5 days, Monday to Friday around 8am-4pm. Not just a party!
When you are not preparing lessons, marking and in the classroom, experience what Thailand has to offer culturally, cuisine, people, cities and countryside.
International school students come from different countries, although many Thai children attend fee paying schools as parents pay for a better or international education.
You’re lesson planning and delivery requires you to differentiate lessons to learners at different ages you teach and ability levels, being mindful as most of the students in class will be English as a second language speakers.
What are international school students like? They are respectful to teachers, willing to learn and want good career & life prospects in adulthood. Normal motivation and behaviour for learning strategies work well.
10 successful teacher traits in Thailand
- Organised and well prepared for lessons
- Adaptable in both teaching & personal life
- In-depth knowledge of the teaching subject and age ranges to teach
- Excellent communicator
- Students, parents and teachers see you as helpful and approachable
- Experience teaching the school curriculum with in-depth knowledge
- High performing classroom practitioner
- Committed to teaching, the role and professional work ethic
- Continuously develop as a classroom practitioner
- Dress in a smart appropriate manner
Is it a good idea to teach in Thailand?
Only you can answer this as an individual teacher. Clearly, teacher retirement age is 60 and you can marry a local and stay permanently or apply for a retirement visa as a single person.
The market for private education in Thailand is growing and for years to come there will be continued demand for good qualified subject teachers from abroad, like you.
Lots of demand for your skills as a class teacher or career progression opportunities for head of department, head of secondary/primary or school principal. You should be a good classroom practitioner and have the right personal attributes to take a more senior educational role at a school.
With your teacher training and qualifications from abroad with successful experience as a US, Irish, Australian or UK teacher you can teach students from different backgrounds and levels of attainment for further career success.
Is it safe to teach in Thailand? Yes, following sensible precautions like any country for male & females. You should live in a reasonably good area, don’t flash money of valuables and cautious when out at night, especially while drinking alcohol.
School subjects positions
International schools employ foreign teachers to teach specialist subjects to school age children and English.
Teachers find employment to teach 3 to 5 year old children at international schools in Thailand for grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
You can also teach at a public school in Thailand all subjects including maths, chemistry, PE, English, physics, biology, music and art.
Teaching English in Thailand
One of the more popular countries for travellers and teachers. The jobs market has become more competitive to secure a language school teachers job paying above average salaries.
Government public schools in Thailand also offer English as a second language teacher positions that can be found in the popular cities of Bangkok, Chang Mai and Phuket.
Also consider close proximity to populated areas with convince of travel and local entertainment.
You would be teaching English at a state school or international schools to children between 3-18 years, although you will generally require prior experience of teaching children and formal qualifications to be hired as an international school ESL teacher.
Without an undergraduate degree, TEFL, CELTA or other language teaching qualification a teacher’s post is out of your grasp. You have no chance at an international or state government school. Schools and visa requirements are strict on who qualifies and rightly so.
Thailand English language teacher salary 2022: full time 20,000-55,000 depending on experience, location and employer.
English language teacher requirements Thailand
- 3-4 years bachelor degree and above (Thai work visa/permit regulations)
- TEFL, CELTA or other similar language teacher qualification
- Native English speaker (A few employers will consider near native language speakers) (Philippines teacher)
- Criminal police check from home country
- English teaching experience (Not always required)
- References if you have taught previously
10 locations of international schools Thailand
| Bangkok: Has at least 88, largest concentration of international schools in Thailand |
| Phuket: Popular coastal area with international travellers and teachers |
| Chiang Mai: Schools catering to local Thai children and international expats |
| Pattaya: International travel destination and popular night life location |
| Nakhon Ratchasima: Inland larger city in Thailand |
| Saraburi: Province in central Thailand with very few schools |
| Samut Prakan: Central Thai province |
| Chiang Rai: Another popular city for teachers and international community |
| Hat Yai: City in Thailand’s far south of the country |
| Chonburi: Thai province set on the country’s eastern Gulf of Thailand coast |
Where to look for teacher jobs in Thailand?
Ajarn is the most popular website to look for international school jobs, state or English language teaching vacancies.
You’ll see classroom teacher jobs for experienced and qualified educators, including leadership positions advertised.
You could also sign up with one or more recruitment agencies that recruit teachers for Thai schools; they do this for a fee that is paid by the school, not the teacher. Search also social media websites like Facebook and Linkedin groups for school vacancies.
Thailand work permit & visa
Do you need a visa to move to Thailand? Relocating to Thailand for work teaching mean you’ll require obtaining a non-B work visa (Initial 90-Day Non-Immigrant visa) from your home country first. (Can be processed in Thailand also) requirement of Thai Immigration Law.
See Thai embassy for information
I looked myself at the process as a UK resident citizen where I would apply at the embassy in London, an online easy and quick service or apply in person. You’ll require all appropriate paperwork, qualifications and you’re school sponsors for the work visa.
When you arrive in Thailand your school sponsor will arrange for you to apply for a Thai work permit the same school also requires to sponsor, usually the process is started a few days after you arrive.
Start up costs & moving
I’ve moved abroad a few times in my life and I can tell you now things can go wrong. Before getting on a flight to Thailand make sure you have planned the move and have enough resources until first payday, several weeks.
- Flight to Thailand you’ll pay upfront.
- Money for new work and casual clothing.
- Temporary medical insurance cover until you get employer coverage.
- Few nights hotel/short term rental until you rent a long term apartment, if no accommodation provided.
- Living costs finance: food & toiletries, medicines, small apartment appliances.
- Rental deposit 2 months and first months rent for apartment/condo, also agency fee (2 weeks rent).
- Backup reserve funds if something goes wrong, such as loss job quickly.
Living in Thailand
Once you have settled into an apartment and the school has helped to process your work & residency permit you can relax a bit. Enjoy a different culture, go out to meet local people and take part in local events.
By all means visit the big city of Bangkok, beaches or the party at tourist resort of Phuket. What I can see is Thailand has so much to offer in the countryside with rare flora and fauna, hill walking trails and rivers boat excursions. Checkout the official Thailand tourist website.
Thailand is not expensive to live on a good international school teacher salary.
Cost of living in Thailand depends on many variables including lifestyle, location, necessities and if you have a partner or family.
You’re saving potential is at least 50% salary each month (Single person) as you should get paid accommodation or allowance.
Prices for rent differ in each area, although Bangkok has the highest rental costs per month.
Rent cost per month in Bangkok for modest one bedroom apartment in the city centre around 18,512 Baht, suburbs around 8,890 Baht in 2022, according to Numbeo.com. (See also other life costs for Thailand)
Thailand country facts
| Population: 64, 500, 000 approx | Capital: Bangkok | Currency: Baht (THB) |
| Area size: 513, 115 Sq Km approx | Electricity: 220 AC Volts, 50 Hz | Language: Thai |
| Climate: From dry, hot, cool | Country code: + 66 | Emergency calls: 191 |
| Land: Foreigners can’t own land | You can buy house or condo/apartment | 1/10th population lives in Bangkok |