Requirements to teach English in Thailand
- A bachelor's degree. You need one for the work permit and for permission to teach, which your school requests from the Teachers' Council (Khurusapha).
- A TEFL certificate. A 120-hour TEFL, TESOL or CELTA is strongly preferred by good schools.
- A clean criminal background check from your home country, ideally issued in the last six months.
- A passport with at least 18 months' validity and several blank pages.
- Originals of your degree certificate and transcript, plus a CV with a professional photo.
Non-native English speakers with strong English are hired too, especially by private schools.
How much do English teachers earn in Thailand?
| School type | Typical monthly pay (2025–2026) |
|---|---|
| Government schools | ฿30,000–40,000 |
| Private and bilingual schools | ฿40,000–60,000+ |
| International schools | Higher, but a teaching licence is usually needed |
Rent is cheaper outside Bangkok, which is why many teachers save more in smaller cities even on a similar salary. Pay varies by city, school and your qualifications, so treat these as typical ranges, not promises.
The legal route: Non-B visa and work permit
- Get a written job offer from a school that will sponsor your visa and work permit.
- Apply for a Non-Immigrant B visa with the documents your school sends you. This is the work visa — not a tourist visa or visa exemption.
- Enter Thailand on the Non-B, which normally gives you 90 days.
- Your school applies for your work permit and your permission to teach.
- Extend your stay to one year at immigration, based on your employment.
- Report your address every 90 days, and get a re-entry permit before you travel abroad, or your extension is cancelled.
Tip: ask the school who pays for the visa, work permit and extension fees — and get the answer in writing.
When do schools in Thailand hire?
Thai school terms start in May and November, and most hiring happens in the weeks before each term. Arrive in the middle of a term and the good jobs are usually already filled.
Where to find teaching jobs in Thailand
- Ajarn.com — Thailand's best-known teaching job board for government, private and language school jobs.
- Dave's ESL Café and ESLbase — long-running international boards.
- Facebook groups — search "teaching jobs Bangkok" or your target city, and check every school carefully.
- School websites and LinkedIn — bilingual and international schools often only advertise on their own site.
Agencies make government school jobs easy to access and help with paperwork, but some take a cut of your salary every month. Direct hire usually pays more.
Contract red flags
Check teaching hours versus total "office hours", whether you are paid during school holidays, unexplained deductions, early-exit penalties and who pays for your visa. No employer should keep your passport. The Starter Kit includes a full 15-point contract checklist.
How much money to bring
Your first salary can be four to six weeks away. A buffer of roughly US$1,800–2,500 covers a deposit and first month's rent, food, transport, visa and work permit costs and basic household items.
Frequently asked questions
Can I teach English in Thailand without a degree?
Not legally at a school. A bachelor's degree is needed for the work permit and permission to teach. If you don't have a degree, Cambodia is the most realistic legal option in the region.
How much do English teachers make in Thailand?
Typical pay is about ฿30,000–40,000 a month at government schools and ฿40,000–60,000 or more at private and bilingual schools. International schools pay more but usually require a teaching licence.
What visa do I need to teach in Thailand?
A Non-Immigrant B visa sponsored by your school, followed by a work permit and a one-year extension of stay. Teaching on a tourist visa or visa exemption is illegal.
When is the best time to apply for teaching jobs in Thailand?
Before the school terms start in May and November, when most schools hire.
Updated October 2026 by Teacher Francois. Salaries and visa rules are typical ranges reported for 2025–2026 and can change — always confirm with your employer and the official embassy or immigration website before you pay for anything.