1–3. Is it legal?
- Who sponsors your visa and work permit? The contract should say the school (or agency) arranges and pays for them. Working on a tourist visa or visa exemption is illegal in all three countries.
- Who is your legal employer? If it's an agency, find out who pays you and who signs your permit.
- Is the contract in English (or with an English translation) and signed by someone with authority?
4–7. Pay
- Exact monthly salary, the currency, and the date you are paid each month.
- Deductions: tax, social security and anything else. Ask for an example payslip.
- Paid holidays: is your salary paid during school breaks (October and March–April in Thailand)? Some contracts don't pay in the breaks — a big difference over a year.
- Bonuses and deposits: completion bonuses are good; a school holding back part of your pay "until the end" is a warning sign.
8–10. Hours and duties
- Teaching hours per week and total hours at school. Twenty teaching periods plus office time is common in Thai schools; language centres often mean evenings and weekends.
- Extra duties: camps, events, weekend classes, extra lessons — paid or unpaid?
- Class sizes and ages, and whether you have a local co-teacher.
11–12. Leaving
- Notice period and penalties. Penalties for leaving early should be reasonable, and the notice period should work both ways.
- End-of-contract paperwork: will the school cancel your work permit properly and give you a release letter so you can change jobs legally?
Instant red flags
- "Start now on a tourist visa, we'll sort the permit later."
- No written contract, or a contract you can't keep a copy of.
- Your passport kept by the school.
- Salary paid in cash with no payslip and no tax.
Ask to speak to a current foreign teacher at the school. A good school will happily connect you; a bad one will find reasons not to.
Frequently asked questions
Should a school keep my passport?
No. A school may need to see or copy your passport for the visa and work permit, but it should give it back. Holding your passport is a serious red flag.
Do Thai schools pay during the holidays?
It depends on the contract. Many pay a full 12 months, some pay reduced or no salary during the October and March–April breaks. Check this before signing — it can change your yearly income a lot.
Can I change schools in Thailand?
Yes, but your old school must cancel your work permit and you need a new sponsoring employer. Make sure your contract explains how the release works.
Is an agency contract OK?
It can be, if the agency is licensed, the visa and permit are legal and the pay is clear. Find out how much the school pays the agency versus what you receive.
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.