How to Become a Teacher in Thailand: Step by Step Checklist
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Teaching in Thailand can be an incredible experience — whether you’re coming for a short stint or looking to build a long-term career. I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know to get started: what qualifications you need, how the visa and work permit process works (and how to avoid school scams), and salary realities.
I’ve been teaching for over 13 years now — almost 10 of those in Thailand. I’ve taught at language schools and international schools, and I’ve supported many friends from different countries through the same process.
If you are a newly qualified EFL teacher, or an experienced teacher from the UK or the USA then here is exactly how to become a teacher in Thailand.
This is also for you if you’re considering teaching in Thailand but aren’t sure whether your qualifications are enough, what kind of school to aim for, or whether a teacher salary will actually support the life you want here.
Step by Step Checklist (The Quick Guide)
✅ Check you meet the basics: a bachelor’s degree + a teaching qualification (TEFL/CELTA/Trinity/PGCE/QTS).
✅ Decide your route: language school / government school assistant role / international school.
✅ Work out your “minimum salary”: rent + bills + travel + flights home (especially if you’re UK/US/Aus).
✅ Only apply to legal jobs: you need a non-immigrant B visa + work permit through the school.
✅ Apply + interview smart: use reputable job boards and ask the right questions before accepting anything.
✅ Get your paperwork ready: passport, degree documents, police clearance and anything the school requests for the visa/work permit process.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Teacher in Thailand
To work as a teacher in Thailand, you must have a bachelor’s degree. Weirdly, it doesn’t necessarily need to be in teaching — though that’s starting to change. The Thai government has been tightening requirements, so your degree needs to be from a recognized university, and many schools want some prior experience.
You’ll also likely need a teaching qualification like a TEFL, CELTA, or Trinity. Some of these are basic weekend courses — others, like CELTA, are intensive, one-month programs. I did CELTA before coming to Thailand and found it incredibly valuable. It helped me land my first teaching job with the British Council.
Some schools may accept shorter certificates, especially at the lower-tier level, but be careful. If you have lower qualifications, then you will probably have to accept lower salaries and less teaching perks. Always make sure your credentials match the school’s requirements before accepting a role.
You cannot legally teach in Thailand without a bachelor’s degree.
Can You Teach Without Being Fully Qualified?
Not really — but there are exceptions. Some language academies or agencies might place people in Thai government schools as “conversation assistants” so you would not be a full teacher but can still work in an education setting.
But even then, the government requires a bachelor’s degree. You’ll need low salary expectations for these types of jobs — they’ll be enough to live on, but not much more. You might be able to travel domestically or around Southeast Asia, but probably not return home more than once a year if your flights are expensive like mine to the UK. In the time I’ve lived in Thailand my flights home for Christmas holidays have doubled.
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Can Non-Native Speakers Teach in Thailand?
It’s harder, but not impossible. There is bias toward native speakers, which I don’t agree with — non-native speakers can be incredible teachers — but it’s something to be aware of. If English is your second or third language, you may need to work harder to prove your skills and experience.
What Types of English Will You Be Teaching?
Depending on your job, you could be teaching general English, business English, or exam preparation. IELTS is especially popular — it’s used for university admission and visa applications in countries like the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. I became an IELTS speaking examiner during my time at the British Council. They paid for the training and I did it as a side hustle while teaching — it was a great opportunity.
I actually loved IELTS examining. It was a nice break from preparing lessons and still well paid. I enjoyed trying my best to put candidates at ease as they were often very nervous for this important exam.
What About Workload and Hours?
Language school jobs often involve evening and weekend hours. When I worked at the British Council, I taught children, teenagers, and adults — mostly Thai students. We ran a lot of classes at night and on weekends, to fit around people’s work and school schedules.
It actually suited me well. I’d finish work on a Sunday night, jump on a night bus, and take off for a short trip on Monday and Tuesday — coming back in time to teach Wednesday evening.
For international schools, the workload is different. I start work at 7:15 am and can often leave early depending on meetings. It’s early — and I’m not a morning person — but I’ve adjusted. The workload overall is manageable, and class sizes are small. At my current school, the max is 22 students per class. I know others where classes are even smaller.
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Can you earn a good teaching salary in Thailand?
I get frequently annoyed by expats who have been in Thailand for two minutes and claim that you can never earn a high salary teaching in Thailand. They are very, very wrong.
You can earn anything from 30,000 baht a month to 200,000+ baht a month depending on the school and your experience and qualifications.
Some schools may allow negotiation of salary whereas others will not. It really depends on the individual school.
Even for teachers on lower salaries, many still enjoy being able to afford living alone in a one bedroom apartment with a condo pool, regular international travel and not feeling limited by finances.
When I first moved here my initial salary was 64,000 baht a month and my rent was 14,500 baht a month for a one bedroom condo with a rooftop swimming pool on the BTS skytrain line. I had great holidays, travelled all around Thailand and South East Asia, stayed in hostels or budget accommodation. I scuba dived often (an expensive hobby of mine!) and flew home every Christmas to the UK which was usually covered by my annual bonus from work.
Work out if your potential salary could cover your living expenses and lifestyle with our budget calculator.
Cost of Living in Thailand
A lot of people complain that the cost of living in Thailand has increased, but it’s gone up everywhere all around the world! Thailand is still very affordable. For me the main reason I think this is because the cost of rent is low. In most countries rent will be a significant portion of your salary.
In the UK, in expensive cities like London this can be even half of your salary at times and it is not affordable to live alone. Thailand is a total game changer for this. I had no idea before I moved to Thailand solo the first time that I could afford my own place with a rooftop pool and gym!
What Kind of Visa Do You Need?
To teach legally in Thailand, your school must provide you with a non-immigrant B visa, which comes with a work permit.
There are usually two options that schools will offer or discuss with you. First is that you can apply for the visa from a Thai embassy in your home country.
For example, for me I had to go to the Thai embassy in London with all the paperwork that my school sent me, my passport and passport size photos of me. I then received a physical work permit within the first few months of working in Thailand.
The second option is that you arrive in Thailand and your school will then send you to a nearby Thai embassy in a neighbouring country, like Penang in Malaysia to complete your visa there within the first few months of working.
Be wary of any school telling you to come in on a tourist visa and do regular “border runs.” That’s illegal. If a school suggests it — run. A legitimate school will guide you through the proper process and cover the paperwork.
Disclaimer: I am not a legal expert or a visa agent. I’m a teacher with a decade of experience of teaching in Thailand and sharing my personal experience. Please do due diligence with any teaching job and ensure they will bring you here legally and safely.
What About Health Insurance and Benefits?
Every job should come with some form of health insurance. At my language school job, I had to pay the first 5,000 baht of any medical costs, and then the insurance covered the rest. Now, at my international school, I pay 10% of my medical expenses, up to 50,000 baht. Some schools even include dental.
Don’t come without insurance. Thai private hospitals are excellent — they feel like luxury hotels — but they are not cheap. If your school doesn’t offer coverage, make sure you buy your own.
Also, don’t assume all schools will offer great perks. Some of the lower-tier jobs don’t include flights or housing allowances. And if anyone asks you to pay for your own flight, be absolutely sure it’s reimbursed — there are horror stories out there.
If you are American then it will seem like a great deal! If you are British, like me, you will be shocked at having to pay hospital expenses as we are used to free healthcare. Private hospitals are crazy expensive so make sure you know what your school will cover. I’ve been multiple times to hospitals and always had a very positive experience (some of them actually feel like a hotel!)
What about Career Opportunities?
Continuing professional development has been encouraged at both my Thailand schools. Over the last 9+ years in Thailand this means that I achieved the following qualifications:
DELTA – one of the top EFL qualifications, equivalent to a Masters degree but practical
iPGCE – an international qualification to teach in British international schools
QTS – qualified teacher status, a UK teaching qualification
Some people think you can’t advance in your teaching career unless you are living in your home country. As I’ve shown above, this is completely untrue and I have been very successful in advancing my teaching career while working in Thailand.
Please note I am British and teach at a British school so my qualifications reflect that. If you are a US teacher then you will be able to gain qualifications that are the equivalent. My American teacher friends have done just that!
Finding Teaching Jobs in Thailand
There are several websites that are great for finding English teaching jobs in Thailand. Come and ask me inside our free Facebook group.
What To Do Now
✅ Decide what job you’re going for: EFL language school or international school.
✅ Confirm your bachelor’s degree paperwork is in order (and any supporting docs you might need).
✅ Choose your qualification path: TEFL vs CELTA vs Trinity (based on the jobs you’re applying for).
✅ Make a shortlist of schools/jobs and apply through reputable sites.
✅ In interviews, confirm: non-imm B visa + work permit, health insurance, and any costs you’re expected to pay.
✅ Don’t accept anything that involves a tourist visa + border runs.
✅ Once you accept an offer, follow the school’s process and get your visa/work permit handled properly.
Your Next Step to Teach in Thailand
If you’re still figuring out which teaching route fits you, join our free Facebook group and ask your questions before applying.
If you already know you want to teach here, work out the salary you need with our Thailand Cost of Living Calculator before accepting a job offer.
How Much Will Your Life in Thailand Really Cost?
Work out your likely monthly budget in 15 minutes based on our real spending as US/UK expats living here for 9+ years – then tailored to your lifestyle.
✔️ Estimate your monthly costs based on your lifestyle
✔️ Adjust rent, food, travel, drinks, hobbies, bills
✔️ See totals in THB, USD, and GBP
✔️ Private, editable, and yours for life
Find out if you can actually afford to move to Thailand — before you book flights or sign a lease
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