Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Events
    • Shop
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
      • Middle East
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Events
    • Shop
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • United Kingdom
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
      • Middle East
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
👤

THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR EXPATS, DIGITAL NOMADS, AND DREAMERS.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Your Escape Plan

Getting a Job Teaching English in Thailand, Part 1

  • BY Blake Herrin
  • October 24, 2014
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Getting a Job Teaching English in Thailand, Part 1

E-mail for jobs in your country just before arriving in Thailand. Do NOT say you will be arriving, just talk like you are there. Make an appointment to suit your time of arrival then give yourself a few days to recover and organize yourself. That way you have a rough idea of where you need to stay. Commuting in Bangkok is draining, so cut it down to a minimum – unless they are literally very close together, 2 appointments a day would be enough.

Due to the nature of teachers in Thailand, and to some extent agencies and schools, there are always vacancies somewhere. People get a job then realize it is not what they expected. This is especially so with new teachers and those coming to the country for the first time. Most expect a quiet life and are quite shocked that this is not the case. Thai children are noisy, full of energy and can be naughty. So what country’s children aren’t!

Newcomers to Thailand often expect the travel brochure life; tranquility, calmness, a respectful, smiling peaceful world with eternal sunshine and having the whole beach to themselves. The reality can be the total opposite. As a result many get disgruntled at their own naivety and hate everything around them. They don’t last in some schools because it does not live up to their impossible personal standards, and so they leave within a short time. Always remember: This is not your country, it is a foreign country.

116: How To Move To Panama Or Use It As Your Plan-B Residency – Expat Money Show’s most watched episode

During the beginning of the school semesters there is a two week period when lots of people are moving around, changing jobs and even going home in some extreme cases. Consequently, there will always be some sort of vacancy. It could be in the city or in the country, so it will be up to you to find the best suitable to you.

In Bangkok there is a massive pool of jobs for the qualified, and in some areas for the unqualified. Do not imagine that just because you speak English and you are white that you can just turn up and they will put out the red carpet. To some degree, 10 – 15 years ago it could have been the case, now they are not that naïve.

Nor will your demands be met just because you have an MA or even a Doctorate. In all schools the resources they have are all that they have. They may be impressed by your academic qualifications, but in the end they just want a teacher. If you are seen as being too high maintenance they will not bother. Some teachers demand air-con classes, high quality free accommodation and outrageous salaries. It is not California, it is Thailand. The gap between the standards of living is vast. For higher qualifications like an MA, check out the privately owned International Schools.

As it is teachers, with little or no experience, get an executive’s wage. Even foreign teachers as young as 20 years old have more money than a Thai manager. In the country areas the resources can be even less. They will try their best in the country areas because, for erroneous reasons, foreigners tend to go to beach areas and Bangkok.

Schools in small towns and cities see the salaries of foreign teachers and know they cannot match those offered in Bangkok. In the capital the monthly salary will be 30-40,000 Baht. In the country you will probably get 25,000 Baht. However, they will try and get you accommodation, unlike Bangkok, and they will worry about you being happy in the school, unlike Bangkok.

However, if a school offers Bangkok money, be sure they will want something extra from you.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article: Getting a Job Teaching English in Thailand, Part 1. If you have any questions, please contact our office HERE.

I’ve included some great articles for you to read, enjoy!

Thailand

Getting a Job Teaching English in Thailand, Part 2

Top Residency and Visa Options: Bulgaria, Thailand, Malta, DR, and St. Kitts

Retiring in Thailand

Top 10 Things to Do in Thailand

Why Bangkok is The Best Place to Live in Thailand for Expats

A Case for Settling Down in Thailand for Good

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • Asia
  • managing your career
  • Southeast Asia
  • teaching English
  • Thailand
Previous Article
  • Food + Culture

Typical Food In Paraguay

  • BY EA Editors
  • September 11, 2014
View Post
Next Article
  • Australia

Renting or Buying in Australia

  • BY EA Editors
  • April 24, 2015
View Post
You May Also Like
Welcome sign in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a laid-back Caribbean town that offers one of Costa Rica’s most colorful and affordable coastal lifestyles.
View Post
  • Costa Rica
Moving to Costa Rica: Your Guide for a Smooth Transition
  • BY Carla Rodrigues
  • October 20, 2025
Top 10 Cities in Ecuador to Visit and Live In
View Post
  • Know Before You Go
Top 10 Cities in Ecuador to Visit and Live In
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 17, 2025
Starting a Business Abroad - A world of new markets and global possibilities
View Post
  • Business
The Beauty of Starting a Business Abroad
  • BY Aneesa Marufu
  • October 17, 2025
Costa Rica Cost of Living Guide: Prices, Budgets, and Tips
View Post
  • Costa Rica
Costa Rica Cost of Living Guide: Prices, Budgets, and Tips
  • BY Carla Rodrigues
  • October 15, 2025
How to Legally Pay Less Tax Abroad
View Post
  • Plan B
How to Legally Pay Less Tax Abroad
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 15, 2025
7 Best Cities to Live in Mexico for Safety, Cost, and Lifestyle
View Post
  • Mexico
7 Best Cities to Live in Mexico for Safety, Cost, and Lifestyle
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 14, 2025
Cost of Living in Spain: What to Expect in 2026
View Post
  • Spain
Cost of Living in Spain: What to Expect in 2026
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 13, 2025
Buying a Property abroad
View Post
  • Your Escape Plan
Why More Investors Are Buying Homes Offshore
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • October 8, 2025
Trending Posts
  • Buying a Property abroad 1
    • Your Escape Plan
    Why More Investors Are Buying Homes Offshore
    • October 8, 2025
  • Life between borders 2
    • Field Notes
    Living Between Continents, Cultures, and Contradictions
    • October 13, 2025
  • How to Legally Pay Less Tax Abroad 3
    • Plan B
    How to Legally Pay Less Tax Abroad
    • October 15, 2025
  • Living in Paris: Digital Nomad Guide 4
    • Digital Nomadism
    A Digital Nomad’s Guide to Living Like a Local in Paris
    • October 10, 2025
  • Starting a Business Abroad - A world of new markets and global possibilities 5
    • Business
    The Beauty of Starting a Business Abroad
    • October 17, 2025
InterNations
Know Before You Go
  • Welcome sign in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a laid-back Caribbean town that offers one of Costa Rica’s most colorful and affordable coastal lifestyles. 1
    • Costa Rica
    Moving to Costa Rica: Your Guide for a Smooth Transition
    • October 20, 2025
  • Top 10 Cities in Ecuador to Visit and Live In 2
    • Know Before You Go
    Top 10 Cities in Ecuador to Visit and Live In
    • October 17, 2025
  • Costa Rica Cost of Living Guide: Prices, Budgets, and Tips 3
    • Costa Rica
    Costa Rica Cost of Living Guide: Prices, Budgets, and Tips
    • October 15, 2025
  • 7 Best Cities to Live in Mexico for Safety, Cost, and Lifestyle 4
    • Mexico
    7 Best Cities to Live in Mexico for Safety, Cost, and Lifestyle
    • October 14, 2025
  • Cost of Living in Spain: What to Expect in 2026 5
    • Spain
    Cost of Living in Spain: What to Expect in 2026
    • October 13, 2025
Learn More
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
Why Subscribe

The newly imagined Escape Artist brings you fresh content with a global focus, and sharp, up-to-the-minute coverage of the joys, challenges, and opportunities of life abroad.

For a limited time, we’re offering a special discount on all subscription deals, so be sure to lock-in these incredible savings and start receiving top-notch travel and expat content today!

Sign up for the EA Newsletter

Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Escape Artist
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimer

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Newsletter Subscription
Our Spring Sale Has Started

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/