Teach English in Thailand

TEFL jobs in Thailand

Living costs Key facts FAQ’s Student Story TEFL jobs in Thailand

To teach English in Thailand legally you usually need a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours, a clean criminal record check, a Non-Immigrant B visa and a work permit arranged by your employer. Schools also need a Teachers’ Council of Thailand licence or a temporary permission to teach for you. Without a degree the options narrow sharply, and remote work visas do not allow you to work for a Thai school.

Requirements to teach English in Thailand at a glance

Degree	Bachelor’s degree expected by most schools and required for the teaching licence
TEFL certificate	At least 120 hours is the usual employer requirement
Visa	Non-Immigrant B visa, supported by your employer
Work permit	Required for all foreign teachers, applied for by your employer
Teaching licence	A Teachers’ Council of Thailand licence, or a temporary permission to teach requested by the school
Documents	Degree certificate and transcript, criminal record check, passport photos and a medical certificate
Typical pay	Around ฿30,000 to ฿45,000 a month at government and private schools, more at international schools

Do you need a degree to teach English in Thailand?

In practice, yes for most legal jobs. The Teachers’ Council of Thailand teaching licence requires a degree, and most schools will only hire graduates because of it. Teachers without a degree can sometimes work under a temporary permission to teach without a licence, which the school must request, but these roles are fewer and less secure. Read how to teach English in Thailand without a degree for the honest picture.

Which visa do you need to teach in Thailand?

Non-Immigrant B visa. This is the business visa used for teaching jobs. Your employer provides the documents, and you can apply at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad or, in some cases, convert from another status in Thailand.

Work permit. After arriving on the Non-Immigrant B visa, your employer applies for your work permit. You must not start teaching until it is in place.

Visas that do not allow teaching. Visa exempt entry, tourist visas and the Destination Thailand Visa, which is designed for remote workers and digital nomads, do not permit you to work for a Thai employer. Teaching in a Thai school on any of them is illegal.

What is the Teachers’ Council of Thailand licence?

The Teachers’ Council of Thailand, known as the TCT or Khurusapha, licenses teachers in Thai schools. Foreign teachers typically start on a temporary permission to teach without a licence, requested by the school, while completing the requirements for the full licence, which can include a degree, an approved course on Thai language, culture and professional ethics, and in some cases further teaching qualifications. Requirements are updated from time to time, so follow your school’s guidance.

What TEFL certification do you need for Thailand?

A TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours is the standard expectation of Thai schools and agencies, and it is often a condition of a good contract. Our 120 Hour Advanced TEFL Course meets that standard, and the Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL course can be verified on the Ofqual register, which helps with international and bilingual schools. You can also train in country through our Thailand teaching internship.

Which documents should you prepare?

Degree certificate and transcript, often requiring certification or legalisation.
Criminal record check from your home country. UK applicants usually need an ACRO police certificate, as our guide to DBS checks for teaching abroad explains.
TEFL certificate.
Passport with at least six months’ validity, and passport photos.
Medical certificate, often obtained in Thailand.

Our guide to TEFL certificate legalisation explains how to prepare certificates for use abroad.

How much do English teachers earn in Thailand?

Government and private Thai schools commonly pay around ฿30,000 to ฿45,000 a month, language schools in Bangkok similar or slightly more, and international schools considerably more for licensed teachers. Pay goes further outside Bangkok, where rent is lower. For pay city by city, see which cities in Thailand pay English teachers the most, and to choose a base, the best cities to teach English in Thailand.

Where to find English teaching jobs in Thailand now

Thai schools hire mainly in March and April for the term starting in May, with a second round in September and October for the November term, while language centres hire all year. These are the best ways to see what is open and plan your timing.

Browse current vacancies on our TEFL jobs board, where partner schools post roles worldwide.
Sign up for Deadline Alerts to hear about application windows before they close.
Check visa and work permit rules on the Visa Desk before you plan your move.
Use the Eligibility Checker to see which routes your passport and qualifications open.

Teaching in Thailand: read next

Jobs and pay by city: which cities in Thailand pay the most.
Choosing a city: the best cities to teach English in Thailand.
No degree? Read how to teach English in Thailand without a degree.
Arrive with support: our Thailand teaching internship.
Comparing Southeast Asia? See the requirements for Vietnam and TEFL jobs in Cambodia.
Compare pay in our TEFL Salary Index and check entry rules on the Visa Desk.

Get TEFL qualified for Thailand

Last updated: 4 October 2026. Pay figures are approximate typical ranges, not quotes. Visa, work permit and Teachers’ Council of Thailand requirements change, so confirm current rules with your employer and the Thai embassy before you apply.

Living costs

Compared to a lot of counties in Asia, Thailand is still on the cheaper end, which means this is a popular destination for backpackers as well as TEFL teachers hoping to teach English in Thailand. There is so much to see that tourists flock to Thailand, which means that the most expensive places to live and work will be these holiday maker havens. However, if you live like a local, eating food at home rather than in restaurants, you will find that it is not that expensive to have money left over at the end of the month. However, anything that has been imported from the west will be costly.

As an English teacher in Thailand, the salary you will earn should afford you enough savings to plan for your future and eventually retirement. Experienced teachers who can secure well-paid positions should certainly have no trouble affording to live and work in Thailand.

Meal in an inexpensive restaurant : USD $3.15
Cappuccino (regular): USD $2.60
Milk (regular), (1 gallon): USD $6.38
Loaf of Fresh White Bread: USD $1.22
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) : USD $0.86
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment : USD $58
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre: USD $382

TEFL jobs in Thailand: KEY POINTS

AVERAGE SALARY

฿30,000–45,000 a month at schools

EDUCATION NEEDED

Bachelor's degree is required

MAIN JOB TYPES

Private schools, elementary schools, langauge schools, private tutoring

TEFL CERTIFICATION NEEDED

120 hour TEFL certificate

KEY FACTS

Salary: The basic monthly salary for full-time English teachers in Thailand will be 30,000 THB–40,000 THB (£740–£980/$1,000–$1,280) per month at a language school, but closer to 50,000 THB (£1,230/$1,600) in other positions. International school positions can pay experienced teachers from 60,000 THB–150,000 THB (USD $1,900–$4,800) per month.If you tutor, you can charge around 250–400 THB (USD $8–$13).
TEFL certificate required : A 120-hour TEFL qualification is required for English teaching jobs in Thailand.
Education requirements : A Batchelor’s degree is a visa requirement,
Term times: May to October and October to March
Currency: Baht (฿) (THB)
Language: Thai
Teaching experience: Not essential to have previous teaching experience, but those with experience can earn more

When to go

Climate and hiring in Bangkok

Arrive in March or April: schools hire for the first term starting in mid-May, with a second round in September and October for the term starting in November. Language centres hire all year.

Month	High	Low	Hiring
January	33°C	23°C
February	34°C	24°C
March	34°C	26°C	Main
April	36°C	27°C	Main
May	35°C	27°C
June	34°C	26°C
July	33°C	26°C
August	33°C	26°C
September	33°C	26°C	Some
October	33°C	25°C	Some
November	33°C	24°C
December	32°C	23°C

Bangkok is hot all year, around 91°F by day: driest and most pleasant from November to February, hottest in April at around 96°F, and wet during the monsoon from May to October, with heavy afternoon storms. Rain totals about 1,650 mm a year. Chiang Mai in the north has cooler nights in winter.

Average daily highs and lows, 1991 to 2020 normals for Bangkok Metropolis station. Hiring months are typical patterns, not guarantees.

Facts about Thailand

LANGUAGE

Thai

POPULATION

69.8 million

TEFL JOB DEMAND

high

CURRENCY

Baht (THB)

CAPITAL

Bangkok

OUR THAILAND TEFL RATING

4.8/5

TEFL jobs in Thailand: FAQS

Can you teach English in Thailand without a degree?

In most cases, schools will be looking for English teachers who do have a degree, but some of the public schools will let you teach there without one. You could also do some volunteer work to boost your experience.

How much money can you make teaching English in Thailand?

Government and private Thai schools commonly pay around ฿30,000 to ฿45,000 a month, with Bangkok language schools similar or slightly higher. International schools pay considerably more for licensed, experienced teachers. Pay goes further outside Bangkok, where rent is lower.

What are the requirements for teaching in Thailand?

Most legal teaching jobs in Thailand require a bachelor’s degree, a TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours, a clean criminal record check, a Non-Immigrant B visa and a work permit arranged by your employer. Your school must also hold a Teachers’ Council of Thailand licence or a temporary permission to teach for you. Strong English is essential, and many schools welcome qualified non native speakers.

How can I teach English in Thailand?

Get a TEFL certificate, prepare your degree and criminal record documents, then apply to schools or a reputable agency, which will arrange your Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit. Many teachers start through a supported programme such as our Thailand teaching internship, which includes placement help on arrival.

What is the best TEFL certificate for teaching in Thailand?

An accredited TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours, such as our 120 Hour Advanced TEFL Course, is what most Thai schools and agencies ask for, and it helps with the work permit and teacher licence paperwork. An Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL Diploma strengthens applications for the better paid bilingual and international programmes in Bangkok.

Do I need to speak Thai to teach English in Thailand?

No. Schools hire teachers without Thai, and lessons are taught in English. Some basic Thai helps a great deal with daily life, transport and markets, especially outside Bangkok and the tourist areas, and students and colleagues appreciate the effort. For a nearby market, see our guide to teaching English in Vietnam.

Teacher Story

“Thai culture and attitude are like nothing else. You are greeted by friendly faces and students adore you and genuinely love to learn! There will be quite a lot of learning and preparation from the time you decide to enrol on the TEFL course to your first-day teaching. Saying that the TEFL industry and people within it are definitely ready to help, so make sure you ask lots of questions and talk to fellow teachers. I have been so lucky to get back to Thailand. Once you find a place you love and experience their culture, it’s hard to say goodbye to it forever. It’s a beautiful country, with the best landscapes, modern cities, and beautiful people and kids. It’s been such a rewarding experience so far and I can’t wait to see where I go from here!”