Tips and Tricks for Applying as Teachers in Thailand

I can see a lot of people messaging on Facebook groups to ask for information about applying for teaching positions in Thailand. In this blog article, I will be giving you some tips and tricks on how you can land a teaching job in Thailand.

As the hiring season comes to its peak for schools in Thailand, there are many teaching job vacancies that you can see posted either on social media or job posting websites. I have written a blog article about where you can find job postings in my previous blog just find them on this website. So, let’s start…

First, the hiring season is March to April and September to October every year but for me, more schools are hiring for the start of the school year than for the start of the second semester. You will have more chances of getting a teaching job if you will start applying in March or April.

Second, do not be overwhelmed if you receive a teaching job offer in your first application. Most of the first-time applicants, like me before, tend to get overwhelmed by the offer and often compare the salary in Philippine peso, of course, it’s higher, but do not be tricked by that.

Third, for first-time teachers without experience in Thailand, the usual salary ranges from 20, 000 to 25, 000 Baht. There are some schools that offer below 20, 000 down to 15, 000 Baht. If you will convert that to Philippine peso at a 1.5 exchange rate that’s roughly 22, 500 as your lowest pay. Don’t be tricked with that offer, below 20, 000 Baht salary offer is too low. If teachers will accept a low salary, the rate for Filipino teachers will continue to decline. We deserve higher pay.

Fourth, most Thai schools do not consider your teaching experience in the Philippines, they only consider experiences teaching Thai students. So do not argue with your experience from your home country because you will just get frustrated. If you already have experience teaching in Thailand you can negotiate and ask for a higher salary.

Fifth, Science and Mathematics teachers usually get higher salary offer compared to English teachers. Schools with English programs usually hire native English speakers to teach English subjects, so most non-native English speakers teach English to general programs.

Sixth, find a school that provides teachers with social security insurance. The school usually pays the half 750 Baht and you pay the other 750 Baht so you get 1, 500 social security insurance. It’s always advisable to have insurance in case something happens. Although, insurance is a legal responsibility for government schools in Thailand, not most of them are aware of it, or just not willing to pay for it.

Seventh, if you are lucky, you will find schools that offer free accommodation, free lunch at the school canteen during school days, free school van service for visa and work permit processing, financial assistance for minor accidents, etc.

Eighth, if you are applying under an agency, most of them are abusive, they will give you 12 months contract but you will get paid only for eleven months or sometimes 10 and a half months. And worst, no work no pay scheme. Avoid these kinds of agencies as much as possible.

Ninth, some schools pay for the work permit and Non-B visa fees, some schools don’t. Try to weigh the situation. For me, I pay for my work permit and visa but I get a higher salary. But do not be tricked by schools that say they will pay for work permits and visas but if you look at the salary you will receive a lower salary for the first two months and will increase on the third month. They are not really paying for it, they will get it from your salary.

Tenth, based on my observation, you will find good-paying schools on the outskirts of Bangkok and the provinces. Usually, schools located in big cities and tourist destinations offer a low salary. Perhaps because they know that there are more foreigners in those areas and they accept lower pay.

To wrap up, based on what I have enumerated here, the decision is still yours. I suggest you weigh the situation and if you think the conditions are favorable to you, then there’s nothing bad about it, it’s your life after all. Thank you and I hope it helps you make your decisions.