To teach legally in Thailand you need a work permit, a suitable visa and, for most school jobs, permission from the Teachers' Council of Thailand. Your school applies for these. A bachelor's degree is the usual requirement, and 120-hour TEFL certificates are what many schools ask for. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the school and the Thai embassy.
The permits involved
- Work permit. Ties you to one employer and one kind of work. Starting before it is issued is illegal.
- Non-Immigrant B visa. Secondary guides say schools help you get it from a Thai embassy once you have a job, giving an initial 90 days that you extend in Thailand.
- Teachers' Council permission. The Thai government's portal describes a temporary permit for foreigners who cannot yet obtain a professional teaching licence. The school, not the teacher, applies for it. It lasts up to two years with a total of six consecutive years, and during that time you are expected to work towards a licence.
According to the Thai government site, applicants must be at least 20 and hold an education degree or a bachelor's degree in a field the school requires. The page was last updated in June 2023, so ask the school for the current rules. Language centres and private tutoring businesses are reported not to require the Teachers' Council permission, but they still require a work permit.
Qualifications employers ask for
Guides describe a bachelor's degree in any subject as enough for many school jobs, with a 120-hour accredited TEFL as the common baseline and CELTA as a step up. International schools usually want a subject degree and a recognised teaching qualification. Bring originals of your degree, transcripts, TEFL certificate and a home-country criminal record check, and prepare apostilles in Ireland first (paperwork checklist).
Pay: what the evidence shows
A guide published in 2026 sampled 84 job adverts from August 2026 and found a median advertised minimum of THB46,250 a month, with a range from THB15,000 to THB100,000. It reported broad bands by school type, with government schools at the lower end and international schools at the top. This is one sample from one website, so use it as a rough guide and compare actual offers, including housing, taxes, school holidays and unpaid periods. The salary guide explains how.
Risks to avoid
- Working on a tourist visa or visa exemption. Looking for work is allowed, but working is not, and penalties include fines and imprisonment according to guides.
- Schools that cannot or will not provide a work permit. Walk away.
- Private tutoring outside your permit's scope. The permit does not cover it.
- Vague contracts that do not state hours, pay and holidays. See red flags.
Rules on visa exemption lengths have been changing, so check the Thai embassy and immigration site for the current length of stay before you travel to job-hunt.
Choosing between school types
| School type | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Government schools | Large classes, set timetable, usually a school-year contract. Guides place pay at the lower end of the ranges. |
| Private or bilingual schools | Smaller classes, more preparation, often higher pay. |
| International schools | Usually need a subject degree and a recognised teaching qualification. |
| Language centres | Evening and weekend classes, sometimes several contracts stacked, with the work permit still required. |
Ask how many hours you teach, how many classes per day, and whether school holidays are paid. Check that the work permit covers every place you teach.
Documents to prepare in Ireland
Prepare your degree and transcripts, TEFL or CELTA certificate and a Garda Police Certificate before you leave. Ask the school whether the police certificate needs an apostille and whether it must be recent. The Department of Foreign Affairs apostille costs €40 per stamp and takes about a week by post. Keep scanned copies in case the school asks for them by email, and carry originals in your hand luggage.
Who applies for the work permit and Teachers' Council permission, and who pays? How long will it take? Can I see the school's licence? What happens to my pay if the permit is delayed?
Thinking about a TEFL qualification? See course options from an Irish-based provider.
Compare TEFL coursesThis is an affiliate link. See our affiliate disclosure.Frequently asked questions
Do I need a degree to teach in Thailand?
The Thai government page lists a degree among the conditions for the temporary teaching permission, and schools commonly require a bachelor's degree. Language centres may differ.
Can I look for a job in Thailand on a tourist visa?
Looking is allowed, working is not. A work permit must be issued before you start.
Who applies for the Teachers' Council permission?
The school requests it, not the teacher, according to the Thai government page.