Teaching in Thailand
Thailand remains one of the most popular destinations for international teachers in Asia. Low cost of living, strong expat community, and a teaching market that values licensed educators. Compare the complete package (housing, flights, tax, savings) and workplace reality, not base pay alone.
How to use this guide: Salary ranges on this page mix published market guidance with teacher-reported figures on school pages. Prefer reports that show the year, role, and housing details, and weigh sample size before treating a median as definitive. How we handle data.
Teacher salaries in Thailand, from real reports
Based on 53 anonymous teacher salary reports across 55 international schools in Thailand. Figures are monthly base pay in Baht, with the top and bottom 5% trimmed. Compare housing, flights, tax context, and estimated savings on each school page before treating a median as the full picture.
| Role | Reports | Median (Baht / month) |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | 3 | 68,000 |
| Primary | 3 | 110,000 |
| English | 2 | 102,500 |
| Science | 2 | 132,500 |
Sourced from teachers who worked at these schools. Medians are base pay only. Per-report breakdowns (housing, flights, estimated savings, tax) are on each school's page. How we handle data.
Why teach in Thailand
- Low cost of living—your salary stretches further than most Western countries
- Most schools provide housing or a housing allowance
- Bangkok has the largest concentration of international schools; Chiang Mai and Phuket offer a slower pace
- Easy visa process for qualified teachers
- Strong expat community and excellent food scene
Salary, package, and savings
Base salary alone is misleading across countries. Housing, tax, flights, insurance, and estimated savings change which offer is actually better.
Who this is for: A lifestyle-plus-savings posting. Base salaries are lower than the Gulf or China tier-1, but housing and low living costs often produce solid monthly savings if you pick a real international school rather than an ESL center.
Teacher-reported / market estimate, not a guarantee
- Housing or housing allowance (most schools)
- Annual return flights
- Health insurance
- Work permit and visa support
- Professional development budget
- Base salary (international schools)
- $2,000–3,500/mo
- Housing
- Provided or allowance (common)
- Flights
- Annual return flights (most schools)
- Health insurance
- Employer-provided (typical)
- PD / visa support
- Common at established schools
Thailand taxes employment income. Ask whether an offer is gross or net, and whether housing is provided or an allowance. That distinction changes take-home more than a small bump in base salary.
A teacher on $2,800/month with housing provided, spending $800–1,200 on living costs in Bangkok, often estimates $1,000–1,500/month in savings. Without housing, rent can erase most of that gap. Savings figures are estimates, not guarantees.
- 1-bedroom apartment (Bangkok center)
- ฿25,000–35,000 (~$700–1,000/mo)
- Meal at local restaurant
- ฿80–150 (~$2–5)
- Monthly BTS/MRT pass
- ฿1,400 (~$40)
- Utilities (basic)
- ฿2,500 (~$70)
Workplace reality to research
Compensation decides whether an offer works financially. These factors decide whether it works day to day. Check school pages for teacher-reported details.
- Workload and meeting load vary widely by school; ask about teaching periods, preparations, and after-school expectations.
- Leadership stability and admin support show up repeatedly in teacher reviews; one campus can feel different from another in the same city.
- Class sizes, TA support, and resources differ between premium international schools and mid-tier bilingual programs.
Requirements
- Teaching license from home country
- Bachelor's degree (minimum)
- 2+ years experience preferred; NQTs accepted at some schools
- Clean criminal record for work permit
Common curricula
IB, British (IGCSE, A-Levels), American, Cambridge. Schools specify their curriculum in job postings.
Main cities for teaching
Bangkok international schools, Chiang Mai, Phuket international schools, Pattaya international schools. Hiring season: January–April for August start.
Featured schools in Thailand
Schools with the most salary data from teachers
Satit Prasarnmit International Programme
Harrow Bangkok
Concordian International School
International School Bangkok
Amnuay Silpa School
Singapore International School Bangkok Pracha Uthit
Wells International School (On Nut Campus)
St Andrews Sathorn
KIS International School Bangkok
Astra Academy International School
American Pacific International School
American School of Bangkok - Sukhumvit Campus
Things to know
- Pollution in Bangkok can be high; Chiang Mai has better air quality
- Work permit process can take 4–8 weeks—start early
- Breaking contracts early can damage reputation; schools talk
Useful resources
- The International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) says it is the unified voice for international education in Thailand, works with the government on policy, and lists member schools. See the ISAT website
- Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (via the Royal Thai Embassy, Pretoria) describes the non-immigrant B visa route for teachers, employer steps for a teacher license and work permit, and typical paperwork. Rules depend on your passport country. Always confirm with your local Thai embassy or consulate
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a teaching license to teach in Thailand?
- Most international schools require a teaching license from your home country and a bachelor's degree. TEFL certification is sometimes accepted for ESL roles, but licensed teachers earn more.
- Can I save money teaching in Thailand?
- Yes. With housing often provided and low living costs, many teachers save $1,000–1,500 per month.
- How long are teaching contracts in Thailand?
- Most schools offer 2-year contracts with renewal options. Some first-time hires get 1-year contracts.
- What curriculum do Thailand international schools use?
- IB, British (IGCSE, A-Levels), American, and Cambridge curricula are common. Bangkok has the most variety.
- When should I apply for teaching jobs in Thailand?
- January–April for August start dates. Apply 6–8 months before your target start date for the best selection.
Research schools before you accept
Compare teacher-reported packages, estimated savings, and workplace notes at international schools in Thailand.