The highs, the lows, and the “wait… is that a monitor lizard in the hallway?” moments.
So, you’re thinking of teaching in Thailand? Maybe you’re already here and wondering if the gecko in your classroom counts as a co-teacher. Either way—welcome to the wonderful, weird, and sometimes WTF world of being an expat teacher in the Land of Smiles.
Let’s break it all down, from money to mangoes to managing “Thai time.”
💸 Salary & Cost of Living (aka “Will I be broke?”)
International schools: 80,000–150,000+ THB/month. These gigs usually come with health insurance, housing allowance, and parents who might ask if their 5-year-old is “on track for Oxford.”
Bilingual/Private schools: 35,000–70,000 THB/month. Good work/life balance, but don’t expect luxury condos.
Government schools: 25,000–40,000 THB/month. You’ll get street cred, but bring your own whiteboard markers (and sometimes your own chair).
Hot Tip: In Isaan or smaller towns, you’ll live like royalty on less. In Bangkok, you’ll live like a broke influencer with a really nice Instagram feed.
🏠 Housing: The Good, The Basic, and The Karaoke Bar Next Door
Expect anything from modern condos with a pool to “it’s cheap and the geckos pay no rent.”
In smaller towns, 3,000–6,000 baht/month can get you a big house with fruit trees. In Bangkok, that might get you a parking space.
Always check for karaoke bars, roosters, or mystery construction projects before signing a lease.
🧠 Teaching Culture: It’s Not the UK, US, or Hogwarts
“Sanuk” matters: Thai culture values fun, playfulness, and lightheartedness—even in class. Be prepared to smile through chaos.
Thai time is real: If something starts at 8:00am, it might begin at 8:15… or 9. Take a deep breath and lean into the flow.
Respect hierarchy: Wai (bow) the principal, remove your shoes, and never point at anything with your feet. (Ever.)
🍲 Daily Life: What You’ll Love and What Might Confuse You
Love: $1 pad krapow, spontaneous temple visits, students giving you mangoes, sunsets that feel like magic.
Challenge: Mystery meat lunches, rainy season wardrobe disasters, and staff meetings that turn into dance parties (true story).
🗣 Language Barrier: Helpful Thai Phrases
“Mai pen rai” – It’s okay / no worries (you’ll say this a lot).
“Aroi mak!” – So delicious!
“Tao rai?” – How much?
“Hong nam yoo tee nai?” – Where’s the bathroom?
🧘♀️ Sanity-Saving Tips
Get a motorbike (or at least befriend someone who has one).
Say yes to staff dinners—they’re bizarre and brilliant.
Join local Facebook expat groups (but take advice with a grain of sticky rice).
Make peace with being sweaty 80% of the time.
🧳 Is It Worth It?
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: If you can laugh when your lesson is interrupted by a water buffalo parade and find joy in making kids smile (even when they call you farang 30 times a day)—then Thailand will steal your heart, and maybe your flip-flops.
✏️ Final Thoughts
Teaching in Thailand isn’t just a job—it’s an adventure, a culture shock, a detox from the Western rat race, and a crash course in patience and coconut water.
You won’t get rich (financially), but you’ll gain something far more valuable: freedom, stories, and perspective.
