How To Live & Work In Thailand As A Foreigner

Sunshine, sea and sanuk (fun) – that’s what Thailand is all about.

Tourism is massive in Thailand so employment in Thailand for foreigners abounds in tourism and teaching. 

Whether you’d prefer to live in the north with its more relaxed vibes, the frenetic capital, or the chilled island life of the south, it’s totally possible to work in Thailand as a foreigner. And why wouldn’t you?!

Why TEFL is best for Thailand job opportunities

Teaching English in Thailand is easy peasy lemon squeezy. Students are relaxed, working hours are low, and pay is decent – teaching English in Thailand just has good vibes all over it. 

Work opportunities in Thailand for TEFL teachers are in private and state schools, international schools, language centres, universities, summer camps, in-company and privately.

TEFL teachers in Thailand earn between THB 30,000 to THB 35,000 ($800 to $950) a month for entry-level positions but this can increase to THB 75,000 ($2,000) and even THB 100,000 ($2,700) for universities and private school positions.

Read more: Teach English in Thailand

Requirements to work abroad in Thailand

Foreigners looking for work in Thailand need to apply for a Non-Immigrant B Visa. This needs to be applied for before entering the country, and requires sponsorship from an employer. Once in the country, you’ll be granted a Work Permit.

According to the Alien Employment Act, certain jobs and professions are reserved for Thais and closed to foreigners. This includes work in agriculture, construction, wood carving, civil engineering, architecture, dressmaking and some other occupations. The full list can be found on Thai government websites.

Even if you are undertaking unpaid work in Thailand you need a Work Permit. If you wish to volunteer in Thailand or engage in mission work in Thailand you need a Volunteer Visa. 

Many nationalities receive a 15- or 30-day tourist visa on arrival. Argentinians, Brazilians, Chileans, South Koreans and Peruvians are given a 90-day visa on arrival. These need to be renewed or upgraded if your stay exceeds your visa. This is quite a tricky process so it’s preferable to secure a job before coming to the country.  

To get a Work Permit, it’s necessary to have a clear medical check and a clean background check. 

The best cities to work in Thailand

Jobs for foreigners in Thailand are generally restricted to a few cities, the two main hubs being Bangkok and Chiang Mai. 

Bangkok is a well-developed city with a bustling centre and a ton of internationals on any given day, both residents and tourists. The city itself is ginormous but an efficient public transport system makes travelling a breeze – if you use the Syktrain or the subway! Traffic on the roads of Bangkok is horrendous so being smart about where you live is vital.

Chiang Mai is the equivalent of Bangkok in the north. Chiang Mai is much smaller than the capital but still a big city. However, it is much more chilled and laidback than Bangkok.

On the flip side, teaching jobs can be found all over the country, from the big cities to the islands to the remote villages. 

Do you need to speak Thai to work in Thailand?

As a TEFL teacher, definitely not. Teaching English in Thailand is possibly the easiest job in Thailand for English-speakers because speaking English is actually frowned upon in the classroom!

Immersion learning is the name of the game when it comes to TEFL teaching. In Thailand, English classrooms are English-only zones. Outside the classroom, speaking Thai will help you make friends and engage more deeply with the community, but it’s easy enough to get by with only English, especially in the more touristy areas.

When it comes to other jobs, most jobs for foreigners in Thailand don’t have a Thai language requirement. But if you don’t speak Thai you most certainly need to be proficient in English.

Salaries, benefits and cost of living in Thailand

Employees in Thailand work no more than 8 hours a day, or 48 hours a week. Employers contribute to pension, health insurance, unemployment insurance and work injury insurance. Companies with international employees should offer private health insurance and a private pension scheme.

Employees are entitled to:

• 6 days’ paid leave a year
• 13 national holidays
• 98 days’ paid maternity leave and 15 days’ paid paternity leave
• 30 days’ paid sick leave
• 3 days’ paid paid personal business leave, and
• Up to 60 days’ paid military leave.

Salaries in Thailand aren’t high but the cost of living is relatively low. At the same time, it’s common knowledge foreign workers in Thailand earn significantly more than their Thai counterparts. This, and differences in work ethic and business relations, can make working in Thailand as a foreigner tricky. But as with anywhere, it just takes some time to adjust.

Teachers can earn well, especially if you have a good TEFL qualification and teaching experience. 

Hospitality jobs won’t pay as well but they should include accommodation and possibly even food, which more than makes up for it. High-level positions in hospitality in high tourist areas are well-remunerated.

What types of jobs are popular in Thailand?

Education, information technology, finance and hospitality all offer work opportunities in Thailand.

In 2020, it was reported there were more than 11,000 foreign teachers employed in Thailand.

Volunteer work in Thailand is very popular. Volunteers from around the world come to Thailand to teach English, work on farms, or help out at animal sanctuaries. Volunteer opportunities usually include accommodation and food. It’s a fabulous way to experience authentic Thai culture and make genuine connections for life.

English teacher

Teaching English in Thailand is a massive industry. TEFL-qualified teachers from all over the globe flock to the tropical country to enjoy the food, the weather, the lifestyle and the friendly students.

Teaching jobs in Thailand are especially plentiful in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket. TEFL teachers teach in kindergarten, state schools, private schools, universities and in-company. Private lessons are very common. 

It’s recommended to find a teaching job before entering the country in order to secure a Working Visa. 

Hospitality and tourism

Hospitality jobs in Thailand for English-speakers include:

• reception work
• bar work
• scuba diving instructing
• waitronning
• front-of-house positions

High-level hotel management positions are often available in the tourist hotspots of Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui.

Digital nomad

Thailand offers the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for digital nomads and remote workers. This visa allows the visa-holder to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days a year for five years. 

To qualify for the DTV applicants need to be at least 20 years old and have proof of savings of THB 500,000 ($13,500). The visa costs THB 10,000 ($280). 

Ready to work abroad in Thailand?

Do you think you’re ready for weekends on the beach and an easy way of life? Why not get a job in Thailand?

And to let you in on a little secret, the easiest and most straight-forward way to get a job in Thailand is to do a TEFL course and apply for a job teaching English as a Foreign Language.