The Truth About Teaching English in Thailand: Challenges Nobody Talks About

Thailand first captured my heart when I visited my wife, who was already living and working here. 

Thailand is beautiful. I knew this was it. 

The low cost of living, incredible travel opportunities, delicious food and friendly culture appealed to me. 

Before moving, I imagined tropical islands, eating pad thai daily and motorbike adventures through the mountains. The idea of working with kids, living debt-free and seeing the world felt like a dream. 

While some of that vision has come true, the reality of day-to-day life is far more involved. Between teaching and studying part-time, I’m a lot busier than I expected. 

Bureaucratic tasks like visa renewals, police clearance, motorbike licensing, permanent residency letters, 90-day reporting and TM30 documents hit me hard in the first few months. 

The dream life comes with lots of paperwork and logistical challenges!

[TM30 is a form your landlord submits to Thai Immigration within 24 hours of your arrival at your rental accommodation. If you’re staying long-term, you also have to check in every 90 days with your current address. This is called 90-day reporting.]

Read more:  How You Can Live And Teach English Abroad As A South African

The first few months were full of “Wait, what?” moments. 

Bangkok traffic is no joke, and not having a car means relying on a motorbike, which sounds romantic until you’re doing it in 38°C heat — not glamorous. You sweat in places you didn’t know existed. To beat the morning rush, I’ve had to adjust my sleep schedule and hit the road earlier than I’d like.

Read more: Teaching In Thailand During Summer: How To Stay Cool And Keep Your Energy Up

Beyond transportation, I’ve had to figure out complex systems like immigration, the embassy, and the Department of Land Transport. 

Communicating with a mix of gestures, broken Thai, and Google Translate becomes part of daily life.

Tasks that would be simple back home, like getting a document from your landlord or paying a bill, can become a full-day adventure. But over time, you develop a rhythm, and what once felt overwhelming becomes routine.

Read more:  How To Live & Work In Thailand As A Foreigner

One of the most encouraging things about living and working in Thailand has been the respect shown to foreign teachers, especially from parents. 

I’ve always felt genuinely welcomed by the Thai community. The appreciation is genuine and often expressed openly. It’s a different level of respect for teachers compared to back home. 

Read more: Things To Know About Thai Classroom Culture

However, there are unspoken norms. 

That professional image isn’t just for the classroom; it determines how the community sees you.

When teaching in Thailand, you need to:

• dress appropriately.
• be polite in public.
• be culturally sensitive.

Your actions matter, especially in and around your school. 

There’s a lot of fine print in Thai TEFL life that nobody really talks about. Teaching jobs vary greatly, especially when comparing private schools, language centres and government institutions. 

Schedules change frequently, plans fall through, communication isn’t always clear, and sometimes you’re expected to figure things out with minimal guidance, so adaptability is key.

Little things that caught me off guard:

• Navigating Thai Immigration.
• Collecting documents you didn’t know existed.
• Learning how to pay bills or top up your phone balance.
• Using Thai apps for things like deliveries, banking, or transportation (many of which don’t have English translations).
• The language barrier — even everyday tasks like asking for help at a 7-Eleven or reading a sign can be unexpectedly difficult.

These might sound minor, but when everything is new, it adds up quickly – but it all becomes manageable eventually.

Read more:  How To Deal With Culture Shock

Living in Thailand is stunning and full of perks, but it also comes with emotional costs that have a major impact on your overall experience. The distance from family becomes very real on holidays, birthdays and when loved ones are going through tough times. 

I miss my people and the comfort of home. The added stress of immigration deadlines, school changes, and generally feeling out of place can wear you down. 

And let’s not forget the hidden financial costs: setting up your visa, buying a motorbike, or even stocking your apartment with essentials. It all adds up.

The expat community in Thailand is active but often feels transient. 

People come and go, and friendships can end just as they’re starting. That can make it tough to feel truly rooted.

Thankfully, my wife and I have found a deep community through our faith. We’re both Christians and part of the Evangelical Church of Bangkok, where we attend a Lifegroup that meets weekly online to discuss the sermon and pray together.

Twice a month, we meet at our leader’s home. That consistent support (both spiritual and social) has made a huge difference. It’s one of the main reasons we’ve been able to stay grounded.

Read more:  How To Find Your Community As A TEFL Teacher

Yes. I’ve had moments where I’ve questioned everything. Usually, it’s when the heat, bureaucracy, homesickness, and workload all hit at once. Maybe I’ve had a hard class, or I’ve just come back from a frustrating immigration visit. Sometimes I just miss home.

What helps most is having a support system: my wife, my Lifegroup, and a few solid friendships. 

Some days it’s about taking a deep breath, grabbing a bubble tea and reminding myself why I came here in the first place — to grow, teach and experience something different.

Read more: 7 Reasons Thailand Should Be On Your Bucket List

Sometimes it can feel overwhelming, but when a student has a breakthrough or a parent says thank you, suddenly it all feels meaningful again.

If I could go back, I’d tell myself to lower my expectations about having “constant fun” and raise my expectations for personal growth.

I’d also remind myself to be patient with others, with the system, and most of all, with myself. Learning to thrive here takes time. Being okay with uncertainty will save you a lot of frustration. 

Oh, and bring more than one pair of pants [trousers]. Seriously.

Read more: Interesting Facts About Thailand You Probably Didn’t Know

Living and teaching in Thailand has made me more resourceful, resilient and patient. It’s also helped me grow in faith and confidence.

Teaching students with very limited English has made me a better communicator and a more creative educator, since lessons need to be very visual, simple, and interactive. 

I’ve learned to:

• appreciate the small things, 
• let go of things outside of my control,
• handle unpredictable work environments, and
• make it work when I don’t have the answers. 

It’s been humbling, exciting and everything in between. This experience has changed not just how I teach, but how I see the world.

Absolutely! 

Thailand isn’t perfect, and it’s definitely not for everyone. But if you’re adventurous, flexible and genuinely love working with kids, this country offers a fulfilling and unforgettable experience.

The lifestyle is sustainable, the travel opportunities are endless, the culture is beautiful, and teaching can be incredibly meaningful. And the food? Amazing!

If you need everything to go according to plan or struggle with change, Thailand might be a tough adjustment.

Thinking about making the move? Thailand might just surprise you in the best possible way.

My advice: 

• Do your research.
• Get your paperwork in order.
• Stay open with a heart ready to grow. 

Brendan has spelt it out — Thailand isn’t a postcard. It can be messy… and sweaty… but you’re in for a wild ride. You’ll face (and overcome) challenges you can’t imagine, and discover parts of yourself you didn’t know existed, all while shaping young minds in the process! Now that’s a TEFL adventure we can all get behind!

Read more: How To Get TEFL-Certified: Everything You Need To Know