How to find international school teaching jobs in Thailand
Thailand has a large international school sector, concentrated in Bangkok and with smaller clusters in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya and Hua Hin. Most schools recruit through their own websites and the international recruitment fairs and agencies.
Know what schools look for
Most international schools in Thailand want a recognised teaching qualification from your home country (such as a PGCE, a US state licence or an equivalent), a bachelor's degree in your subject or in education, and at least two years of classroom experience. Some schools hire newly qualified teachers, but they are the minority. Experience with the school's curriculum (British, American or IB) counts for a lot, since there is little time for training once term starts.
Build a target list
Start with a list of schools that teach your curriculum in the places you would live. The International Schools Database Thailand pages list schools by city with their curriculum and age range, and the Bangkok listings are the place to start if you are open to the capital. Then go to each school's own website and find its careers or vacancies page.
For example, a teacher with US licensure would check American-curriculum schools first, while a teacher trained in England would focus on British-curriculum schools.
When schools recruit
The Thai international school year usually starts in August. Schools learn which teachers are leaving in the autumn of the year before, and the main hiring window runs from about October to February. Schools that hire later tend to be filling late resignations, so there are vacancies year-round, but the choice is widest early.
Where vacancies are advertised
- School websites, usually under "Careers" or "Work with us"
- International recruitment agencies and their online platforms, which many schools use to screen candidates
- Recruitment fairs, some held online
- Professional networks and associations of international schools in the region
Apply directly where a school asks you to. Schools often say in their advert which channel they prefer.
The application
Expect to submit a letter, a CV with your teaching history, copies of degrees and qualifications, and referee details. Schools contact referees directly, often including your current head teacher, before making an offer. Interviews are usually by video and may include a sample lesson or a task.
Comparing offers
Ask for the full package in writing. Items to compare:
| Item | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Salary | Gross or net of Thai income tax? Paid in baht? |
| Housing | Allowance or school housing? How much? |
| Flights | Annual or only at start and end? |
| Health insurance | Group policy? Covers dependants? Outpatient included? |
| Children's tuition | Free places, discount or none? |
| Contract length | Two years is common. What notice is needed to leave? |
| Visa and permits | Does the school pay for and process the work permit and teaching permission? |
Paperwork the school will need
After you accept, the school will ask for degree certificates and transcripts (sometimes legalised), a police clearance from your home country and a medical certificate. These take time in some countries, so start as soon as you sign. The visa and work permit guide explains what the school does with them.
Written by the Charlie House editorial team. Last checked October 2026. Thai rules change often. Check with the school, the immigration office or the agency concerned before you act on anything here.