Teaching English in Thailand is the best decision you could make in life. Why? If you decide to teach English in Thailand, jobs will practically throw themselves at you because demand is so high. Once you have your job, the low cost of living affords you ample room to save money/spend it on Southeast Asian adventures, and you’ll be living in Thailand, i.e. The Land of Smiles. All you really need is a bachelor’s degree. Having your TEFL certification is a perk, but by no means mandatory.
That useless bachelor’s degree is probably sounding like a pretty good idea right now.
But why Thailand? There are plenty of affordable countries around the world where you can teach English and explore. To that we say: why not do it all?! Living in Thailand gives you easy access to other southeast Asian countries, making it the perfect starting point for English teachers abroad looking to extend their adventures.
Don’t be surprised if it takes you a while to make it to Cambodia or Laos; there’s a lot to experience in Thailand. In the north you’ll be trekking through lush green mountains and playing with elephants. Hop on a plane for a busy Bangkok bananza if you need some thrilling city vibes. Chill out on pristine beaches in the south, and maybe pop over to a paradisiacal island. With so many cool places to choose from, you’re probably wondering where the best places to teach English in Thailand are. Well...
Awesome places to teach in Thailand
1. Chiang Mai
The mountains are calling… or is that an elephant? That’s right, there’s more to Thailand than beaches and islands! Chiang Mai is the “cultural capital” of Thailand. Tucked away in the mountains, Chiang Mai has a relaxed atmosphere despite being pretty populous. The location makes it easy to peace out of the busy city and into nature real quick (real effing quick).
You’ll have access to modern amenities like malls, restaurants, bars, etc, but you also have a way to escape it. Soooo it’s pretty much the best of both worlds. Also, northern Thai cuisine is something you must experience. Curries with Burmese influence will make for a bumpin’ party in yo’ mouth. It’s hard to find authentic northern outside of Thailand, so eat up!
Chiang Mai is an obvious contender if you want to teach English in Thailand. Jobs are available through TEFL programs, volunteering at orphanages or monasteries, or through private companies.
Pros: Thai food like you’ve never had, easy access to nature / mountains / elephants, laid-back vibe, small town feel with big city amenities
Cons: zero beaches, problems?!?!?!
Recommended teaching jobs in Chiang Mai
- Paid Teaching Contracts in Thailand with Greenheart Travel
- Get TEFL Certified & Paid to Teach English in Thailand - ITA
- See all teaching jobs in Chiang Mai
2. Krabi
If you have the opportunity to live in Krabi, you better take it. It’s the ultimate life hack. Close your eyes. Imagine electric blue water washing lazily up onto white sandy beaches. The bright blue sky mirrors the ocean, with only a smattering of clouds to be seen. Krabi is a no-brainer if you’re planning to teach English in Thailand.
No matter where you go to teach English in Thailand, jobs will be placed just a hop, skip, and jump away from gorgeous beaches.
Jobs in Krabi offer the ultimate vacation everyday! That’s right, you don’t need to wait till summer to hit the beach. Swap your slacks for swim trunks after class and take a day trip to Ko Phi Phi (45-minute speedboat trip? Yes please!). Because it’s a popular tourist destination, it can be a little crowded at times. But if you teach year-round, you’ll get to experience paradise on the off-season. You’ll go cocoNUTS over this tropical paradise!
Pros: Beaches for DAYS, islands in your backyard
Cons: farang (foreigners/tourists), sunburns (see above)
Recommended teaching jobs in Krabi
3. Bangkok
Bangkok is one of the best places to teach English in Thailand, because it’ll keep you on your toes. There’s always something going on in the capital city. From Ladyboy burlesque shows to floating markets (yep, you can take your grocery trip on the river), adventures are easily accessible.
And so much culture! If you know anything about Thailand, you know the royal family is pretty…important. So naturally the Grand Palace in Bangkok is ornate as heck. You’ll never get tired of the intricately designed temples and palaces in Bangkok. The public transport is super easy to navigate, so you’ll have the chance to see them all.
Pros: metropolitan, western food (if you’re into that), night scene is in a league of its own, easy to get around, cultural experiences out the wazoo
Cons: crowded, nada lotta nature
Recommended teaching jobs in Bangkok
- Teaching jobs with International TEFL & TESOL Training
- Teach English in Bangkok with MediaKids Academy
- See all teaching jobs in Bangkok
4. Phuket
When you teach English in Thailand, jobs feel more like hobbies. What do you expect when you wake up in paradise everyday? You wake up, do a little teaching with some cool kids, hang out on the beach after work, sip on mojitos as you read a good book… you’ll probably be pinching yourself and thinking, “Wait, I get paid for this??”.
Yep, a salary is included with this view.
Phuket is no different. The beaches woo travelers and teachers alike, so expect company and beautiful sunsets over glassy oceans. Phuket can be a little busy, but the liveliness adds to the allure. If you’re bored of the beaches (it’s possible, but rare), you won’t be for long. Head into the hills to see the Big Buddha, a massive white Buddha overlooking Chalong. Or explore the night markets. The city breeds diversity; people from around the world call Phuket home. You’ll experience a beautiful blend of Thai and international cultures in Phuket, so it’s a great place to extend your international citizen visa.
Pros: western food (if you’re into that), beaches, and Buddhas, baby!
Cons: tourist city, it’s pronounced “Poo-ket”, cost-of-living a tad higher (because, tourism)
Recommended teaching jobs in Phuket
- Teach Abroad with an i-to-i TEFL Course in Phuket
- See all teaching jobs in Phuket
5. Ayutthaya
Wat is there to do in Ayutthaya? We’re giving you a hint. Wat is what you should be doing. In case you didn’t pick up on it, Ayutthaya has some amazing temple ruins you will need to explore. Temples are pretty much synonymous with Thai culture, and Ayutthaya has some spectacular temples!
Take a step back from the buzzing Bangkok capital and live in the ancient one: Ayutthaya is one of the best places to teach English in Thailand if you’re looking for a historical trip. The city was founded in 1340, and was actually the capital of Thailand for 400 years. Teaching in Ayutthaya is perfect for people who crave a more laid-back lifestyle. The city welcomes you with a cozy small-town feel that will wrap you in a giant Thai-hug and you’ll never leave.
Pros: living in a museum, bikeable, small-town vibes
Cons: not much of a nightlife
Recommended teaching jobs in Ayutthaya
- Teach & Travel in Thailand with Asian College of Teachers
- Get TEFL Certified & Get Paid to Teach English in Thailand
- See all teaching jobs in Ayutthaya
6. Chonburi
People teach in Chonburi to experience authentic Thailand sans tourism. Sure, the nightlife in the city isn’t really a thing, but it’s super easy to take a song-thaew to nearby Bang Saen for some bumpin’ clubs. Chonburi is perfect for people who want to teach English in Thailand. Jobs are easy to get, and the city provides a convenient meeting point for traveling friends.
It’s only a few hours from Bangkok and the beautiful beaches of Koh Lan, Koh Si Chang, and Koh Samet. That means you can experience crazy busy Bangkok for a day and sleep soundly in your own bed. Chonburi is a pretty laid-back city, so it’s ideal for someone looking to experience the real Thailand. Living and teaching English in Chonburi is sabai sabai, friends.
Pros: authentic Thai experience, affordable and convenient to travel to other cities, laid-back
Cons: not a ton of “activities” in town
Recommended teaching jobs in Chonburi
- Paid Teacher in Thailand with GeoVisions
- Teach English in Thailand with Travelbud
- See all teaching jobs in Chonburi
7. Sukhothai
Home to UNESCO-status ruins and an ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam, Sukhothai is one of the best places to teach English in Thailand. It’s the perfect city to experience Thailand to its fullest because it isn’t overflowing with tourists. It’s a quieter rural town, but you’ll still have access to modern amenities.
The good news is that “quiet” is a synonym for “peaceful and crazy-beautiful”.
Get lost in the rich history of Thailand by exploring ancient ruins, ornate temples, and massive Buddha statues.To truly understand a culture you need to know about its past, so jump into your time machine and immerse yourself in Thai culture! You can also explore some crazy things in the national parks right outside the city like Charo Ram Cave—a wildlife sanctuary where you can watch millions of bats billow like balloons in the sky. Sounds like the perfect field trip for a teacher in Thailand if you ask us!
Pros: history + ruins = learn all the things, access to nature, authentic Thailand awaits thee
Cons: too many temples (really?), nightlife not super bumpin’
Recommended teaching jobs in Sukhothai
- TEFL Training and Paid Teacher Placement with SEE TEFL Teacher Training
- Teach English in Thailand with MediaKids Academy
- See all teaching jobs in Sukhothai
BONUS: Rural Thailand
Do you want to just throw caution to the wind? Experience the most real culture you can, untainted by tourism and foreigners? Do you want to challenge yourself, and dive into an adventure that will change your life? Teach in rural Thailand!
There are tons of opportunities for people who want to (rurally?) teach English in Thailand. Jobs in rural areas are plentiful because the demand is so high. Sure, your best friend may end up being a water buffalo, but we hear they are fantastic conversation partners (such good listeners). If you’re someone who is dedicated to the cause of teaching kids who really need someone to be there for them, rural Thailand is for you.
Pros: authenticity to infinity, nature all day every day, make friends with locals
Cons: nada lot to do, language barriers may be a thing
Recommended teaching jobs in rural Thailand
- Paid English Teaching Positions in Thailand with CIEE
- English Teacher in Thailand with Openbook Teachers
- See all teaching jobs in rural Thailand
Thailand is one of the best places to teach English in Asia!
Your Instagram followers are about to be like, “Whaaaaaat is this person doing and how can I do it too??”
It’s almost too good to be true, right? You can literally get paid to live and teach English in paradise. You’ll get to experience the best, most authentic pad thai you’ve had (but you’ll still end up addicted to the classy cuisine of 7-11), you’ll become part of one of the friendliest communities in da world, and you'll probably just never leave.
The kids you teach will become your own, and you’ll be so happy that you got to call Thailand your home for a while/forever. It really doesn’t matter where you end up teaching; any city you land in is going to blow your mind. The best places to teach English in Thailand are countless, but we had to end this list somewhere.
When it comes down to it, the best places to teach English in Thailand are the places you won’t get bored of. So choose somewhere that calls to you. Are you into history and quieter cities? Sukhothai is your city. Prefer lively crowds and late-night partying? Bangkok is your boi. You know you, and we know the best places to teach English in Thailand. The perfect marriage. All we’re waiting for is you to say, “I do… wanna teach English in Thailand RIGHT NOW!”.
Ready to put a ring on it? Let us help you find the perfect match—you’ll be teaching English in Thailand in no time.
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