Teaching Legally or Illegally in Thailand

[Niko]

Many Do Start off Teaching Illegally in Thailand

Thailand offers some of the best beaches in the world, superb scuba diving, great weather and cheap eats. No wonder why teaching in Thailand attracts so many people each year.

If you don't have a university degree, but are a native English speaker, then Thailand could be your option, with an abundance of teaching jobs still on offer. But, keep in mind that in Thailand you cannot get a work permit without a university degree. Therefore, you would be teaching illegally in Thailand.

What amount of risk are you willing to take?. I have personally known 2 teachers that were deported because they were not teaching with a work permit. However, it's fair to say many thousands do get away with it each year.

Don't be afraid to start off teaching in Thailand without a work permit. Many newcomers to Thailand begin this way. If you are unlucky to be caught by the authorities in your early days, I doubt you would be deported as they can see you have just arrived to the country. Just be sure to have some paperwork to show that proves you are undertaking the steps to be issued a work permit.

If you continue to teach illegally in Thailand, then expect to be taken advantage of. You wont get the best teaching wages, and schools will generally be more likely to use and abuse you.

Jorge E.
(English Teacher - Bangkok, Thailand)

[exported_kiwi]

I have no experience of teaching anywhere but China, but I can say, from friends experiences, that flying "under the radar" isn't recommended because there's all kinds of hills that can just sorta "pop up" and make life uncomfortably interesting!

What I suggest you should do is think just how much you want to teach there, what's your motivation and how badly do you want to be screwed if, or not, you're caught.

Just be careful, listen to all parcels of advice and then weigh up what you know, from those who've been there, with what risks you're willing to take.

In saying this, Thailand rocks!
Good luck and keep your head down if you decide to go.

Just my 2 cents worth again (restocked from the bank )

[Margy]

Well, if you have no other option, then so be it. Whilst it's not the right thing to do, sometimes it's those bureaucrats that dictate this. It may be legally wrong to teach with out a visa, but is it morally wrong? Not at all. After all, when you are teaching you are only trying to help others improve their English.

[exported_kiwi]

Hi Margy,

As a human being who's interested in other countries, as well as loving the teaching jobs I do, I tend to agree with what you say. However, as one who has signed a contract that states that I'll obey the laws of the country in which I work, I don't agree. I suggest that it's far better to be legal and avoid any hassles later than to incur the weight of the law should one be caught. How can we, on one hand say that we respect a country's culture if we, at first, can't respect a country's laws?

I don't reply to open a can of worms or cause a problem. I merely make this comment as an attempt to inform. Your posts are always informative and I hope life's going well for you.

Just my 2 cents worth (again)

[Margy]

Yep, life is going well. It's a tough debate and both sides have it's merits. I will sit on the fence for the time being. I haven't been in such a situation so haven't really thought too deep about it. But I suppose if I was to be in such a situation, I would just teach illegally.

Respecting a country's custom does not always mean you have to agree with every law and piece of red tape. There are many things I dislike about home and the politicians etc.., but I still respect and love my country very much.

All the best to you too kiwi man.

[exported_kiwi]

Hi again,

I'm glad all goes well with you. Life here has been difficult for me, to say the least. I was working without a contract in Guangzhou while waiting for something better to come along and while the school was waiting for qualified teachers to come. I just found out two days ago that I had no job and no home and had to find both damn quick! I just landed a job, no problem although it's not the ideal pay, but it's an income and the potential is there to earn. They'll also pay an allowance towards accommodation which is good because it allows "she who must be obeyed" to find a home in the part of Guangzhou that she likes.

Now, back to the subject of the thread: yeah, I know that if someone is motivated enough, they're not gonna care whether or not they're legal. I have this deep abiding fear that if someone gets caught, that they'll be incarcerated in horrific conditions etc and treated so badly that it could be life threatening. Maybe this won't happen, maybe it will. If it does, obviously, they have nobody to blame but themselves for making the decision they did. If they don't get caught, then they'd always have to be constantly looking over their shoulder and that's enough for me to want to keep things on the up and up.

Another instalment of "my 2 cents"

[Amit_kumar]

I do not agree with you that one should start teaching illegaly in Thailand. Thai authorities have strict rules against them. Its better to start when one get work permit. As its necessary to have university degree to teach there, one should get it before applying for work permit.

[skydolphin]

What kind of Bachelor degree would you need? The standards vary from country to country. I'am going to try to get one of those legit life experience degrees.

[cool ice]

If you get a life experience degree, makes certain that the university is legit and that there is something behind the piece of paper u hold, otherwise you may aswell wipe ur arse with it.

[skydolphin]

I don't know why people fall for these scams that cost at least $1000 US.If I wanted to I could print off a fake for free. PS. I don't want to do time in foregn cell...not worth it.