I worked with this company from 2021 to 2022. Unlike many others, I didn’t apply directly. I had already completed my teaching certificate, secured my Non-B visa, and received a placement through other agencies before being transferred to them. So my experience may differ from those who started the process from scratch.
When I arrived to sign my contract from another city, I traveled with a group of teachers. We arranged and split the cost of a van, but there was confusion over payment upon arrival, and communication between the driver, staff, and teachers was difficult and chaotic. This was my first indication that the staff’s English was quite limited and they lacked professionalism.
The accommodation provided near the head office was disappointing. It was outdated, had an unpleasant smell, and hadn’t been properly cleaned. Other teachers I met months later told me they stayed in much nicer housing, so I may have just been unlucky. On the positive side, the contract terms were explained clearly, and the staff answered my questions well. I left feeling confident about my new job.
During my stay near the head office, the staff were welcoming. They took us to a local festival and drove me to my assigned city. They also assisted me in communicating with landlords about rental options I had found on my own after arriving. Once again, this communication wasn’t the best and I think Google Translate was used a few times.
Anyways, I ultimately had to stay long-term in a hotel because I was unable to secure housing, which became quite expensive. I wish I had received more structured support with finding accommodation, as the high cost of living ultimately influenced my decision to leave.
After settling into my new job and city, communication with the company became minimal. When I needed to obtain documents for my work permit, these arrangements were handled by a local teacher rather than the company’s staff.
This leads to my biggest concern: salary transparency. I later discovered that the school was paying the company significantly more than what I was receiving. Considering that I managed large classes, graded on weekends, planned lessons during breaks, and even purchased my own teaching materials, this was discouraging. It was difficult to justify the 15,000–20,000 baht monthly difference between what the school paid and what I received, especially given the limited support provided during my recruitment and employment.
One staff member mentioned that when teachers are transferred from another agency, the receiving company must pay a fee to acquire them. I’m not aware of the exact amount, but I think it may take several months for them to recover those costs in some cases. While I understand that there may be business expenses involved in this system, those internal arrangements did not feel like the teacher’s responsibility. From my perspective, the pay gap felt unfair.
I understand that this agency model is common in Thailand, and some teachers were satisfied with their pay depending on their lifestyles or supplemental income. However, for someone looking to grow professionally and be fairly compensated, it was challenging. There were also contract clauses preventing teachers from working directly with their schools.
Toward the end of my contract, communication about renewal was last-minute, which left little time to plan. Visa coordination between this company and my new employer was poorly handled, resulting in me having to leave the country for a visa run. That experience ultimately led me to relocate.
Overall, I’m grateful for the wonderful students and schools I was placed in — those memories will stay with me forever. This company can be a good option for first-time teachers or those seeking a short-term experience in Thailand. However, I recommend being independent, doing thorough research, and clearly understanding the financial realities before committing. Teaching in Thailand gave me a valuable experience and helped me understand my professional worth, but it wasn’t a long-term fit for my goals.
What would you improve about this program?
If I could offer advice to improve the program, it would be to lean into transparency and reflection rather than defensiveness. When my review was answered on Google, I noticed the response focused on improvements to orientation and document support. While that may very well be true, those weren’t the services I personally used, so it didn’t address my core concerns. The main issue for me was the pay gap and the broader financial structure behind the agency model. I understand this system has existed for decades and is common throughout Thailand, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be examined more openly.
I believe the company has a real opportunity to lead by example. If you truly care about education in Thailand and the teachers you recruit, then investing more directly in them — through fairer compensation, professional development, and honest conversations about how the financial structure works — could create long-term positive change. When teachers feel valued and fairly paid, they are more likely to stay, grow, and contribute meaningfully to their schools and communities. Otherwise, the industry risks continuing the cycle of short-term teachers who come for travel, not long-term impact. Change is never easy, especially in an established system, but leadership means being willing to challenge what has always been done and choose something better.
I say this from a place of experience. In my current school, where I’ve been for nearly three years, I am paid in a way that makes me feel valued and secure. Because of that, I naturally invest more of myself into my work. I stay late to organize classrooms, purchase materials other teachers can use, and even buy gifts for my students. I take on leadership responsibilities, and management trusts me with meaningful tasks. When I make mistakes, they respond with understanding and remind me of the value I bring. Even small gestures — like being personally taken to dinner for Teacher Appreciation Day — make a difference.
This experience has shown me something important: when companies genuinely invest in their teachers, teachers invest right back. Fair compensation and appreciation don’t just benefit the teacher — they elevate the entire school community.
Response from Kids English Thailand (KET)
Hi Tatiana,
Thank you for your follow-up. We have listened to your concerns, and we appreciate the opportunity to discuss the financial structure and the role we play for schools in Thailand more openly.
The "pay gap" you mentioned is a reflection of the all-inclusive infrastructure required to place a teacher safely and legally. Most of the schools we partner with are small and do not have dedicated HR departments, international recruitment budgets, or legal teams to handle the complex visa and Work Permit process across different time zones.
As a result, schools pay us a service fee to act as their entire international administrative arm. Schools select different service packages that include a variation of:
Total Legal Compliance: Managing the Non-B Visa, the Digital E-Work Permit mission, and TCT licensing.
Market-Rate Salaries: Ensuring our teachers receive a guaranteed, competitive salary that is consistent with the current market for teachers in Thailand.
Career Progression: Our program is designed as a professional stepping stone. Since 2009, we’ve helped hundreds of teachers use their time with us to secure references for Master’s degrees and leadership roles globally. We pride ourselves on responding to every reference request we receive, even years after a teacher has moved on.
For those interested in how this model works across the industry, we recommend this independent guide which highlights the role agencies play in bridging the gap between teachers and schools:
https://teast.co/blog/teaching-agencies-thailand
We are glad to hear you are thriving in your current role and that you have fond memories of your students. We’ve shared your feedback regarding arrival logistics and housing with our team to ensure we keep improving for our future intakes.
We wish you continued success in your teaching career.
Best regards,
The Kids English Thailand Team