A Valuable Experience, But at What Cost?

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 It was outdated, had an unpleasant smell, and hadn’t been properly cleaned.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.