Steve Restarick

Steve Restarick

It's not Thailand's fault you're still on 35K

Thailand didn't trap you; you just stopped moving.


Here’s the uncomfortable truth: if you’re still earning 35K after half a decade, the problem probably isn’t the system - it’s you. Is it really the school holding you back? Or is it the fact you stopped climbing?

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Samut Prakan Phil

Samut Prakan Phil

RIP the mid-range Thai restaurant experience

Long live the Grab drivers


Joseph Hunt

Joseph Hunt

The illusion of 'the good school'

Many schools have learnt how to sell themselves to foreign teachers.


A good school doesn’t have to sell itself that hard. If the school is trying too hard to convince you it’s a great place to work - there might just be a reason.

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Teacher Lani

Teacher Lani

Let me introduce myself

My name is Teacher Lani and I’m from a small town in Laguna, Philippines


Some days, I feel like I'm doing the work of three teachers. But the students? They make it worth it. Even when they forget every verb tense we studied last week.

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Laura Thomas

Laura Thomas

Two teachers, two outcomes

Why one stayed and one didn't


Both women arrived in Thailand around the same time. Both were qualified, motivated, and excited to teach. On paper, there was no reason why one would succeed and the other would struggle.

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Teacher Rants

Teacher Rants

Can we just shut up and teach, please?

Surviving the staffroom one complaint at a time


I’m not saying we need to be all sunshine and lotus blossoms. But how about just a little balance? A few positive comments to go with the griping. A moment to appreciate the good things - the student who improved, the lesson that landed, the joke that actually got a laugh.

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David Parfitt

David Parfitt

Are international school jobs the ultimate goal?

Despite the excellent pay, the jobs might not be for everyone.


Unlike some TEFL jobs where a photocopied worksheet and a few games can get you through a day, international school teaching requires sustained effort. There’s less room to “wing it”

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Paul Metcalfe

Paul Metcalfe

Visa roulette

When your paperwork is a comedy of errors


No one moves to Thailand for the paperwork. But if you plan to stay, it’s part of the deal. And while it may feel like a game of roulette at times, most teachers make it through, eventually.

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Edward Pembroke-Hayes

Edward Pembroke-Hayes

The art of being watched

Lesson observation etiquette for the masses


Having endured more than my fair share of clipboard-wielding middle managers with iPads and anxiety disorders, I feel uniquely qualified to offer guidance on how to behave when stepping into my classroom - or anyone else’s - with the intention of “providing feedback”

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Jason Byrne

Jason Byrne

What to do if you're teaching during an earthquake

Critical actions you can take to keep yourself safe.


Having taught through several earthquakes in Japan and Italy, I vividly remember the 9.0 Tohoku earthquake in Japan in 2011. The quake's energy waves were so intense that they lifted my house repeatedly - an absolutely terrifying and surreal experience.

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Featured Jobs

Specialist English Teacher

฿65,000+ / month

Myanmar


Female Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

฿35,000+ / month

Bangkok


NES Early Years Teachers / Primary Teachers

฿45,000+ / month

Bangkok


NES Secondary English Teacher

฿45,000+ / month

Bangkok


Kindergarten / Primary Homeroom Teacher

฿37,000+ / month

Lampang


Math, Science, Computer Science Teachers

฿35,000+ / month

Bangkok


Featured Teachers

  • Maciej


    Polish, 42 years old. Currently living in Poland

  • Anna


    Filipino, 29 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Ariston


    Zimbabwean, 30 years old. Currently living in Zimbabwe

  • Olga


    Filipino, 27 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Byron


    South African, 31 years old. Currently living in South Africa

  • Ronaldo


    Filipino, 58 years old. Currently living in Philippines

The Hot Spot


The cost of living

The cost of living

How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to live in Thailand? We survey various teachers earning different salaries and with different lifestyles.


The region guides

The region guides

Fancy working in Thailand but not in Bangkok? Our region guides are written by teachers who actually live and work in the provinces.


Contributions welcome

Contributions welcome

If you like visiting ajarn.com and reading the content, why not get involved yourself and keep us up to date?


My Bangkok suburb

My Bangkok suburb

Overviews for different areas and suburbs of Bangkok, written with the help of teachers who live there. Let us help you find the perfect Bangkok neighborhood for your lifestyle.


Air your views

Air your views

Got something to say on the topic of teaching, working or living in Thailand? The Ajarn Postbox is the place. Send us your letters!