New re-entry permit service at Suvanabhumi Airport

Postbox letter from Del

Although it still states on the Thai Immigration website that the issue of re-entry permits is at the discretion of the immigration officer, a "new" service is now being offered prior to passport control.

Get your head out of the sand

Postbox letter from Ttompatz

Regarding 'so many hurdles' (ajarn postbox 28th March) Where is the surprise? The addition of the proof of English speaking ability (TOEIC/TOFEL/IELTS scores) by non native speakers was added to the list of basic requirements last October (and posted about on various teacher forums).

So many hurdles

Postbox letter from Fozzie

I am a non-native English speaker from Europe but I've been teaching here in Thailand for five years now and never had a problem with documents and being employed as a legal teacher. But now my school have told me that according to The Ministry of Education website (which I cannot check because the info in question is only available in Thai apparently) - I need to satisfy all of the following requirements.

TCT waiver/exemption letter glitch

Postbox letter from Jim

My TCT waiver/exemption letter dated Jan 25, 2010 is for 2 years, but in 2011 Mukdahan Immigration only gave me my new visa until Jan. 25, 2012. I had to get a new TCT letter (another 2 years) to allow me to finish the current academic year in early March.

Seven months to do it yourself!

Postbox letter from Mr Grumpy

One thing I learnt a long time back, providing you are not uneducated and meet the minimum requirements, is that one must do everything oneself! It is your passport, it is your work permit and it is your life!

The chalkies need a real change

Postbox letter from Mr Grumpy

Nothing can prepare the foreign teacher for the employee-to-management-to-admin staff life. Dealing with these matters can drive the most experienced teachers up the wall and can turn a normally friendly teacher into a paranoid wreck!

Teachers' licenses - laws and links

All the rules and regs regarding teacher licences

Many thanks to Ajarn Forum member, Stamp, for supplying the following links to information on the complex topic of teacher licenses - and how you can teach legally in Thailand.

The infamous teacher fire drill

Postbox letter from Happy Jack

Foreign teachers need to be careful about choosing to work at a private school anywhere in Asia, because private schools are businesses first and educational institutions second. Many are unscrupulous and some are actually criminal.