A one-way ticket to freedom?

A decade ago (and certainly before then), teaching English in Thailand was the ultimate escape plan. You’d meet people who’d walked out of high-pressure corporate jobs, ex-bartenders from Manchester looking for a change, and the odd burned-out schoolteacher swapping dreary commutes for flip-flops and motorbikes. Many had never taught a day in their lives. but found themselves in front of a classroom within weeks of arrival.

Fast forward to 2025, and a new wave of teachers is arriving - often not by design, but out of necessity. Across Europe, people are feeling the squeeze of rising costs, political frustrations, and a general sense that their home country just isn’t what it used to be. Thailand, with its warm climate, lower living costs, and currently relaxed visa rules, is an obvious alternative. But is there room for all these new arrivals in the TEFL job market, or is the well drying up?

The TEFL boom: then v now

Thailand has never been short on English learners. With tourism and business tied so closely to English proficiency, schools across the country, from government institutions to high-end international academies, have long sought native-speaking and near-native teachers. In the past, demand often outweighed supply, leading to lenient hiring policies. Didn’t have a degree? No problem. Lacked experience? You’d still find work somewhere.

But things are possibly changing...

Firstly, there are simply more people chasing the same decent jobs. Post-pandemic, a new breed of teacher has emerged: mid-career professionals looking for a full reset, not just a gap-year adventure. Some are former backpackers who went home, found their old lives lacking, and returned to Thailand looking to stay. Others are freelancers or remote workers trying to blend online income with part-time teaching. Then there are the digital nomads who don’t even need to teach but pick up the odd class to extend their visa.

With this influx, competition is heating up, particularly in major cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, where every half-decent school receives plenty of applications for each vacancy.

The backpacker-turned-teacher: A growing trend?

The well-worn backpacker-to-teacher pipeline isn’t new, but it’s never been more noticeable. Once upon a time, a backpacker might teach for a semester, earn enough for a few months of island-hopping, then disappear. Now, many are staying. They’ve realized life in their home country is expensive and restrictive, and the thought of going back to a 9-to-5 job fills them with dread.

But here’s the issue: while these teachers may be passionate about living in Thailand, not all are passionate about teaching. Some take the first job they can find just to keep their visa situation stable. This has led to schools becoming warier about who they hire - some now looking for genuine commitment rather than someone who’s only half-interested in the work.

The harsh reality

The golden days of walking into a Bangkok school and walking out with a contract are fading. Employers are becoming pickier. Degree requirements, once loosely enforced, are now stricter. International and bilingual schools favor teachers with actual qualifications and experience, while government and language schools can afford to be selective.

Then there’s the issue of pay. Salaries for English teachers in Thailand have remained largely stagnant, while the cost of living (especially in Bangkok) has crept up. Many new arrivals expect to live comfortably on a teacher’s salary, only to find themselves scraping by unless they supplement their income with private tutoring or online work.

In the past, an unqualified teacher might still land a job offering 35,000 - 40,000 THB per month ($1,000–$1,200). These jobs still exist but often come with tougher conditions - long hours, big class sizes, and minimal support. Meanwhile, premium teaching positions, paying 60,000 THB and up, are harder to come by and usually require teaching credentials.

Are there too many teachers now?

It depends on how you look at it.

There’s certainly an oversupply of underqualified or inexperienced teachers, especially in major cities. If you’re coming to Thailand with no degree, no TEFL certificate, and no experience, you’re competing with hundreds of others in the same boat. However, if you have solid credentials - a degree, a TEFL certificate (or, better yet, a PGCE or CELTA), and a bit of experience - you’re still in demand. In smaller towns and rural areas, there are still teaching shortages, but these locations are often less appealing to the average Western expat.

The visa and work permit factor

For those thinking of making the jump, the visa situation is worth considering. Thai immigration rules are constantly evolving, and visa runs are no longer as easy as they once were. Schools are now expected to sponsor proper work permits, which means they need to justify hiring a foreigner over a Thai teacher.

That means schools aren’t just looking for warm bodies anymore; they want teachers who bring value. If you’re an experienced, well-presented teacher with good references, you’ll still find work. But if your plan is to wing it and hope for the best, you might struggle.

Is teaching in Thailand still worth it?

For the right person, absolutely.

If you’re genuinely interested in teaching, willing to gain qualifications, and open to working outside of the most competitive locations, Thailand still offers a fantastic lifestyle. The freedom, the lower stress levels, the affordability - those things haven’t changed. But if you’re hoping to rock up with zero experience and find a cushy job with a good salary, you’re in for a wake-up call. The days of easy teaching gigs with minimal effort are possibly numbered.

The bottom line? Thailand isn’t the “TEFL Wild West” it once was. If you’re serious about making teaching work as a career (or at least a sustainable lifestyle), be prepared to put in the effort. Get qualified, network, and be flexible about where you work.

For those who do it right, teaching in Thailand can still be a dream gig. But for those who see it as just another quick escape plan, the reality might not be quite what they expected.