Hi Steve,
Find another post-retirement career that doesn't involve the Thai bureaucracy of procuring a work permit or non-B visa. You don't have the qualifications and it's impossible to bluff/bribe your way through the paperwork as was done in the past. English teaching isn't a hobby for post-retirement. Honestly, find some work on-line (not teaching) and get yourself a retirement visa to enjoy your life in Thailand.

By Guy, USA (2nd July 2023)

I’d love to gather all the negative Nancy’s and have them tarred and feathered. The unvarnished truth is that anything is possible, if you want it badly enough. Heck, there are ways to obtain an equivalency BA from all those decades of experience. There’s always a loophole, and there’s always someone or something along the way that will help you. This is especially true here in Thailand. Just ignore the naysayers and go for it.

By Mike, Bangkok (24th April 2023)

Well, during the pandemic I was offered a university job teaching with just a degree and TEFL. I was 60 at the time. I declined and taught online with a firm in Taiwan. I was teaching adults, all kinds of hi tech types. Pay was not great (13\hr) but they gave me a start.
You can do this.

By Dave, Chia.g Mai (18th April 2023)

Hello Steve.

If you're looking at teaching English, then a TEFL / CELTA is a must. It's the basic requirement.

IMO, regarding your predicament, it kind of comes down to how much money you wish to earn per month. If you're looking at the mid-high end salary, then age and lack of degree will go right against you. However, if you're wanting to teach, to aleviate boredom and have enough to cover basics for a few years, until your UK pension kicks in, then there could be possibilities. Where you are, there would be a few smaller schools, that could possibly employ you (need to have a look around and pop in / say hello). Or teach to the local kids / adults in your village area for a few hundred baht an hour. If you've lived there a while, they'll know you. Get a few of them together, then it can turn into a nice little earner.

Ask other employees where you work now about your ideas. Someone may know something. One thing about Thailand, is knowing someone (who knows someone).

Make an effort sir, and with a bit of luck something will present itself. It won't be Eaton, but would be better than a wet slap to the knackers.

Good luck. Worse case scenario: go back to UK and work in Tesco's for a few years.

By Jon, BKK (1st April 2023)

Stumbled across this thread, and I'm hoping that the commenters here might know the answer to a related question...

It's apparent that Thai govt. schools enforce the 60-year-old age cap on hiring. Does this apply to universities, as well? I ask as some countries have carve-outs for universities, making them immune to mandatory retirement age laws. Does Thailand do this, or is it the same across the board? For context, I'm a full professor (re. PhD), and I'm well-regarded (albeit far from famous) in my field, so qualifications shouldn't be an issue. If it is possible, I find the idea attractive to teach for awhile in Thailand after I retire from my current post in a few years, but that will be somewhere between ages 65 and 67. Are public universities a possibility? Are private ones possible? Thank you for any information you can provide!

p.s., I'm well aware of the poor state of university salaries in Thailand, so no need to tell me. I'm much more interested in the intellectual stimulation and I hope to continue interacting with students as long as health permits.

By Prof. Stix, East Asia (14th December 2022)

Here's the best case scenario imo.

I started teaching as a second career. I'd married and needed to get out of the condo. Additional income helped with the cash burn and the fact my with will outlive me by 15-20 years was a wake-up call and I needed to finance our senior years better. I was no stranger to the concept of teaching and almost went into the profession out of university and later as a substitute. I have held a substitute credential for over 20 years.

I worked extremely hard at being what a saw as the typical slacker teacher. I'd put in huge amounts of time learning the craft. My rise through many of the most important public and private schools in Bangkok was nothing short of meteoric.

I hold a full Thai teaching license you'd think was gold.

I'd assisted students in accomplishing some amazing things. In six years and five schools I'd nearly doubled my salary. Recommendations flowed like wine.

My resume for jobs in the 60-65k range was almost always responded to. Prior, when I was making the climb from 35k to 65k the response rate was perhaps as high as 65%

The school I'm at most would think a dream. It's well funded and the rules are both many and lax. The teachers are just has bad as anywhere else unfortunately and is a large reason I'd thought about leaving on many occasions. Many.

I tell you all this so set the stage of what I'm about to inform you.

When I hit 60 no one is interested. Of course, if I was interested in working for an agency at half the wage and twice the headaches I believe that possible. The irony is I am unquestionably a better teacher than my peers. It's not even a contest and that goes for energy as well.

Therefore, my experience shows that schools do not hire 60+. To this end two great schools and perhaps three either don't hire or reduce pay. I know this as a first hand fact.

If you are not in Bangkok you'll run about spending thousands of baht trying to nail down work. Work at your kid's school or someone in town asked you to teach? This will not end well. Even the best schools are full of drama and headaches.

Teaching is a difficult and tiring enterprise the notion that some retiree is interested in *teaching* makes me shudder. You're way to old to start, lack energy (looking at coworkers) and most importantly never be any good at it by the time you quit. Assuming you can get hired the students will suffer. 35k is absolutely nothing. Enjoy your retirement. If you need to return to the workplace go get a job at Walmart and holiday here.

TLDR
60+ you won't work anywhere worthwhile, do anything worthwhile and will burn out in a few years assuming you can get work at all.

Finally, VERY important. Many government jobs force retire. employees at 60. Public schools observe this although some teachers return on per diem for a year or two. Privates may keep older teachers on as sort a a supplement to their meager pension offering. If you must teach apply to private schools. Do not work for an agency 60 yos simply won't have the patience for the BS.

By Jim Beam, The Big Smoke (6th November 2022)

The last Mark who said just enjoy your well earned retirement has zero understanding of the human psyche and is very insensitive. This gentleman has much to offer and probably more than Mark. How would Mark feel about being put out to pasture to do nothing and waste away ? He will be there someday too. Older people are often excellent teachers.

By TC, Cambodia (25th November 2021)

Hi to all teachers
Do any of you teachers out there work in high schools? If so are some of the Thai teachers still using corporal punishment? My next-door neighbor is a Thai high school girl of 17 and she only told me the other day that she and her friends still get caned despite the ban by the government. Can any teacher tell me of any news about this? Thank you

By Dermot Kelly, Hua Hin (20th February 2021)

I am 65 and work full time with a work permit and visa in Phuket. Hitting 60 in Thailand is a problem because the government stipulates that you cannot be employed in any Thai state school. Therefore, no contract, work permit or visa. My solution was a private school. If they are reputable in the area then the Labour Dept. and immigration can rubber stamp it. However, I am fully qualified and experienced which helps. I have 3 months to go until my UK pension kicks in and I leave the farce that is Thai education. I can't wait.

By Martyn, Currently in Phuket (10th January 2021)

If he had a degree, he would easily find work. I'm 62, teaching an a Thai school, and could easily keep on teaching for years if I wanted to, which I don't. I know of one well known Christian school in Udon that currently has an English teacher from the UK aged 75. Most of the other foreign teachers at the school are over 55.
Doesn't Steve have a good pension from the RAF? What is his motivation for wanting to teach? Does he think it will be fun? I should warn him, most of the time it just isn't. The western teachers that I know either all needed money, the visa, or in some cases just wanted to be away from their Thai families for as many hours of the day that was possible.

By Rory, Udon Thani (17th December 2020)

Not a comment but a request for advice. "Ste" mentioned the option of obtaining a BA in Tesol in Thailand. I'd like to get recommendations for authentic, recognized unis in Thailand.

By Ron, NYC (15th December 2020)

My uni asks for a Masters but accepts Bachelors. I know as I only have a Bachelors. However, at 60, he is probably too old to be accepted, but if they will keep people on after 60. The problem Uni's have is that their job promotion is poor, and they advertise the salary they are allowed to by the government. Most positions have many extra ways of making cash, such as marking exams, grading essays, and attending events.

I know people who are 60 working in shopping malls in Nonthaburi. As long as you look presentable and can deliver classes they don't care too much about age. If someone younger interviews at the same time then you will probably lose out, but in Nonthaburi there are lots of malls and not so many NES teachers.

By John, Bangkok (11th December 2020)

I've taught here for many years and also never went to university when I Ieft school in the 1980s. Of course there is always a demand for English teachers here - you may need to start at a small language school and work your way up. Pay won't be great to begin with, but take it from me, if you are dedicated, create interesting lessons ( instead of just 'following the book' as many do ), cover more than one subject and get on well with students and parents, your pay will increase to the point you can survive comfortably by just putting in a few hours each day. As for work permits etc. the official line is that 'teachers' need a degree for a business visa and WP, so that includes most employees at schools. But you can just call yourself something else like a 'training manager' and work at small companies instead. I got a WP by doing exactly that. Be creative. Don't follow the herd. Best of luck!

By George, Bangkok (11th December 2020)

Actually our university now requires a master's degree as minimum and yet still only offer the 29K baht a month salary. They do occasionally employ people over 60 years and I guess I don't have to say why.

By Petedk, Bangkok (10th December 2020)