Am I required to leave Thailand for two months between teaching contracts?

Just as add on, for orientation, English teachers in Japan are paid 1,600 US$ a month. Language schools.

That is for survival and maybe some local travel. That is where MacDonalds and Starbucks become unaffordable.

You should not accept such offers if you're a qualified teacher. They are for less than qualified teachers.

You'll make ten times the average salary of thai people for doing a fraction of their daily hours, you'll live like a king . Obese people are usually unemployable for most positions in western countries , you should consider yourself very lucky and not complain.

24 hrs of work sounds unlikely! 24 lessons plus prep,admin and other duties are common but not mentioned.

Student loans is not income, it's bad debts which follow most Americans around for 20+ years.

In the past these kind of schools expected people to do a couple visa run to cover those 2 months and the time to apply for new visa once the school starts again. In the current situation this isn't possible and schools don't know or care. Their old model doesn't work anymore, you shouldn't accept less than a 12 month contract because you'll be left hanging in the end.

Contact Kru teacher (kruteacher.com) They have some contracts that pay all 12 months of the year, and also some schools you leave work after your last class is completed, which would suit you if your studying.

Hours actually teaching is different from hours in school. You will most likely be told to be in school 8 hours per day, do cover periods, duties, and ecas as well as special days on some weekends . International schools usually offer 2 year contracts. Thai schools may not as they are off nearly 3 months between academic years.

Do not be fooled by the actual work hours. They are citing classroom hours. U actually have to sign in and out for 8 hours a day. Somehow the school provides evidence that u make over 40,000 more or less per month to the authorities. Normally, contracts are for one year. Some will not pay u for three months. I would suggest u try a government University which may allow you to study for your masters. Average classroom time is twelve to 16 hours per week but there are other things that u must do besides your normal support of each class. Beware of clock punch ins and outs of work. I even had to sign in and out each day using line which showed your Google map location. That was during covid. Regardless, most of the schools expect u to be at work.

Respectfully, $1,000-$1,200 USD for 24hrs in this economy doesn’t seem to align at all. Have you done your due diligence and proper research 🧐 concerning these agencies?

A lot of schools don’t rehire because it’s cheaper to just hire every 3 months than to actually peruse the visa on your behalf just food for thought. Are there any other avenues you can take?

Every school is different. If you get in with a good school, they will take care of it. Some schools don't really care. A good school should offer a 12 month contract from the start. But many schools now are trying to get away with paying only 10 months.

The visa can be different depending on how the school writes the paperwork up. Some schools will get you a one year visa - The first 90 days is the Non B then you’re on an extension of stay. If they’ve done the paperwork correctly (time wise) you’ll get the year if not you’ll need to leave and come back on a visa exempt. They’ll usually ask you to sign a new contract or some form of promisary (sp) note that you’ll teach again the next semester if they want you back. If not you’re free to return home or look for a different school or try your chances with them when they hire again. The money you mention is fine for most areas (better in some) except the most expensive, depending on your lifestyle and living choices. Remember to budget for mobile phone/internet (relatively cheap compared to US), visa and travel expenses related to visa. The school (usually) pays for extensions and work permit. Don’t work without a permit. The schools can take up to a couple weeks to get it but it’s doable before starting work - depends on the school. I had a school that knew when authorities were coming to check teacher paperwork and asked me to hide in the bathroom when they came. I refused and requested my work permit before coming back. They complied because they had to.

1200 per day sounds made up and you’re about to get kidnapped

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