How long can I stay in Thailand on a tourist visa while looking for a teaching job?

There is plenty of negativity in the comments here. I came to Thailand in November that is in the middle of school terms and found a teaching position in Bangkok within a week. There might not be that many position available as during the so called hiring window but it is not impossible.

In terms of accommodation, I found a monthly Airbnb rental which is great as it does not require you to commit with a lease, it is all inclusive and does not require a deposit. It gives you the balance between stability and flexibility.

If you want to get a job, start now. You can apply online and see what happens. The new school year starts in may,there still will be some vacancies, but not many. You can get a job for a year and then find a better one later. It's better to start like this, because you will get non b visa and won't have to think about extending your tourist visa. Thailand doesn't allow as many border runs and extensions as it used to.

Rentals are done on the ground for sure. We contacted agents a few months before our move and every agent said it's too soon. Even with a dog we found a place within a month of moving here. It's also better to get to know the city in person before deciding what area you want to live in.

Easiest way would be to attend a TEFL course with a company that will also transfer you to a school. It will cost a bit and you'll earn less but your papers will be in order and you won't have to worry about not finding a job or getting in trouble with your visa

A few words for your benefit.

Regardless what they say or what you read, you extend your visa stamp, not your visa. In this context there is little difference, but when you start looking at options to stay and "visa expire" and "permitted to stay", you will find it less confusing if you think about "permission to stay" (which is the stamp, you get when the immigration officer puts it in your passport).

You can extend your stamp (permission to stay) + 30 days on many tourist option (visa or visa exempt).

You're nationality matters, some people won't recognize "Misery" is a US state and therefore may give you advice for a different nationality.

You are permitted to come visa exempt by land, twice a year. There is no limit if flying. However, there is no law that guarantees they will let you in, most likely they will but they are not required... You are a guest.

I have done may back-to-back visa runs, very few visa exempts. You can likely stay in Thailand until you find your dream job, you will have to do visa runs or border bounces.

The school "should" help you with the visa but not all do. I have known people who've taught for a few years on various different visas (ED, does not stand for erectile dysfunction), back to back tourist visa, etc. etc. Where there is a will there is a away.

I am not sure about your age but getting a teaching job 45+ can be a tricky.

You can likely find some half-way decent teaching jobs online (find the job online, not teach online, well that too).

My advice to you.. Get an METV and do border bounces for the first nine months or until you find a better plan. (METV = Multiple Entry Tourist Visa).

You need to have a job nailed down first! The hiring season for international schools (with the start of a new school year being August) is December-February/early March. I'm afraid you've missed the window for next school year. Once you know where your school is, and you've signed a contract, THEN you can start searching online for short-term rentals near your school. Do not commit to anything long-term until you've seen it in person. You also need to consider transportation. Unless you're in Bangkok, public transportation (at least for a non-Thai speaking person) is pretty much nonexistent. Cars are expensive here compared to everything else. Outside of Bangkok, essential businesses are really spread out and walking or riding bicycles is unsafe or impossible due to lack of sidewalks, poor driving, and oppressive heat.

Check out search associates and get a real teaching job at an intl school

Based on your description, you seem more suited to live in the Philippines.

Look into the visa rules there (up to 3 years per entry) and you might reconsider your options.

If you arrive in Low season, the amount of property you can choose from, dependent on your budget and your preferred location is very comprehensive to say the least.

Tourist visa is 60 days which can be extended for 1900 baht a further 30 days.