If you use an agent then you actually never learn how to do what is relatively simple to DIY, plus it costs you baht every time that you could have spent on something else. Plus there are some agents who make mistakes either by accident or on purpose whilst immigration will hold you liable. I think they probably do not have any regulatory body overseeing any professionsl standards or carry any indemnity type insurance cover. If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing yourself. Just keep upto date looking out for any changes. Bangkok Bank changed their rule to say the 800,000 must be in your account for 4 months before renewal, not 3 months like most other banks. They also didn't tell their customers, which was kind of them. They can refuse to write your confirmation letter.

I asked Google, "getting employment as a diving instructor for a foreigner in thailand"

To obtain employment as a diving instructor in Thailand as a foreigner, you must secure a job offer from a Thai-registered dive center that will act as your sponsor for a Non-Immigrant B (Business) visa and a work permit.

Key Legal Requirements

Valid Visa and Work Permit: Both a valid Non-Immigrant B visa and an official work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour are mandatory. Working without these is illegal and carries severe penalties, including fines and deportation.

Employer Sponsorship: A prospective employer must be willing to sponsor you, which is a significant commitment for them, involving substantial registered capital (2 million Thai Baht per foreign employee) and the requirement to hire four Thai nationals for every one foreigner.

Job Restrictions: The position of PADI/SSI Instructor is generally available to foreigners because the skills are in demand, but "Dive Master" (guiding) roles are reserved for Thai nationals. Your work permit will specify your exact role and location, and performing other duties (e.g., boat operations, retail sales) is prohibited unless explicitly stated in your permit.

Professional Qualifications: You must have valid professional certifications from recognized organizations like PADI or SSI. The Thailand Department of Employment checks these qualifications as part of the work permit application process to ensure you are bringing skills not readily available locally.

Professional Insurance: Working legally ensures your professional liability insurance is valid, protecting you and your students in case of an accident.

Steps to Secure Employment

Obtain Instructor Certification: Ensure you are a certified Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) or higher, as this is the minimum qualification generally accepted for foreign work permits.

Find a Sponsoring Employer: The most effective approach is to visit dive centers in person with your CV rather than sending emails. Networking within the community and demonstrating a commitment to long-term work will help your application. Multilingual individuals are highly sought after.

Get a Job Offer: Once you have a firm job offer, the employer will begin the process of obtaining the necessary documentation from Thai authorities to support your visa application.

Apply for a Non-Immigrant B Visa: You will typically need to travel outside of Thailand (e.g., to a neighboring country like Malaysia or Laos) to apply for this visa at a Thai embassy or consulate, using documentation provided by your employer.

Secure a Work Permit: After entering Thailand with your Non-Immigrant B visa, your employer will submit the full work permit application to the Department of Employment. You will receive a physical work permit booklet upon approval.

Maintain Legal Status: You are responsible for ensuring your visa and work permit remain current and for completing the required 90-day address reports to immigration.

Alternatively, some instructors establish their own Thai company to be eligible for a work permit, a process that involves significant upfront costs and legal assistance from an accounting firm or lawyer. getting employment as a diving instructor for a foreigner in thailand.

I also asked Google, "a foreigner working as a freelance diving instructor in thailand"

Working as a freelance diving instructor in Thailand requires a valid Non-Immigrant B Visa and a work permit, as, according to G.A.M. Legal Alliance and Aussie Divers Phuket, working without them can lead to fines, jail, or deportation. Freelancers typically earn 25,000–35,000 THB monthly, sometimes higher on liveaboards. Legal, independent work is best achieved by establishing your own Thai limited company.

Aussie Divers Phuket

Aussie Divers Phuket

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Key Aspects for Foreign Freelancers

Legal Requirements: You must have a work permit specifically allowing you to work as a dive instructor, notes IDC Guide. Working on a tourist visa is illegal.

Freelance Setup: Many freelancers set up their own company to manage their own work permits, although this is a complex, costly process involving legal paperwork and Thai partners/employees.

Income Potential: While 25,000-35,000 THB is typical,, notes kohtaoscubaclub-th.com, working on liveaboards (West Coast) can yield higher earnings, sometimes up to 50,000 THB or more, mention kohtaoscubaclub-th.com and Facebook.

Alternatives: Some instructors opt for full-time positions for stability (30,000-45,000 THB), while others take on internships initially to gain experience, mention kohtaoscubaclub-th.com and diveinstructorcoursethailand.com.

Common Locations: Koh Tao, Phuket, Koh Samui, and Phi Phi are popular, but they have high competition, says IDC Guide.

Maybe that can help you work out your plan. There is much more available by searching on Google, this is only a summary.

I send over 30,000 monthly from the UK using Revolut to Krungthai Bank. Charge last month was 50 thb for a 33,000 transfer. Using Swift.

I was using Bangkok Bank for monthly transfers, I still have the funds for my visa requirements with them.

Bangkok Bank are seriously awful though, I will transfer everything to my Krungthai account after my next visa extension. Krungthai are seriously wonderful, modern, efficient. Outside of any holidays the transfers usually are completed in a couple of minutes. Opening an account and being issued a debit/ATM card, registering on the app all took around 30 minutes.

Avoid Bangkok Bank.