I taught English for a year with an agency. Steve, if you want a quick start you can contact an agency and they will fill you in an open position. I had zero luck with direct to school applications 2 years ago. Turnover for teachers at schools that use agencies is quite high due to many factors. Agencies have pros and cons. In Bangkok with no experience you can expect 35-40 thousand. Not sure about Pattaya. Also it is very difficult to get a work visa with an agency as there is a lot of paperwork from many places needed. You will be asked to work on a tourist visa for the first couple months possibly. If you like the school and the agency is alright, you will really need to push them to get you a work visa. Also if they provide you with one. You will be expected to fulfill your contract. You also don't need a TEFL or an English degree. You will be expected to perform well though. You're going to want to post in the Facebook groups "teaching jobs in Thailand" and theres a couple other groups recruiters are looking at daily. They will contact you after you post.