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From Wikigogy

The visa to stay in Thailand is a tricky beast. There's much advice out there on the web, but do check the date on the advice as rules change fairly often.

[edit] Non-immigrant B

This is the visa you need for working in the country legally. However, you can not get it from your home country. To get one you need to meet these things:

• paperwork from your school (usually a letter & registration papers with official stamps)
• photos (1 or 2)

Your school needs to be legit. If you're at a language school or dodgier private school you're unlikely to be successful.

Borders that are a drive away are not recommended any more (this included Penang last I knew). At these borders they are flooded with teachers trying to get back in to the country and have gotten tight about the rules (possibly to excess). I've heard of legitimate sounding cases being refused entry, but that news is always 3rd hand. I was successful in Singapore although the flight can be expensive if it wasn't planned for (ours was 13 000 Baht for 2 people - cheaper flights are available via Tiger).

Money
A quick note, usually all expenses and visa costs are on you, the teacher.

This gives you 3 months inside Thailand, in order to apply for a working permit. This can be extended if proof of application is produced to immigration (such as a letter from the labor office).

[edit] Transfer from tourist

Despite all the net advice to the contrary, it is possible to transfer any visa as long as you have 21 days minimum before the D-day (end of you tourist visa). The immigration staff seem to dislike teachers coming on their own to try for a transfer, so you'll need a school representative with you. They should do the negotiation. It is quite difficult as the rules are harsher inside the country and the school needs to have with them a lot of official paperwork about the school (must have original signatures and stamps on all sheets).

[edit] Working permit

After the 3 month Visa is obtained it's time for you to sign dozens of copies of your passport and the school should apply for the work permit. This is usually painless for the teacher, but will take quite some time (possibly the whole 3 months of your visa) so apply (or get the school to apply) early.

[edit] Extension of visa

Now it's back to immigration with your 3 month visa to extend. If you have school representation (admin staff is enough) they are likely to extend this to the full 12 months in one hit. If you are a lone teacher showing up and filling in the forms yourself, you are likely to get maybe 3 extra months (before needing to fill in more forms).

The extension is also out of the teacher's pocket at 1900 Baht.

[edit] Dates of departure/address check

Do, as the holder of your own passport, be aware of the dates held within that passport because it is your responsibility to be legally in the country. Schools here will not baby-sit, or remember the dates of their teachers. You must remind the relevant people about which date you can stay until. It is now a 500 Baht fine per day of over-stay. If it comes down to a loyalty check (or fight) the school is unlikely to pay you anything.

[edit] What's an address check?

Every three months (after successfully gaining a 12 month extension) you need to fill in an "I'm still in the country, living at this address" form (NB: not the official name). An address check is mandatory and carries a 2000 Baht penalty for late or no entry.

[edit] Tips

• Be aware of the processes above
• Try for a government school - they are favoured by both the immigration and labor office
• Always smile (this is legitimate advice for Thailand, anything less is a threat)
• Have your hoop jumping boots on, and enjoy the ride