How welcome are the new teacher visa regulations in Thailand?

The new teacher visa regulations in Thailand are surely going to create a mess and devastating effect on the foreign teachers in Thailand. With already heightened visa regulations from earlier this year, immigration will (most likely) require teachers to:

1. Teachers with Bachelor of Education or higher to attend a ‘Foreign Teacher Thai Culture Training Program,’ on top of a Non-immigrant and work visa.

2. Teachers with Bachelors (not in Education) will have to complete a 30 credit, one year, ‘Teachers Licensing Course’ with the ‘Foreign Teacher Thai Culture Training Program.’  The 30 credit course is to cost an exorbitant 60000 Baht (about $1800 US) which for many is well over a month’s salary.  Teachers do have the option to challenge the course by taking a four-part exam to receive.

3. Teachers without Bachelor degrees may do away with these regulations only if the principal at their respective school can vouch that their teaching abilities are ‘fantastic’ and that the school really needs the services of the teacher concerned.

Teachers in the Kingdom are frustrated and upset over the changes as there are teachers who have been in Thailand for many years and can speak Thai and probably know Thai culture better than most Thais. Also, the instructors who wish to teach in Thailand must be dedicated and committed to teach. The new regulations which are supposed to take place in the beginning of 2009 will do nothing but fill in the pockets of visa-officials and consume the valuable time and energy of some fine teachers.