Dress Code

In Thailand teachers have a high social status. It is essential that a foreign teacher dresses in a manner which is appropriate. Appearance and personal presentation is very important in Thailand. So, be well-groomed during school working hours and follow the TESOL-ASIA dress code. Well groomed means:

i Clean, tidy and well presented.
ii Properly washed and ironed clothes
iii Cleaned and polished footwear
iv Personal hygiene which makes you socially acceptable.  
v Male Teachers dress code below
vi or Female Teachers dress code below
vii No visible tattoos

If you have a tattoo of any sort it should not be displayed. If it can not be covered, or you are unwilling to cover it, then we must decline your application. Tattoos are not accepted in mainstream Thai society and certainly not in the teaching profession. Please see the justification for this decision at the following link.

Tattoos in Thai Society (www.tesol-asia.com/tattoo.htm)

In the past teachers of varying body-types have found it increasingly difficult to purchase suitable working clothes in Thailand. Our staff requested that we simplify the dress code and make such a dress code as inexpensive and practical as possible, this we have done

Male Teachers

TESOL-ASIA sports shirts in a pastel colour of your own choice, (No neck tie required). You may order these from the TESOL-ASIA building. Your selection will then be embroidered with the TESOL-ASIA logos. Sizes from S to XL are available.

Smart long trousers (black), you can bring these with you or have them made up for you by our local tailor, (jeans are not acceptable). Shirts are to be worn "tucked inside" trousers.

Shoes or slip-on shoes, no beach shoes or flip flops. (Remember that in Thailand you are constantly taking shoes off as you enter living and teaching spaces. Smart slip-on shoes are a good idea it saves a lot of time. You will probably spend most of your teaching time "bare-footed").

Female Teachers

TESOL-ASIA sports shirts in a pastel colour of your own choice. You may order these from the TESOL-ASIA building. They will then be embroidered with the TESOL-ASIA logos. Sizes from S to XL are available.

Long black trousers are now the norm in our schools (Riding on motorcycles, motorcycle taxis and the activities in the classroom makes this the most practical option. It is probably cheaper to have these made up in Thailand by our local seamstress than to purchase them in your own country.)

Open or closed footwear is acceptable but no beach shoes or flip flops. (Remember that in Thailand you are constantly taking shoes off as you enter living and teaching spaces. Smart slip-on shoes are a good idea it saves a lot of time. You will probably spend most of your teaching time "bare-footed").

Tasteful jewellery is acceptable but no body pierced noses, lips, tongues eyebrows or multiple ear piercing etc. Jewellery worn on the ankles or toes is not acceptable, it can mean something totally different to mainstream Thai society. Excessive make-up and bright nail varnish is not the "norm" in Thai Schools. If you look at the professional Thai teachers in your school and follow their example you can't go wrong.

The dress code should be observed whenever you are on any school  campus or on school business which involves contact with students, parents, teachers or government officials.