Can my girlfriend(Thai) open a school and then employ me(farang). Could someone please point me in the right direction for concrete info

Sunbelt can maybe advise you.

Not 100% sure - but I think your g/f has to have some sort of experience of education abroad to open a language school. Maybe a Bachelors or Masters - something like that.

I don't think that education abroad is required, but I think the school must have a teacher of record who has a Teacher's License in English.

While most Language Schools are owned by Thai business people who have never worked as teachers, they usually pay a stipend to some English Professor from some local University who will pose as the 'head teacher'.

Edited January 20, 200719 yr by otherstuff1957

I'm pretty sure that one of the requirements is that a Thai national with a higher educational qualification is the director of the place. It's NOT an easy process, and I don't recommend that you try this one unless you're very sure about what you're doing. Not something I've tried and I probably never will.

"Steven"

been there done that and would never do it again!!!!! too much navigating in the dark and too many unknown rules. unless you are planning on making a huge project and have very large capital to start it is not a small business to opportunity.

depends on how you classify the business theoretically you could call it an acting school,and...................

Yeah, what is the truth of the matter Sunbelt? What has to be done and approximately how much does it all cost?

It will take a couple of years to obtain your school licence - only then are you legally able to employ your teachers.

In addition to the above you'll also need an engineer's report on the building you propose to use as the school. There are requirements regarding number of classrooms, sizes etc. You'll need a sound lab. there will also be an inspection just before they issue you your school licence number.

Sunbelt are relatively expensive when compared to a Thai accountant/business services company IMO, but then you will probably prefer to deal with a farang when there are issues of money involved.

If you're serious about this, try to buy an existing school with licence.

Don't buy a franchise in Thailand. EF and E+ for example are really just euphemisms for thief.

mmh, my gf has just opened a languageschool and i am asking myself the same question. Think must have some teachers qualification and will be taxed on imaginative 5k salary, if a workpermit is wanted/needed.

The process of opening is not easy, to say the least... just for a Visa it might not be the best thing to start; you are involved with the ministry of education, have certain requirements for the place, eg toilets, exits (the usual shoebox wont do), make teachers contracts and, finally find your students.

Then again, i dont need to be employed...

For what I know: the language school need to be accredited by the MoE. The board of directors must be Thai (on paper), the principal must be Thai and need to have a Master Degree in Education. As any other business, the ownership should be at least 51% Thai....and and and...........

Not easy!!!

the principal must be Thai and need to have a Master Degree in Education.

That may be true, but they also need to be at a certain band level as a teacher to show their seniority. I think it's the Civil Service band levels.

... and... and the business, I think, has to have at least 7 named owners, with all of the legal boilerplate to make sure they are all protected from each other, and... and...

mmh, my gf has just opened a languageschool and i am asking myself the same question. Think must have some teachers qualification and will be taxed on imaginative 5k salary, if a workpermit is wanted/needed.

The process of opening is not easy, to say the least... just for a Visa it might not be the best thing to start; you are involved with the ministry of education, have certain requirements for the place, eg toilets, exits (the usual shoebox wont do), make teachers contracts and, finally find your students.

Then again, i dont need to be employed...

For what I know: the language school need to be accredited by the MoE. The board of directors must be Thai (on paper), the principal must be Thai and need to have a Master Degree in Education. As any other business, the ownership should be at least 51% Thai....and and and...........

Not easy!!!

And and and Manager has to be Thai, MOE inspection + engineers Inspection, Curiculum supplied to MOE, there is a certain size for class rooms,no one living on the premises, and and and still more before you even think of being employed.

As idle44mins said not easy 1 big headache.

Better to be employed to get a w/permit if thats the need.

If caught with out MOE approval BIG BIG PROBLEMS & FINE.

Paul