Good evening

 

I hope someone might be able to answer my question. I've been in another Asian country teaching English now for 6 years. Met my Thai girlfriend while she was studying abroad in the same country. I`m looking to move to Thailand to continue teaching. Ideally in a language centre. This is where I get the most enjoyment. However, about 11 years ago, I was given a police caution for property damage. I kicked a car, policeman saw me and did his job. I`m deeply ashamed of this. For some reason, this was never a problem regarding my visa in my current country. I intend to marry my girlfriend when I come over so I`d have an extension of stay based on marriage. Regarding work I`ve noticed the Thai government has mandated an ICPC check. My offence would technically be stepped down and read - No live trace. I`ve seen reports that the Thai labour department requires the ICPC check before it will issue a work permit. Is this true and would I be in deep deep trouble if they read - No live trace. I dont want to destroy my life with my girlfriend who I love very much and my enjoyment of teaching. This is a problem that is making it tough to sleep.

Any answers much appreciated. 

The police clearance is only required by the school and to get non-b visa at a embassy or consulate.

I doubt that you minor offense from 11 years ago would cause a problem for you.

Thank you for the reply Ubonjoe. I was under the impression, mostly from reading up on ThaiVisa that any police record, no matter how small is treated very harshly in Thailand. I never even realised I had a criminal record till I started to research moving to Thailand.

 

Are you sure the ICPC check is just for public schools? I saw some comments about it being required for a language centre too, but these comments go back to 2015? I`ve seen on the British site that the Thai government made it law for any education establishment to provide the ICPC to be able to gain a work permit. I`m also concerned that if that`s the case and the Labour department contacts Immigration about my stepped down offence, I`d be deported.

In 14 years I've never known a language centre/institute require a criminal record check. Only proper schools.

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Thank you for the reply Brewster. 

 

I`m guessing those language schools did also provide a work permit too? From what I`ve read not all language schools will do this. Sorry about the paranoia. Unfortunately for me the British seem to have a bad reputation with the Thai government. Hence this ICPC requirement, which as far as I know is only for British people.

For info about teaching here I suggest you look at or do a post on the Teaching in Thailand Forum

It seems you have a found some some incorrect info online.

Thank you for the reply Brewster. 
 
I`m guessing those language schools did also provide a work permit too? From what I`ve read not all language schools will do this. Sorry about the paranoia. Unfortunately for me the British seem to have a bad reputation with the Thai government. Hence this ICPC requirement, which as far as I know is only for British people.

The established ones certainly do provide work permits for their teachers. That said, there are a lot of language institutes and I'm sure there are some that skirt under the law! There are plenty of TEFL jobs available in Bangkok - just choose your employer carefully!

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Thanks again Brewster. I certainly will not work for anyone without a work permit. I think the risk is too great as I want to settle down in Thailand for the long term. I`m just concerned about the police check due to my stupidity when I was younger. I have no idea how harshly they might be if my police caution came to light but as you`ve said you have never heard of a police check required for a language centre (I`m guessing that`s for people that already have an extension of stay in Thailand?) so perhaps it will be ok.