In response to some schools pay by the hour - ESL discussion (Monica & Fayaz GREAT Experienced Teachers! www.conkaba.piczo.com)

I wouldn't accept a by-the-hour position. Schools that offer these jobs are really interested in cutting costs, which means they're putting profit before all else, including you and your students. You need jobs that pay you for every second you are here--a salary position, in other words. Sure, by the hour jobs seem great on paper, but in Thailand there's a problem.

In Thailand, you'd get screwed if you got paid by the hour. There are so many holidays and breaks in Thailand, you'd be sitting probably 40% of the year not getting paid if you were paid by the hour. Unfortunately, you STILL have to eat and maybe even pay rent on those holidays and breaks. That's when the job sneaks up on you and devours your finances. By-the-hour jobs can break you easily in the land of Thai.