Teachers in Thailand enjoy the same status as doctors and lawyers.  So they are expected to dress and act accordingly.  You will be expected to wear what we might call casual business attire:  long dark trousers for men; long dark skirts or dresses for women.  White or light colored shirts and blouses that cover the shoulders and have high closings. 

Brightly colored or patterned clothing is not considered appropriate.  Shoes must cover the front part of the foot and should be dark rather than light. 
 

Alcohol must never been on the breath of teachers.  So we ask that no alcohol is consumed by volunteers during the teaching week.  A breach of this requirement  as well as serious misconduct could result in expulsion from the volunteer placement program.  Smokers must not be seen smoking within sight of the school or students.   If you need to smoke during the school day, use a breath mint because the aroma of smoke on a teacher’s breath is something that even very accepting students in Thailand find objectionable. 
 

At the school you will be called  a j a r n.  That is the Thai word for teacher.  You may address the Director and all teachers as a j a r n.  It is not necessary for you to remember names.  It would be considered polite for you to greet school staff with a wai  (we will show you how) and s a w a   d e e  c a (for women) and s a w a   d e e  k r u p (for men). 

At the beginning of every class, the class president will ask students to rise and say good morning or good afternoon teacher.  You should say, “good afternoon students.  Please sit down.” 

If you ask students to identify themselves, please know that they will likely use their Thai nickname rather than their given name.  Thai nicknames are usually short such as  p u n,  or   n a n  or  d r e a m.