This research has the objective to first, survey theoperative beliefs of Bangkok teachers and find out what drewthem to their chosen occupation, and secondly, to determinewhy said motives and opinions are sustained. The specificmotivation being sought is the Buddhist concept ofwitthayadana, Alms of Knowledge. The results of the interviews indicate that althoughmany become teachers for personal reasons, the longer theyremain in education the more altruistic their motivesbecome. Instead of the specific witthayadana, the keymotivation identified is the broader Buddhist concept ofdana which stresses the act of self-less giving. These twoterms prove to have considerable overlap and compliment eachother as incentive for Thai teachers. Although thismotivation may take the form of nationalistic, philanthropicor religious expression, the common denominator which isfound in the lives of most teachers in Bangkok is theconcept of dana. The relevancy of this term in Thai cultureis examined and stressed.