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Can a foreigner with retail management experience work in Bangkok malls without violating the Alien Act?

Thailand expat employmentThai work permitsretail management jobs in ThailandAlien Employment Actforeign employment in Thailandworking in Bangkok mallssalary requirements for foreign workersThai language proficiency for jobsretail industry in Thailand
Dec 27, 2023
a year ago
Dan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all

Looking for some advice on what employment a 'farang' can undertake in Thailand.

Can someone with retail management experience (Area Manager, Regional manager etc) of 25 years get a similar role in one of the malls in say, Bangkok?

Or does this violate the Alien act? All I found online on the 'banned' list is 'Front shop sale'.

Cheers.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post seeks advice on the possibility of a foreigner (farang) with extensive retail management experience securing a similar position in a Bangkok mall, while inquiring about compliance with the Alien Employment Act. Responses indicate that while it is possible for foreigners to work in retail roles, significant challenges include high salary expectations for work permits, language requirements, and competition from Thai candidates. Various posts mention that roles in operations or back-office functions may be more accessible than front-line sales positions.
Tony *******
Farang, stupid of you to use this term to refer to yourself.
a year ago
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Dan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ******
 Why? Is that not what we are over there? Does that term not apply to you or me?

Please explain.
a year ago
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Dan ********
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Vic *********
With your experience you should be able to come with some sort of consultant gig that you can sell to companies who need western style help.
a year ago
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Maple *********
Apply job with the overseas company that’s has branch in Thailand.
a year ago
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Dan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes I think that will be the plan
@Ma***
. Thank you 🙏
a year ago
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Dan ********
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Dan ********
@Anna ********
 that will also be why Thailand has dropped down to the bottom of the literacy tables, only myanmar performing worse, and no longer amongst the academic leaders of Asia like 200 years ago.
a year ago
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John ********
@Dan *******
 and that's the way the 10% that runs the country likes it
a year ago
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John ********
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Anna *********
You should be very qualified to get a good job here, also nice to have Thai language. Most expats are getting a nice salary if they are relocated.

Also I know teachers who are getting 100-150k but they are native and have a license.

I'm COO, so everyone has chance to achieve something here. In LinkedIn they do post jobs which are open for expats, just do your best and apply, CFO - CEO - COO - CHRO - County manager roles are open for expats

Good luck!
a year ago
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Dan ********
@Anna ********
 thais teaching thais English on 150k a month ? That will be why the entire population can't quite grasp the male/female pronouns, like he/she, and him/her. Well in actual fact, they have grasped it, just 100% the wrong way, 100% of the time. 🤣
a year ago
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Dan ********
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David ********
You cannot work front office jobs, but farangs can and do work in the back office, where, if you're caucasian and white, you'll make good money managing the Thais, directing their every move and stuff. Thai people love white faces as their leaders.
a year ago
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Steve **********
@David *******
a year ago
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Steve **********
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Rafael *******
I see so many Indian people working as sale staff at MBK and other retail places. I always wonder what kind of visa they are on.
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Rafael ******
 Many Indians are norm here as were their parents. All of Nana Plaza and Majestic owned by Sikh's for generations, there are many Hindi Temples as well.
a year ago
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Colin ********
@Rafael ******
 most have Thai passports
a year ago
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Colin ********
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Colin ********
I know of at least one British guy who secured an admin job in marketing with Central group, who own some of the biggest and most popular malls in Thailand. So, is it possible? Yes. Easy? No. You can also get work with an insurance company or any of the international businesses based here as you can be employed to directly deal with foreign clientele etc.
a year ago
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Dan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin *******
 My missus works for a guy who, he and his family own half the shops in the Westfield shopping centres/malls in Australia. I'll see if they've got any stores in Thailand.
a year ago
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Dan ********
Thai's teaching thai's to speak English on 150k a month?? Is that why the entire population can't grasp male/female pronouns, like he/she, him/her. Infact they do have a grasp of it, they just got it 100% wrong, 100% of the time
a year ago
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Colin ********
@Dan *******
 some international schools and universities do.
a year ago
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Colin ********
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Dan ********
@Dan ****
 no, they got zero presence here.
a year ago
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Dan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dan *******
 No, probably not. Although there are many high-end international brands/corporations in Bangkok so I'll continue my research.
a year ago
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Dan ********
@Dan ****
 central festival is a national chain of medium to almost high end brands, not absolute top tier stuff. ICON and EMquartier in Bangkok are equivalent to Westfield, infact I think they are more high end ....Good luck 🙏🏻
a year ago
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Dan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dan *******
 Cheers mate, appreciate the info 🙏
a year ago
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Dan ********
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Kool *******
You noticed that all actual sales staff must be Thai, so unless you are fluent in Thai, both speaking, and writing, how are you going to effectively manage them, without an interpreter? There is nothing wrong with you getting that job, but are you actually qualified?
a year ago
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John *******
If a thai national can do that job you won't be getting it if they can pay 20k baht why they going to pay you 50k baht for same job its simple your dreaming
a year ago
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Henrik *****
a year ago
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Jo **********
@Henrik ****
 excellent graphic.
a year ago
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Jo **********
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Beverly **********
Look into the laws for a work permit. Most jobs that a Thai can do, a foreigner is forbidden.
a year ago
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Graham *******
What can u do that Thai cannot?
a year ago
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Robert **********
Even if she gets past the hurdles of language, salary, and work permits they usually want people under 35.
a year ago
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Connor *******
You want to work in a mall in Thailand for like 15k baht per month?
a year ago
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Chris ******
Luckily you've no chance..
a year ago
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Chris ****
Yes possible but it’s a steep hill.
a year ago
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Naja ***********
Depends on the island, depends on your lawyer/agent, erc. In the land of corruption, anything is possible for a price.
a year ago
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Steve **********
@Naja **********
 not anything....in Thailand: everything !
a year ago
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Steve **********
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Dan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I appreciate all your comments. This role would be for my partner and she speaks no Thai. I just thought I'd put it out there.
a year ago
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Mark *****
ikea do employ foreigners as managers here
a year ago
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Monika ********
It is possible, there are quite a lot of foreigners working in retail here, but they're less on the shop floor side, more on the operations, marketing and commercial side. Feel free to PM me, I am a recruiter based in BKK
a year ago
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Michael **********
Hi
@Monika *******
, I’ve sent you a PM
a year ago
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Michael **********
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Terary **********
There is an Irish lady that seems to run the floor at the local home decor shop, so it's possible. My neighbor is a German national and married to a Filippina so I know he is not here on a marriage visa, he has been here longer than me (8 years), and he has held various engineering jobs, engineering supervisor, etc.

I think another factor to consider is who is doing the hiring and what argument they make, that you are necessary.
a year ago
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Declan **********
คุณอ่านภาษาไทยได้ไหม คุณเขียนภาษาไทยได้ไหม คุณสามารถพูดภาษาไทยในระดับกลางระดับสูงได้หรือไม่
a year ago
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Kreaton *********
@Declan *********
 what does it have to do with managing? He speaks english.
a year ago
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Kri *****
@Kreaton ********
 sorry Kreaton, I think what you mentioned about the primary language in Thailand is English is wrong.

And 10yeas ago our English was worse than these days.
a year ago
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Tony *********
@Kreaton ********
 And the Thais speak Thai. Managing works best when everyone speaks the same language. 😃
a year ago
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Kreaton *********
Bro you must be dumb. been here 10 years. primary language is english. but to be fair with you if you have low IQ then it's a must that you all speak same language
a year ago
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Dan ********
@Kreaton ********
 working as an executive chef in some serious 5star hotels (fair play to you) you may well have experienced English as the primary language in the hotels/kitchens. But go and run a team of construction workers, or forestry workers, engineers, or at lower-end hotel/hospitality work, thai will of course be the primary.
a year ago
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John *********
@Kreaton ********
 You can certainly speak bollocks pal. Never mind any other language.
a year ago
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Kristaps ********
@Kreaton ********
Are you saying that people who can only speak English have low IQ as well?
a year ago
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Kreaton *********
@Kristaps *******
 you seem to be in the clear
a year ago
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Declan **********
@Kreaton ********
 when you can barely put together intelligible sentences and clearly can't discern the difference between you're and your, you should refrain from calling people dumb...
a year ago
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Tony *********
@Kreaton ********
 I've been here 26 years and I can assure you the primary language is Thai because..... we'll it's Thailand.
a year ago
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Kreaton *********
@Tony ********
 well because your dumb same as your circle. The Thais i met in my 10 years here...well they're educated and speak good english.
a year ago
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Dan ********
@Kreaton ********
 the thais you worked with would have been selected for their ability to speak English. It would be a must on their cv's. And in your position, at your previous places of work, you are more likely to encounter and be introduced to the higher end of society, so better educated, and better English speaking. But if that's what has made you this rude, arrogant d#ck, I wouldn't want it. Just be nice, it's easy. 🙏🏻
a year ago
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Colin ********
@Kreaton ********
 then you're living under a, rock caveman
a year ago
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Kreaton *********
@Colin *******
 yes with your mum
a year ago
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Colin ********
@Kreaton ********
 good luck to you there, you obviously don't know my mum!! 😆😆
a year ago
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Colin ********
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Steve ********
Are you fluent in Thai?
a year ago
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Brandon ************
The greater issue is that as a foreigner, and likely a western foreigner, the minimum salary you can receive to qualify for a work permit will be 50,000-60,000 baht per month. There's probably not a lot of retail stores in a mall that are paying this much to their Thai staff, so why would they hire you for 50,000 baht per month then they can hire a Thai for half that?
a year ago
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Colin ********
Hampus Hagander show me the law, I know hundreds who aren't
a year ago
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Colin ********
@Brandon ***********
 how can this be true when most schools are only offering 30-35k? So I would suggest this, is, a guideline and not a legally binding law.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Colin *******
 because teachers are an exception and you're basically working for the government so they can set their own rules for themselves. The op isn't asking about being a teacher.
a year ago
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Colin ********
@Brandon ***********
 I wasn't talking about teachers directly, and I've never worked for a government school. I also know people who work in the private sector earning less so this is wrong.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Colin *******
 then it's illegal
a year ago
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Colin ********
@Brandon ***********
 no it isn't
a year ago
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Tore *********
@Colin *******
 many sources, and quite well known. And if you are american it’s apparently 60K.

Why argue something you don’t know ?

Yes, many foreigners work illegally without work permits in Thailand. Also well known

**************************************************************************************************************
a year ago
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Colin ********
@Tore *****************
 and I DON'T see anything in the link that States that as a requirement. Best you READ my posts.
a year ago
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Colin ********
@Tore *****************
 I'm not talking about WP, I've always had a, WP but being paid 40-60k has never been a requirement to getting a WP.
a year ago
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Colin ********
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