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Can an expat pastry chef find work in Thailand with the help of an agent?

Jun 26, 2025
2 days ago
Thom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all! Is there any way an agent could help me to start working? I’m a pastry chef, just wondering if that is something they can do.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the challenges an expat pastry chef faces in finding work in Thailand. While some commenters express skepticism about the feasibility of working without a proper work permit and sponsorship from an employer, others suggest avenues such as collaborating with a Thai partner to open a bakery or directly applying to restaurants for job opportunities. Key points emphasized include the necessity of an employer providing visa paperwork, the issue of salary requirements for work permits, and the growing interest in international food among Thais.
Bob **********
Big C extra’s bakery has foreigners baking
Marty *********
There is a French croissant bakery about to open just outside my condo building. I have no idea how they do it.

There is a pastry cooking school nearby as well.

Croissants are huge in Bangkok. Pastries may not be a normal part of Thai cuisine but plenty of Thais seek out international cooking.

I found a few places in Ubon Ratchathani as well.
Jim *******
Get an agent. Yo might not become super rich but those of us here, and those already there, would be your customers. I saw farangs queuing to get pastries and meat (British) pies. It is not hopeless.
Jim *******
Just around Hua Hin Hilton, dozens of Western food restaurants, take aways. I lived for 7 days there on meat pies.

(My wife is a licensed Thai chef, works a s a prime chef in Thai restaurants in Japan, every day Thai food)
Jim *******
I do not know, will never know, how those guys opened their bakeries. No Thai in the world would know how to make that kind of business.
Bob **********
@Jim ******
baking is becoming big with the Thais now
John **********
You need to find an employer that will provide the paperwork to apply for the required visa and work permit. Not something an agent can do
Prakash *******
It’s very difficult.. It’s the way the cookie crumbles .
Colin **********
Help yourself
Thom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin *********
can an American work in Thailand?
Roberto *********
@Thom *******
This job ad is for a Thai person. To get a work permit you need a minimum salary of 60k - no-one will pay that when they can get a Thai at half the price
Chris ******
@Thom *******
foreigners can work in Thai if the employers willing to sponsor work permit like document and tax.

It is like many native speakers luckily get a teaching English job in schools.

There are many ways to survive in Thai even don’t have accredited professional qualifications, keep applying, telling them your knowledge and how you have contributed to pastry/F&B business
Colin **********
@Thom *******
pastry chef if not a restricted job, but your employer will need to get you a work permit. Best to find a job, there were alot on that job site.
Thom ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin *********
so just start applying is what your saying?
Colin **********
@Thom *******
yes see if your getting any interest
Frank **********
Waiter, bring me a donut pronto. Lolol
Lynnette *******
Contact restaurants about working for them. Get a job and a work permit.
Alastair *******
Is there the way you have Thai partner, start a bakery and train young Thais in the art of pastry cooking?

Just a thought.

I see plenty of farang working the kitchen with a Thai partner doing the front of house.
Jim *******
@Alastair ******
There has to be a way.
Tom ********
Should be a piece of cake!
Jim *******
@Tom *******
There is no Thai dish that needs an oven. Thais have no idea nor would have ever eaten anything from (to them unknown) bakeries. There has to be some way.

In Hua Hin, who is making the pastries and meat pies? Whoever is making them, Thai counter staff just sell it.
Tom ********
@Jim ******
You may be correct but I think there is more to Thai cuisine than than the usual fried food, Crispy roast Duck for example and roast Pork, anyway the OP is being specific about being a pastry Chef.
Jim *******
@Tom *******
You may be right but pastries are almost unknown in Thai. It is us buying those products that Thais have no idea how to make or never seen. I am giving my thumbs up to the original poster.

For example, Vietnamese, who inherited the art of bakery from the French, are welcome everywhere.
Tom ********
@Jim ******
My Wife buys Thai made donuts and cakes from our local market every week and I can assure you there are not many Farangs in the part of town I live,
Peter *********
No chance
Jim *******
@Peter ********
Then, if "no chance", those farang owned shops would not exist.
Mark ******
No hope
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