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Can foreign company owners apply for a work permit in Thailand?

Work PermitBusiness VisaThai Visa RegulationsForeign CompaniesImmigration Advice
March 1, 2023
2 years ago
Marco *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can you apply for work permit if you open company outside Thailand ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The consensus from the discussion is that foreign company owners cannot apply for a Thai work permit if they are operating a company outside of Thailand. Work permits in Thailand are intended for foreign employees of Thai companies. If someone wants to work for their foreign company while in Thailand, they would likely need a business visa to conduct business operations. It's reiterated that a distinction exists between work permits and business visas, which are issued by different authorities, and both may be necessary for legal work in Thailand.
Martin *****
No
2 years ago
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Lye **********
Business visa and work permit are two separate things, issued by two separate government bodies... but you need both to be legally working in Thailand. It's best to consult an expert on this matter rather than asking it in here.
2 years ago
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Stuart *********
Out of the scope of a Thai visa group to be able to really help. There are indeed ways that foreign companies can operate in Thailand and employ foreigners. That said there are multiple options and ways of doing such. You’d really need to consult with lawyers/accountants who are up on that sort of stuff to advise how.
2 years ago
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Daniel ************
nope
2 years ago
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Marco *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
im actually looking to export but my company is offshore,by the looks of it I need to apply for a business visa
2 years ago
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Kool *******
@Marco ********
 you do not need a Thai business to do exporting. All you need is an invitation letter from your supplier.
2 years ago
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Marco *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 ok nice
2 years ago
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Kool *******
@Marco ********
 understand that Bangkok is a major tradeshow location in the world, so buyers that come here for these don't have to set up a business in order to buy and export. Thailand is nice in the fact they treat other foreign exporters the same way if they are just coming here to meet with suppliers, and buy. Getting an invitation letter from a supplier gives you the ability to get a 90 day visa
2 years ago
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Marco *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 wow didn’t know that thanks for info
2 years ago
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Marco *********
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Russell *******
I think you need to look into the trading arrangements the country you are from has with Thailand. 🙏
2 years ago
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Marco *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Russell ******
 thank you will do
2 years ago
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Marco *********
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Jeff ********
so you plan on getting a permit to work for your own company? You're asking the wrong quesiton.
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
The question makes more sense then some comments here would suggest. What if you have a foreign company but want to work for that company while in Thailand (for Thai customers)? Would you really need to open a separate Thai entity (or representative office) for that? Maybe just get a business visa (to conduct business in Thailand).
2 years ago
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Jeff ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 if it's your company then you need a business visa, not a work permit.
2 years ago
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Charlie *****
@Jeff *******
 you dont need both?
2 years ago
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Charlie *****
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Charlie *****
You mean open a thai company while youre outside thailand?
2 years ago
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Giorgio ******
@Charlie ****
 some people don't even know what they're asking . goy to send 10 comments with questions , to understand what they didn't meant at first .....

st
2 years ago
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Carsten ************
@Charlie ****
 probably
2 years ago
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Carsten ************
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Frank **********
Are you joking?
2 years ago
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Steve ********
That means it's not a Thai company. You would have to get a work permit (if required) from the country the company operates in. It is nothing to do with Thailand
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
Work permits are for foreign employees of Thai companies.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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