Can I bring a cook from India or Nepal to work in my Indian restaurant in Bangkok?

Dec 8, 2023
a year ago
Ramlal ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I want to open a Indian restaurant in Bangkok. 1) Can I bring in a cook (not chef) from india/nepal to work in a restaurant in Bangkok on contract? 2) Or do they need to show cooking course certificates. 3) Or only chefs (not cook) are permitted to come and work? 4) Or is this occupation reserved for locals only? Pls advice. Thanks.
5,695
views
13
likes
142
all likes
47
replies
0
images
28
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion focuses on the complexities of employing foreign cooks in Thailand, particularly for an Indian restaurant in Bangkok. Key points include the need for work permits for all employees, the requirement of having a majority Thai ownership for foreign businesses, and the necessity of employing four Thai staff members for every foreign worker. It is suggested that only chefs may obtain work permits more easily, with certification likely required, while cooks may face stricter limitations. Insights from other commenters encourage networking within the local Indian community for staffing solutions, but caution against illegal employment practices.
Daniel *********
Deluded
Chulala **********
You must have

1. Openings the company

2. Business visa for chefs

3. The ratio 4 thai employees, 2 million me capital for 1 foreigners business visa

4 not allowed to work here with out work permits and the business visa
Thomas *******
No, No, No, Yes.
Radius ******************
No no

Open it in chiang mai and make it good and u will.do well
Doug *********
Your employees need work permits and the right visas. It does not matter if you call them “chefs” or “cooks”.

You need to set up a company, properly and fully comply with all corporate formalities and that company needs to comply with the Foreign Business Act (FBA), which means majority Thai majority ownership (no nominees allowed). Maybe these laws are “racist” or overly nationalistic, but the comments here are not.

Violations of the FBA and Thai work permit laws are criminal matters. If you are competing with Thais (say, Thai-Indians (many here in Bangkok) they may see your business as unwanted competition and press the authorities to enforce these laws against you and your employees aggressively. Consult a competent and honest lawyer; not a a fixer.

It does not matter what “many foreigners” here are doing here in catering and other fields. its still illegal and those foreigners are subject to arrest, imprisonment, fines and deportation - or, and perhaps more likely still since they are engaged in criminal conduct - blackmail and extortion. What do you think the under the table payments to officials are?

And finally, don’t expect help from you Embassy when you are caught.
Kev **********
Not another Indian restaurant here...please
Stéfan ********
@Kev *********
why do you care? Nobody is forcing you to visit them.
Kev **********
@Stéfan *******
so right Stefan, but the number of them with guys outside yak yaking you to come in is bloody annoying especially around Pattaya....but I don't go there anymore either!
Deepika **********
@Kev *********
Who’s asking to you go? Pipe down.
Deepika **********
Kev **********
@Deepika *********
Typical stupid remark from the uneducated. As soon as someone makes a remark you have to come out with crap. Well done.
Deepika **********
@Kev *********
I’m probably way more educated than yourself so calm down, racist 🤣
Kev **********
@Deepika *********
you will not be setting up any business in Thailand making wild unsubstantiated accusations. You of course do not affect me whatsoever.

You can't accept someones view point that there are too many Indian restaurants in Thailand. That is my personal view ok you are quite entitled to your views. But name calling is quite childish and using the racist line indicates lack of education and awareness.
Deepika **********
@Kev *********
Look at you acting as if you know me.

You are racist, you clearly have an issue because it’s an Indian, fair enough there are a lot of Indian restaurants, however nobody is asking for your comments either. Why does it worry you? Really none of your business. What is childish is you mentioning the guys ‘yaking’
Sri **********
I think no chef need but biriyani must be spicy 😂
Karan *******
Chutiye pehle hi Thailand me
*****
indian restaurant hai kyu paise me aag laga raha hai
Transitvan ******
I have no advice, I came here for answers
Ruth *******
I have no advice, but I’ll look forward to trying your restaurant
Tom ***********
racist hope good karma follow you but I doubt it
Edward ************
Taking into consideration your Indian, you wont want a chef because you want someone to work hard for little pay, and only cook will do that. Also pay your tax, not rob government like other Indian businesses. Be good and receive good Karma.
Rok ********
@Reverent *******
jeez … have you learned any reverend manners
Deepika **********
@Reverent *******
Can you be more racist?
Deborah *******
@Reverent *******
that’s an exceedingly rude comment. Perhaps you’re amusing yourself with a wind up comment to enjoy the responses, like mine. If you’re serious then karma applies to you too.
Steven ***************
There are plenty of foreign CHEFS working in Thailand . Cooks are an entirely different thing. Foreign workers have a different minimum wage set by thai law that determines wether a work permit will be issued or not. In most cases its higher than what you would pay a Thai chef. Eg usa chef 60k a month ,Aust/Uk chef 50k a month, Indian chef 35k a month. Qualifications are also mandatory.
Mark *********
The deal here is that many foreigners are employed here in catering, following say French or Italian cuisines. That seems to say that there must be exceptions to the blanket No in catering if you have experience in specific cuisines and, no doubt, can prove it by certification. I have also heard of Indians working in the industry meaning coming from India. Presumably the same applies? The point though is the question of Indian Thais. I think the reason for so many Indian restaurants is Indian Thais, so no question of work permits, etc - they are Thais. Often this will be where staff are found, because of networking, though many will be staff in family restaurants. Your need is to network in finding all industry details, formal and informal. Finding Indian Thais, if at all possible, to work for you would be perfect. Unhindered access to their labour (I think bringing people in could be one year max, but there must be exceptions for senior staff?????), no work permits, etc and they count toward the usual quota of 4 Thai employees (more accurately 4:1 and note that is a rule of thumb and there are exceptions downward).
Warren ******
Better of opening a straw shop
Nigel *********
Cooking isn't on the list of prescribed occupations. I'm not 100% sure about the qualification question, but my best guess is that they won't issue a Work Permit unless the candidate has some professional qualification (and probably experience) in that field.
Steve **********
@Nigel ********
Bangkok has a plethora of great Indian restraunts, try Soi 5 off Sukumvit
Nigel *********
@Steve *********
so does Birmingham.
Steve **********
@Nigel ********
as do most cities of the world.

Love my hummus, nahm, and tikki.
Shane ************
@Steve *********
hummus is middle eastern and assume you mean naan and tikka. Have you ever had indian food?
Nigel *********
@Steve *********
if I could have a balti house and a Greggs in Rawai my life would be complete
Billy *******
Each foreign business owner must have 4 Thais on the payroll.
Ramlal ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Billy ******
if the owner is Thai n brings in Indian cook, do the owner needs 4 Thais employees.
Ramlal ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks
Billy *******
@Ramlal *******
And from what I gather they check, or the competition rats you out.
Steven ***************
@Ramlal *******
. Yes. And owner doesn't always count as one of them unless they work full time there,draw a salary and pay income tax.
Billy *******
@Ramlal *******
I think for every foreigner you have to have 4 Thais. At least that's the way it works on schools.
Steven ***************
@Billy ******
. Not always. If a foreign business owner is married to a thai, it drops to 2 thais on the payroll. And the required collateral drops from 4 to 2 million baht.
Incognia **********
@Steven **************
if my wife opens 500K company and have 2 thai staff can i get work permit from her?
Steven ***************
@Stelar ******
. Basically.

If your aren't classed as a % owner of the business ,she will need minimum 4 thai staff on payroll and you must meet the qualifications to be hired as a foreigner. example degree if needed plus recieve minimum foreigner taxable income.

If you are a registered % owner of the business, must be at least 51% Thai owned on paper, you will get access to a work permit as part of it , but there will be restrictions on what you can actually do . Normally a management role only. No hands on stuff unless you are qualified to do so.

Spend an hour with a lawyer who specializes in this area and they can give you all the answers to suit your circumstances.
Terary **********
Yeah because Bangkok needs one more
****
, temple, Indian Restaurant.
Shane ************
@Terary *********
or mall, condo, coffee shop 555
Ruth *******
@Terary *********
yes, it does.
Bhola **********
@Terary *********
Just one more.
Duncanc **********
@Terary *********
Nobody should ever start a new business because you don’t give permission? 🫣
Michael ********
I think you maybe better going to a restaurant that has Indian/nepalese/bangla staff and asking how they do it.
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else