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Can I hire someone locally in Thailand while on a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV)?

DTV Digital Nomad Visa Visa restrictions Hiring in Thailand Freelancing laws Work regulations Remote work guidelines

May 14, 2025

3 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone,

I’m applying for the DTV and had a question. Would it be allowed to hire someone locally in Thailand to assist with ongoing tasks related to my remote work?

It wouldn’t be employment under a Thai company, just freelance support for my own work, which I do independently.

Has anyone done something similar or know if this is permitted under the DTV? Appreciate any guidance!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around whether hiring local freelancers while on a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) is allowed. The consensus among comments indicates that working or hiring anyone in Thailand under the DTV is prohibited, emphasizing that the visa strictly permits remote work for foreign clients only. Although some comments suggest it may be acceptable to hire locals for non-business tasks (like hiring a maid or a gardener), others caution against it due to legal complications, such as tax implications and needing to register a business for formal employment.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

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Keith *******

No you can't. If you employ a local you have to pay them minimum wage and social security. In order for a foreigner to do that you must register a business, get the correct visa and hire a minimum of four Thai people

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Siggi *******

not true, you can hire any freelancer who is Thai or has a work permit in Thailand. You agree on a price for a job. You can do this on any visa not only on dtv

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Siggi *******

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John *********

I have a DTV…

Can I hire a maid?

Use a mechanic?

Have a gardener?

Get a personal trainer?

Hire a cook?

Look for in-home massage?

Buy ice cream from an uncle on a scooter with a sidecar?

Get a haircut?

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Claire *******

most times gardener is included in rent so not hiring as that part lease.

Mechanic is not private person just for you and only you they work for other people too.

I think when saying can’t hire anyone in Thailand it meaning you can’t hire someone for you and only you.

For example an employee would work for you and not any other company or person as you hiring them for you to make you money.

I think that what it coming down to hiring as in someone to do your work and make you money not anyone else.

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Wesley ********

exactly.

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Wesley ********

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Andi ***********

No it would not be allowed

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Wesley ********

You can hire people in Thailand so do stuff for you. But not as a work around to work with local clients.

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John **********

@Wesley *******

you might be able to hire a Thai to paint your house but you can't hire one to work in your business, the visa only allows you to work remotely

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John **********

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Anonymous ******************

Not a snowball in hells chance of getting away with that.

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Anonymous ******************

You cant do any business here

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Michael ********

Just hire them through your company totally seperate. Don’t overthink it

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Anonymous ******************

@Michael *******

Sharing another great advice...

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Wesley ********

Anonymous participant 655 that doesn’t make sense, Thai citizens don’t need work permits or visas.

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Jeremy *****

@Wesley *******

but as a business owner you need many things and the dtv is not for this purpose period. Why is that so complicated to understand 🙄

You aren't here on a dtv to do business in Thailand. With even a 5th grade reading comprehension , this is easy to understand why does this escape some of you 🤷‍♂️

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Wesley ********

Are you sure this comment was for me? its not making sense.

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Jeremy *****

@Wesley *******

because you say thais don't need a permit.

Again that dosnt matter as the dtv isn't for you to do business here. So your comment actually is the one that makes no sense in the first place.

You're trying to validate why you can hire them to work for someone on a dtv when it's literally not allowed

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Wesley ********

I was responding to the image above, that says you can't hire Thai people because they need a work permit and visa, which is obviously stupid.

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Jeremy *****

@Wesley *******

before saying something is stupid you may want to make sure you comprehend what is written 🤷‍♂️

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Wesley ********

Just take a moment and read over that again.

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Jeremy *****

@Wesley *******

it's thai of course they use some wrong words they used them 8nstead of this.

If you're not smart enough to figure out they put the wrong word you got no responsibility being here. Have you seen how they spell on official things or use the wrong word here constantly 🙄

Common sense dictates the last word in the picture above was not the right word again something a 5th grade child would comprehend as a mistaken word 🤣

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Jeremy *****

@Wesley *******

you're not a smart man huh?

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Wesley ********

the subject of the sentence is “Thai people/Thai Citizens/ Thai individuals” the “them” at the end refers to them.

It doesn’t make sense.

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Jeremy *****

@Wesley *******

again you're not a very smart pers9n of this confuses you somehow

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Wesley ********

me “that doesn’t make sense” you “it makes perfect sense! You’re an idiot”

Me “are you talking to me? It doesn’t make sense” you “you idiot, it makes sense! You’re so stupid” me “can you read that again?” You “ you’re so stupid! Just because it doesn’t make sense doesn’t mean it doesn’t make sense!”

This is the conversation we’re having right now. You even admit it’s wrong, but now don’t want to back down.

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Jeremy *****

@Wesley *******

well it's true youre not a smart man if you can't use common sense and see what it means 🙄🤦‍♂️

So again keep arguing it shows you're not swift

PS never said you're an idiot I said you're not to smart there's a difference .

But I shouldn't expect someone like you to understand that I suppose 🤣

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Wesley ********

you’re right, I am not smart. You’re a faceless troll and I’m still talking. You win.

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Jeremy *****

@Wesley *******

awwwwww poor ignorant human keep showing that intelligence.

All I've said is you're not to smart.

Yet here comes the classic ignorant response to being shown your not a smart human 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤣

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Jeremy *****

@Wesley *******

read above genius as again the thais are always using the wrong word 🙄

It dosnt take a very smart person to realize what is meant 🤦‍♂️🤣🙄

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Jeremy *****

@Wesley *******

maybe you should genius it's dang clear of you have a 5th grade education🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

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Jeremy *****

@Wesley *******

no it says the person on a dtv would need to obtain a different visa and a work permit to hire a thai

Again reading comprehension dude 🤦‍♂️🤣

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Jeremy *****

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Elías ********

👀

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Greg ********

Nope, you need to get a remote VA or whatever. Thailand has announced they want Thai's in the gig economy etc to pay tax. It could be attracting unwanted attention to yourself. If you are hiring Thai you and they should be paying Social Security. Hiring a freelancer at arms length through a foreign company might be a way as long as the Thai is totally legit but this is getting complex. Take the path of least resistance.

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Claire *******

You can’t work or hire anyone in Thailand on a DTV

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James ********

Correct ✅

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Elías ********

I know you can't work on the DTV, but where's the info on whether hiring a local person to allow is either allowed or not?

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Claire *******

@Elías *******

also clearly states it when applying for the DTV on the embassy website that on a DTV you can not work for or hire anyone Thai based person

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Anonymous ******************

That's very clear!

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Claire *******

Anonymous participant 655 yeah very simply put ain’t it 🫶

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Claire *******

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Anonymous ******************

@Elías *******

It's usually a problem of Social Security which you can't pay with a foreign based company. It may work if the Thai isn't expecting it and if the government doesn't require it but I highly doubt. It then leads to issues with taxes (thais living in Thailand are fiscal residents)... Pretty complex situation.

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Anonymous ******************

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John **********

No you can't have any interaction with local workers

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Siggi *******

@John *********

of course you can employ people

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Siggi *******

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