Answered3 days ago
Can I run a global SaaS business from Thailand under a DTV if I have Thai clients?
Rules around the dtv workcation
I have a DTV based on remote work.
A opportunity have surfaced where i can start mt own SaaS company on the side of other business.
This SaaS company would serve clients all over the world since its an app that anyone can download.
My question is, if a thai person download and subscribe to using my app. Would that be considered having a thai client??
I would have no direct user contact, but only handle the business day to day operations.
The business would employ people in several cou tries including thailand.
I would think as long i dont talk to any thai users myself and that communication eould be with one of my employees and not me.
That would be fine on the DTV???
The business would be based out of singapore and have users all ove the world where the users pay to use parts of my application.
I have a DTV based on remote work.
A opportunity have surfaced where i can start mt own SaaS company on the side of other business.
This SaaS company would serve clients all over the world since its an app that anyone can download.
My question is, if a thai person download and subscribe to using my app. Would that be considered having a thai client??
I would have no direct user contact, but only handle the business day to day operations.
The business would employ people in several cou tries including thailand.
I would think as long i dont talk to any thai users myself and that communication eould be with one of my employees and not me.
That would be fine on the DTV???
The business would be based out of singapore and have users all ove the world where the users pay to use parts of my application.
Answer summary
The conversation revolves around the implications of running a SaaS business under a Thai DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) while potentially having Thai users and employees. The main concern is whether having Thai customers or employees would violate the terms of the DTV. Opinions vary; some suggest that employing individuals in Thailand or directly serving Thai clients could be problematic, thus risking a legal violation. Others argue that as long as the business and operations are based outside Thailand, the risk may be lower, especially if Thai payments are blocked. Consulting with a legal expert is strongly recommended to navigate these complexities.
21 repliesnewest first
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Phillip ******
If its based in Singapore then there's no issue, but YOU cant employ Thai people, the singapore business would have to as remote workers the same as you.
Kurt *************
OPPhillip Dick doesnt make sense. Hiring a thai would be remote.
Phillip ******
They (thai workers) would be working remote for a singapore based company not a local Thailand company.
Sefton ********
Where would you start the SAAS business ?? Where would you have the payment processor ??
If it was external to Thailand and you did not accept Thai payments then you would have options like simply blocking Thai IP addresses, and not having Thai employees, how much business would it lose ??
Honestly the issues of a global SAAS having some (non targeted) Thai customers in is global user base is extremely low. Technically it would be in violation of work permit law, but its only an edge case technical
However if the issue is a mostly Thai based service, which needs Thai employees and customers, the pretense of it not being Thai falls apart.
If it was external to Thailand and you did not accept Thai payments then you would have options like simply blocking Thai IP addresses, and not having Thai employees, how much business would it lose ??
Honestly the issues of a global SAAS having some (non targeted) Thai customers in is global user base is extremely low. Technically it would be in violation of work permit law, but its only an edge case technical
However if the issue is a mostly Thai based service, which needs Thai employees and customers, the pretense of it not being Thai falls apart.
John **********
@Sefton *******
having Thai employees kind of moves it well away from the edge and firmly into a problem areaSefton ********
@John *********
yeah not sure if you saw my edit by the time you posted but I added that this makes it much more problematic
John *******
Talk about over thinking things
Duncan *******
If you've got people employed in Thailand and you are talking to them, you're running a business in Thailand, irrespective of the Singapore-base, and that's not allowed under a DTV. On selling to Thais - by letter of the law illegal, but if you have no role in sales, that could be a more grey area - you would need to talk to a lawyer.
Martin *******
That’s right, use your full name when talking about potentially breaking the law
Kurt *************
OPMartin Roper because its not a business yet and am looking at options?? Am not stupid
Siggi *******
It doesn't matter a Thai downloads it. What you guys getting paranoia about? When a Thai downloads an app and the app is based outside Thailand it doesn't matter. If they download Netflix, with your logic every netflix employee would work illegal if in Thailand on holiday
Sefton ********
Siggi Tirak yes that is the legal implication.
A netflix employee on holiday working is illegal.. A netflix employee working in Thailand on a DTV becomes more into the risk zone of needing a work permit.
A netflix employee on holiday working is illegal.. A netflix employee working in Thailand on a DTV becomes more into the risk zone of needing a work permit.
Siggi *******
Sefton Hanley no id not, I'm I am selling on Amazon and s Thai person orders I am not selling to the person but smazon
Vladimir **********
Siggi Tirak yep, exactly.
Even more, if he sells using AppStore, the client will most like pay to AppStore, not to him. Unless he sets up his own payment method, not sure if Apple even allows that.
Even more, if he sells using AppStore, the client will most like pay to AppStore, not to him. Unless he sets up his own payment method, not sure if Apple even allows that.
Kurt *************
OPVladimir Shevelev Appstore both for google and apple. But i need a thai local to do some of the business on the behalf of the company and thats where the problem might be
Siggi *******
Kurt J Oldervik how a Thai local is needed if it's Singapore company
Frank **********
You may want to check with an actual lawyer in order to avoid any complications. The situation you describe may not be compliant with the DTV.
John **********
If it's your company and you run it remotely on a DTV then you can't employ anyone in Thailand. You shouldn't be selling into Thailand either. If you are just an employee that's different, but having Thai employees risks the company being seen as having a "Permanent Establishment" in Thailand which is different again
Kurt *************
OP@John *********
i send you a DM :)Kurt *************
OP@John *********
yeah, that was what i was afraid off. I need to have alawyer look at it. Just would be stupid to have to blook of thailand for download or usage just because of my visa.
Sefton ********
Kurt J Oldervik not when you consider the costs of incoportation, sales tax, internet services tax, corp tax, employee taxes, registered office, accounting, etc etc etc
Block Thailand and serve the ROW.
Block Thailand and serve the ROW.
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