Answered9 years ago

Can I sell my paintings while on a Non-Immigrant OA retirement visa in Thailand?

non-immigrant OA visa retirement visa employment rules in Thailand selling art in Thailand visa regulations

John ********

asked Apr 6, 2018

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I’m on retirement visa (non-immig OA)and have a question about employment prohibited. I spend my days drawing & painting, and have been asked to participate in a local exhibition. My question is, am I breaking the rules if I offer my paintings for sale? I’ve read the requirements but I’m not sure how they apply in this case. My subject matter is Thai, but my style is my own so I don’t think I’m depriving any Thai of employment.

Also, if I sell online to other countries, is that breaking the rule?

Answer summary

If you hold a Non-Immigrant OA retirement visa, you are prohibited from engaging in any form of employment, which includes selling paintings. Although your artistic contribution may not directly deprive Thai citizens of employment, selling your artwork for a profit is considered work under Thai law. This applies both to participating in exhibitions and selling online, regardless of the buyer's location.

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Robert *******

This is the official definition: "Work" means engaging in work by exerting energy or using knowledge whether or not in consideration of wages or other benefits;". So painting in what ever style for sale/profit sounds to me like work.

9 years ago

Murray ********

Sort of depends upon who is running the exhibition. If its gov then one up should be no problem.

9 years ago

Robert *******

All things you do in your private house is not working, f.e. You paint your own house, no problem, you lawn the grass, no problem. But with your lawnmower you start to lawn the grass of the whole neighborhood, that is seen as working. Making paintings for hobby, no problem, selling them is working.

9 years ago

John ********

I agree common sense is needed in interpreting the rule, though on strict reading, it applies to almost all daily activity except drinking beer or watching tv. I’ll just continue doing my hobby without sales.

9 years ago

John ********

@Robert ******

yes

9 years ago

Alexandre **********************

John Cottee Yup man your doing the work your maid should be doing xD.

Real talk now. Have your thai friend sell them for you online to keep it legal. Then hes the one selling and your the one doing a hobby (which is no diff from playing piano or even games since you can also sell online games currency and musicians also charge money yet.. "work" doesnt require pay). And maybe give him a comission. Or agency instead of thai friend but yes.

9 years ago

Robert *******

I think there is a small difference in making paintings to sell them for profits on exhibitions or on-line and washing your dishes or clean your house. Just use common sense.

9 years ago

John ********

That could also apply to cleaning my house or washing the dishes.

9 years ago