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Can I work remotely on a Thai Retirement Visa?

Thai Retirement VisaRemote WorkVisa RegulationsImmigration LawExpat AdviceLegal Issues in ThailandWorking Without a PermitLong-Term Residence Visa (LTR)
May 6, 2023
2 years ago
Sam ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Able to work remotely on a retirement visa?

Hi all, I understand that "*a holder of a Thai Retirement Visa is NOT permitted to work in the country*" according to many websites, but I'd like to ask if that is strictly referring to a foreigner working in Thailand for a Thai company, whereas I turn 50 this year and I work remotely for a foreign company (salary goes to bank abroad).

One of the requirement is "Monthly Income of 65,000 THB", which you prove by showing regular income to your bank account, according to these websites.

So I wonder if there are many/any foreigners who are working remotely on a retirement visa and the authorities don't really check/care, as long as you're not working for anything Thai related?

Thanks in advance for any helpful advice! :)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The main concern surrounding working on a Thai Retirement Visa is that it is generally illegal for holders to work in Thailand, regardless of whether the employment is for a foreign company or not. Many comments highlight that engaging in remote work could be considered illegal and could pose risks if reported. While there seems to be a gray area regarding enforcement, especially if the work is not visible, it is strongly advised to avoid working while on this visa. Alternatives like the Long-Term Residence (LTR) Visa may be more appropriate for expats looking to work remotely in Thailand.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
John *******
Great asking here now they know who you are and what your doing yeah smart move
2 years ago
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Roger ********
Probably best, you hadn't mentioned it.
2 years ago
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Pornrat ***********
No: it is illegal not "fear mongering" - a foreigner cannot perform any commercial activity in Thailand, whether for remuneration of otherwise, without the applicable visa & work permit.

Even if the work is performed "remotely" for an entity registered outside or if funds are paid outside of the Kingdom.

However, it is not easy for the Thai authorities to detect a person working from their enclosed room on a laptop.
2 years ago
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VaiAna **********
Loose lips sink ships
2 years ago
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Hovvard ******
Well now you just made it public on facebook, oops.
2 years ago
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Umami *********
a read here, was a crackdown approximately 5 years ago, and since then rather quiet
*************************************************************************
2 years ago
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Dror *********
No one cares/knows if you do that as long as you keep it to yourself. Ignore the fear mongering comments
2 years ago
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Cassandra ******
Why don't you try Smart Visa, it allows you to work,
2 years ago
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John **********
Just note that working without a valid work permit is a criminal offense. Penalties include imprisonment of not exceeding 5 years or a fine from Baht 2,000 to Baht 100,000, or both. Doesn't matter if it's remote working or not. If you want to work remotely get yourself the appropriate LTR visa.
2 years ago
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Roberto *********
@Dror ********
 Correct. Keep your mouth shut and it'll be fine.
2 years ago
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Dror *********
@John *********
 just note that jealousy without a limit is a health offense. Penalties including short life span amongst other things
2 years ago
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Roberto *********
@Dror ********
 Don't know where the jealousy comes into it. Some people are simply troublemakers who want to make life difficult.
@Jo**
 is correct. Working without the correct visa, like overstay, is actually a criminal offence, not a misdemeanor, so it's best to stay well under the radar if working here illegally
2 years ago
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Dror *********
@Roberto ********
 but im not i have the correct visa. Either way having a visa of any kind while working remotely will not get you caught unless you go and scream about it
2 years ago
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John **********
@Dror ********
 easy to upset some people
2 years ago
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Dror *********
@John *********
 im defently not upset im happy with my life and situation thank you šŸ™‚
2 years ago
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John **********
@Dror ********
 sorry I meant if you upset people and they report you the police will investigate
2 years ago
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Dror *********
@John *********
 they cant if you keep things to yourself šŸ™‚
2 years ago
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Dror *********
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Jeremy ********
If they are they need to keep this information to themselvesā€¦I remember a guy on a retirement visa in Pattaya that was stitched up by the BiB for selling items and lost his visaā€¦
2 years ago
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Peter *********
Just retire and donā€™t tell anyone your business :)
2 years ago
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David *********
No means No ..

And frankly anyone stupid enough to make a declaration on a public forum that they are ' breaking the law ' does not deserve a Visa , nor do they have even a remote understanding of the culture , and should consider another country .

All that being said , with even just a little consideration and with your head down , and " under the radar " , who knows what's going on out there ?

But yes you need 800 k in a Thai bank , and just leave it or 65 k per month International income minimum, it can be higher , it CANNOT as in never , be lower .
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@David ********
What does the law have to do with the culture?

In many other countries, you'd be lucky to get away with the types of things you can in Thailand as a matter of fact.
2 years ago
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Sam ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Really??? šŸ˜ƒ šŸ˜ƒ šŸ˜ƒ
2 years ago
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Sam ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ********
 very nice response, you must be a wonderful person to interact with. It's a simple question and asked respectfully. The fact is that many people are working in Thailand, and that the authorities mainly/only care about working for Thai companies, which is why I asked. If you can't answer with respect, then maybe keep your mouth shut.

I'm not sure if you actually have an understanding of Thai culture if you behave this nasty to other people and I certainly hope more expats like you don't come to spoil this wonderful country. Just having a Thai wife doesn't give you any special privileges to berate other foreigners or think that you have a better understanding. Many old farts like you have Thai wives and they're blissfully ignorant of the culture. I'm sure she loves you for your rugged handsomeness šŸ˜ƒ

By the way, I'm not dumb enough to use my real name in this forum, genius.
2 years ago
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David *********
Thanks for your input Sam , like a mirror I will look into it . The false identity will not assist you , I'm giving you some VERY good and obvious advice .

Enjoy your day , but don't take it out on me that you don't like what is an honest answer .

Good luck with your travels , but improve your understanding would be my advice .
2 years ago
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David *********
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Roberto *********
The authorities don't give a stuff UNTIL someone complains. And there's always a someone. It could be the "best friend" of your girlfriend, who is jealous because she has more money. It could be another farang who takes a dislike to you. It could be an immigration officer who doesn't like back to back border bounces. Remember if you are resident in Thailand for more than 180 days in the year, you are liable to pay tax in Thailand, irrespective of where the money is made. Sure, you get tax credits if you pay tax overseas, but then that means telling the authorities you're working in Thailand without a work permit. Advice I give is if you do it tell NO-ONE, and make sure you're on a legit long-term visa
2 years ago
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Paul *******
Roberto StephenNo one will ask someone without a work permit to pay tax in Thailand, especially if they dont also hold a long term extension of stay.

Also, while you are right about there being jealous people out there, a farang complaining to immigration about another farang sending work emails is something likely to be very rare. Someone working from home and minding their own business- extremely unlikely to run into problems. The types of characters likely to have trouble with the law will probably face difficulties with their visa or a myriad of other things before they're ever picked up on an illegal working charge.

Still, your advice is good. Best not to be a blabber mouth and keep your affairs to yourself.
2 years ago
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Sam ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roberto ********
 good advice, thanks! šŸ™‚
2 years ago
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Sam ********
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Joseph *********
No working within the country.
2 years ago
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Theunis **********
This group is ā€œThailand Visa Advice - And Everything Elseā€. I notice in almost every reply post there is always rude, sarcastic or snotty remarks. Can I please make a suggestion, please be kind!!
2 years ago
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Becca *******
@Theunis *********
 I thought this group was safe from people like that until I dared to ask a question lol it really is a shame people canā€™t keep their rude comments to themselves if they donā€™t have anything valuable to say
2 years ago
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Roberto *********
@Theunis *********
 I think all the replies are honest and straightforward. I can't see any issue
2 years ago
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Theunis **********
@Roberto ********
 OK!
2 years ago
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Theunis **********
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Cary ******
Iā€™ll go out on a limb here and guess that 99% of those working in Thailand remotely, online in other ways such as teaching Chinese students, making a living as digital creators etc are working off the books and in most cases illegally as far as visas and work permits go.

No, you canā€™t work on the wrong visas including retirement visas.
2 years ago
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John ********
@Cary *****
 yep I believe that you are right about it
2 years ago
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John ********
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Lisa ****
Maybe you're better off getting the 10 year LTR work from Thailand visa. It allows you to work from Thailand for an overseas company and much better conditions than retirement visa as far as I know.
2 years ago
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Christopher *******
@Lisa ***
 yeah, the original question was my idea as well, computer based work for my current trucking company. I didn't know about this LTR thing
2 years ago
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Sam ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lisa ***
 interesting, thanks, I'll check it out! šŸ™‚
2 years ago
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Sam ********
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Charles ********
Work is work regardless. Even working for a foreign company that has no presents in Thailand is still not allowed. However, it's typically seen as a grey area and immigration has said it not something they activity enforce unless their are problems.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@John *********
No, the legal position isn't black and white. It's a Grey area. You believing what you want doesn't make it factual.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Paul ******
 ok then show me this grey area
2 years ago
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John **********
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Paul *******
@John *********
The legal position is that its neither legal nor illegal. It's a Grey area and will probably stay that way for some time to come.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Paul ******
 I'm sure we've been through this before. The legal position is black and white, there's no grey area there. I think what you're trying to rely on is an official (and not a high level one) having said that pursuing such breaches of the law is not a priority at the moment.
2 years ago
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John **********
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Paul *******
@John *********
You with the fear mongering again. For the most part, nothing will happen as there have been cases like this investigated by immigration before. I mean working online for a foreign entity and nothing else is wrong (such as overstay).
2 years ago
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John **********
@Paul ******
 it really doesn't make any difference to me but it would be remiss not to point out the legal position, then people can make an informed decision.
2 years ago
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John **********
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Paul *******
@Charles *******
Correct. Basically it's tolerated unless it's an activity that breaches Thai law such as a business involved in weapons trafficking, anything to do with human trafficking, drugs, pornography etc.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Paul ******
 or until someone reports you then you get deported
2 years ago
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John **********
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Vernon *********
@Charles *******
presents?
2 years ago
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Vernon *********
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Paul *******
No working means that you cannot work in Thailand in any capacity including remote. Pretty simple really unless you want to break the law.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Paul ******
 wonā€™t be the first or the last to do soā€¦. I also rode without a motorcycle helmet last week. So many lawbreakers out there
2 years ago
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Todd *********
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