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Do I need a business visa and work permit to rent a night market stall in Thailand on a DTV visa?
DTV VisaThailand ImmigrationBusiness VisaWork PermitNight MarketFood Stall RegulationsExpats in Thailand
Oct 14, 2025
7 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHello everyone,
I currently hold a DTV visa as a dependent of my wife. I’m considering renting a small stall at a night market to sell food and drinks.
I’ve received mixed information: some people say that to rent a market stall I don’t need any special visa or permit, since someone else would actually be operating the stall; while others say I’d need a business visa and a work permit.
Could anyone who has gone through a similar process, or is currently in the same situation, please share their experience or clarify what’s really required?
Also, if a business visa is indeed necessary, how long does it usually take to obtain it?
Thank you very much in advance for your time and help!
I currently hold a DTV visa as a dependent of my wife. I’m considering renting a small stall at a night market to sell food and drinks.
I’ve received mixed information: some people say that to rent a market stall I don’t need any special visa or permit, since someone else would actually be operating the stall; while others say I’d need a business visa and a work permit.
Could anyone who has gone through a similar process, or is currently in the same situation, please share their experience or clarify what’s really required?
Also, if a business visa is indeed necessary, how long does it usually take to obtain it?
Thank you very much in advance for your time and help!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation indicates that holding a DTV visa does not permit any form of employment or income generation in Thailand. The general consensus among respondents is that to legally operate a business or sell food/drinks at a night market, one would need a business visa and a work permit, which is not attainable under a DTV visa. Additionally, setting up a business in Thailand would require a Thai partner and specific legal compliance such as hiring local staff. Overall, pursuing this idea while on a DTV visa is discouraged and could lead to legal issues.
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Anonymous ******************
You can open a limited company on a DTV visa as no Visa is required, then rent the stall through it and employ people manage it.
All of that is legal, but you cannot 'work' without a work permit and what is work and can be blurry. Usually as long as you stay away from the shop you're fine. Do not cook, supply, sell etc... just do ceo stuff.
Now to do that you'd need 1 Thai partner you trust with your balls/uterus, because he/she will own 51% of the business on paper and if they go to court over a dispute you are doomed.
All of that is legal, but you cannot 'work' without a work permit and what is work and can be blurry. Usually as long as you stay away from the shop you're fine. Do not cook, supply, sell etc... just do ceo stuff.
Now to do that you'd need 1 Thai partner you trust with your balls/uterus, because he/she will own 51% of the business on paper and if they go to court over a dispute you are doomed.
Ade ********
I met a guy who’s on a DTV and has a bar. He doesn’t work in it his Thai GF does. 🤷🏻♂️
Anonymous ******************
🤣🤣🤣🤣 you can’t set up a stall at a night market on a dtv 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you all for your replies. I know that I'm not allowed to work with a DTV visa, hence my question about the work permit or business visa.
James ********
DON'T DO IT 👎 PERIOD 🩸
Andrew *********
The DTV does not allow you to work in Thailand.
You would need a Thai company, Thai partners, a work permit each with 4 Thai staff per work permit. The chances of getting approved for a market stall are slim. To do all that legally with just one wp you would need to make about 70k per month to break even. You should also need to rent business premises as a market stall wouldn't count.
Yes those Indians, Pakistanis, Russians, Turkish, Israelis etc doing it in Pattaya etc are illegal unless they have Thai citizenship, they didnt get it through running a market stall.
You'd need a Non-B and wp and cancel your DTV
You would need a Thai company, Thai partners, a work permit each with 4 Thai staff per work permit. The chances of getting approved for a market stall are slim. To do all that legally with just one wp you would need to make about 70k per month to break even. You should also need to rent business premises as a market stall wouldn't count.
Yes those Indians, Pakistanis, Russians, Turkish, Israelis etc doing it in Pattaya etc are illegal unless they have Thai citizenship, they didnt get it through running a market stall.
You'd need a Non-B and wp and cancel your DTV
Luc ************
That's not going to happen.
Winston ************
That's against the DTV rules. You can't legally earn money from a Thai business while on the DTV. What's so hard to understand about that? Switch to a work permit and get the correct visa.
Anonymous ******************
Well, I doubt you would last very long before being reported by other vendors, to be honest. You can’t legally perform any kind of work in Thailand with a DTV. To sell food or drinks, you’d need to open a registered company and hire Thai staff to handle the selling, as even with a work permit and visa, that type of activity is generally not allowed. How long does it take? Quite a while and it’s much more complex and expensive than applying for a DTV. If you don’t have a proper business plan/project, sufficient funds, and strong motivation, it’s best to forget about that idea. A simple market stall isn’t enough, and that’s exactly the kind of setup you should avoid under a DTV, locals won’t appreciate it. 😅
Anonymous ******************
You can’t do it
Greg ********
You are going to need to set up a Ltd company with all that entails ie 4 Thai workers and 2 million THB paid-up capital. That will get you the WP you need when you get your "B" visa. This cannot be done on a DTV.
Godfrey ********
@Greg *******
If he's American then he can retain 100% ownership and only hire 2 Thai nationals for every (including himself) foreigner needing a work permit. Still, too much work for a bored househusband to sell some 40baht juice at a night market.Greg ********
@Godfrey *******
"If" - he was American I am sure he would have done some research and read up on the Amity Agreement and would not have needed to ask here! 🙂 😃 (or maybe not).Godfrey ********
@Greg *******
He's asking Facebook if he can work on a tourist visa. He's not done any research yet .Greg ********
@Godfrey *******
In any "New Product Development" process or framework, one must start with "Ideation" and then understand potential market fit, business viability, and strategic alignment.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Philip ******
Forget it
Elías ********
It's not possible. The DTV DOESN'T allows you to earn money from within Thailand. You can't get a work permit, either (on a DTV).
Siggi *******
Again you are spreading misinformation here, like about DTV. In my own property or rented property you can do anything you want. I don't understand why people argue about this. When I own something, I am entitled to rent it out, sell it, gift it however I want to do it. I am not breaking the law.
Why you do not bet on it? We both put 500.000 baht to a lawyers deposit and who is right gets the money. 😁😄 It's easy to spread misinformation here without consequences. With your idiotic logic, everything can be seen as your, nothing can be done without work permit. Bringing friends to airport, shopping, driving, cleaning your car, cooking s meal aso. Just shut up or put your money on it, life is do easy
Why you do not bet on it? We both put 500.000 baht to a lawyers deposit and who is right gets the money. 😁😄 It's easy to spread misinformation here without consequences. With your idiotic logic, everything can be seen as your, nothing can be done without work permit. Bringing friends to airport, shopping, driving, cleaning your car, cooking s meal aso. Just shut up or put your money on it, life is do easy
Luit *****************
@Siggi ******
Nobody says you can not rent it out, but you need a Thai employee to manage this process, I agree it sounds stupid. My Thai lawyer warned me that when I am working on the house I live in in Thailand, like painting this officially is not allowed, because I do not own it, and I am not married with my partner.Vanda **********
@Siggi ******
using your logic we can all buy scooters and rent them out because we “own” them the previous people that stated managing properties, collecting rent and performing other related tasks requires a work permit that’s an inexcusable fact. Don’t get mad because you’re not abiding by Thai laws and regulations that others have pointed out.Reply to
Vanda **********
Reply
Ja***
@Elías *******
That's not true. You can earn money in Thailand through passive income. The most simple example is bank interest. You can also earn money from renting out a condo (as long as someone else is managing it). You can even own shares in a Thai company and earn dividend income, as long as you are not working for that company.Siggi *******
@Ja***
for renting out you don't need anybody else, what stupid idea 😁Ja***
@Siggi ******
Technically managing your own rental (advertising, showing it to potential renters, negotating lease terms, arranging repairs, etc) can be considered working. Even though it's technically illegal you are not likely to have any problems especially if you only own 1 or 2 condos.Siggi *******
@Ja***
wrong, if it's your property you can do anything, repairing, painting ado. Don't post lies with your own properties you can do everything by your own. With your logic you even could sell a scooter, a laptop or car. You would need someone to show it to potential buyers. 😁 I hope you have someone who types your false posts for you as it can be seen as work tooLuit *****************
@Siggi ******
maybe you should read Thai laws before you're telling somebody is wrong. When you do anything to rent your own appartment, that surely can be seen as work, how else would you classify that? The repairing and painting you mention is allowed on your own condo as long as you live yourself in the condo.Ja***
@Siggi ******
Selling scooters, laptops, and cars as a business to earn income absolutely you would need a work permit as well.Siggi *******
@Ja***
this is not what we were talking about,Reply to
Siggi *******
Reply
Elías ********
@Ja***
Bank interest? Without a bank account? As for a condo, I was told that I couldn't legally rent it, because if so, I'll get Thai income, and it isn't allowed. For shares, yes, even tourists can do that.Ja***
@Elías *******
Some of us already have bank accounts opened before getting a DTV. There is no law that any specific visa is required to open a bank account. It's up the the policy of the bank. Currently all the banks are not opening new accounts for DTV holders and some (mostly Bangkok Bank) are even closing existing accounts. If you already have a bank account then there is nothing illegal about keeping it open and collecting interest income.About renting a condo you own you have been misinformed. As long as someone else such as a friend or property management company is managing it for you then you don't need a work permit or any special type of visa.
There is no restriction about receiving Thai income as long as you are not working.
Siggi *******
@Ja***
why do you post lies? If you own property in Thailand you can rent out without anybody else. You don't need a person to manage rentals what stupid ideaReply to
Siggi *******
Reply
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