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Does cleaning your car or gardening on a marriage visa in Thailand count as work?
Marriage VisaVisa RegulationsThailand ImmigrationExpat LifeWork RestrictionsGardeningCar CleaningHealth and Safety in ThailandWork Permits
Aug 18, 2025
8 months ago
Gary ********
ORIGINAL POSTERIf living in on a marriage visa on your property, does cleaning your car/motorbike or watering your plants and gardening constitute to working in the eyes of immigration?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around whether simple home maintenance tasks, such as cleaning a car or gardening, constitute working under Thai immigration laws for those on a marriage visa. While most respondents believe that these activities do not count as work and therefore are not a concern for immigration, some caution that any significant work, especially major home renovations, could attract scrutiny. There is a notable emphasis on staying low-key and avoiding activities outside of personal property that might be perceived as work, such as assisting neighbors or engaging in any business activities.
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Sean *******
I have a butler carve my food and my wife moves my jaw.
John ********
Can't you apply for a work permit on a marriage visa
John ********
@John *******
Yes but depends on the type of work foreigners are allowed to do, even then any company/business must employ four Thais to one foreigner.John ********
@John *******
do you know how it works if you have your own small resort. 5 rooms, pool, bar, restaurant. I'm about to buy one I'll have the yellow book.Reply to
John ********
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Paul *******
@John *******
that would not help if the type of "work" is on the restricted occupations list. I would think that any type of gardening or cleaning would be on the list.
John ********
@Paul ******
cheers mate 👍Reply to
John ********
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Pete **********
Great - so next time my wife moans at me about not finishing the painting, or weeding the garden I can just tell her immigration won’t allow me to do it!
Chris ******
I drop things off from market to missus work place police seen me loads of times even help open and close ain't getting paid for it so don't see it as a problem
Max *************
@Chris *****
This is about what's officially allowed according to law,and dropping of stuff to your missus at the market is NOT allowed. Get it? A lot of people have been reported to the immigration police when doing the same things as you.Chris ******
@Max ************
really didn't think it would be a issue what probably takes 20 minutes maybe once twice a weekMax *************
@Chris *****
I know what you mean, it's not a biggie, but in the eyes of immigration you can't officially do anything outside your property.I've heard of people working in markets calling immigration just because a woman in another stall had a bf and he was doing the same as you.People working in markets are not always friends.Thomas *******
@Max ************
we're way up here in Thabo, but you never know who has it in for you. I just work around the house and don't bring any undue attention to myself.Thomas *******
@Max ************
I remember a couple of years ago that a western guy was in trouble for serving chicken at his wife's shop. All it takes is one competitor or jealous business owner to ruin your stay here.Chris ******
@Max ************
yeah get what you sayingReply to
Chris ******
Reply
Peter *********
Obviously lol 😆
Matty ****
Washing your car and stuff like that.. I wouldn't worry
If you're doing any kind of major tree trimming or construction on your house.. yeah
The purpose of immigration and labor enforcement is to protect Thai jobs.. they're not the Gestapo.
If you're doing any kind of major tree trimming or construction on your house.. yeah
The purpose of immigration and labor enforcement is to protect Thai jobs.. they're not the Gestapo.
Michael ********
@Matty ***
you could rebuild your whole house as long as its a marital home and not a commercial entity (flipping houses, farm that sells product etc etc)Jo **********
@Matty ***
major construction yes.Matty ****
@Jo *********
the people that get in trouble for doing stuff like that have usually caused a problem somewhere else, and it's reported as retribution .Jo **********
@Matty ***
make sense what you sayReply to
Jo **********
Reply
Gary ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Matty ***
thanks for one of the most sensible answersMax *************
@Gary *******
You can do basically anything you want on your own property. But helping your neighbor mending his fence is not officially allowed. Just an example. 😎Matty ****
@Gary *******
I've been here for 8 years. People like to put fear in to new arrivals.. it's always been like that 😂Enjoy your stay brother and good luck.
Wayne ********
@Matty ***
The very reason I don’t comment or ask about anything, but read all comments & dismiss most of them 🇹🇭🇦🇺Reply to
Wayne ********
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Barney ********
Just tell the wife you cant do it cos no have paper
Paul *******
FFS man
Lynnette *******
More risk from your wife annoyed you've not done the garden and cleaned the car.
David *********
Yes deportation immediately if immigration is informed
Stephen *********
Lol no
Reply to
Stephen *********
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