What are the experiences of fitness trainers working in Thailand?

May 15, 2023
2 years ago
Kyle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Might be a long shot here, but I am curious if there are any fitness trainers who came to Thailand for work? I am a personal trainer and I am curious to know what your expectations have been like.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the challenges foreign personal trainers face in Thailand, primarily due to stringent visa and work permit regulations. Participants share their views on employment prospects in the fitness industry, noting that personal training is often considered a prohibited occupation for foreigners. Some suggest that aspiring trainers either establish their own gyms with local hires to circumvent legal barriers or seek opportunities at specific gyms that may employ foreign trainers, such as CrossFit and F45 locations. Overall, the consensus indicates that while there are limited opportunities, success often relies on navigating visa requirements and understanding the local market.
Jamie ********
The Base, F45 and a few of the CrossFit gyms all have foreigner (farang) trainers. If you have qualifications/experience you could check with them
Kyle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jamie *******
I have gotten in contact with Base, I will check out these other places as well. Thank you for your reply.
Jan ******
@Jamie *******
and the gym provides a business visa for them? very unlikely
Jan ******
A work permit does not give you a visa or immigration status afaik
Jamie ********
@Jan *****
a work permit. Yes. Letting you live and work in Thailand. Not a business visa.
Sam *********
This idea that one can just come to Thailand and find work in whatever capacity they were employed in back home, is really just a pipe dream…
Sascha **********
You could try to get in touch with the guys (all farang) that own Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA (in Phuket), they all used to work at Tiger until they started their own gym last year. I bet they can give you some advice on where to look and how the visa thing would work.

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Jonathan ***********
You can check with Fitwhey gym at show DC bkk. But for sure the salary is lower than europe so it’s all depends of your standard and what you’re looking for. Or other option is to get your own company , hire or pay tax for 4 thai and work as personal trainer and prospect customer
Nick ***********
I lived in Thailand for 8 years and most of the apartments I lived in had gyms. The only time I remember seeing a foreign trainer (or any trainer) was in jomtien. He got asked to leave the apartment gym as he was not a resident. I'm in Vietnam now, been here around 4 years on and off, and I go to big gyms now as the apartments tend not to have gyms included. I have seen one martial arts trainer who was not Vietnamese, so I think it's possible in Vietnam at least, and maybe Thailand.
Jeremy ********
Personal training is a prohibited job in Thailand for foreigners, the ones that do it as a “hobby” utilize different visas to stay in country…good luck
Bauke ***********
There are foreign trainers at many of the CrossFit gyms I've been to in Thailand, so consider checking there.
Steve ********
Start your own gym. Employ four Thai people in some capacity and away you go!
Minthada ********
@Steve *******
business visa
Kyle *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
what visa is most ideal for this?
Brandon ************
I think you'd have a very difficult time of finding a job. Or else you'll be working illegally.

There's no shortage of Thai fitness trainers and they'll always work for less than what the minimum salary is for a foreigner to receive a work permit.
Jamie ********
@Brandon ***********
you’re only thinking of the cheap commercial gym franchises like Jetts, fitness first and Fitness 24 which are all Thai trainers.
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