Answered8 years ago
What are the rules for remote workers in Thailand working for a foreign company?
Hi All
can someone point me in the direction to find out about the rules for remote workers in thailand working for a foreign company.
keen to know rules for both foreigners and Thais.
TY
can someone point me in the direction to find out about the rules for remote workers in thailand working for a foreign company.
keen to know rules for both foreigners and Thais.
TY
Answer summary
In Thailand, all foreign nationals working must possess a valid Work Permit and a relevant visa that allows them to work, which typically requires their foreign employer to establish a branch in Thailand. Thai nationals, however, do not require a work permit to work within the country. Casual work such as checking emails while on holiday is generally not considered employment, but once one starts residing in Thailand, it falls under different regulations. Recent changes have relaxed some work permit laws, yet foreigners are still barred from freelancing unless properly authorized. For remote workers, it is crucial to ensure that one’s employer is officially recognized to hire foreign workers to avoid legal issues.
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Ron *******
I don't believe they need to monitor these pages to know what's going on. They are perfectly aware of it. They are also aware that any changes though, need to be done in a way not to effect genuine tourists. This is a reason amongst other's, i believe is where the change over to electronic submission of visa applications to Embassys being rolled out shortly is going to stop a lot of the Tourist visa abuse. It remains to be seen how that will effect a lot of what is occuring, particularly with the getting of a new passport in order to hide your visa history from Embassies and consulates in order to get more and more visas.
Amornrat **********
yes, they just need to monitor the number of visa issued at the various Embassies. There is not a lot of abuse going on anymore. Take KL or Penang, they already limit the number. For 100-200 applications they spend millions on a new system. But that is what they do, shooting with cannon and try to hit the few birds.
Thomas *****
Much of the Internet is monitored by the Thai Army/Government. Would not surprise me to find out this page is too
Tod *********
how about you dial the paranoia back a notch or three.
Given the abysmal grasp of engrish most thais have I'd say they're way more worried about the thai language stuff on the inter-web than what an insignificant number of foreigners are saying :O
Given the abysmal grasp of engrish most thais have I'd say they're way more worried about the thai language stuff on the inter-web than what an insignificant number of foreigners are saying :O
Ron *******
First rule of working remotely in Thailand is obtain a passport full of Tourist or ED Visas.
Second rule is move to Chiang Mai where it's assumed you only need 100 baht a day to live the life of Bill Gates.
Second rule is move to Chiang Mai where it's assumed you only need 100 baht a day to live the life of Bill Gates.
Ben **********
First rule of working remotely in Thailand is not broadcasting it on social media.
Thomas *****
They just changed the work permit laws making it easier and relaxing them
Thomas *****
I work 8 at night till 5 in the morning i work American hours.
Thomas *****
Yes they have about 50 Americans working there because he does most of his business in America through internet sales. Not that it is any of your business.
Joe ***********
Then you are working for an employer that is duely and legally authorized to have foreign employees,in Thailand - not freelancing solo
Thomas *****
yes
Joe ***********
Sure
Thomas *****
yes
Robert *******
@Thomas ****
And do you have a Work Permit?
Dylan *********
OP@Thomas ****
right now im just travelling around Asia but normally i work in tech back in Aus so have the option to work remotely most of the timeThomas *****
what kind of work do you do Dylan.
Dylan *********
OP@Joe **********
thats how i read it... Thailand is very prohibitive for foreigners and having a company there isnt attractive when compared to its neighbors especially freelancers... such a waisted opportunity to stop relying on tourists as muchJoe ***********
The new WP Rules still do not allow working Freelance.
Joe ***********
The new somewhat relaxed Work Permit actually mean very little in the overall.. You still must have an authorized employer, or you 'own' your own company as a shareholder Director. Then obtain a B Visa.. People who are married to a Thai National and have an O Visa for marriage may also apply for a,WorkPermit.
Dylan *********
OPYeah i follow the Thaiger and watch this group to see peoples experiences.
Thomas *****
I read the same info in The Bangkok Post.
Robert *******
I rely a little more on the post on this page from the Thaiger, a Phuket news paper that had an interview with the boss of Ministry of Labor in Phuket than on an announcement of the British Chamber of Commerce.
Dylan *********
OPYeah read it, thats what prompted the post
Thomas *****
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/more-details-on-new-rules-regarding.html?m=1Robert *******
Yep, very relaxed. You still need a work permit and if you work your employer, job title and place of work must be listed in your work permit. But if you do not have this information inside your work permit, you not go to jail anymore, just deported on your own cost.
Robert *******
If you here on a holiday, that means leave after a few weeks and check your e-mail or answer a phone call from your boss it is not seen as working. As soon as you start living in Thailand it becomes a different thing.
Dylan *********
OPthanks and i thought it was that way based on my googling.
what happens to all the people on holiday who check a few emails... still working in Thai Govs eyes id assume?
what happens to all the people on holiday who check a few emails... still working in Thai Govs eyes id assume?
Robert *******
Strangely enough Thai people can work without a work permit or a visa inside Thailand.
Robert *******
You can only work in Thailand with a Work Permit and a Visa allowing you to work. This means your foreign company has to set up a branch in Thailand.
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