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What can a farang legally do when operating a business with a Thai partner in Thailand?

Thai visa regulationsBusiness ownership for expatsOperating businesses in ThailandFarang legal limitations in ThailandWork permits for foreignersImmigration laws in Thailand
Aug 15, 2022
2 years ago
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Context: opening a bar/restaurant/shop as a farang (with Thai partner)... Trying to get a better (explicit not general) understanding of what I (the farang) can and cannot do relative to operating the business. Suggestions on where to look? Folks who've done this and know willing to chat a bit?

I tried finding some business groups, but they were basically all just people trying to sell whatever product/service/scam they had.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation addresses the limitations and legal considerations for foreigners (farangs) looking to operate a business in Thailand in partnership with a Thai national. Key points include that while ownership is possible, working in the business without a work permit is highly restricted. Expats can supervise or handle back-end tasks but cannot take on roles like serving customers or preparing food. Business operation must be discreet to avoid issues with immigration. It’s recommended to research through legal websites and seek low-key methods of involvement.
Av **********
Only thing u can do is be a consultant
2 years ago
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Gordon *********
Depending on how much you pay the police
2 years ago
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Paul *****************
No Money no Honey Farang must pay Bills all.
2 years ago
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Richard ********
@Paul ****************
 stupid farang have to pay !!!!!555
2 years ago
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George *********
@Paul ****************
 best 1 yet lol
2 years ago
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Paul *****************
You pay all there
2 years ago
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Gordon *********
@Paul ****************
 no honey more money
2 years ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ****************
 awww your so jaded it's adorable thanks for contributing!
2 years ago
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Jack ****************
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Paul *****************
Nice Dreams only. You Never Owner shop you never get Work Permit. Thai People know how to Scam your Money. Better spend the Money for your Holidays and Go back Home
2 years ago
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Bill *********
Basically you can only probably get away with doing "back of house" stuff where you are not seen. That in its self can be substantial. Keep in mind that even includes taking care of the books. I know many farangs that own a business with their wife/partner but their participation is very low key. Just don't piss off the wrong people or make enemies and you should be fine. I built my wife a coffee shop. Taught her how to make banana bread and brownies. She then taught herself more things to make. Occasionally I'll make banana bread or squeeze juice and she takes it to work to sell. I created FB ads to market the shop. Lot's of stuff you can do and not be "seen." Just keep it low key.
2 years ago
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Oliver ********
You can own shares in any business but to work in it you need a work permit and most blue collar / low level service type jobs are restricted to Thais (or in some cases nationals of neighbouring low income countries) and work permits are supposed to be for managerial type jobs for which it makes sense to pay +50k/month (exact number varies by nationality). For example, if you open 5 shops/restaurants/bars, it makes sense for that business to hire an operations / marketing manager to oversee things but if you open 1 little place, there isn't likely to be any job within it that justifies a work permit.
2 years ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oliver *******
 Yeah...
2 years ago
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Jack ****************
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Stefan *******
Try
********************
2 years ago
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Michael ********
You can supervise, you cannot take orders, you cannot take money from customers, you cannot prepare food or drinks, you cannot serve anyone.
2 years ago
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Michael *******
@Michael *******
 That's my kind of job! 😎
2 years ago
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Giorgio ******
@Michael *******
 you can"t open the lock evry morning you can't empty ashtrays, you can't pick up a piece of paper, you can't take orders you can't give advice to customer ... you are alowed tov tzlk to customer , I have a very good friend , married for years , 2 kids , he is in the situation 😪😪😪
2 years ago
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Michael ********
@Giorgio *****
 why you telling me i never asked for advice, been here quite a while and know the ins and outs
2 years ago
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Giorgio ******
@Michael *******
 sorry !!!😭😭😭😭 the infos weren't for you . Even if they made it more complete for the destinatery.
2 years ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 I sure he was aiming at me. :)
2 years ago
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Jack ****************
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 What about perform? Does a work-permit let you work around some of these restrictions (specifically drink prep- the GF wants me to do this from time to time as a special thing)?
2 years ago
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Michael ********
@Jack ***************
 Yes agree with John good friend of mine runs with his wife a highly succesful Bar/Restaurant he gets supplies thats about all anyone is looking will see him do. Apart from telling staff if customers are waiting.

Training to do drinks/food etc is ok. But you get caught its a big brown envolope or problems.

Also depends where you are, phi phi, koh phayam out of the way placea like that people get away with it.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Jack ***************
 That would count as working. You can hang around but not actually do anything, you might get away with going to pick up supplies but that's about it. Also highly unlikely you'd get a work permit unless Thais are somehow able to do drink prep or whatever.
2 years ago
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John **********
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Martyn ***********
I can tell you this...

My friend of mine in a very similar situation was hauled into immigration and fined
*****
, his crime? he was making himself tea and toast....!

So I don't suppose you can do too much.....
2 years ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martyn **********
 One thing in my favor is I am in the sticks and considered a bit of a novelty. As far as I can tell the local police and such aren't interested in monetizing me like in Phuket.
2 years ago
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Anthony ********
@Jack ***************
 they (police) will be interested in you if you open a bar. Need some protection?
2 years ago
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Martyn ***********
@Jack ***************
 all it needs is for you to be taking a bit of business from the wrong person with a bit influence... They are shy of grassing folk up when it suits them financially...
2 years ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martyn **********
 Totally. And I respect the motivation. I think what she wants is to be able to like... "look what my trained monkey can do" which I am fine with humoring- but I am not interested in doing any "work" of any kind. Old and lazy.
2 years ago
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Martyn ***********
@Jack ***************
 you can talk to customers, thats just about it.

You could go to makro and beer wholesale possibly, but I wouldn't carry it in the bar for example...
2 years ago
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Martyn ***********
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Philip **********
What visa are you on now? Are you married? Where are you planning on opening one up?
2 years ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Philip *********
 Currently education. Marriage is on the table. Small village in Chiang Rai province.
2 years ago
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Philip **********
@Jack ***************
I do know one thing. You can’t do anything in the bar. You don’t have a work permit. I would go to another bar where a farang owns with his Thai partner and talk to him. You have to have 4 Thais working for one farang if you wanted to get a work permit. Don’t forget about insurance and make friends with the police.
2 years ago
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Martyn ***********
@Philip *********
 that's 4 tax paying employees....
2 years ago
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Martyn ***********
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well, not THAT small. Chiang Khon.
2 years ago
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Jack ****************
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