AI generated answer from ThaiLawOnline:

Your concerns are valid and touch upon a common question for expatriates living in Thailand. Thai law does impose restrictions on work for non-citizens, and the definition of “work” under Thai law is broad. According to the Alien Employment Act (B.E. 2551), “work” includes both paid and unpaid physical or mental exertion, potentially making even unpaid tasks in your own home subject to scrutiny. Here’s some clarity on your specific concerns:

Legal Context

1. Work Restrictions for Foreigners:

• Foreigners need a work permit to engage in any form of work unless the activity is explicitly exempted by law.

• Unofficially, authorities often take a pragmatic approach, but the law is strict, and enforcement can vary by region and individual immigration officers.

2. Household and Garden Work:

• Routine maintenance and gardening in your own home could theoretically fall within the definition of “work.”

• However, such activities, when done personally for non-commercial purposes, are generally not a priority for enforcement.

Recommendations

1. Consult an Immigration Lawyer or Advisor:

• To ensure clarity and peace of mind, consulting a Thai immigration lawyer is a wise step. They can interpret the legal definitions in light of your personal situation.

2. Speak with Local Immigration and labor department Officers:

• Visit your local immigration office and/or labor department. Ask about informal guidelines regarding maintenance and gardening on your property. Their interpretation may align with local norms.

3. Stay Discreet:

• While it’s unlikely that authorities will intervene in non-commercial, personal household activities, discretion is advisable. Avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

@Emanuel ******

we actually have two. The front page bot is pretty good, but the one for members works with a way bigger database including all Thai laws up to date in January 2024. People do not understand how powerful AI is. It will come. ;)

Immigration or any government officers are under the administrative court. So if you feel that they do not respect the law, you can bring them there. However, I would NOT advise anyone to do it. Immigration will always remember you. I did it twice. I won twice. But the second time, I already had permanent residency and that is more OR less my job…

Here

I love it when immigration makes new rules.

1. I would show them their own website.

2. And I would teach them the word «หรือ » which means “or” in English.

Pronounced it “Reua” more OR less.

The answer should be yes but as mentioned before, never guaranteed and it would just be better to do an extension NOW at immigration and don’t need to go out and in… easy, 1,900 baht. Any province of Thailand. Get a proof of where you live and fill the extension form. They will help you at immigration (normally). Get a passport picture, maybe a copy of your passport, you never know what they can ask but should be easier then flying out.

@Paul ******

I understand. I lived in Thailand 18 years and was manager of a law firm!!! (I managed Isaan Lawyers). My point is if you live in a country for a while, just learn the process. I just been 3 months in Nepal. Now I am in Vietnam. The extension is complex since COVID, I just did a visa for another country… it is not complicated and I do not understand why people pay for that, except some rich people that have other things to do. I pay for some services that I could do, cleaning my clothes, my house, because it is more efficient. But doing a visa is often needed to do in person, and I just do not understand why pay an agent. I did my permanent residency myself in Thailand and that was 150 pages of documents, tests, interviews, etc… just my 2 cents.

@Paul ******

I lived 18 years in Thailand and never used an agent. I wonder why people living there need an agent. It’s like using an agent in your home country to apply for your passport or driving license.

You wrote it: some cares, some do not care. So better prepare this person because I know who got a fine recently in Pattaya.

@Gys****

, right? 😉

And your landlord must do TM30 when you arrive to notify that a foreigner lives there. If it is an hotel, the hotel will do it. Even if you live with your girlfriend or your wife, this person must do TM30 in 24 hours.

That is on top of the 90 days notification that is your responsibility.

The answer is yes, starts back at zero when you re-enter. But unless you have a re-entry permit or a multiple entry visa, your visa won’t be good anymore. Single entry visa or normal extension will need a re-entry permit or multiple entry to keep your visa valid until the end if you go out of the country.