Work in Thailand

In order to be allowed to work in Thailand, foreigners must be in possession of a valid work permit. However, this is only granted if the foreigner has a qualification which is required in Thailand. Details are described in the "Alien Employment act". There is a long detailed list of forbidden occupations for foreigners. The Board of Investment (BOI) facilitates the process of obtaining a work permit for investors with sufficient investments. This also applies to the foreign personnel of foreign companies.

A condition for the distribution of a work permit is an existing "Non immigrant visa type B" or a permanent "Residence Permit".

The work permit is authorised dependent upon activity and job. In practice, the first step is to find an employer. Then a work permit can be requested for this specific job. An application for a new work permit must follow with a change of job, even if it is the exact same occupation.

In the year 2001 the fees for work permits were heavily increased

• Work Permit 10.000 Baht

• Second-Class Work Permit 3.000 Baht

• Change of job 5.000 Baht

Board of Investment (BOI) firm foundation / taxes:
http://www.boi.go.th

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kingdom of Thailand
http://www.mfa.go.th

Jobs in Thailand (job search engines):
http://www.careerjet.co.th
http://www.jobsdb.com
http://www.thaijobcenter.com

Restricted professions for foreigners

• Labor

• Work in agriculture, animal breeding, forestry, fishery or general farm supervision

• Masonry, carpentry, or other construction work

• Wood carving

• Driving motor vehicles or non-motorized carriers, except for piloting international aircraft

• Shop attendant

• Auctioneering

• Supervising, auditing or giving services in accounting, except occasional international auditing

• Gem cutting and polishing

• Hair cutting, hair dressing and beautician work

• Hand weaving

• Mat weaving or making of wares from reed, rattan, kenaf, straw or bamboo pulp

• Manufacture of manual fibrous paper

• Manufacture of lacquerware

• Thai musical instrument production

• Manufacture of nielloware

• Goldsmith, silversmith and other precious metal work

• Manufacture of bronzeware

• Thai doll making

• Manufacture of mattresses and padded blankets

• Alms bowl making

• Manual silk product making

• Buddha image making

• Manufacture of knives

• Paper and cloth umbrella fabrication

• Shoemaking

• Hat making

• Brokerage or agency work, except in international business

• Dressmaking

• Pottery or ceramics

• Manual cigarette rolling

• Legal or litigation service

• Clerical or secretarial work

• Manual silk reeling and weaving

• Thai character type-setting

• Hawking business

• Tourist guide or tour organizing agency

• Architectural work

• Civil engineering work 

All data is provided without guarantee!
I, the operator of www.Siam-Info.de (Heinz Klaus Thiesen), have no business connection with the enterprises specified above. I therefore take no responsibility for the information supplied by the enterprises specified above. The contributions represent my own personal opinion.