Permit To Work In Thailand Legally

BJ The Bear

BJ The Bear

New Member
Hi, I have been informed by the Thai embassy here in Australia that to (Legally) Work in Thailand you must hold a Thai work Permit?

I was also informed that to enable you to obtain a work permit you must be the holder of a (Degree) minimum.

Which leads me to think that there must be quite a few real smart Foreigners working in Thailand??

I know of a few Aussies working up in Thailand that probably did not even finish high school?

Does anyone know if there is a way around working in Thailand without a work permit?

What the consequences are if you are caught working without one?

It seems a bit extreme that i may have to go and study for 3-4 years to get a masters or batchelors just so that i can there to say maybe open and run a shop?

Any Thoughts or advice would be most appreciated:NoSpam2:
 
I don't have a Degree but I did have a work permit,but I did have a Thai Company to buy land and own a Bar.Not sure of all the rules as my Accountant sorted it out but here is what I posted on the Teachers section a week or so ago.I am sure Thaivisa which this information came from will give you everything you need to know..:)

How to get a Thai work permit

First, you must have a Non-Immigrant visa to apply for a work permit.


Required fees for a work permit

- Fee 750 - 3,000 baht (depending on the length of your work permit)

A FOREIGNER WHO RECEIVES A WORK PERMIT MUST FOLLOW THESE REGULATIONS:

1. Carry the work permit with him/her or keep it in the office during working hours to show to government officers any time.

PENALTY : Anyone who violate this rule will be fined not more than 1,000 baht .

2. The foreign must perform the work according to the work permit only to. If he/ she wants to do different work or change locality of working place, this change must be approved.

PENALTY : Anyone who violate this rule will be inprisoned not more than 1 month or fined not more than 2,000 baht or both.

3. The foreign who wishes to continue working musto apply for an extension before the expiration date.

PENALTY : Anyone who violates this rule will be imprisoned not more than 3 months or fined not more than 5,000 baht or both.

4. If his/her work permit is materially damaged or lost,The foreign must apply for substitute within 15 days from the date he/she knows about the damage or disappearance of the work permit.

PENALTY : Anyone who violates this rule will be fined not more than 500 baht .

5. In case the foreign changes his/her first name, last name, nationality , address, or name of the working place, he/she must notify the Employment Service office to update the information as soon as possible.

6. After the to foreign resigns from work, the foreign must return the work permit within 7 days from the date of the resignation.

PENALTY : Anyone who violates this rule will be fined not more than 1000 baht.


EMPLOYERS WISHING TO EMPLOY A FOREIGNER MUST DO THE FOLLOWING

1.Do not employ the foreign without a work permit. Do not allow the foreign to perform work other than that which is specified in his/her work permit, or to work under any other conditions than those specified in the work permit.

PENALTY : Imprisonment of not more than 3 years or fine of not more than 60,000 baht or both.

2. An employer who employs the foreign to work or transfers him/her to work elsewhere or allows the foreign to resign must notify the Nakhon Ratchasima Employment Service Office within 15 days from the employment, transfer or termination date

PENALTY : Anyone who violate this rule will be fined not more than 1,000 baht .


NOTE:

All aliens engaged in any kind of work in Thailand must hold a valid work permit, issued principally by the Department of Employment of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare pursuant to the Alien Employment Act B.E. 2521 (A.D. 1978).

The term "work" is defined very broadly, covering both physical and mental activities, whether or not for wages or other remuneration. Working without a valid work permit even for a day is a criminal offense.

The validity period of a work permit is governed by the holder's immigration status, i.e. a work permit usually expires on the last day of the period of stay allowed by immigration officials as shown on the alien's visa. Aliens holding transit and tourist visas are not permitted to work.

Everything you need to know about visa's and work permits you will find here..

Thaivisa.com - How to get a Thai work permit
 
A lot depends what you do and where you do it.

If you have a bar in Pattaya, (work permit not available for this) and you open a bottle - or even talk to the customers you could find yourself deported.

If you do the same in the sticks in all likliehood nobody will bat an eyelid.

Beware though. My son was deported 8 years ago for working without a work permit

Never heard about a requirement for a degree though.
 
Thanks Nick,
the laws seem to change all of the time but i figure it is better to be safe than sorry, I will apply for a Non migrant visa, Then work permit, then fight my way through all the red tape.my wife is Thai so i may get her to start a business and she can employ me? Remuneration may be a problem though as she empties my wallet regularly as it is
:001_Thank_You5::Cross_Fingers:
 
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My understanding is that work permits are job specific they are not general permissions to work.
Many jobs are prohibited to foreigners seeking employment eg hairdressing and also I believe sales.

Degrees are not a requirement but the general rule is that the applicant must possess "special" skills required by a particular company which are not currently available in the local job market.
ie hiring a foreigner is not at the expense of a local.

So the more skills possessed for the particular job the easier it is to obtain a work permit. A degree shows a level of "skill"

Working, even for free, without a permit is against the law and is punishable by fines and jailtime/deportation but like all laws in Thailand many flount it.

My personal experience has been that on three occasions to my knowledge officials have visited my place of work seeking a work permit for the "farang", so they do carry out spot checks. I have always had one when employed so no problem so far but I am also personally aware of individuals who have been led form their place of work in handcuffs, spent several nights in the IDC in Bangkok prior to being placed on a plane out of Thailand again in handcuffs.

I strongly suggest that if you intend on carrying on any form of employment you obtain a work permit. It only takes a jealous work colleague or neighbour to potentially drop you well and truly in it.

On the other hand i am sure that you will be able to obtain opinions from others who have lived here 20+ years "working" without a work permit with never a problem.

The beauty of Thailand
 
Does 'teaching Thais how to make Yorkshire Puddings' qualify as a "Special Skill" ?
 
Foreigners are allowed to perform duties that Thais are unable to do. Teaching conversational English being the most common,won't go into that as been covered many times before. Ray and his Yorkshire puds would also come under this category IMO. Leave the Somtam to someone else Ray.
 
coffeecorner said:
Does 'teaching Thais how to make Yorkshire Puddings' qualify as a "Special Skill" ?
Click to expand...

It certainly pays to have a creative mind when completing the application form with that I am sure anything can be made to appear as a special skill
 
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