Are foreigners allowed to work in Thailand?

Yes, foreigners are allowed to work in Thailand if they have a valid visa and work permit and are engaged in an activity that does not violate the Foreign Employment Act.

If you are a foreigner and intend to work in Thailand, you are subject to the Foreigners Employment Act, which requires you to have a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labour, unless there is an exception to the said Act.

The term "work" is very broadly defined in Thai law and encompasses both physical and mental activities, regardless of whether they are performed for wages or any other form of compensation. Even voluntary work or charity work requires a work permit in Thailand.

Under Thai law, foreigners are permitted to work in the country, but factors such as national security and the need for foreign workers for the country's development are taken into account. Thai citizens continue to have priority.

According to the Foreign Employment Act, the following professions are prohibited for foreigners and reserved exclusively for Thai nationals:

  • Work activities, excluding work activities on fishing boats, fall under the following category:
  • Agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry or fishing, excluding work requiring specialist knowledge, agricultural supervision or work on fishing vessels, especially in marine fishing.
  • Masonry work, carpentry work or other construction work
  • Driving motor vehicles or vehicles that do not use machinery or mechanical devices, with the exception of flying international aircraft.
  • Supervision, auditing or provision of services in accounting, excluding occasional internal audits
  • Cutting or polishing precious or semi-precious stones
  • Haircut, hair salon or cosmetics
  • Mat weaving or the manufacture of everyday objects from reeds, rattan, jute, hay or bamboo
  • Rice paper production by hand
  • Manufacturing of Thai musical instruments
  • Goldsmithing, silversmithing, or gold-copper alloy metalwork
  • manufacture mattresses or quilts
  • Handmade silk products
  • Manufacturing of umbrellas made of paper or fabric
  • Brokerage or agency activities, except in international trade.
  • Professional civil engineering services in the areas of design and calculation, systematization, analysis, planning, testing, construction supervision or consulting, excluding work requiring specialized techniques.
  • Professional architectural services in the areas of design, drawing preparation, cost estimation or consulting.
  • Cigarette rolls made by hand
  • Tour guiding or operation
  • Unwind and twist the silk by hand
  • Office or secretarial work
  • The provision of legal services or the exercise of legal activities (excluding arbitration activities and activities related to defense in arbitration proceedings, provided that the law applicable to the dispute to be examined by the arbitrators is not Thai law)

    • What documents do I need to submit if I want to work in or visit Thailand?

    According to the Thai immigration authorities, these are the most important requirements:

  • You must obtain a valid visa from a Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate before your arrival in Thailand.
  • Foreign nationals from the countries listed below can obtain a visa upon arrival in Thailand at designated immigration points. This visa entitles them to a stay of 15 days: Bhutan, China (including Taiwan), Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Maldives, Mauritius, Oman, Poland, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.
  • Foreigners from the countries listed below are exempt from visa requirements. They may enter Thailand without a visa and stay for 30 days. However, they must have their passport stamped upon arrival.

    • Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America and Vietnam.

    For stays exceeding 30 days, all foreigners require a valid visa, which can be obtained from a Thai embassy or consulate before entering Thailand. Exceptions are citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Korea, and Peru, who are permitted a stay of up to 90 days after receiving an entry stamp at the border crossing.

    You should check with the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate before your trip, as the list of countries subject to visa restrictions changes regularly because the Immigration Department adds or removes countries depending on the situation. Nationals of all countries with which Thailand does not have an international agreement require a visa before entering the country.

    The revision of some immigration laws has made Thailand a popular destination for Japanese retirees. Immigration regulations and other obstacles for foreign retirees wishing to move to and live in Thailand have been removed. Foreigners over 50 who want to spend their retirement in the Kingdom can now do so freely, subject to annual renewal. As a result, the Thai market for senior services is growing. Hospitals, health facilities, and resorts for the elderly in Thailand are attracting the attention of Japanese investors. The ongoing recession in Japan has prompted investors to invest in the region, with many eyeing small and medium-sized hotels in scenic locations.