Thailand Property Online

Foreign/Alien Employment

One may work in Thailand if he has a valid visa and a work permit and is able to perform work that does not violate the Alien Employment Act. Foreigners who intend to work in Thailand are subject to the Alien Employment Act B.E. 2521 (A.D. 1978). Under the provisions of the Act, a foreigner cannot perform any work or service unless a work permit has been issued by the Alien Employment Division of the Labor Department and Social Welfare Ministry, or unless the individual or the work performed falls within an exception to the Act. The term “work” is defined very broadly, i.e. working by exerting one’s physical energy or employing one’s knowledge, whether or not for wages or other benefits. Theoretically, even volunteer or charity work requires a work permit. Although they receive no remuneration for the work performed, volunteer teachers have been required to obtain work permits.

The following Schedule Annexed to the Royal Decree Stipulating Work in Occupations and Professions

Prohibited to Aliens B.E. 2522 (A.D. 1979) closes 39 occupations to foreigners and reserves them for Thais:
-  Labor work.
- Agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry or fishery, except work requiring specialized knowledge or farm supervision.
- Bricklaying, carpentry, or other construction work.
- Wood carving.
- Driving motor vehicles or vehicles which do not use machinery or mechanical devices, except piloting aircraft internationally.
- Front shop sale.
- Auction sale work.
- Supervising, auditing, or giving service in accountancy, except occasional internal auditing.
- Cutting or polishing precious or semi-precious stones.
- Haircutting, hairdressing, or beautification.
- Cloth weaving by hand.
- Mat weaving or making utensils from reed, rattan, jute, hay, or bamboo.
- Making rice paper by hand.
- Lacquer work.
- Making Thai musical instruments.
- Niello work.
- Goldsmith, silversmith, or gold-and-copper alloy smith work.
- Stone work.
- Making Thai dolls.
- Making mattresses or quilts.
- Making alms bowls.
- Making silk products by hand.
- Making Buddha images.
- Knife making.
- Making paper or cloth umbrellas.
- Making shoes.
- Making hats.
- Brokerage or agency except in international trading.
- Professional civil engineering concerning design and calculation, systemization, analysis, planning, testing, construction supervision, or consulting services, excluding work requiring specialized techniques.
- Professional architectural work concerning design, drawing-making, cost estimation, or consulting services.
- Dressmaking.
- Pottery.
- Cigarette rolling by hand.
- Tour guiding or conducting.
- Hawking of goods.
- Thai typesetting by hand.
- Unwinding and twisting silk by hand.
- Clerical or secretarial work.
- Providing legal services or engaging in legal work, except in cases of legal arbitration.

Source: www.thaigov.go.th