List of Prohibited Jobs for westerners in Thailand

LuisF Serial expat

496POSTS

14 years ago

For all those who are keen on working in Thailand, be aware that there is a list of jobs were, you, as a westerner will not be able to get a work permit. The List is taken from The Thai Labor Department Website -http://www.mol.go.th/-

1.- Labour work except labour work in fishing boats under the next category below. The said work which is forbidden to aliens shall not apply to aliens who have entered into Thailand under an agreement on hire of labour concluded between the Government of Thailand and other nations, and also aliens whose status has been prescribed as legal immigrant and who possess a residence certificate under the law governing immigration.

2.- Agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry or fishery, except work requiring specialized knowledge, farm supervision, or labour work in fishing boats, particularly marine fishery.

3.- Bricklaying, carpentry, or other construction work.

4.- Wood carving.

5.- Driving motor vehicles or vehicles which do not use machinery or mechanical devices, except piloting aircraft internationally.

6.- Front shop sales and auction sale work.

7.-Supervising, auditing, or giving service in accountancy, except occasional internal auditing.

8.-Cutting or polishing precious or semi-precious stones.

9.- Haircutting, hairdressing, or beautification.

10.- Cloth weaving by hand.

11.- Mat weaving or making utensils from reed, rattan, jute, hay, or bamboo.

12.- Making rice paper by hand.

13.- Lacquer work.

14.- Making Thai musical instruments.

15.- Niello work.

16.- Goldsmith, silversmith, or gold/copper alloy smith work.
Stone work.

17.- Making Thai dolls.

18.- Making mattresses or quilts.

19.- Making alms bowls.

20.- Making silk products by hand.

21.- Making Buddha images.

22.- Knife making.

23.- Making paper or cloth umbrellas.

24.- Making shoes.

25.- Making hats.

26.- Brokerage or agency except in international trading.

27.- Professional civil engineering concerning design and calculation, systemization, analysis, planning, testing, construction supervision, or consulting services, excluding work requiring specialized techniques.

28.- Professional architectural work concerning design, drawing/making, cost estimation, or consulting services.

29.- Dressmaking.

30.- Pottery.

31.- Cigarette rolling by hand.

32.- Tour guiding or conducting.

33.- Hawking of goods & Thai typesetting by hand.

34.- Unwinding and twisting silk by hand.

35.- Clerical or secretarial work.

36.- Providing legal services or engaging in legal work, except arbitration work; and work relating to defense of cases at arbitration level, provided the law governing the dispute under consideration by the arbitrators is not Thai law, or it is a case where there is no need to apply for the enforcement of such arbitration award in Thailand.

See also

Starting a business in Thailand - Guide
Teaching Jobs - 5 Replies
Jobs I can do in Thailand - 10 Replies
Changing Jobs - 4 Replies
IT Jobs for Farang ? - 10 Replies
Non teaching jobs in Thailand - 1 Reply
The jobs that are the most in-demand for expats in Thailand - 45 Replies

LuisF Serial expat

496POSTS

14 years ago

I would make this info a sticky post perhaps?

flyingav Member

3POSTS

14 years ago

damn! you mean I have to stop weaving mats? haha

LuisF Serial expat

496POSTS

14 years ago

Well, i just copy pasted the list. I receive lots of private emails asking for a job or information about jobs on doing anything at all to get out of their home countries to live in Thailand. So At least now they have ( if they are bothered to search for it ) a list of jobs that you as an alien to thailand arent allowed to do, since "anything" cannot be done.

Armand ViP

24785POSTS

14 years ago

Sticked

LuisF Serial expat

496POSTS

14 years ago

Thanks Armand!

dannyboyo Active member

51POSTS

14 years ago

Ofcourse there are always loopholes in the land of smiles
so don't let that list above scare you

If you really must weave baskets or cut hair, just teach how to do it and you will be just fine. Or become a manager of any of the above business.

vivek3121990 Member

1POSTS

13 years ago

Nice post. Thanks for sharing with us. Cool.......

malevan Contributor

175POSTS

13 years ago

i do not know what am i must tell?

which job can i chose in here?haha

rioinbangkok Active member

33POSTS

13 years ago

#10

I feel our country labor legal doesn't allow to do that but it doesn't cover about the business owner. You can open the business involving above but you shouldn't be hired to be a labor for it.

Who know, some guys might open the handmade company hire someone but mostly, they do by themselves.

scottmallon Serial expat

229POSTS

13 years ago

#11

dannyboyo wrote:
Ofcourse there are always loopholes in the land of smiles
so don't let that list above scare you

If you really must weave baskets or cut hair, just teach how to do it and you will be just fine. Or become a manager of any of the above business.

Yes, their are loopholes everywhere. However, teaching of any kind is working. If you are working without a work permit and you are caught, you will be fined and/or deported. You're not going to get a work permit for teaching how to cut hair or weave baskets, not a chance.

Also, "become a manager?" Please...it's one thing if you OWN the company or your wife owns the company, it's a different matter to be the manager.

There are plenty of bar managers working illegally and who just pay off the cops, but I have one rule I live by here:

Never put yourself in a position where the Thai police or Thai immigration has something over you. That is, don't put yourself in a precarious position.

Getting a work permit is much more difficult than in the past and there are reasons for this, one being that far too many foreigners try to skirt the system. If you have a legitimate reason to work here, you can get a work permit and the appropriate visa and you'll have no problem. If you don't, you might just end up paying a fine or being blackballed.

It always gets me that so many foreigners think they can come to Thailand and work however they want to be able to stay here. As someone who goes thru the visa and work permit process and who has been living here legally for nearly 20 years, I have no problem with the Thais setting strict guidelines.

ozzi Member

11POSTS

13 years ago

#12

You Missed out

" No Alien shall be allowed to work as a clown or in a circus in the Kingdom of Thailand " lol

rioinbangkok Active member

33POSTS

13 years ago

#13

ozzi wrote:
You Missed out

" No Alien shall be allowed to work as a clown or in a circus in the Kingdom of Thailand " lol

Good idea..I wanna do it too

orana New member

9POSTS

13 years ago

#14

Now Im even more worried about being able to work here....

scottmallon Serial expat

229POSTS

13 years ago

#15

orana wrote:
Now Im even more worried about being able to work here....

There are literally hundreds of thousands of people worldwide who want to work here. It makes things very difficult for those who want to work legally and unless you have exceptional qualifications or are a real hustler, you should be worried. It is possible but it will take determination, hard work, and discipline to find or make a job for yourself.

TRUUNORTH New member

8POSTS

13 years ago

#16

What is left? Lol

marcots New member

6POSTS

13 years ago

#17

So to clarify,
that means that a foreigner cannot work as an employed architect at an architecture office legally?

inkmermaid1 Active member

39POSTS

12 years ago

#18

I am aware you can't make dresses.But what about creating ?The creating and designing part of fashion ?I would not make it myself anyway.I would love to have a label that i can sell all over the world.Created and designed by me but made by others.I would sell over the internet and also in a few high level shops in several country's.
Do you know if this is possible ?

Kind regards

marcots New member

6POSTS

12 years ago

#19

Hey inkmermaid1

I can't help you with your enquiry as I am still in the process of finding out how things work in Thailand. But I think that is a great idea, I am an architect myself looking to get into product design. Let me know what you discover and if you already have a link to some of your work I would live to take a look!

Good luck with everything

inkmermaid1 Active member

39POSTS

12 years ago

#20

Hello,

I do that for sure !Are you in Thailand now ?I just returned after being a month in Thailand.I am on Facebook to .Are you ?
I've just sended a message to the embassy of my country to ask if this is possible..don't know what they will say..anyway..i keep you informed !After all..also architects create and design :)Must be great !Think maybe in hotel businees you can find job no? Mail to buro's that work overseas maybe ?Also i have met an architect from Pataya who's working 3 day's a week in Cambodia cause lot's of work to do he said because they had a war long time ago..so maybe..i just mention this..

marcots New member

6POSTS

12 years ago

#21

Hey,

I am not in Thailand yet. I am looking to move there in October

Yes I am on facebook also. Where about in Thailand were you? I haven't started applying fo jobs yet, but soon! You are right there are a few offices that do work abroad also. I think that could be promising. It is interesting what you say about Cambodia though! I never thought about it, I will look into it!!

inkmermaid1 Active member

39POSTS

12 years ago

#22

Hi,

If i did everything ok ..i just sended you my facebook link.If you did'nt receive it ..just mail me back

I am new here

About Cambodia..indeed maybe there's a chance.Tha archtect that spoke to me lives in Pataya.So maybe his office is there aswell..So sorry i don't asked for his adresscard.But anyway..try overseas company's aswell.I also think expats maybe wanna change a house they bought..maybe here's job to.Orcompanies that wanna build on land maybe need architects...or people who bought land..I don't know but if i find out things and know more myself i let you know ! Succes !

inkmermaid1 Active member

39POSTS

12 years ago

#23

Oh and i forgot to mention .;i was 5 day's in Bangkok andf 22 day's in Krabi !Super !Also this :Try as a teacher maybe ?

inkmermaid1 Active member

39POSTS

12 years ago

#24

HI,

If you learn something new..think of me aswell

))

Kind regards

Soy Active member

31POSTS

12 years ago

#25

Wenduine, (I guess) dress making is OK, but not selling. Just make sure there is no money involved.

Guys,
"Doing something" and "getting something natura" in return (anything but money) that would be OK, right? Exchanging means is what I mean.

suwanna Member

22POSTS

12 years ago

#26

Wats the story with medical doctors, can I work or have a practice in the kingdom:-)

inkmermaid1 Active member

39POSTS

12 years ago

#27

Hi,

Don't know.

Thakama New member

4POSTS

12 years ago

#28

As Far as I remember The law doesn't say anything about this,

drsharoncaulder New member

4POSTS

12 years ago

#29

I am new to Thailand from the US and started looking for work as a Dr of Physiotherapy. I did get a response from one hospital advising me that they do not hire medical people who are not Thai. I was actually hoping to work in one of the spas or detox centers since I work holistically with a PhD in Psychology & lots of spiritual training.

Does anyone know if foreign medical personal are banned from working here as well?

Sharon

drsharoncaulder New member

4POSTS

12 years ago

#30

I am new to Thailand in Koh Samui. I am a Holistic Physiotherapist with a PhD in Psychology and spiritual training. I am seeking work, part time would be fine. I would love to work in one of the Wellness Spas or Detox Facilities, but hospital would be fine as well. Or maybe I should advertise my availability to private patients and try for a work permit. The need for Physical therapy must be tremendous here. My last job was on the Navajo Reservation in US with Navajo Native Americans and the need was great there. Bandon Hosp notified me that they do not employ foreign doctors.
Sharon Caulder PhD, PT (drsharoncaulder@aol.com)

thetefldon ViP

469POSTS

12 years ago

#31

drsharoncaulder wrote:
I am new to Thailand in Koh Samui. I am a Holistic Physiotherapist with a PhD in Psychology and spiritual training. I am seeking work, part time would be fine. I would love to work in one of the Wellness Spas or Detox Facilities, but hospital would be fine as well. Or maybe I should advertise my availability to private patients and try for a work permit. The need for Physical therapy must be tremendous here. My last job was on the Navajo Reservation in US with Navajo Native Americans and the need was great there. Bandon Hosp notified me that they do not employ foreign doctors.
Sharon Caulder PhD, PT (drsharoncaulder@aol.com)

Hi
Just a quick heads up. This is a sticky post that clearly shows what occupations/jobs are not available to foreigners in Thailand.

Can I suggest you start a new topic in the relevant forum or get one of the mods to move your posts. You might get a better response.

Good Luck!

drsharoncaulder New member

4POSTS

12 years ago

#32

I can't tell you how much i appreciate your response to my post but i don't understand your suggestions. I am obviously internet-blog ignorant. Can you give me more specific directions.
Thank you for your generosity.

Sharon Caulder

thetefldon ViP

469POSTS

12 years ago

#33

drsharoncaulder wrote:
I can't tell you how much i appreciate your response to my post but i don't understand your suggestions. I am obviously internet-blog ignorant. Can you give me more specific directions.
Thank you for your generosity.

Sharon Caulder

Hi Sharon

If you go to the Thailand Forum home page and click on the Koh Samui link at the top you can write a new post(your query) there. Click on the big green arrow top right ;-)

I only suggested it because it might get a better response than adding a comment to the "stickies" i.e. the posts that are permanently displayed there for information. These posts are usually about things that apply to Thailand in general and not case specific.

Hope that helps

shreza2003 Active member

49POSTS

12 years ago

#34

Hello there,

Can you be more specific.

Regards

drsharoncaulder New member

4POSTS

12 years ago

#35

Got it!

Thanks

Sharon

adler1 New member

7POSTS

12 years ago

#36

thanx for info
very interesting

chantell Member

10POSTS

11 years ago

#37

i do not see hospitality jobs on the "sticky notes" listing. How do I go about applying for those types of jobs, i have googled and found a website or two, however is it better to apply once you are there?
I am flying 14 June, so will be in Bangkok 15 June. I know I can go and teach but that is not where my passion lies.

Any assistance would be great.

Thank you

suwanna Member

22POSTS

11 years ago

#38

Wat about Medical practice, ie doctors, specialist and nurses?

doc_bay Active member

50POSTS

11 years ago

#39

Hello. I see an old post by you regarding working in Thailand as a health care professional. Unless the law has changed in the last couple of years the answer is YES! BUT as far as I know there is only one non-Thai/Western medical doctor working in BKK and possibly all of Thailand as far as treating patients. The limiting factor is that a foreign doctor must past the Thai medical licensing examination given in Thai. So one must be able to read and write Thai! Again this is what was told to me multiple times when I lived in Thailand from 2005-2009. There are ways of having a Thai company that a falang could own or be partners in that was involved in various healthcare services.
Bay

doc_bay Active member

50POSTS

11 years ago

#40

Hello. I see some old posts from 2013 by you regarding working in Thailand in some professional capacity. Did you ever find some work in your interested field or answers to your inquiries? Working in Thailand in any medically related profession is extremely limited and probably hold true for physical therapists in hospitals, spas or private clinics as best I know. I lived in BKK for almost 5 years ending in 2009 and I met only one Western doctor LEGALLY working in Thailand. The restrictive reason preventing non-Thais working in Thailand and even naturalized Thais living abroad during most of their lives is that one must take any professional examination for licensing by the Health Department in Thai language. So one must be able to read and write Thai. That is no easy task for most to under take.

Let me know if you are still in Thailand and pursuing work there. I plan to return to Thailand later this year and will be working there again I am sure.
Bay
doc_bay@hotmail.com