Thinking of working in Thailand? Here are the 39 things that you can't do!

[DuiDui49]

Here is the full list of forbidden work and jobs that Sanook put on their website. They relate to laws promulgated in 1979.

1. Laborer
2. Farming including looking after livestock, forestry and fisheries (exception: farm manager).
3. Bricklaying, carpentry and other construction tasks.
4. Wood carving.
5. Driving including operating heavy machinery (exception: airline pilot between countries)
6. Selling in shops.
7. Auctioneering.
8. Accounts work (unless it is temporary in nature)
9. Gemstone cutting and polishing.
10. Haircutting, styling or beauty salon work.
11. Weaving cloth by hand.
12. Mat making or making objects from rattan.
13. Making paper from mulberry by hand.
14. Lacquer ware making.
15. Making Thai musical instruments.
16. Making niello ware.
17. Making gold, silver and copper items.
18. Stone engraving.
19. Making Thai dolls.
20. Mattress or quilt making.
21. Making monks' alms bowls.
22. Silk work by hand.
23. Fashioning Buddhist images.
24. Knife making.
25. Umbrella making using either paper or material.
26. Shoes making.
27. Hat making.
28. Acting as an agent or representative (except in contact with foreign companies)
29. Civil engineering work including design, quantity surveying, organization, research, testing, looking after the progress of work, and giving advice (exception: specialist work)
30. Various work and duties of an architect including producing blueprints.
31. Making accessories for body adornment.
32. Pottery.
33. Rolling cigarettes by hand.
34. Acting as a guide or tour organizer.
35. Carrying goods around for sale.
36. Thai language printing.
37. Silk weaving.
38. Acting as a clerk or secretary.
39. Legal work and handling lawsuits.

Sanook noted that these days nationals from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia
are allowed to be laborers and do housework.

Source: Sanook

[fatbob]

That is a very general view when taking into account the construction sector you have listed, a foreigner can own a construction company, can work as a site supervisor, superintendent, construction, site and project manager, there are many international construction, engineering and architectural firms also working in Thailand with expats employed.

That is first hand as I worked construction for eighteen years in Thailand always with a work permit.

If anyone is seeking a work permit they should consult with a legal firm to organise all the hoops and hurdles.

[hippo]

hope that one day they will really be able to enforce rules on work ....

Those who work without permission ruin those who respect the law

[Barney]

This list naturally has no bearing of ASEAN.

A vast majority of jobs can and perhaps be taken by foreigners with the supposed free cross border work visas associated with ASEAN 20??
It also means that in reciprocation the Thais can go across borders to work.
But I imagine that all signatories and definitely Thailand to ASEAN have forgotten that the language of ASEAN participation is English.

[pal52]

The post is really way out of date with the list of jobs from 1979.
The list of jobs is far different today with changes to immigration laws.

It is pointless commenting on it as the jobs which expats can actually do is far different from what Dui Dui has posted.

Can not understand why it was posted as anyone who has lived here any length of time knows the immigration laws regarding working in Thailand have changed dramatically since 1979.

Especially Dui Dui who is owner of a restaurant with his wife & who openly admits to doing some work in the business.

[d p meijer]

Dui Dui, i assume you have no Thai nationality and so you are , like most of us , a guest in Thailand.
and so "our dear a mighty leader " is not your or our leader.
and your comments about him , wrong or right , serve no positive purpose for the reputation / image of us farangs .
you should know the rules and borderlines 2017

wish you many blessed afternoons to come . in freedom and peace.

[DuiDui49]

The post is really way out of date with the list of jobs from 1979.
The list of jobs is far different today with changes to immigration laws.

It is pointless commenting on it as the jobs which expats can actually do is far different from what Dui Dui has posted.

Can not understand why it was posted as anyone who has lived here any length of time knows the immigration laws regarding working in Thailand have changed dramatically since 1979.

Especially Dui Dui who is owner of a restaurant with his wife & who openly admits to doing some work in the business.Not anymoore my friend..if i do anything i do it at home..

[DuiDui49]

Dui Dui, i assume you have no Thai nationality and so you are , like most of us , a guest in Thailand.
and so "our dear a mighty leader " is not your or our leader.
and your comments about him , wrong or right , serve no positive purpose for the reputation / image of us farangs .
you should know the rules and borderlines 2017

wish you many blessed afternoons to come . in freedom and peace.

Well i got your point BUT after my dear wife..who is my "leader"while i'm here as a guest.I have to follow "His"rules pretty much like my wife has to..or have i missed something here.My comments..jepp you got a valid point..bottom line is that when i see my Thai neigbours hardly have anything on their "plate"..yes i get upset..whils he spend enormus sums on things that i think he sholud NOT..my opinion..Up with education,up with Police reforms,wait with Army buying Sub's and moore..And when i speak whith Thais they think the same but they are mostly to afraid to speak up..again MY opinion..But you have a valid point..and it's taken.

[FrazeeDK]

while there may be "waivers" on some of the listed occupations the Thai Department of Labor lists them.. That being the case you can wonder how all those clothing shops in Bobei Market beside Global House are run by Chinese who speak little to no Thai. http://www.mol.go.th/en/content/page/6347

[Barney]

Much like Thailand Aussie has now introduced a similar reduction or banning of occupations, so Thailand is no different really from us down under visitors.

If you were thinking of going to Australia under the old immigration 457 visa scam then think again and check out the link.
268 jobs of the list.

https://www.finder.com.au/457-visas-ful ... s-affected

[UdonExpat]

Looks like a crackdown on tour guides may be in the works.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... our-guides

[wazza]

Looks like a crackdown on tour guides may be in the works.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... our-guides

So how do the Alien tour guides get their Work Permits ??? trickle down effect here as Immigration will be called in to explain perhaps and that will mean a 1 week crack down at most, before normal services resume ....