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A List of Prohibited Jobs for Foreigners in Thailand

I often get asked about job opportunities in Thailand for specific industries, and “Can I move to Thailand and work as a [enter job here].

The answer is usually no – because Thailand prohibits foreign nationals from working in many areas of industry.

The large majority of the restricted positions are trades; jobs that require a specific skill set. The reason for the prohibition is to ensure that Thai nationals aren't priced out of the market, or even out-skilled, which would lead to job losses and increased poverty – particularly among the lower classes.

But what about free market capitalism?

I hear you. Surely the more competition the better for the consumer: skill levels rise and pricing becomes more competitive.

It's not that simple. And here's why…

restricted-jobs-thailand

You can't just move to Thailand and start selling fruit out the back of a truck, that's for sure!

Why Thailand Prohibits Foreign Nationals from Certain Jobs

The problem is that prices are already low in a number of trades, mainly, because, unlike in the West, trades like plumbing, massage/beauty, and taxi driving just aren't valued. They are seen as inherently low-paid jobs reserved for those with a lack of further education.

In contrast, where I'm from (the UK), a good plumber, plasterer or electrician is highly valued and worth holding onto, as is a cab driver who knows the West End like the back of his hand. Those in these areas of industry make very good money.

But, imagine if there was an influx of hairdressers to Thailand from Laos or Malaysia, all willing to cut hair at half the price because they are prepared to accept lower living standards in exchange for being able to send money back home to mom and dad for a better life.

This would heavily impact an already saturated labour market and price Thais out.

Conversely, imagine if plumbers and plasterers from the West were allowed to work in Thailand. They would charge more, but a lot less than back home because they don't need to earn as much to live.

So now you have a choice: hire Somchai to plaster your living room for 1,000 Baht, or Derek for 3,000 Baht.

Given the difficulty of finding reliable, competent tradesman in Thailand, I think a lot of foreign nationals would choose Derek. I also think the Hi-So Thais might consider hiring Western tradesman to elevate face and show their wealth, and get a better job done (maybe).

This type of situation would be unacceptable in a highly patriotic country like Thailand. People would get very upset if they saw foreign businesses sprouting up everywhere that directly competed with the industry they work in.

Never forget the words of the Thai national anthem

Thailand unites the flesh and blood of Thais.
The land of Thailand belongs to the Thais.

Thais always come first. That's how it should be, right?

Am I missing something here? Let me know in the comments section.

1. Prohibited Jobs for Foreigners In Thailand

These occupations are strictly prohibited with no exceptions:

  • Wood carving
  • Driving motor vehicles, driving a non-mechanically propelled carrier or driving a domestic mechanically propelled carrier, except for piloting international aircraft or forklift driving
  • Auction (holding auctions, or running an auction house)
  • Cutting or polishing diamonds or precious stones
  • Haircutting, hairdressing or beauty treatment
  • Cloth weaving (by hand)
  • Mat weaving or utensil making from reeds, rattan, hemp, straw, bamboo, bamboo pellicle, grass, chicken feather, coconut leaf stick, fibre, wire or other materials
  • Mulberry paper making (by hand)
  • Lacquerware making
  • Making Thai musical instruments
  • Niello ware making
  • Gold ornament, silverware or pink gold making
  • Bronze ware making
  • Thai doll making
  • Alms bowl making
  • Silk products making (by hand)
  • Buddha image making
  • Paper or cloth umbrella making
  • Brokerage or agency work, except brokerage or agency working in international trade or investment
  • Thai massage
  • Cigarette rolling by hand
  • Tour guide or sightseeing tour operation
  • Peddling
  • Manual typesetting of Thai characters
  • Silk reeling and twisting (by hand)
  • Clerical or secretarial work
  • Legal services or services in legal proceedings, except for the following occupations: Performing duties of arbitration. Providing assistance or representation in the arbitral proceedings in the event that the law applicable to the dispute being considered by the arbitrators is not the Thai law

2. Prohibited Jobs with Conditional Exception

These occupations are prohibited but with a condition whereby an international agreement or obligation to which Thailand is bound under law may permit work.

  • Controlling, auditing, performing or providing accounting services, except:
    • Occasional internal audit work
    • Work under international agreements or obligations to which Thailand is bound, which the Professional Association provides a certificate
  • Civil engineering concerning counselling, project planning, design and calculation, construction supervision or manufacturing, inspection, administration work to organise the system, research and test, except those who are registered under the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) and other international agreements
  • Professional architectural work concerning project study, design, construction management and supervision, inspection or consulting, except for professional architects under the ASEAN MRA for architectural services and other international agreements

3. Skilled & Semi-Skilled Foreign Worker Exceptions

The following is a list of prohibited jobs that allow for an exception for foreigners when working for an employer.

  • Agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry or fishery
  • Bricklaying, carpentry or construction works
  • Mattress or quilt blanket making
  • Knife making
  • Shoemaking
  • Hat making
  • Dress making
  • Pottery or ceramic ware making

4. Foreign Worker Exceptions Under Treaties

The following are prohibited occupations which a foreigner may work in if 1. they have an employer, 2. they are permitted to enter Thailand by Immigration Law under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Thai government and the foreign government:

  1. Labour (manual work and menial work that requires physical strength)
  2. Shop front selling at a wholesale or retail establishment, as well as selling goods at stalls or shops located in markets or by roadsides

If you're looking for jobs you can do, check out my job opportunities post.

Prosecution for Working Illegally In Thailand

The Department of Employment issues strict penalties for those found in violation of employment law.

Companies found to be hiring a foreign worker without a work permit face a fine between 10,000 and 100,000 Baht per worker.

Repeat offenders can face up to 1-year in jail and a further find of 50,000 to 200,000 Baht. The offending company will also receive a three-year ban on the hiring of foreign workers.

As an employee, you can expect to receive a fine between 5,000 and 50,000 Baht, and possibly be deported

For employees, any foreigner found to be working without a work permit or working beyond what is permitted by Thai law, face fines of between 5,000 and 50,000 baht and could also be deported.

There are those who will say “they never check”, or say that it's easy to “live below the radar”. In some cases this is true, but the Ministry of Labour and Department of Employment make it very easy to report a person you suspect of working illegally.

There is a hotline number, 1506 (option 2), and 1694, respectively. A neighbor you have fallen out with, a Thai or foreign national that has taken a disliking to you or envies you in some way, may just drop you in the doghouse.

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Special thank you to Acclime for assisting with the information in this post. Check them out for accounting, tax, HR & advisory services in Thailand.



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Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

    • TheThailandLife says

      Forex trading is legal in Thailand, but the specifics fall into a bit of a grey area. Technically, you're working, which would usually require a work permit. However, since you're working online and not employing Thai workers or using Thai companies to generate revenue, it's a situation similar to many digital nomads who work remotely while earning income from abroad. In practice, many just proceed discreetly. I know some of my readers are online traders dealing with markets in the US and Europe.It's important to note the following rules That I found:1. While most currencies can be traded freely, there are restrictions on trading the Thai baht. The Bank of Thailand (BOT) prohibits direct speculation on the baht to avoid market volatility and protect economic stability.2. Non-residents are not allowed to hold baht-denominated accounts, though there are no such restrictions on foreign currency accounts.
      Reply

  2. Tom says

    Knowledge clearly has zero knowledge of this topic. Being a third world country has absolutely nothing to do with ability to obtain citizenship. In fact, the majority of poorer Asian and African countries make it harder to become a citizen than Thailand does. Thailand allows foreigners to become citizens, while for all intents and purposes, Myanmar (Burma) does not. China is also exceptionally difficult.
    Reply

  3. Johnny M says

    Interesting article. One question, I work in software sales/account management and I have seen jobs advertised that are located in Bangkok but sell into ANZ markets. Do you think this is the sort of job a foreigner could be sponsored for or would it fall under a banned job? Thanks for any insights.
    Reply

  4. Harald van Hengel says

    How about volunteer work? Looking for something to do while staying with a Non Immigrant "O"-visa, I did try to find the answer to this question, but sofar no real answer and thus no volunteer work yet as I no want to yeopardize my visa conditions!
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      No, it isn't legal. To open a gym you need to start a company. A work permit would then be issued through the company to the foreign director. I wouldn't worry. If this is truly the case it won't be long before immigration pays a visit. Word gets around the community pretty quickly in Thailand.Oftentimes, though, the business is in the name of a Thai partner.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      I'm not sure about that. In such cases the employer needs to make a case for having to hire a foreign worker due to that person being able to provide a skillset that isn't readily available to recruit locally. In short, if a company really wants you for a role like this they will make a case for it with the Ministry of Labor.
      Reply

  8. Andrew Phillips says

    Hello
    Can anyone help me with some advice. My Thai girlfriend is here ar moment on holiday visa and will return next month. She wants to work here and get married. We have spoken about a pre nuptual so we keep our own assets respectively as many will be aware is highly in favour of Thai nationals. So I think maybe first thing is to find Solicitor that knows Thai law and translation. I live near Derby
    Reply

  9. David Lewis says

    This is why Thailand will remain a third world country trying to move forward but can’t. There are intelligent people in Thailand but not in government. They do not teach critical thinking. Until Thailand lets farangs obtain citizenship, the country will not move forward with the more advanced countries.
    My Thai wife is getting citizenship in the USA, but I can’t get citizenship in Thailand. What’s up with that? It’s a third world country.
    Reply

    • knowledge says

      First, Thailand is not a third world country. That is why you cant simply get citizenship. Thailand doesnt need foreigners to move forward.

      You mention intelligence yet obviously you never questioned your own statement. You cant get citizenship and arent allowed to work in many jobs as a foreigner is evidence that Thailand is not a third world country.

      If it was a third world country these restrictions would not exist.

      If you live in an "advanced country" then you should understand this. But you dont because its you who doesnt use critical thinking. You dont question your opinion if Thailand is really a third world country.

      Its not and thats why it makes sense you cant easily get citizenship or not at all.

      Also USA is not advanced in every areas. Thailand protects thai workers so they work in many jobs that only thai people are allowed to work in. The government used critical thinking. They are aware if foreigners could work there so easily then it would cause many thai people to become unemployed.

      It would also change thai traditions to become westernized. So Thailand decided against this because the government wants to ensure traditional Thailand culture will persist.

      In the USA and west in general there isnt this kind of cultural work protection. So USA government doesnt care if foreigners do jobs for low wages. USA government also doesnt care if companies relocate their businesses to countries where the employee cost of labor is really low.

      Thailand government is smart. They ensure that local thai products are only produced in Thailand and not other countries. This is one reason why Thailand economy is moving forward and why its not a third world country.

      But you should know this if u are from the USA, a first world country, right?
      Reply

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