Work Permits For Barstaff ?

[pattayaGaz]

Just got back from a three day trip to one of the Islands in the eastern seaboard won't mention which one as do not want to get anyone in trouble but here is what I encountered.

Three bar/restuarants in the resort that I was staying were owned and run by expats one of them for ten years, at all of these bars the owners mixed cocktails and served drinks and at one of them his friend another expat served drinks, so whats the exlplanation for this as I come from Pattaya and used to own a bar and certainly could not get a work permit for serving drinks at my bar, I did ask one of the guys about it but he didn't seem to want to talk on this subject, pherhaps you can get a work permit as a cocktail waiter ?, there was a police box at this resort and also national park wardens, anyone have the answer or any thoughts on this.

[ashacat]

I saw a falang mixing cocktails in the bar of a major 5 star hotel in BKK. I think they classify themselves as "cocktail professionals" or some cr@p.

[sriracha john]

I've been served drinks from foreign "beer consultants" on both Koh Chang and Koh Samet. I have every confidence that they were totally legitimate and in full compliance with all applicable labor laws and visa requirements. The topic, however, did not specifically come up in conversation, so I might be wrong.

[Axel]

In Bangkok quite a few foreigners do hold WP as F&B manager. So, using the B = beverages, no problem to mix errh manage a cocktail.

[RAZZELL]

I believe the different provinces may enforce the "rules" differently...

In Samui for example, I was told (admittedly by a "farang" bar owner) that he was allowed to work behind the bar...as opposed to infront like in Pattaya

[COBBER]

Just my view on this.

If its just a bar , not possible to have a work permit.

If the bar is part of a complex, ie. Guesthouse,Motel, or Restaurant . Possible to have a work permit as a manager/ consultant but then serving drinks would fall outside the peramiters or the work permit.

However,law enforcement is another issue.

[markg]

I agree with above.

No way can a farang serve beer. How can you possibly demonstrate that a Thai cant do the job?

As F&B manager for a hotel - yes........but then again, serving drinks would probably be outside that remit.

As far as i understand it, If you open (say) a French restaurant, you could argue that YOU (being French) have to do the cooking. You COULD probably argue that you have to take the orders too, esp in a high class place where people need advice on what wine to order with what food etc. But as for actually plonking the plates and drinks on the tables......hmmmm i dont think so.

Same with a straight beer bar - i think you cant do it.

[Sunbelt Asia]

Just got back from a three day trip to one of the Islands in the eastern seaboard won't mention which one as do not want to get anyone in trouble but here is what I encountered.

Three bar/restuarants in the resort that I was staying were owned and run by expats one of them for ten years, at all of these bars the owners mixed cocktails and served drinks and at one of them his friend another expat served drinks, so whats the exlplanation for this as I come from Pattaya and used to own a bar and certainly could not get a work permit for serving drinks at my bar, I did ask one of the guys about it but he didn't seem to want to talk on this subject, pherhaps you can get a work permit as a cocktail waiter ?, there was a police box at this resort and also national park wardens, anyone have the answer or any thoughts on this.

I wanted to check with our legal staff first before commenting. Bartender is not a restricted profession and we have had cases before where foreigners applied for a work permit to be a bartender and were approved. They were not a F & B mgr, but were listed as a bartender. Of course the job description went into much depth why their skills were unique and needed for the business.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[smartecosse]

they knew the best way to crush the mint julip

[Sunbelt Asia]

they knew the best way to crush the mint julip

We reconfirmed today " Is a foreigner still allowed to be a bartender" The answer is yes. This was from the Labor Dept. in BKk.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[britmaveric]

Hmmm ok - seems might be a profession in this for a farang. Now how much for the work permit vs the salary one makes???

[Sunbelt Asia]

Hmmm ok - seems might be a profession in this for a farang. Now how much for the work permit vs the salary one makes???

If having a extension of stay based on education or marriage.

1st year

Work permit would be 6,500 Baht

Government fees 3,100 Baht

Monthly cost comes out to 800 Baht

2nd year

work permit renewal 3,900 Baht

Government fees 3,100 Baht

Monthly Cost comes out to 583 Baht

If you were getting a monthly salary of 40,000 Baht. ( married) the tax would be 2,167 Baht per month.

If you were getting a monthly salary of 30,000 Baht( married and wife makes more than 10K salary per month to obtain the extension of stay permit based on marriage or married and have a extension of stay based on education) the tax would be 1,167 Baht per month

If having a multi entry visa

1st year

Work permit would be 6,500 Baht

Revalidation of work permit ( 3 times at 1,600 Baht ) = 4,800 Baht

Government fees 3,400 Baht

Monthly Costs would be 1,225 Baht

2nd year

work permit renewal would be 3,900 Baht

Revalidation of work permit ( 3 times at 1,600 Baht ) = 4,800 Baht

Government fees 3,400 Baht

Monthly costs would be 1,008 Baht.

If you were getting a salary of 40,000 Baht ( Single with no dependents) personal tax would be

2,417 Baht per month.

30,000 Baht salary( Single with no dependents) personal tax would be 1,417 Baht per month.

Please Note: You would have travel costs every three months with a multi entry visa.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com