Thai Labour Law: Royal Decree blows work permits wide open

[zib]

1 minute ago, robblok said:

I stand corrected, that is if you right, i admit I am not sure here.

 

But if that is true, suppose you get a visa based on marriage (i know its called differently), then you would be able to get a WP without having 4 Thais in the company ?

I am not sure now also. Googling indeed says that you need 4 for every 1 work permit. But I've had a WP for 3 years now (renewed every year) and I've never had 4 Thais in my company ?

[LivinLOS]

34 minutes ago, Shaunduhpostman said:

Allowing people to work at a second job would then allow people to give up illegal activities and we wouldn't want that would we?

Quote

So you can work for a company part-time, then have a small freelance business on the side?

My reading of it isnt saying that at all.. 

Its saying if you have a work permit, you no longer need to have every different possible location for your current engagement / type of work. 

I think they (the lawyer and source of the OP) is reading "Furthermore, Section 28 of Decree No. 2 provides that a work permit holder may engage in any work that is not specifically prohibited to all foreigners on the “Official List” of work prohibited to foreigners." and applying that term to say that the work permit is extended to any work which is not specifically prohibited. Thats not how I would understand it. 

I would say that it says they can work in any location for thier current engagement, and that they can (with a work permit) engage in any work which is not specifically prohibited. 

[LivinLOS]

7 minutes ago, zib said:

 

That's a Visa rule. There's no requirement of 4 Thais to get a WP.

 Its an extension of stay rule.. Which all ties together to be here. 

[zib]

2 minutes ago, zib said:

I am not sure now also. Googling indeed says that you need 4 for every 1 work permit. But I've had a WP for 3 years now (renewed every year) and I've never had 4 Thais in my company ?

Never mind I found it. If you are on a marriage visa, which I am, only 2 thai staff is required for a WP.

[AGareth2]

27 minutes ago, robblok said:

Your better informed then I am, i never know what goes through the NLA. 

nor do they!

asleep most of the time

[rawaimike]

7 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Only 18 years too late for me.

Me too....

[zib]

Can someone find a link to the Royal Decree? I can't find it ?

[Eligius]

37 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

I hate the junta and loved being teased.  

 

They gleefully enforced all these awful labor laws, viciously attacked people who were conducting trade with the country and now it is all different today.   It did not seem to go threw the NLA.  It is a good thing, but it seems odd to me.   Think it has to do with timing. 

I agree. It has been proclaimed as a 'Royal Decree'. That is not the way laws are usually or routinely described here in Thailand. It contradicts the whole nationalist, anti-foreigner flavour of the junta over the past months and years, and seems (to me, at least) to come from (be inspired/ prompted by) a highly influential source more familiar with living abroad, living amongst 'foreigners', living perhaps amongst - Germans ....?

 

 

Edited July 30, 2018 by Eligius

[Easy Come Easy Go]

7 hours ago, darksidedog said:

On the face of it, this seems like very good news and a step in the right direction for common sense. I am keen to see under what circumstances a foreigner may work without a permit. Been too scared to paint the house, just in case.

Yes as always it is vague info that has streamed and trickled down. Could it be that the digital nomads no need not live in fear, as if many of them do anyway lol 

[overherebc]

4 minutes ago, Easy Come Easy Go said:

Yes as always it is vague info that has streamed and trickled down. Could it be that the digital nomads no need not live in fear, as if many of them do anyway lol 

Nope, they should still be afraid, be very afraid.

It's one companies translation of the notice, nothing more.

Edited July 30, 2018 by overherebc

[Baerboxer]

7 hours ago, darksidedog said:

On the face of it, this seems like very good news and a step in the right direction for common sense. I am keen to see under what circumstances a foreigner may work without a permit. Been too scared to paint the house, just in case.

 

Working in the house under instructions from she who must be obeyed has always been allowed 555!

[KhunFred]

This makes no sense at all in light of recent police and immigration initiatives. Could this be the result of the meeting that the Generals had with President Trump???  It is not consistent with recent Thai policy.

[My Thai Life]

Could I make a few points:

 

1.     I’ve had word permits in many countries over a period of decades. Every single one has been tied to the specific job (as is the case in Thailand too), not a general license to work.

 

2.     My Thai work permits refer to a main office where I am based. But this does not preclude me from working in other locations – indeed, I regularly work in Thai government offices.

 

3.     Foreigners are not prevented from working on their homes/gardens etc. This is a forum myth. Building your own home is a different matter of course.

 

4.     Most forum members, including me, are concerned that our home governments should regulate foreigners working in our own countries. Isn’t it a bit hypocritical to expect the Thai government to give foreigners carte blanche to work here?

 

5.     The Phuket News article is merely a quote from a lawyer’s website. Having visited the lawyer’s website I would describe this as a merely a speculative marketing blurb from a company trying to sell its services.

 

Still, there have been some changes, and it’s going to be interesting to see what the effects are. I think they will be minimal.

[Khun Paul]

Foreigners still need the correct Visa to work though. 

[AGareth2]

2 minutes ago, Khun Paul said:

Foreigners still need the correct Visa to work though. 

and a work permit

[FritsSikkink]

51 minutes ago, zib said:

 

That's a Visa rule. There's no requirement of 4 Thais to get a WP.

No, it is a WP rule, not a visa rule.

[overherebc]

3 minutes ago, Khun Paul said:

Foreigners still need the correct Visa to work though. 

That's the part people are forgetting. The correct visa or extension to support the WP.

Their isn't going to be a 'Buy your WP here' stall just after Imm' at the airports.

[FritsSikkink]

49 minutes ago, zib said:

I am not sure now also. Googling indeed says that you need 4 for every 1 work permit. But I've had a WP for 3 years now (renewed every year) and I've never had 4 Thais in my company ?

Married with a Thai you only need 2.

[wombat]

i guess this opens the way for croupiers etc to come here in the future?

[Oceanbat]

Reads to me like they have just tidying up some grey areas possibly to coincide with the EEC project.

1. No longer need a WP to come and attend a meeting or seminar. (Think in practice no one was getting one anyway). Also sales rep who covers multiple countries with a rep office here wouldn’t need a WP.
2. Once you have a WP your duties are no longer specifically what is written on your WP. (Again this probably what was happening anyway). Eg writer would also be able to do some sales work.

I wouldn’t be getting too excited.


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

[greenchair]

2 hours ago, yellowboat said:

Hope somebody informs Big Joke and other policemen.   Some of them will be crushed to hear they have less to hold over people. 

 

Frankly, never thought this day would ever happen.  It is good news. 

I'm wondering if it applies to black people? 

[alzack]

Don't get too excited about this  a list of jobs  you will be able to do with out a permit

1.  Lavatory attendant

2  Road sweeper

3  Kitchen washing up

4  helping to paint the new Thai navy submarine and aircraft carrier

?

[greenchair]

2 minutes ago, Oceanbat said:

Reads to me like they have just tidying up some grey areas possibly to coincide with the EEC project.

1. No longer need a WP to come and attend a meeting or seminar. (Think in practice no one was getting one anyway). Also sales rep who covers multiple countries with a rep office here wouldn’t need a WP.
2. Once you have a WP your duties are no longer specifically what is written on your WP. (Again this probably what was happening anyway). Eg writer would also be able to do some sales work.

I wouldn’t be getting too excited.


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

Negative Norman. 

[jgarbo]

6 hours ago, oilinki said:

I already have a visa, but would like to do some remote work for an while. 

Wait for the Gazette. Until then it's only talk. 

[anon4637435435]

fantastic news. should be great for the ecconomy and on a lesser note it will allow a lot of really innocent foreigners not to live in constant fear of doing even round the house choirs which only brings about unecessary negativity. absolutely great news!!!!

[Oceanbat]

Negative Norman. 

Sorry meant to reply to this.

What am I missing then? In what circumstance would most holders of a work permit need to perform other activities outside of their current employer?




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[hotchilli]

What's law or becoming law is one thing, what will happens in reality at the issuing office is another..

call me a pessimist! 

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, PoorSucker said:

Don't get to excited, this applies to conducting business meetings, sale exhibitions and such. 

You can now attend a conference without a WP. 

Also professors invited to come to Thailand to teach one course or similar. 

[AsiaHand]

8 hours ago, Eligius said:

I think this is a Royal Decree - straight from the King. But yes - wouldn't it be wonderful if the 90-Day Reporting were done away with. But I dream too much - ha ha!

Most times a "royal decree" comes from either the Army or Government with the sanctioning of the crown.

[bangkoklawyer24]

These are the biggest news on Thailand's foreigner regulatory framework for years. Implemented already some months ago. I know a dozen big Bangkok law firms who would publish such BREAKING NEWS all over the Internet. But just a farang law office in Phuket makes these headlines. I smell fake news. 

 

If the article would be true, each employed foreigner could set-up a Co. Ltd. with a registered capital of THB 300 together with his wife/girlfriend and no employees to work as an international business advisor. 

 

How naive do you have to be to believe such fairytale? 

Edited July 30, 2018 by bangkoklawyer24