Visa and work permit for farming?

[Daengmo]

Is it possible to get a visa and work permit for farming? My girlfriend owns land in the south and I'm wondering how to handle the visa/work permit stuff. 

 

To the other farang working as farmers in Thailand how did you get a visa and work permit? Would I even need a work permit since I wouldn't be working for a company? If there's any info about this online please let me know where to look.

 

 

 

[FritsSikkink]

You don't get a visa or work permit for farming as it isn't allowed by law.

[Led Lolly Yellow Lolly]

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Is it possible to get a visa and work permit for farming?

 

No. Not under any circumstances. Your only route is Thai citizenship. Sounds like you're a long way off that.

 

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I wouldn't be working for a company?

 

This puts a work permit completely out of your reach

 

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To the other farang working as farmers in Thailand

 

Any farang working a farm will be doing so under the radar hoping not to get caught. The way it works is this: You pretend to be a digital nomad, or a live in Lothario stay in bed lover of independent means. When no one's looking, you tinker around on the farm.

Doesn't sound like much fun to me and you'll get real bored real quick. Your future, your money and your life will slowly get sucked out of you and before you know it you're in your 40s and wondering where all the time went. Good luck anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 3, 2021 by Led Lolly Yellow Lolly

[Daengmo]

Looking through TV it seems like quite a few people own land and farm it. Any idea how they are doing it?

[jackdd]

1 hour ago, Daengmo said:

Looking through TV it seems like quite a few people own land and farm it. Any idea how they are doing it?

Illegally

[beet man]

Looks like you don't want to understand the Thai law. You can do it but if you get caught your out. 

[Daengmo]

Can't foreigners own land through a company or LLC? If they own 49% and a Thai owns 51%?

[ubonjoe]

Some inflammatory post and replies to them have been removed.

[ubonjoe]

You cannot actually work as a farmer. 

But if you and your girlfriend formed a partnership (51/49%) or company you could be a manager and supervise the work being done on the farm. That is about the only way to get a work permit and etc.

[CrunchWrapSupreme]

Take a look at the farming forum here on the site. In it are many informative posts from people who seem to enjoy what they do, albeit not very profitably. It's a hobby, it helps the family, and involvement with them and the community is always a good thing.

 

Given the legal concerns, the way they mostly work is behind the scenes. They obviously can't be out there operating any equipment. Yet back in the home office while the wife and in-laws have all the paperwork out, I'm sure the farang is taking note of what's going on and offering some input, considering when there are major financial needs he'll often be the one funding them. Heh. That'll be about the extent of your involvement.

[EvetsKram]

14 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

You don't get a visa or work permit for farming as it isn't allowed by law.

But you can be employed as a manager providing employer has the place cashed up to a high enough value.  Why bother if it's your place,  you would only be chores around your home

[Stevemercer]

Just do what most of us do - do what you want, but don't <deleted> off any neighbours or others that might harbour a grudge. As long as you are not running a commercial scale farm (e.g. in competition with legitimate Thai farmers) but more a family or hobby farm you can go for it.

[connda]

Nope farang. Take your GF back home and she'll be able to work any jobs she wants. 

[natway09]

Farming is a protected industry.

You can guide & help but not physically work.

Unless you are very wealthy, forget about the Co or partnership.

I introduced my wife's family into "garlic" which they cultivate  12 Rai a year now, profitable some times but weather, (you have to have a regular supply of good water)selling price etc like all farming has it's pitfalls & labour intensive & if get big rain in the last 3 weeks can loose the lot.

But good luck, check all the annual weather averages first

[Daengmo]

Thanks guys, I'll check out the farming forum and see what other people are doing. Seems like just doing a little farming as a hobby would be easier. 

[smiggley]

I have a little hobby farm of 2 rai which we grow cocoa, various fruits, mushrooms and raise chickens. All I do is potter around the farm for 2-3 hours a day with no problems so as long as you do not make it to obvious you should be ok. I don't know of any falang who can or would want to work 10 hrs a day in this heat anyway. Good luck. 

[Liverpool Lou]

On 6/4/2021 at 3:45 AM, Daengmo said:

Looking through TV it seems like quite a few people own land and farm it. Any idea how they are doing it?

None of them do, their (Thai) wives own the land.

[Liverpool Lou]

On 6/4/2021 at 6:47 AM, Daengmo said:

Can't foreigners own land through a company or LLC? If they own 49% and a Thai owns 51%?

Not if it's a non-trading company set up solely for the purpose of skirting the law re owning land.

[Liverpool Lou]

18 hours ago, natway09 said:

& if get big rain in the last 3 weeks

Yes, it's terrible "if get big rain".

[youreavinalaff]

Not really enough information from the OP. Sounds like he may have been speaking to the scaremongers too.

 

If this is simply helping out your girlfriend on the family plot of land, go ahead and do it. Nothing is likely to happen, other than the locals walking by and laughing at you sweating away.

 

If it is a large plot of land with heavy machinery and making large profits, stay home.