self-employed self-published author possible in Thailand?

[femi fan]

It seems from all my research (key word, 'seems') that being self-employed in the creative arts of the human world is still not possible in Thailand? To earn money from book sales, and pay taxes is what I'd like to do, but despite the more relaxed new laws relating to work permits back in about 2018, it seems this line of work is still not open to me?

 

I've done heaps of research, but suddenly realised that Thai Visa might have people in the know about my predicament, or with the same experience who have found answers.

 

(I've lived in Thailand 30 years, am married, and have always been a teacher before, but stopped that to write my book.) 

[impulse]

Pragmatic question...  Why does it matter?  

 

What are the odds of getting caught?  Pretty much zero...  Unless you're actively out soliciting work from Thai companies- but it sounds like you're planning on writing and selling books.

 

If you make any money from the sales, put them on your Thai wife's taxes. (Assuming you're married to a Thai)

[mikebell]

I am a (self)-published author - https://mwbell2000.wixsite.com/mikebell and worked professionally for three local publications in the Pattaya area.  Some weeks I was paid 3000 baht for humorous articles.  The money was always paid into my bank with never a word about tax.  I have lived here for fifteen years.

[Poet]

15 hours ago, femi fan said:

It seems from all my research (key word, 'seems') that being self-employed in the creative arts of the human world is still not possible in Thailand?

You must surely realise that thousands of us here in Thailand earn our entire living from the creative industries, in particular various forms of writing?

Simply do what writers have always done. Sit down and write. You are not taking a job from a Thai, and no value is created until a book is actually sold. That financial event will happen outside of Thailand, so, it has nothing to do with work permits. It falls into the same category as earnings from assets you have outside Thailand, such as rent from an apartment.

If you are publishing through Amazon or whoever, and simply bank the money abroad and bring it into Thailand after one year, no tax is due, but it counts as having been through legitimate tax system. That extremely handy loophole applies to any money brought in from abroad.

To be frank, no one ever seems to ask for proof that the money has actually been in your possession abroad for an entire year. Just make sure that Amazon pays the money to your bank account outside Thailand, then transfer to your Thai bank whenever you want. If, on the other hand, you get Amazon to pay directly to your Thai bank it becomes taxable.

It is a phenomenal time to get into selling writing. There are terrific forums sharing advice on self-publishing, both the creative and business aspects. If you write fiction, innovations such as Kindle Vella are opening up entirely new audiences and provide a low barrier to getting real market feedback on your work and starting to build your fanbase.

Good luck!
 

 

 

 

Edited July 7, 2021 by Poet

[Gsxrnz]

The golden rule regarding the growing of mushrooms is that they be kept in the dark. The same rule should be applied to the taxman. 

 

[Colabamumbai]

Taught for many years here, have a dozen books on kindle amazon. Has nothing to do with working here. It is my intellectual property. 

[khunPer]

On 7/6/2021 at 12:40 PM, femi fan said:

I've done heaps of research, but suddenly realised that Thai Visa might have people in the know about my predicament, or with the same experience who have found answers.

 

(I've lived in Thailand 30 years, am married, and have always been a teacher before, but stopped that to write my book.)

Is your book going to be published in Thailand?

 

If not, you might just let go "under the radar"; other foreigners living in Thailand have published books via a Singapore publishing house, if it's Thailand-related, and use a pseudonym as writer.

 

1 hour ago, Colabamumbai said:

Taught for many years here, have a dozen books on kindle amazon. Has nothing to do with working here. It is my intellectual property. 

And this is an interesting view on the subject, might well be the solution, thanks.

 

It's in level with other immaterial rights one might own overseas, where money is accounted in a foreign bank account. Only money transferred into Thailand same year as earned are income taxable in Thailand.

[SomchaiCNX]

Register a company in Hong Kong and do all the stuff from over there. Many stuff (mainy not so nice and illegal) from Africa is traceable up to the Hong Kong company and become invincible afterwords.   

[Eff1n2ret]

On 7/7/2021 at 8:45 AM, Poet said:

If you are publishing through Amazon or whoever, and simply bank the money abroad

Indeed. And I hope the OP is not deluding herself that she'll write a bestseller. Most self-publishers do it for amusement and make pin-money, as I do.

Amazon.com: Frieda: The Adventures of a Female Robinson Crusoe eBook: Pettrick, Lionel: Kindle Store

[mahtin]

Gotta love those invincible afterwords.