Thailand’s Ministry of Labour has reminded employers and foreign workers that holding a valid work permit does not automatically allow foreigners to work in every occupation. Under Thai law, a number of jobs remain legally reserved for Thai citizens, with violations carrying fines, deportation and employment bans.

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The reminder comes amid ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with the existing legislation, ThenEmergency Decree on Foreigners’ Working Management. Authorities stress that many foreign nationals and employers still mistakenly believe that legal entry into Thailand, combined with a passport and work permit, permits unrestricted employment.

The Ministry has identified 10 occupations that foreigners are strictly prohibited from undertaking, even if they hold a work permit. These include peddling goods through hawker stalls, pavement stalls, carts or lottery sales; brokerage or agency work, except in international trade; beauty services such as hairdressing and nail work; traditional Thai massage and spa massage; driving commercial vehicles including taxis, vans, buses and three-wheelers; tour guide work; legal services including acting as a lawyer or legal adviser; hand-woven cloth production; various forms of traditional craft work; and security services.

Officials have warned that foreign workers found carrying out any of these occupations face legal penalties regardless of whether the work is their main employment or a secondary source of income. Foreign offenders can be fined between THB5,000 and THB50,000, deported from Thailand and barred from applying for a new work permit for two years from the date the penalty is imposed.

The regulations also place significant responsibilities on employers. Businesses that allow foreign nationals to work beyond their authorised rights can face fines ranging from THB10,000 to THB100,000 for each foreign worker involved. Repeat offenders may face imprisonment of up to one year, fines of between THB50,000 and THB200,000, or both, and can be prohibited from employing foreign workers for three years.

The Ministry said the restrictions are designed to protect occupations reserved for Thai citizens and preserve areas of work considered part of Thailand’s traditional skills and cultural heritage. Employers are therefore encouraged to verify that the duties performed by foreign employees match the work specified in their permits.

The Nation reported that authorities are expected to continue monitoring compliance and enforcing the regulations. Employers and foreign workers are being urged to review employment arrangements carefully to avoid prosecution, financial penalties and the loss of legal work rights in Thailand.

10 occupations, foreign workers are “strictly prohibited” from doing

1. Peddling goods: hawker stalls, setting up pavement stalls, pushing carts to sell goods or lottery tickets.

2. Brokerage or agency work: except for brokerage work in international trade.

3. Beauty services, nail work and hairdressing: perming, cutting and styling hair, as well as all forms of nail work.

4. Thai massage: traditional massage and spa massage are regarded as Thai wisdom.

5. Driving motor vehicles: driving taxis, vans, three-wheelers, buses or other vehicles, except for forklift driving in factories.

6. Tour guide work: acting as a tour guide or organising tours.

7. Legal services: lawyers, legal advisers or litigation services, except for some arbitration work.

8. Hand-woven cloth work: including reeling fabric/thread and twisting silk by hand.

9. Various craft work: wood carving, silverware, goldware, stone-polished metalware and Thai doll-making.

10. Security work: guarding premises and providing security protection.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 15 June 2026

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I don't see 7 Eleven being on that list.

Things are looking up!

And than Thailand is wondering why the economy is not growing... Outdated laws that prevent new ideas and competition. Unbelievable in the 21st century. However Birmese people can come to Thailand to do jobs that Thai people don't want to do for the low offered salary. That is allowed.. If Thai people go to other countries they are being a part of the society there with no restrictions.

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

And than Thailand is wondering why the economy is not growing... Outdated laws that prevent new ideas and competition. Unbelievable in the 21st century. However Birmese people can come to Thailand to do jobs that Thai people don't want to do for the low offered salary. That is allowed.. If Thai people go to other countries they are being a part of the society there with no restrictions.

Agree rediculous antiquated rules.

Brokerage or agency work:???

What does that mean?

Must worry a lot of R/E people etc!

No shortage of farangs, Russians and Chinese working in real estate. Not sure how that works legally. I don't think that is international trade.

I commonly see Indians working peddling goods.

Tour guides, every nationality under the sun.

Perhaps a 'crackdown' is on its way.

5,6 and 7 are navigated around by a certain group using their own language websites and apps.

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Under Thai law, a number of jobs remain legally reserved for Thai citizens

Thai-styled tattoos are popular with foreigners that might attract foreign tattoo artists to take foreign/Thai clients while in Thailand without applying for a work permit.

But under Thai law as I found, tattooing is also a restricted occupation reserved exclusively for Thai nationals. Foreigners cannot legally be employed as tattoo artists without strict exemption, ie., as a foreign guest artist to work for a Thai licensed local studio with the appropriate visa and work permit.

Driving motor vehicles: driving taxis, vans, three-wheelers, buses or other vehicles, except for forklift driving in factories.

That's a weird exception.

Number Two: Brokerage or Agency...

Number Seven: Lawyers ...

How is it then that I know a couple in both?

Both are competitive businesses and I'm sure that jealous Thais would happily grass them when given the opportunity.

Just need look at most community Facebook pages to see recommendations for non thai hairdressers . Or has the Thai government not heard of Facebook 🤔

Most are more honoured in the breach than the observance, but I can see how a guy like Benjamin Hart, of Integrity Legal Services, found it useful to acquire Thai citizenship. Not the only reason, no doubt, but still pretty useful if you're a lawyer working in Thailand.

2 hours ago, Briggsy said:

No shortage of farangs, Russians and Chinese working in real estate. Not sure how that works legally. I don't think that is international trade.

I commonly see Indians working peddling goods.

Tour guides, every nationality under the sun.

Perhaps a 'crackdown' is on its way.

They're officially known as "market analyst".

So when a Russian market analyst finds you a buyer, you are legally prohibited from paying him a commission.

13 minutes ago, nausea said:

Most are more honoured in the breach than the observance, but I can see how a guy like Benjamin Hart, of Integrity Legal Services, found it useful to acquire Thai citizenship. Not the only reason, no doubt, but still pretty useful if you're a lawyer working in Thailand.

But I believe he provides legal services for Australians in Thailand and doesn't practice Thai law

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

1. Legal services: lawyers, legal advisers or litigation services, except for some arbitration work.

There are heaps of people giving legal/tax advice on YouTube which should be illegal right? they should find those people and force them to shutdown/revoke their visas since all they're doing is driving panic for their own personal gain.

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Brokerage or agency work: except for brokerage work in international trade.

...

Legal services: lawyers, legal advisers or litigation services, except for some arbitration work.

I wonder about this. Foreign real estate agent-work seemed to be common – I knew some – an d law firms seems to have foreign lawyers employed, even partners, some are called solicitors.

Two days ago, Saturday, I booked a BOLT app ride from CNX to Hang Dong Kad Farang to meet a friend for coffee.

I was following the car progress towards my location on the Bolt app's map page. As the car progressed towards me, I received a message that informed me the car was a different make-model, color and plate number than the original car assigned to me on the BOLT app. So I waited for the new car plate to arrive. Once in the car, I noticed Chinese writing on everything. Even the car's electronic unit had Chinese writing. The driver spoke very broken English and slurred several basic Thai salutations. As well, he was having a very difficult time with the Google map site on his phone.Most of the APP taxi cars have some sort of documentation similar to Taxis, this car had none. Is it possible that there are licensed APP driver selling their assignments to non Thai drivers?

3 hours ago, FlorC said:

Driving motor vehicles: driving taxis, vans, three-wheelers, buses or other vehicles, except for forklift driving in factories.

That's a weird exception.

No it is not. It is about intent. The vehicles excluded are for transport of the public. A forklift would be used by industrial workers in their capacity at an industrial worksite like a manufacturer.

There is something I miss in the list and that are the hostesses... I recall that foreign hostesses are not allowed too. and also work in the garden and other jobs that Thais can do. What I don't understand is that Thai massage is seen as wisdom. I am a qualified sportsmasseur and lasertherapist and I have a lot of knowledge about the body related to sports. Includes anatomy, dieting, healthcare, etc...

2 hours ago, thairookie said:

They're officially known as "market analyst".

So when a Russian market analyst finds you a buyer, you are legally prohibited from paying him a commission.

It's not your problem as a customer.

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

No it is not. It is about intent. The vehicles excluded are for transport of the public. A forklift would be used by industrial workers in their capacity at an industrial worksite like a manufacturer.

Why would a foreigner (without WP) drive a forklift in a factory ?

23 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Why would a foreigner (without WP) drive a forklift in a factory ?

Probably because there's lots of Chinese and Japanese 'management' in the factories they own and run.

Foreigners with white skin of course.

Last year there was an article, saying there were still at least 800000 illegal workers in Thailand.

And some time (years) before that, so it is an ongoing situation.

In that article employers were pushed to come out in the open with workers legaliszing.

But nope, still trafficking with big numbers of non Thai.

But oh my, if a whitey is working in Thailand then hang him.

13 hours ago, Celsius said:

I don't see 7 Eleven being on that list.

Things are looking up!

13 hours ago, Celsius said:

I don't see 7 Eleven being on that list.

Things are looking up!

13 hours ago, Celsius said:

I don't see 7 Eleven being on that list.

Things are looking up!

1. peddling goods.

Jobs a Drunken Brit in Thailand Apparently Can Do 🍺🇬🇧

According to the laws of bureaucracy, tradition, common sense, and whatever committee met on a Tuesday afternoon in Bangkok:

✅ Teach English despite barely understanding English grammar.

✅ Run a bar called “The Red Lion”, “The Crown”, or “The Last Orders”, serving other drunken Brits who swear they'll never return to the UK.

✅ Become a “business consultant” and spend 90% of your day discussing visa rules at a coffee shop.

✅ Open a YouTube channel explaining Thailand after living there for six weeks.

✅ Become a property “expert” despite owning nothing but a scooter and three Chang tank tops.

✅ Manage a company that employs Thai staff to do all the jobs you're not allowed to do.

✅ Write lengthy Facebook posts beginning with “I've lived in Thailand for 20 years…” regardless of whether you've lived there for 20 years.

✅ Import things nobody asked for and export things nobody wanted.

✅ Teach scuba diving while resembling a man who should not be trusted near water.

✅ Become a retiree whose full-time occupation is inspecting breakfast quality at every pub from Pattaya to Phuket.

✅ Work remotely for a foreign employer while claiming to be “semi-retired”.

✅ Open a restaurant serving “authentic British cuisine” consisting mainly of chips and disappointment.

The Unofficial Career Ladder

1. Arrive.

2. Open bar.

3. Meet other bar owners.

4. Complain about exchange rates.

5. Become an expert on immigration law despite having no legal qualifications.

6. Explain Thailand to Thai people.

7. Repeat until retirement.

13 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

legal services including acting as a lawyer or legal advise

So this means a few folks here on A/N giving legal advice have are up for deportation.

13 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Security work: guarding premises and providing security protection.

I do this at home everyday and night. Glad I haven’t been busted yet.

9 hours ago, FlorC said:

Why would a foreigner (without WP) drive a forklift in a factory ?

Are you really this unaware of what occurs at a manufacturing facility?

What does a work permit have to do with this? All foreign workers are required to have work permits.

A Myanmar national obtains a work permit to work at ABC textile manufacturing. The exemption allows the worker to drive a forklift to move yarn spindles at the job. It does not allow the foreign worker to drive the employer's shuttle van that transports the foreign workers from the worksite to their dormitory. The forklift is directly related to the work on the looms. Driving the shuttle bus is not.

17 hours ago, Briggsy said:

No shortage of farangs, Russians and Chinese working in real estate. Not sure how that works legally. I don't think that is international trade.

I commonly see Indians working peddling goods.

Tour guides, every nationality under the sun.

Perhaps a 'crackdown' is on its way.

Many Indians are honest business owners who were born in India. A family I know came over 120 years ago to work in the tin mines.

Mistake, I meant born in Thailand.

6 hours ago, geisha said:

Many Indians are honest business owners who were born in India. A family I know came over 120 years ago to work in the tin mines.

You have strangely conflated two issues.

i. Thai nationals with Indian ethnicity.

ii. The integrity of Indian business owners.

Even more bizarrely, the thread is about neither! The thread is about Indian nationals working in hawking jobs in Thailand. This is not in compliance with Thai law.