Farang Tour Guide

[Geekfreaklover]

Hi,

Does anyone know of Farangs working as frelance tour guides in Thailand?

If so, how is the work permit / company set-up / tax angle handled.

I already run a business (in a different sector) hold a work permit and pay personal and company tax, but thinking about setting up a small tour company. I read on a previous post that I might be able to have an endorsement added to my work permit (or is a new work permit needed?) I would probably set up the tour company in a Thai name.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

J.

[Soutpeel]

Hi,

Does anyone know of Farangs working as frelance tour guides in Thailand?

If so, how is the work permit / company set-up / tax angle handled.

I already run a business (in a different sector) hold a work permit and pay personal and company tax, but thinking about setting up a small tour company. I read on a previous post that I might be able to have an endorsement added to my work permit (or is a new work permit needed?) I would probably set up the tour company in a Thai name.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

J.

Think you may find working a a tour guide is one of the restricted occupations in Thailand, ie restricted to Thai's only.

[Cuban]

Does anyone know of Farangs working as frelance tour guides in Thailand?

I think you will find it is a reserved occupation for Thai Nationals only. You might need to use a different job title, but I doubt you would last too long walking people round tourist locations - the real Thai guides would probably have you pulled up for it.

You could probably organize and compile such trips - but not do it yourself.

HTH.

[Geekfreaklover]

Does anyone know of Farangs working as frelance tour guides in Thailand?

I think you will find it is a reserved occupation for Thai Nationals only. You might need to use a different job title, but I doubt you would last too long walking people round tourist locations - the real Thai guides would probably have you pulled up for it.

You could probably organize and compile such trips - but not do it yourself.

HTH.

hmmm. I thought along the same lines at first, but have spoken to farang working in these types of jobs in the past. Look at diving instructors, kayaking (is that how you spell it?) they are mostly farang. Was thinking that a guide would be placed under the same category within tourism (which is a open industry for farang).

Cheers,

J.

[Farma]

About a year or so ago there was a thread along similar lines where posters claimed they were working as tour guides but under a different job title.

A search of the forum may dig up that thread.

[Soutpeel]

Does anyone know of Farangs working as frelance tour guides in Thailand?

I think you will find it is a reserved occupation for Thai Nationals only. You might need to use a different job title, but I doubt you would last too long walking people round tourist locations - the real Thai guides would probably have you pulled up for it.

You could probably organize and compile such trips - but not do it yourself.

HTH.

hmmm. I thought along the same lines at first, but have spoken to farang working in these types of jobs in the past. Look at diving instructors, kayaking (is that how you spell it?) they are mostly farang. Was thinking that a guide would be placed under the same category within tourism (which is a open industry for farang).

Cheers,

J.

J., Diving instructors, Kayaking etc, not quite the same thing as tour guides, both these "jobs" require some specific, hands on, technical skills...but would also question how many diving instructors/kayaking instructor are actually on work permits and working legally. I guess for diving instructors the WP would be issued against having a specialised skill ??, Certainly commerical divers in the O&G industry get work permits easy based on specialised skills

[Geekfreaklover]

I was thinking of the PADI tourist type diving instuctors - They become qualified to instruct within a few weeks after completing the course. From memory i think the guys i met had work permits, but it was a long time ago i lived down that way.

Off shore O&G divers is a different kettle of fish - they would be, i guess, brought in under contract from multi-nationals.

But a Farang tour guide - For example one that has extensive knowledge of flora and forna along with accedemic credentials, with in addition a Thai tour guide, leading a small group of western tourist into a national park. Sounds possible to me.

[Farma]

I think it was a poster named aussiechick that mentioned "tour leader" in one of her posts.

[kiakaha]

Hi,

Does anyone know of Farangs working as frelance tour guides in Thailand?

If so, how is the work permit / company set-up / tax angle handled.

I already run a business (in a different sector) hold a work permit and pay personal and company tax, but thinking about setting up a small tour company. I read on a previous post that I might be able to have an endorsement added to my work permit (or is a new work permit needed?) I would probably set up the tour company in a Thai name.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

J.

I believe you have to be a thai national for this occupation category, and all the caucasians(farangs) i know of with thai nationality seem to be gainfully employed in other occupations.

[Geekfreaklover]

I think it was a poster named aussiechick that mentioned "tour leader" in one of her posts.

Thanks Farma,

Found it in the Pattaya forum. Would appear that Foreigners can be tour leaders / Representatives if they work alongside a local registered tour agent.

Cheers,

James.

[onethailand]

Tour guides are restricted - if you do not have a TAT license you are not permitted to be a tour guide. "Leader" and "representative" are highly debatable and if you get pulled up on a technicality in terms, you will still lose.

If you have a TAT-licensed guide with you, things will be much easier - but you are still not permitted to hold the occupation yourself - so register as a director or manager of the company instead, and let the TAT-licensed guide do most of the talking.

[Groongthep]

I know a Dutch guy here in Bangkok who does bicycle tours. He is clearly the tour leader and organizer but he brings along his Thai brother-in-law who functions as the "legal" leader although all he does is ride along and interface with any authorities that the tour group may run into.

[Cuban]

hmmm. I thought along the same lines at first, but have spoken to farang working in these types of jobs in the past.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Handbook

Section 5: Starting a business in Thailand - Page 13

5.6 The Foreign Business Act and restricted occupations, There are two sets of regulations that place work restrictions on foreigners in Thailand – A Royal Decree which list occupations closed to foreigners, and a Law which closes certain activities to foreigners.

Restricted occupations

A Royal Decree in 1973 listed 39 occupations that were then closed to aliens. This list has been amended on several occasions by subsequent Royal Decrees, the latest one in 1979. Prohibited occupations are:

• Labour

• Work in agriculture, animal breeding, forestry, fishery or general farm supervision

• Masonry, carpentry, or other construction work

• Wood carving

• Driving motor vehicles or nonmotorised carriers, except for piloting international aircraft

• Shop attendant

• Auctioning

• Supervising, auditing or giving services in accounting, except occasional international auditing

• Gem cutting and polishing

• Hair cutting, hair dressing and beautician work

• Hand weaving

• Mat weaving or making of wares from reed, rattan, kenaf, straw or bamboo pulp

• Manufacture of manual fibrous paper

• Manufacture of lacquerware

• Thai musical instrument production

• Manufacture of nielloware

• Goldsmith, silversmith and other precious metal work

• Manufacture of bronzeware

• Thai doll making

• Manufacture of mattresses and padded blankets

• Alms bowl making

• Manual silk product making

• Buddha image making

• Manufacture of knives

• Paper and cloth umbrella fabrication

• Shoemaking

• Hat making

• Brokerage or agency work, except in international business

• Dressmaking

• Pottery or ceramics

• Manual cigarette rolling

• Legal or litigation service

• Clerical or secretarial work

• Manual silk reeling and weaving

• Thai character type-setting

• Hawking business

• Tourist guide or tour organising agency

• Architectural work

• Civil engineering work

Look at diving instructors, kayaking (is that how you spell it?) they are mostly farang. Was thinking that a guide would be placed under the same category within tourism (which is a open industry for farang).

Think again - you could probably set up an office and have a WP as farang Relations Translator or some such title - but I strongly suggest that you consult with a local lawyer about the exact job description that is detailed in the WP and what you indend to be doing in real life. My WP is a good one and covers everything that the company is likely to do in the foreseeable future, it has been 'tested' during an interview with local immigration and passed with flying colors.

If you expect to be sitting in a mini bus pointing out the highlights I doubt you would be doing it very long.

On the other hand I am aware of non-Thais that do accompany tourists on trips around, in this case, Pattaya.

HTH

[Geekfreaklover]

Thanks Cuban,

Yep, looking at that, definite restriction on foreigners working as 'tour guide'

But does seem to be some grey area, that maybe i can play with.

thanks everyone for your feedback.

J.

[Soutpeel]

hmmm. I thought along the same lines at first, but have spoken to farang working in these types of jobs in the past.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Handbook

Section 5: Starting a business in Thailand - Page 13

5.6 The Foreign Business Act and restricted occupations, There are two sets of regulations that place work restrictions on foreigners in Thailand – A Royal Decree which list occupations closed to foreigners, and a Law which closes certain activities to foreigners.

Restricted occupations

A Royal Decree in 1973 listed 39 occupations that were then closed to aliens. This list has been amended on several occasions by subsequent Royal Decrees, the latest one in 1979. Prohibited occupations are:

• Labour

• Work in agriculture, animal breeding, forestry, fishery or general farm supervision

• Masonry, carpentry, or other construction work

• Wood carving

• Driving motor vehicles or nonmotorised carriers, except for piloting international aircraft

• Shop attendant

• Auctioning

• Supervising, auditing or giving services in accounting, except occasional international auditing

• Gem cutting and polishing

• Hair cutting, hair dressing and beautician work

• Hand weaving

• Mat weaving or making of wares from reed, rattan, kenaf, straw or bamboo pulp

• Manufacture of manual fibrous paper

• Manufacture of lacquerware

• Thai musical instrument production

• Manufacture of nielloware

• Goldsmith, silversmith and other precious metal work

• Manufacture of bronzeware

• Thai doll making

• Manufacture of mattresses and padded blankets

• Alms bowl making

• Manual silk product making

• Buddha image making

• Manufacture of knives

• Paper and cloth umbrella fabrication

• Shoemaking

• Hat making

• Brokerage or agency work, except in international business

• Dressmaking

• Pottery or ceramics

• Manual cigarette rolling

• Legal or litigation service

• Clerical or secretarial work

• Manual silk reeling and weaving

• Thai character type-setting

• Hawking business

• Tourist guide or tour organising agency

• Architectural work

• Civil engineering work

Look at diving instructors, kayaking (is that how you spell it?) they are mostly farang. Was thinking that a guide would be placed under the same category within tourism (which is a open industry for farang).

Think again - you could probably set up an office and have a WP as farang Relations Translator or some such title - but I strongly suggest that you consult with a local lawyer about the exact job description that is detailed in the WP and what you indend to be doing in real life. My WP is a good one and covers everything that the company is likely to do in the foreseeable future, it has been 'tested' during an interview with local immigration and passed with flying colors.

If you expect to be sitting in a mini bus pointing out the highlights I doubt you would be doing it very long.

On the other hand I am aware of non-Thais that do accompany tourists on trips around, in this case, Pattaya.

HTH

Believe Beggar is also on that list now as well....

[Geekfreaklover]

hmmm. I thought along the same lines at first, but have spoken to farang working in these types of jobs in the past.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Handbook

Section 5: Starting a business in Thailand - Page 13

5.6 The Foreign Business Act and restricted occupations, There are two sets of regulations that place work restrictions on foreigners in Thailand – A Royal Decree which list occupations closed to foreigners, and a Law which closes certain activities to foreigners.

Restricted occupations

A Royal Decree in 1973 listed 39 occupations that were then closed to aliens. This list has been amended on several occasions by subsequent Royal Decrees, the latest one in 1979. Prohibited occupations are:

• Labour

• Work in agriculture, animal breeding, forestry, fishery or general farm supervision

• Masonry, carpentry, or other construction work

• Wood carving

• Driving motor vehicles or nonmotorised carriers, except for piloting international aircraft

• Shop attendant

• Auctioning

• Supervising, auditing or giving services in accounting, except occasional international auditing

• Gem cutting and polishing

• Hair cutting, hair dressing and beautician work

• Hand weaving

• Mat weaving or making of wares from reed, rattan, kenaf, straw or bamboo pulp

• Manufacture of manual fibrous paper

• Manufacture of lacquerware

• Thai musical instrument production

• Manufacture of nielloware

• Goldsmith, silversmith and other precious metal work

• Manufacture of bronzeware

• Thai doll making

• Manufacture of mattresses and padded blankets

• Alms bowl making

• Manual silk product making

• Buddha image making

• Manufacture of knives

• Paper and cloth umbrella fabrication

• Shoemaking

• Hat making

• Brokerage or agency work, except in international business

• Dressmaking

• Pottery or ceramics

• Manual cigarette rolling

• Legal or litigation service

• Clerical or secretarial work

• Manual silk reeling and weaving

• Thai character type-setting

• Hawking business

• Tourist guide or tour organising agency

• Architectural work

• Civil engineering work

Look at diving instructors, kayaking (is that how you spell it?) they are mostly farang. Was thinking that a guide would be placed under the same category within tourism (which is a open industry for farang).

Think again - you could probably set up an office and have a WP as farang Relations Translator or some such title - but I strongly suggest that you consult with a local lawyer about the exact job description that is detailed in the WP and what you indend to be doing in real life. My WP is a good one and covers everything that the company is likely to do in the foreseeable future, it has been 'tested' during an interview with local immigration and passed with flying colors.

If you expect to be sitting in a mini bus pointing out the highlights I doubt you would be doing it very long.

On the other hand I am aware of non-Thais that do accompany tourists on trips around, in this case, Pattaya.

HTH

Believe Beggar is also on that list now as well....

There goes my next business plan...

[Jimjim]

Some get legal work permits as "Tour Leaders." You just have to be creative in Thailand.

Is that list up to date? It has "legal and litigation service" but plenty find ways to do that, and legally.

Edited September 28, 2008 by Jimjim

[Prudent_rabbit]

I was thinking of the PADI tourist type diving instuctors - They become qualified to instruct within a few weeks after completing the course.

A few weeks is a tad harsh, I think you will find 6 months is the pre-requisite and you probably wouldn't be that good with only a 100 dives. Me, I took 3 years and over 300 dives before doing my Instructors Course.

I believe that Thai Immigration give a friendly nod to Dive Instructors as they are doing a skill that brings in 1000's of tourists and there are not many Thai Dive Instructors, even fewer who can speak Swedish, German, Japanese or Hebrew.

[MacSpruce]

dam_n! There goes my dream of becoming a manual cigarette roller -- up in smoke!

[Soutpeel]

dam_n! There goes my dream of becoming a manual cigarette roller -- up in smoke!

So by virture of this rule, anyone who comes to Thailand as a visitor who smokes roll ups, is actually doing it illegally...they have to employ their own official thai cigarette roller-upper for the duration of the holiday..nows theres a good idea for a business...form an employment agency which provides this service, swing some tea money to the local BiB to enforce the law, you are creating jobs for locals...everyone is a winner...