Just one of the few options that I'm considering is to work as a short-term contractor for a Thai client (big car factory). In a previous life, I worked for many years as a 'contractor' using my UK or offshore ltd company as the legal entity and method to minimise tax liabilities etc.

How would this work in Thailand? Assuming that the Thai company did not wish to employ me directly, do umbrella companies exist in Thailand which could employ me for the length of the contract, handling the issues of work permit, tax and social welfare payments?

Simon

Just one of the few options that I'm considering is to work as a short-term contractor for a Thai client (big car factory). In a previous life, I worked for many years as a 'contractor' using my UK or offshore ltd company as the legal entity and method to minimise tax liabilities etc.

How would this work in Thailand? Assuming that the Thai company did not wish to employ me directly, do umbrella companies exist in Thailand which could employ me for the length of the contract, handling the issues of work permit, tax and social welfare payments?

Simon

Think you would be trying to set this up somehow with one of the employment agencies in Thailand who deal with expats, client retains agency who employs you, sorts out your WP tax etc, there is obviously a cost involved with this for an agency..

At lot of O&G guys in Thailand work this way, if you want the name of a reputable agency who could sort all this out for you pm me and will give you details.

Technically the company your are working for should apply for a temporary work permit on your behalf.

My experience, with a major international computer company, is that they do not want to be bothered.

I had to enter on a tourist visa and work illegally.

The periods in question were only 2-3 weeks at a time.

Since then I have declined work unless they will do it properly.