Do I Really Need A Work Permit?

[sunilkumarkapoor]

Hi All,

Quick background. I am a US citizen, will marry a Thai Citizen, and have been given the opportunity to work in education and training for the Asia-pacific region. I can be based anywhere, and want to be based in Bangkok. I currently work in the US, for a US based company. The company currently deposts my check into my US bank account. If I move to Bangkok, and work from my apartment there, while maintaining my US based bank account getting my paycheck is there still a need for me to get a work permit for Thailand? If so, what do these work permits cost in legal fee's by a 3rd party group to process?

More info: My US based company has a division in Bangkok, and can provide certain documentation (tax documents, etc). Does that help me being able to work in Bangkok with/without a work permit?

Thanks alot for your help,

[tutsiwarrior]

if you are on assignment in Thailand working with a US company their Thai division should take care of all work permits, visas and etc. Your company should be aware that if you were to attend to these matters yourself that you would be spending a significant part of the working day away from your duties. Be sure to have all liabilities in this regard be to your employer's account written into your overseas contract. Also liability for local taxes and etc.

[astral]

if you are on assignment in Thailand working with a US company their Thai division should take care of all work permits, visas and etc. Your company should be aware that if you were to attend to these matters yourself that you would be spending a significant part of the working day away from your duties. Be sure to have all liabilities in this regard be to your employer's account written into your overseas contract. Also liability for local taxes and etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is what HR depts are for!!

By working officially and paying tax you strengthen your claim to PR at

a later date!!

[jingjingna]

Sunil,

Why are you even posting questions about it? If your U.S company want to post you here the they should take care of all the paperwork/legalities.

[bkk_mike]

If you are not doing work related in any way to any company in Thailand, then you should be OK. You're like a telecommuter - they don't need a work permit because as far as immigration is concerned, they're not working in Thailand. (i.e. Living in Thailand, but immigration considers them as working abroad since their income comes from offshore.)

A little odd - I know, but the choice is either to just treat telecommuters as not working in Thailand or change the work permit rules so that they could apply for one (bit difficult when the first question on the work permit form is the address in Thailand of the company you are working for...)

However, if any part at all will involve work at a site in Thailand, or with people who work for your company in Thailand, or for any other company in Thailand - you'll be breaking the law as you'll need a business visa and a work permit.

Edited April 28, 2005 by bkk_mike