Working From Bangkok

[bwoogie]

Hi,

I'm a software developer (I'm Danish and work for a Norwegian company) and I can work from any place in the world. I would like to study English, be a tourist and do my work as software developer from Bangkok for a period of half or one year. Is that possible?

Thanks

[lopburi3]

Work of any type in Thailand requires a work permit so to be legal it is not that easy and not worthwhile for a year or less in my opinion. And Thailand is likely not a great place to learn English.

If you just appear to use your computer for email and such it is not likely to be questioned but unless you obtain a multi entry non immigrant O visa from Hull in the UK to visit friends a tourist visa entry of 60 days would likely be all that you could obtain (although that can be extended 30 days and more obtained in local countries).

[bwoogie]

"... is not easy and not worthwhile for a year or less" Does that means that it actually would be possible for me to get at work permit?

[mallyrd]

"... is not easy and not worthwhile for a year or less" Does that means that it actually would be possible for me to get at work permit?

Not unless you have a Thai company sponsoring you or you establish your own company. Given that your intentions are of a year or less then a work permit is certainly not the way to go.

[scorecard]

"... is not easy and not worthwhile for a year or less" Does that means that it actually would be possible for me to get at work permit?

Not unless you have a Thai company sponsoring you or you establish your own company. Given that your intentions are of a year or less then a work permit is certainly not the way to go.

Work permits are granted only on the basis of a contract of employment from a Thai company (Thai company means a company owned totally by Thai people and/or a company registered in Thailand owned jointly by Thai people and foreigners). The company (not you alone) must apply for the work permit. In other words, you alone cannot apply for a work permit, the process doesn't work like that.

Additionally, there is an official list of types of employment which cannot be performed by foreigners, In other words a work permit cannot be issued for types of work on that list.

You mention IT work. Thailand has many qualified IT people. So unless your area of IT is very rare then it's quite likely that there would be no need for the company to employ a foreigner. Additionally the contract of employment must state a salary which is above a certain amount, I think it's about 40,000Baht a month (Other members can probably correct this information). So if the company can employ a Thai person for say 20,000Baht a month to do this work, then why would they employ you at 40,000Baht a month which is the minimum amount of monthly salary they must pay you by law.

The company must also have a set number of Thai workers before it can offer employment to a foreigner.

[Louie77]

Nobody has to know that you're working.

[Vertigotogo]

Nobody has to know that you're working.

Be very careful of following this (implied) advice. To work here without a Work Permit is against the law. That includes paid or unpaid work - PERIOD.

[bwoogie]

If I'm searching for business opportunities in Thailand, will I then be allow to do my work from Bangkok?

[IMA_FARANG]

Everything that is said here is true...he is very unlikely to get a work permit...and won't be allowed to work in Thailand unless he is sponsored by a Thai company.

Now if the Thai governemnt was enlightend and forward-thinking (yeah, I know), just think how it COULD BE. The OP already has a job, freelance working for a foriegn company. If he was:

1. Allowd to purchase a work permit for work only outside of Thailand for a reasonable yearly cost.

2. And had to declare his salary for That work (with a penalty for any false declaration).

3. And paid a reasonable tax rate on that salary (with access to Thai social security, health benefits, etc.)

4. Then the OP would probably live in Thailand. He would have an income to spend locally. He would either own or rent a place to live. He would have an income and benefit the Thai economy and the Thai goverment by his spending and tax revenue.

But we all know it will never happen like that. The Thai governemnt won't let it. It would be a classic win-win situation where both parties, the individual and the Thai governemnt would win.

But we all know it will never happen.

I guess I'm just a dumb Farang.

[thrilled]

There are many people who live in thailand that freelance from the internet.If you do go this route just be careful doing it.Don't broadcast it.

[jazzbo]

Train yourself never to use the word 'work' in a conversation or even in email ... Keep one of those Kill-the-terrorist games loaded on your computer in case anybody looks... And if anyone asks 'Why do you spend so much time on your computer', say that is correspondence with your sick Mother back in Denmark.

[inthepink]

if you had a valid reason to visit Thailand on business whilst working for a foreign country then you could obtain a multi-entry non-immigrant 'B' visa.

[inthepink]

Train yourself never to use the word 'work' in a conversation or even in email ... Keep one of those Kill-the-terrorist games loaded on your computer in case anybody looks... And if anyone asks 'Why do you spend so much time on your computer', say that is correspondence with your sick Mother back in Denmark.

Wouldn't it be easier just to do it in the privacy of your own home??

[bwoogie]

if you had a valid reason to visit Thailand on business whilst working for a foreign country then you could obtain a multi-entry non-immigrant 'B' visa.

What could be a valid reason?

[inthepink]

if you had a valid reason to visit Thailand on business whilst working for a foreign country then you could obtain a multi-entry non-immigrant 'B' visa.

What could be a valid reason?

Well, perhaps you are thinking of working with a Thai software company on future projects...that would entail either a letter from a Thai company saying you were going to visit them or a letter from the Norwegian company you work for, asking the Thai consulate to grant you a multi-entry non-imm 'b' because they would like you to travel here to investigate the possibility of hooking up with some Thai companies.....

PM me if you want any further info.

[jazzbo]

Privacy? ... meaning never leaving one's room with or without laptop in-tow and never engaing in any conversation where someone Thai or non-Thai might ask "... and what is it you do while you are in Thailand?" Nice life.

... and from the OP's own description of his being employed, engaged, or retained by a Norwegian company, No ... he would not qualify for a 'B' visa

... about the only 'valid' reason for a 'B' Visa given his present circumstances would be if he is in Thailand on behalf of the Norwegian company looking to sub-contract work with Thai software developers ... and have a Letter and voluminous other financial / official documents from the Norwegian company stating as such to present to the Thai embassy in Oslo.

Apologies -- Overlap with post #15

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2492

[inthepink]

Privacy? ... meaning never leaving one's room with or without laptop in-tow and never engaing in any conversation where someone Thai or non-Thai might ask "... and what is it you do while you are in Thailand?" Nice life.

... and from the OP's own description of his being employed, engaged, or retained by a Norwegian company, No ... he would not qualify for a 'B' visa

... about the only 'valid' reason for a 'B' Visa given his present circumstances would be if he is in Thailand on behalf of the Norwegian company looking to sub-contract work with Thai software developers ... and have a Letter and voluminous other financial / official documents from the Norwegian company stating as such to present to the Thai embassy in Oslo.

Voluminous documents?? A letter from a company, as I mentioned above, was all that I needed (for a legitimate reason I might add)

A rather strange post all in all - He could take his laptop anywhere he liked...and why on earth would he have to stay in his room even if he left it at home - are you mad?

[jazzbo]

This is from the MoFA website 2.(2); any Embassy or Consulate can ask for as little or as much they want:

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2492

are you mad? Yes... as many will attest.

[inthepink]

This is from the MoFA website 2.(2); any Embassy or Consulate can ask for as little or as much they want:

http://www.mfa.go.th...482.php?id=2492

are you mad? Yes... as many will attest.

Very doubtful that one in the West will ask for all the rubbish they require for a visa when you apply in Laos or Malaysia etcetera. I still don't understand why you think it would be too dangerous for him to leave his room?

[jazzbo]

So what is posted on the Official MoFA website is rubbish ... Great.

[inthepink]

I wouldn't know if it is rubbish or not as I can't be bothered to read it. What I do know is that I obtained a visa with a simple letter stating what I would be doing here. And as the consulate I used advertise a turnaround time of 30 minutes for people who apply in person, I seriously doubt they would have the time or inclination to read through all the stuff you are talking about.

I'm not really sure why you are arguing with me.

[jazzbo]

I received non-WP 'B's for several years as well but it took more than just a letter -- but YMMV...

[inthepink]

I received non-WP 'B's for several years as well but it took more than just a letter -- but YMMV...

Which embassy / consulate did you apply for your visas with?

[jazzbo]

Your Mileage May Vary ... Burkina Faso.

Since you cannot be bothered to read all that rubbish, maybe there is something in there that could benefit you ... like a tax loophole, one never knows until you read all the rubbish.

[inthepink]

Your Mileage May Vary ... Burkina Faso.

When I said I didn't think consulates in the West would be likely to ask for all that stuff, I didn't mean West Africa. I don't think we are talking about the same thing really.

[jazzbo]

Good Sir, I realize some consulates general will give you a 'B' with a letter written on toilet paper signed by the GENCO Olive Oil Company, but you never know when they might ask for someting more... and regardless of what you consider rubbish, all the CGs are aware of the Official Procedures as per the website.

If the OP wants to come for a year and keep under the radar then he should have no problem ... Happy Lent.

[inthepink]

If the OP wants to come for a year and keep under the radar then he should have no problem ... Happy Lent.

At least we agree on one point then, although earlier you seemed to think he would not be able to leave his room or talk to anyone.

[inthepink]

By the way, I find it hard to believe that there is a Thai consulate in Burkina Faso

[inthepink]

Your Mileage May Vary ... Burkina Faso.

Since you cannot be bothered to read all that rubbish, maybe there is something in there that could benefit you ... like a tax loophole, one never knows until you read all the rubbish.

I don't pay income tax so I doubt there is anything of benefit in there for me

[midasthailand]

And sadly yet another OP's question is overwhelmed by the childish patter between two black cat owners..Sigh! Whilst it is correct to state that all wark of any kind including volunteer work requires a WP, I think you would be fine using your laptop to continue your freelance work as long as you didn't go around broadcasting the fact. Your activities will hardly be keeping a Thai citizen out of a job.

However what you would be doing would be against Thai law, just like prostitution.