"working" In Thailand

[Sunbelt Asia]

Working" in Thailand

Please can you explain the definition of working in Thailand in relation to the requirements for work permits. I am employed and paid overseas, but spend lengthy periods of time on holiday in Thailand. The company I work for has no representation in Thailand, nor does it conduct business in the country, but – occasionally – I do take the opportunity to visit our suppliers who are based in Thailand.

I also attend business meetings on behalf of my company and answer emails regarding the overseas company while I am in Thailand.

Surely I don’t need a work permit to attend a business meeting in Thailand or to visit suppliers and answer a few emails? That would mean that every businessperson who visits Thailand would need a work permit, which clearly does not happen and is impractical.

Friday, October 28, 2005 Intrigued.

“Foreigners who come to Thailand for meetings, seminars or to visit customers do not need a work permit as such, but they should report to the Department of Employment (DoE) in Bangkok or, in the case of an emergency, the employment office in the province they are visiting.

The businessperson must complete the form TorThor 11 within 15 days of reporting to the pertinent office.

After reporting at the DoE or the employment office, the businessperson will be presented with a certificate stating that they are complying with the rules.

The businessperson should bring their passport and a copy of it, a letter from the company being visited. If they cannot come in person, they can appoint a proxy to act on their behalf.

The proxy must hold a document authorizing them to act on the businessperson’s behalf.

Foreigners who come to meetings in Thailand have to complete the TorThor 11 form but if they come for more than two months they must apply for a work permit.

If an officer checks and finds that a visiting foreigner hasn’t reported in and filled out the TorThor 11, the offender will be fined or jailed or both, depending on the case. ”

Friday, October 28, 2005 An officer of the Department of Employment (DoE) in Bangkok.

http://www.phuketgazette.com/issuesanswers...ails.asp?id=861

www.lawyer.th.com

[Maestro]

The businessperson must complete the form TorThor 11 within 15 days of reporting to the pertinent office.

After reporting at the DoE or the employment office, the businessperson will be presented with a certificate stating that they are complying with the rules.

Thank you for posting this.

Has your company ever had occasion to obtain a certificate of this type for a client?

What, if any, is the cost of the certificate?

Perhaps next time I am invited to speak at a press conference organized by the Thai importer/distributor of products I sell him I shall get such certificate, for my collection.

P.S. Forget the cost question; I’ve found it here: no fee.

Edited October 28, 2005 by maestro

[sriracha john]

"Surely I don’t need a work permit to attend a business meeting in Thailand or to visit suppliers and answer a few emails?"

"report to the Department of Employment (DoE) in Bangkok

must complete the form TorThor 11 within 15 days of reporting

be presented with a certificate

should bring their passport and a copy of it, a letter from the company being visited

hasn’t reported in and filled out the TorThor 11, the offender will be fined or jailed or both, depending on the case."

Gosh... makes it sound like Thailand is so business-friendly... ???

[ovenman]

Gosh... makes it sound like Thailand is so business-friendly... ???

If I remember correctly, Thailand is the hub of something-or-the-other.

[richard10365]

I wonder if forum moderators living in Thailand need a work permit?

[Sunbelt Asia]

Has your company ever had occasion to obtain a certificate of this type for a client?

Yes

They are selective however in issuing this. For instance recently we had 76 ice skaters that were performing for 4 days. We tried to get them this certificate and was unsuccessful. The 76 ice skaters had to obtain work permits even though they were only working for 4 days. Which meant getting WP3's first before they arrive and then medical certificates to get the work permits here.

www.lawyer.th.com