Is anybody aware of whether foreigners are eligible to apply for a licence to sell on the Sunday market on Pratu Thapae? Is WP necessary? Is it true that foreigners are not allowed to start any small business without going through the hassle of setting up a registered company?

Spend your last satang here, and bring more on your next trip!

Easy answer. Hire a Thai wife or g/g-b/f to man the "shop" Sit a little way apart and, if asked, say you are just there to chat.

Is anybody aware of whether foreigners are eligible to apply for a licence to sell on the Sunday market on Pratu Thapae?

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What you have in mind seems to fall into one of these categories

1) Retail trade in all kinds of goods with an aggregated minimum capital of less than 100 million baht or a minimum capital for each store of less than 20 million baht

2) Wholesale trade in all kinds of goods with a minimum capital for each store of less than 100 million baht

These are "prohibited to aliens unless permission is granted by the Director General of the Department of Commercial Registration, Ministry of Commerce, by and with the approval of the Foreign Business Board"

Check out www.boi.go.th/english/how%5Clegal_issues_for_roreign_investors.asp for further details.

Is WP necessary?

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Yes.

Is it true that foreigners are not allowed to start any small business without going through the hassle of setting up a registered company? Spend your last satang here, and bring more on your next trip!

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Having the options TRUE or FALSE, the statement is FALSE. However, it comes close.

Even if you did setup a company of the kind, that would get the proper permissions: To get he WP, you'd still have to convince the labor department that by sitting at the Sunday Market, you'd be performing a task, that could not be done by a Thai.

1) Retail trade in all kinds of goods with an aggregated minimum capital of less than 100 million baht or a minimum capital for each store of less than 20 million baht

2) Wholesale trade in all kinds of goods with a minimum capital for each store of less than 100 million baht

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Even if you did setup a company of the kind, that would get the proper permissions: To get he WP, you'd still have to convince the labor department that by sitting at the Sunday Market, you'd be performing a task, that could not be done by a Thai.

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These numbers sound rather huge when you just trying to make a couple of baht to defray living costs, but it seems that a registered company is the only legal way to go.

Let's say you want to sell some magic cream used by Burmese men. I dont think Thai men would like to have white powder on their face in broad daylight/ moonlight?

Easy answer. Hire a Thai wife or g/g-b/f to man the "shop" Sit a little way apart and, if asked, say you are just there to chat.

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This seems to be a plausible answer. Maybe hire a few kids to sell flowers? What is the legal age in Thailand? 18?

I dont think all the sellers at the Sunday Market stalls have Thai ID right? Esp those minority tribes selling silverware & stuff, since it's difficult for them to get Thai IDs. Ok i know that foreigners Not = minority, but just making a point.

> Let's say you want to sell some magic cream used by Burmese men.

That would be medications, which likely would require even more licensing.

And about Thai ID's, yes the Akha sellers most likely have Thai ID, or are registered as living inside Chiang Mai province.

Overall it kind of sounds like you need to go to a place where you can work legally, such as your country of origin, and make some serious money and then come back. It may not sound attractive, but it could be the most sensible thing to do.

Thanks chanchao,rishi & p1p for the wise advice.

As long as exchange rate remain in favour of foreign currencies, it's always better to earn overseas and exchange them for the bahts & satangs. Cheers

Easy answer. Hire a Thai wife or g/g-b/f to man the "shop" Sit a little way apart and, if asked, say you are just there to chat.

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That's what I would do if I was selling Parrots at JJ Market, but I would use small walkie-talkies and be well clear of the booth, but within sight.