And if said person is married to a Thai national then the amount of captialisation is halved to THB 1.0 million, as is Thai nationals employed

Also could investigate getting a sole prop set up instead of a limited company, but beleive some DOL's have an issue giving a WP on a sole prop

Could also approach an existing company and get them to "employ" you and you carry all cost such as WP, taxation etc and pay them a fee and invoice throught them, Which is what I beleive you suggest in an earlier post

From one of the links earlier:

Other than those who are permitted under the United States-Thailand Treaty on Amity and Economic Co-operation, foreigners may not run sole proprietorships.

http://bangkok.anglo...usiness.asp#FBA

I see there being 3 options:

1) Find a company to "employ" you.

2) Start your own company.

3) Set up an offshore company and live/work here under the radar.

Option (1) would be the best ... but you need to find that company.

Option (2) is not feasible for at least a couple of years of being here.

Option (3) is the riskiest, but maybe easiest.

Ah ok, I wasnt trying to get at a foreigner setting the the sole prop, but a Thai national and employing a foreigner, I understand this would be possible but there seems to be some issues with some DOL"s issuing a WP under this company structure

Glad to see we are getting good discussion here!

Problem with setting offshore company or something like that is that I still would have to pay income tax (I'm just guessing that it would be the same no matter where I would live or "live", right?). What I mean is that if I setup a company in Cayman, my company taxes would be next to nothing, but how would I get that money to my own use/bank account, without breaking any laws?

I think that living abroad over 180 days gets me off from Finnish taxes, had to check that with local authorities to be sure. But I would still have a problem where ever I would live.

I already got one offer from Thai company and I would be getting visa + work permit that way, but the offer I got was not that good compared to paying Finnish taxes. Only good thing with that would be that it would be completely legal.

Glad to see we are getting good discussion here!

Problem with setting offshore company or something like that is that I still would have to pay income tax (I'm just guessing that it would be the same no matter where I would live or "live", right?). What I mean is that if I setup a company in Cayman, my company taxes would be next to nothing, but how would I get that money to my own use/bank account, without breaking any laws?

I think that living abroad over 180 days gets me off from Finnish taxes, had to check that with local authorities to be sure. But I would still have a problem where ever I would live.

I already got one offer from Thai company and I would be getting visa + work permit that way, but the offer I got was not that good compared to paying Finnish taxes. Only good thing with that would be that it would be completely legal.

I think your starting point would be to understand the Finnish tax law implications fully, your obvious goal is to be declared non-resident for tax purposes, I have absolutely no knowlege of Finnish tax law

If we put that aside for now, since I'm pretty sure I'm not obligated to pay Finnish taxes if I live abroad over half of the year.

If we put that aside for now, since I'm pretty sure I'm not obligated to pay Finnish taxes if I live abroad over half of the year.

Ok with that aside, then beleive there is enough info on this thread as regards working and living in Thailand, you have been given many opinions, you could go the legal route or take a chance fly under the radar only you can decide this

I already got one offer from Thai company and I would be getting visa + work permit that way, but the offer I got was not that good compared to paying Finnish taxes. Only good thing with that would be that it would be completely legal.

Can I ask how much?

Thailand companies pay 30 percent so it is not that low. Setup your company to some other EU place and withdraw money from there. No need to setup it Thailand. You do not get even anything for return of paying taxes. No health care, no public education, nothing.

Thailand companies pay 30 percent so it is not that low. Setup your company to some other EU place and withdraw money from there. No need to setup it Thailand. You do not get even anything for return of paying taxes. No health care, no public education, nothing.

The idea is for him to work legally in Thailand. So setting up a company elsewhere doesn't help him.

Glad to see we are getting good discussion here!

Problem with setting offshore company or something like that is that I still would have to pay income tax (I'm just guessing that it would be the same no matter where I would live or "live", right?). What I mean is that if I setup a company in Cayman, my company taxes would be next to nothing, but how would I get that money to my own use/bank account, without breaking any laws?

I think that living abroad over 180 days gets me off from Finnish taxes, had to check that with local authorities to be sure. But I would still have a problem where ever I would live.

I already got one offer from Thai company and I would be getting visa + work permit that way, but the offer I got was not that good compared to paying Finnish taxes. Only good thing with that would be that it would be completely legal.

Ok you will have a visa card on your offshore company so you just take out money her in any ATM.The account is based in a bank In the country your offshore company are.If you want to use a company that "employ" you be careful.You cant let them get the hands on the all income from Finland and then they will pay you?Let them only have the part to cover your costs or else you can soon or later kiss your money godbye.So you still need one more place to get the rest of your money.option n3 from whybother is what I would do.Safer then let some other company handle your money for sure.Guess what happens with your money if that company get in to some problems?Your money is the companys if for exampel the dont pay there taxes or what ever.Bad choice.

Like Crille is saying, in reality it is not that simple to use Thai companies. If you got into trouble with them foreigners almost always are in the weaker position. The same thing with traffic accidents, in many cases "magically" the foreigner is to blame no matter what the Thai side did.

Just try living in Thailand for few years and learn Thai etc and see how it goes with EU based company. Or Cambodia business visa sounds much better.

Like Crille is saying, in reality it is not that simple to use Thai companies. If you got into trouble with them foreigners almost always are in the weaker position. The same thing with traffic accidents, in many cases "magically" the foreigner is to blame no matter what the Thai side did.

Just try living in Thailand for few years and learn Thai etc and see how it goes with EU based company. Or Cambodia business visa sounds much better.

How does he live and work legally in Thailand with out a work permit?

Another example of a law: You should carry your passport at ALL THE TIMES or you could face difficulties. How many visa holders actually obey that in Thailand?

Another example of a law: You should carry your passport at ALL THE TIMES or you could face difficulties. How many visa holders actually obey that in Thailand?

OH <deleted>. Read the OP and his posts!!!!! Even read my posts, cos it doesn't look like you're even doing that.

Besides the fact that the passport thing is not actually the law.

off topic bickering deleted, lets keep it civil thanks

my bad,already said.

Why not make friends in Thailand. Setup a corp (you own 49%). Pay them a nominal fee and pay yourself a high salary. Get a later to draw up a contract limiting their pay.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Thaivisa Connect App

I have a small online business , and pay my taxes to Norway. The money stays there so Thailand is not involved in my business.

But I work from my home in Thailand , just checking emails and do some minor web designs, and a few phone calls via Skype .

Yes , it's a risk I have to take since it's illegal but I never work outside my home or hotel in Thailand.

Trying to get a work permit in Thailand can be more painful for you than just trying to handle your business inside EU , even if you have to keep paying the high taxes.

Like Crille is saying, in reality it is not that simple to use Thai companies. If you got into trouble with them foreigners almost always are in the weaker position. The same thing with traffic accidents, in many cases "magically" the foreigner is to blame no matter what the Thai side did.

Just try living in Thailand for few years and learn Thai etc and see how it goes with EU based company. Or Cambodia business visa sounds much better.

Have you ever worked or run a business in Thailand ?....still of the opinion you dont know what your talking about

This is getting too complicated when in fact it is very simple. One, you don't want to pay tax in Finland. Two, you want to run your business from Thailand withour being put in jail. As Soutpeel suggested, these 2 issues are unconnected with separate solutions.

1) Get out of the Finnish tax system however you do that. Go to Hong Kong and open a bank account with internet banking in your own name. You're not taxable in HKG and as long as you're not laundering illicit funds, they don't care. Since you're out of the Finnish tax system, they don't care either. Now you can invoice and receive as much money in HK as you like. Open a simple savings account in Thailand and you can transfer money from your account in HK any time and you will usually have access to the funds the same day.

2) To stay in Thailand, either find a lawyer to set up some quasi legal method of getting you a work permit or "fly under the radar" as tens of thousands here do. As said before, that's up to you.

As said you would need to be working for a Thai company and that company doing the billing and paying you. Not that difficult and you can set up the company (majority Thai owned) or use an established Thai owned company. But have no idea what your home country rules are on tax.

What if someone wanted to solicit the business of Thai companies.

I am here on a Business Visa. My friend has a company in the UK that I could sell (potentially) to Thai businesses.? Do I need any special license or permits for that?

As said you would need to be working for a Thai company and that company doing the billing and paying you. Not that difficult and you can set up the company (majority Thai owned) or use an established Thai owned company. But have no idea what your home country rules are on tax.

What if someone wanted to solicit the business of Thai companies.

I am here on a Business Visa. My friend has a company in the UK that I could sell (potentially) to Thai businesses.? Do I need any special license or permits for that?

If you are having business meetings, ie persuing the possiblities then under the current interpretation you would be ok on a Non-imm B, however the minute signed a contact or did some transctions with a particular company...you would need a WP

As said you would need to be working for a Thai company and that company doing the billing and paying you. Not that difficult and you can set up the company (majority Thai owned) or use an established Thai owned company. But have no idea what your home country rules are on tax.

What if someone wanted to solicit the business of Thai companies.

I am here on a Business Visa. My friend has a company in the UK that I could sell (potentially) to Thai businesses.? Do I need any special license or permits for that?

If you are having business meetings, ie persuing the possiblities then under the current interpretation you would be ok on a Non-imm B, however the minute signed a contact or did some transctions with a particular company...you would need a WP

do I need a wp with a particular company in Thailand or is there a general type of wp?

Thanks

A work permit only allows you to work for the company mentioned in the Work Permit, in the position mentioned in the WP, at the location mentioned in the WP.

There is no general type.

From another thread: ""While Thai law does require anyone working in Thailand to have a work permit we have been told by the Labor Department that they generally do not require a work permit for those checking emails and doing some work from home remotely. However, if you are selling on Ebay and have boxes of goods in your home this would be looked at in a different light and we have been told that they would expect you to have a company and work permit for this kind of exporting." - that is from Sunbelt law firm.

So ignore guys like Soutpeel, they got some sick satisfaction from pointing out others that they are breaking the law when in fact they are not. Remote work is a special case and there are no Thai laws to cover it...at least yet.

Basically OP could be totally tax free worker. He is not officially working in either countries. Once you leave Finland then you are not subjected to Finnish taxes anymore. Probably better to setup a company to make it look more official to some tax paradise.

From another thread: ""While Thai law does require anyone working in Thailand to have a work permit we have been told by the Labor Department that they generally do not require a work permit for those checking emails and doing some work from home remotely. However, if you are selling on Ebay and have boxes of goods in your home this would be looked at in a different light and we have been told that they would expect you to have a company and work permit for this kind of exporting." - that is from Sunbelt law firm.

So ignore guys like Soutpeel, they got some sick satisfaction from pointing out others that they are breaking the law when in fact they are not. Remote work is a special case and there are no Thai laws to cover it...at least yet.

Basically OP could be totally tax free worker. He is not officially working in either countries. Once you leave Finland then you are not subjected to Finnish taxes anymore. Probably better to setup a company to make it look more official to some tax paradise.

No, sorry you are not right about that. The definition of "working" under the Thai labour law is all encompassing and there is no question that what the op is proposing would be against that law. That there are thousands upon thousands of people breaking the same law and in the circumstances you describe, the authorities turn a blind eye doesn't make it legal.

Sure lots of people do it and don't get thrown in jail but anyone considering that course should at least be aware that they are at best entering a grey area and at worst outright breaking the law.. What Soutpeel and others are saying is just that. You on the other hand are just giving unqualified advice to people to go ahead and break the law.

BTW, we have google too.

Sure lots of people do it and don't get thrown in jail but anyone considering that course should at least be aware that they are at best entering a grey area and at worst outright breaking the law.. What Soutpeel and others are saying is just that. You on the other hand are just giving unqualified advice to people to go ahead and break the law.

BTW, we have google too.

Another "law&order" type, why don't you guys form your own forum and stop bothering us here. Which part of the quote is too hard to understand?! That quote was from a LAW FIRM! Then in that thread some guy even applied with his company multiple times for a work permit but was denied because he did not work directly for the Thailand based unit of the company. Still he works here and no problems from any officials to him. They did nothing KNOWING that guy is going to work in Thailand! Surely they would have arrested him if they gave a shit but did not obviously.

((flame removed))

What about the OP's assets in Finland?

Rules on residency for tax purposes are usually very complex...I suggest the OP checks that first.

Also, whilst no-one likes paying tax...minimising it and being "legit" have many benefits. Especially in Thailand.

Try get PR etc etc etc without paying taxes!

RAZZ

Sure lots of people do it and don't get thrown in jail but anyone considering that course should at least be aware that they are at best entering a grey area and at worst outright breaking the law.. What Soutpeel and others are saying is just that. You on the other hand are just giving unqualified advice to people to go ahead and break the law.

BTW, we have google too.

Another "law&order" type, why don't you guys form your own forum and stop bothering us here. Which part of the quote is too hard to understand?! That quote was from a LAW FIRM! Then in that thread some guy even applied with his company multiple times for a work permit but was denied because he did not work directly for the Thailand based unit of the company. Still he works here and no problems from any officials to him. They did nothing KNOWING that guy is going to work in Thailand! Surely they would have arrested him if they gave a shit but did not obviously.

Then you joker still think you somehow know better...based on what exactly?! It is like a patient telling to a doctor what he should do without even having any medical degree or experience. Just go away.

Why are you so angry?

Go back and read your posts. So far in this thread you have advised us that:

1 - A company in Thailand requires 4 Thai shareholders.

2 - The Thai shareholders are not allowed to know each other

3 - To set up a company you need 50,000 Euros

4 - Foreigners usually get the blame in traffic accidents even when not at fault

And now you advise the op that it is perfectly legal for him to work in Thailand!

I wasn't attacking you personally but just from the above it is abundantly clear that you don't know what you are talking about and to give clearly wrong advice to someone to go ahead and break the law is irresponsible and, if they followed your advice, could land them in a lot of trouble.

From another thread: ""While Thai law does require anyone working in Thailand to have a work permit we have been told by the Labor Department that they generally do not require a work permit for those checking emails and doing some work from home remotely. However, if you are selling on Ebay and have boxes of goods in your home this would be looked at in a different light and we have been told that they would expect you to have a company and work permit for this kind of exporting." - that is from Sunbelt law firm.

So ignore guys like Soutpeel, they got some sick satisfaction from pointing out others that they are breaking the law when in fact they are not. Remote work is a special case and there are no Thai laws to cover it...at least yet.

Basically OP could be totally tax free worker. He is not officially working in either countries. Once you leave Finland then you are not subjected to Finnish taxes anymore. Probably better to setup a company to make it look more official to some tax paradise.

While Thai law does require anyone working in Thailand to have a work permit we have been told by the Labor Department that they generally do not require a work permit for those checking emails and doing some work from home remotely.

For checking emails and doing "some work" from home "generally" does not require a work permit.

The OP wants to work here full time, and while he might not get caught, what you are suggesting is illegal. Even your quote from the law firm says it's illegal. If working remotely was "a special case", then it would be stated in the law.

What "sick satisfaction" do you get by telling people something is legal when clearly it isn't. Sure, a lot of people do it, but that doesn't make it legal.

From another thread: ""While Thai law does require anyone working in Thailand to have a work permit we have been told by the Labor Department that they generally do not require a work permit for those checking emails and doing some work from home remotely. However, if you are selling on Ebay and have boxes of goods in your home this would be looked at in a different light and we have been told that they would expect you to have a company and work permit for this kind of exporting." - that is from Sunbelt law firm.

So ignore guys like Soutpeel, they got some sick satisfaction from pointing out others that they are breaking the law when in fact they are not. Remote work is a special case and there are no Thai laws to cover it...at least yet.

Basically OP could be totally tax free worker. He is not officially working in either countries. Once you leave Finland then you are not subjected to Finnish taxes anymore. Probably better to setup a company to make it look more official to some tax paradise.

Phuket Immigration and the DOL came out and stated publically and catagorically that working on line in Thailand without a WP is illegal, and if they found people doing this they would prosecute.

Remote work is not a "special case"...there are no special cases defined under the current basic rules with the exception of a few...I can assure you working remotely is not on that list.

If you have been told this by DOL, get them to put this in writing then, What you have been "told" has no legal bearing

What Sunbelt has commented on is their opinion not fact, the test comes in a court of law

As regards tourist's checking email's without a WP...your interpreation is correct but the key word is "tourists", they come to Thailand have a holiday and leave again, the vast majority of people working on line in Thailand are claiming "residency" in Thailand and using working on line to finance their lives in Thailand, this is not the same thing irrespective of how you try to rationalise it

Once again "tim73" you are commenting on subjects you have no real knowlege of...except "Wot someone told me"

I personally couldnt care less what people do as regards WP's....but there people who are trying to get advice on coming here and they need to have all points of view on this subject so they can make their own decision, will someone working on line get caught working under the radar ?....most likely not, but does it make it legal...certainly not..