Although this question doesn't apply to me directly as I am nowhere near 60, I was wondering on behalf of some people aged above 60 if it was possible to be issued a work permit if you are over the age of 60.

Every time I attend AustCham Sundowners networking nights I see a good deal of old farts that are clearly over 60 and are still working in Thailand. I have never found anything substantiating whether a work permit can be issued to an older foreigner aged above 60. While I know that age discrimination is rampant in the Thai labor market, this age discrimination seems to be more focused on Thai applicants. Although in China, foreigners and locals are treated the same (i.e. foreigners can't be issued a work visa if they are aged above 60, no matter their qualifications, similarly locals aged 60 for males or 55 for women must quit work except in some exempt circumstances) I was wondering what Thailand is like in this matter.

I have been told by some teaching personnel that many teachers are working into their 70's, so I will assume that they have done it legally and were issued the proper work permits.

Age is not a criterion for the work permit application.

When I was teaching, I worked until 65 with a work permit with no problems. I have a friend who is still teaching in his 70's. The biggest problem that I had was with the Thai teachers that were forced to retire at 60 and then came back on yearly contracts at a very low salary.

Troll posting and replies removed.

As has been said, current retirement age for government employees is 60. After that age some are retained on yearly contracts. (The government is considering to raise the retirement age).

Being over 60 is no problem in getting a work permit.

there are no DOL rules which specify maximum age for a WP, however certain industries/sectors impose their own rules...

for example, in Thai O&G, the DOL issues the WP, but this is based on a "letter of permission" from the DMF, if your over 60 and trying to get offshore, before they will grant the letter, there are addtional medical exams that need to be conducted on top of your your standard offshore medical, if you fail these addtional tests you will not get the letter from the DMF, therefore you will not get the WP

but have worked with quite a guys offshore here who were on the wrong side of 70 LOL

Absolutely YES. Being over 60 is no problem, and being older always makes things easier in Thailand.

62 and still getting W.P's.

I have been told by some teaching personnel that many teachers are working into their 70's, so I will assume that they have done it legally and were issued the proper work permits.

There is no upper age limit for Farangs to get a work permit, I was teaching in a high school with 3 other Farangs and one of them was 74.

Thanks OP. Go wash your mouth (youngster?).

These days people over 60 are no old farts.

I am 65, work everyday and have a WP.

Edited March 31, 201313 yr by hugocnx

Thanks OP. Go wash your mouth (youngster?).

These days people over 60 are no old farts.

I am 65, work everyday and have a WP.

dont know about that, the way some over 60"s behave they are certainly old farts in my book...

Thanks OP. Go wash your mouth (youngster?).

These days people over 60 are no old farts.

I am 65, work everyday and have a WP.

dont know about that, the way some over 60"s behave they are certainly old farts in my book...

Okay, agreed, since it is Easter I give you both a break

Thanks all for that good news. It does appear that there are lots of older foreigners working in Thailand, pity that older Thais don't seem to be in as much demand in the workplace though.

One nonsense post removed.