Digital nomad, online workers.. Permission !

[gezginrocker]

lol, it's priceless to see digital nomad haters saying "you need to get a word permit" all the time going bananas over the comments of immigration officer.

I'm usually staying 6-7 months in thailand, generally in koh phangan. during all this time I'm renting a bungalow, renting a motorbike, eating from local restaurants & markets, shopping from supermarkets, going to local bars etc. I'm staying in low season as well, while there are no other tourists. so I'm contributing quite a lot to the local economy. and also I'm paying quite a lot for the tourist visa.

that's quite a fair deal, and I'm pretty sure that locals in koh phangan are happy with my presence. looks like only some THF members are not happy with this situation, but who cares?

[OnMyWay2]

I'm usually staying 6-7 months in thailand, generally in koh phangan. during all this time I'm renting a bungalow, renting a motorbike, eating from local restaurants & markets, shopping from supermarkets, going to local bars etc.

How do you stay 6-7 months? What type of Visa?

[SiggiCM]

With reference to the story above from the Chiang Mai City News, this is the first Thaivisa has heard about 'digital nomads' (or anyone else for that matter) being able to legally work on a tourist visa. We don't know if this confirmed, if it only applies to Chiang Mai or if it's nationwide.

We doubt this is the last we have heard of this story but we will try and seek further clarification regarding this matter.

/Moderating team

on a tourist Visa you are not allowed to work and no IMO can give you this answer, but

again for the last who didnt understand, they are not working in thailand, even they stay here

they are working outside thailand. At because of that, no goverment in Thailand can give a work permit

for a work what doesnt exist!

A work permit would mean they are allowed to work in Thailand for thai customers

[ColdSingha]

I checked in to this about one year ago, and several conditions apply

You must be employed in your home country, and be payed by your employer in your home country, You need to get your salary in your home country and pay all taxes there.

You can not write a single line of code for a Thai company, You can not get payed by having money sent to your thai account,

But if you work for, as an example, a Swedish company, that makes home pages for other Swedish companies and you get your salary in Sweden by that Swedish company, and you pay Swedish taxes you are allow to sit here in Thailand and work on a Tourist Visa.

How (and who) established these conditions and did they put it in writing ??

Those conditions was explained to us from the Thai Consulate in Stockholm.

And here is a Swedish webpage concluded about the same thing: (Google translated)

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=sv&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=sv&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paradisebusinesscamp.se%2Fvisum-till-thailand-vid-arbete-via-internet&edit-text=

thanks for posting this

(on a side note amazing how good google translate is now, i read that back in my head with a swedish accent )

[JLCrab]

It is priceless to come on here and read that -- when the Thai regulations say if you do A, B, & C you can get a Non-IMM visa and extension of stay -- people will say that 'I don't wanna do A, B, & C but where's MY Non-IMM Visa and extension of stay?".

[dao16]

.

Double post sorry, but I still think the 'government' and immigration system has shot itself in the foot, leg and goolies by not creating a new visa for farang who can make ample amounts of moolah on the internet legally, it is easily done in many different ways, and it takes away no jobs from the oh so precious Thai work force, and the money goes straight into the economy. Why have they not addressed this properly?

Because verifying income and calculating tax payments would be very hard, if not impossible, to verify.

All governments demand taxes.. Thailand would be no different.

You said it LL.

These nomads want to dodge taxes. That's all there is to it.

'nuff said

~

Um, they still have to pay taxes in the place where their business is registered...."nuff said"

[LivinLOS]

There are very different styles of digital nomad.

Two examples;

1. Someone who create websites for his customers in Europe.

(he have customers who give him orders. Actually, a Thai person could do this job too)

2. Someone who trading US stocks in US exchanges.

(he have no customers. Actually he do only online banking and, nobody else could do this job for him)

BTW; can we expect still the outcome of the interview which Thaivisa.com did with a Immigration officer?

It is not ileagal working online for customers in other country´s,

Or can anybody tell 1 exaple that anybody got fined because of working online like this? No!

Thailand can not offer a Visa for this, if they would offer, it would mean that this person could work also in Thailand,

in the thai market, you cant say you can stay in thailand and work and pay tax but only allowed serve customers outside

thailand.

Peopel who stay here and offer work outside, not brake the law in Thailand but in the country´s they offer and do their work.

No country can give a permission to work in another country, this should understand even a small child!!!!!!!

The work doesnt happen at some place in the ether.. Thats where the communication between multiple parties occurs..

The 'work' happens where you are at the time of the process.

[JLCrab]

OOPS double post -- So I'll just say that when people on here say what the Thai Government should do, the Thai Government just updated the Police Order on extension of stay for the first time in 6 years -- which covers missionaries, hotel cocktail lounge performers, marine mechanics, NGO workers -- but they left out online workers who don't take any jobs away from Thai people.

Better luck next time.

Edited August 21, 2014 by JLCrab

[SiggiCM]

They should create a tourist/foreign worker visa and make sure that they have to declare the income and have the revenue deposited into a Thai bank account so that they can collect taxes on it.

No country is allowed to tax the income what is made outside the country only,

if they would tax them they would give this people a work permit first and then they are allowed to work in thailand,

a Visa never can make you paying tax, thats the reason why retired peopel dont pay tax here, if they would have to pay tax, they would automaticly would have the right to work,

You cant say you have to pay tax on your income but you are not allowed to generate income here

[SiggiCM]

With reference to the story above from the Chiang Mai City News, this is the first Thaivisa has heard about 'digital nomads' (or anyone else for that matter) being able to legally work on a tourist visa. We don't know if this confirmed, if it only applies to Chiang Mai or if it's nationwide.

We doubt this is the last we have heard of this story but we will try and seek further clarification regarding this matter.

/Moderating team

on a tourist Visa you are not allowed to work and no IMO can give you this answer, but

again for the last who didnt understand, they are not working in thailand, even they stay here

they are working outside thailand. At because of that, no goverment in Thailand can give a work permit

for a work what doesnt exist!

A work permit would mean they are allowed to work in Thailand for thai customers

[LivinLOS]

I checked in to this about one year ago, and several conditions apply

You must be employed in your home country, and be payed by your employer in your home country, You need to get your salary in your home country and pay all taxes there.

You can not write a single line of code for a Thai company, You can not get payed by having money sent to your thai account,

But if you work for, as an example, a Swedish company, that makes home pages for other Swedish companies and you get your salary in Sweden by that Swedish company, and you pay Swedish taxes you are allow to sit here in Thailand and work on a Tourist Visa.

How (and who) established these conditions and did they put it in writing ??

Those conditions was explained to us from the Thai Consulate in Stockholm.

And did they put it in writing ??

Not to be harsh, but a consul in another country isnt perhaps the most definitive source.,

[SiggiCM]

Still far to unclear at present. The statement also contradicts other comments made by other officials in the past regarding it.

My feeling on this is that to be legal then a work permit is required. However, let's be honest if people are working from homes on-line it's not likely that they are going to be caught, unless they are grassed up by someone.

how you want caugth somebody?

if I am sitting in my house and writing a book, ia m working also, so I am breaking thai law`?

NO!

but if i am writing in my house a story for Bangkok post what would be paid by them, I would need a work permit!

You cant me working iledal if the income is not generated inside thailand

[LivinLOS]

Finally, all the people saying "you need a work permit" can stuff a sock in it...

Hardly.. As immigration has no part in the work permit issuance or labor laws, its like asking the dentist a question about my cars gearbox..

[jlwilliamsjr18]

This can't be true, it would open the door to visa runs, allowed for D. Nomads, I don't think so. On another topic, sort of, why can't immig. see the value in allowing people on retirement visas to work 15-20 hrs. per week? The tax revenue for those who play it straight would be a boost and it opens it up for these people to fill the English tutor rosters. As opposed to buddy who says, Nigerians are now teaching Eng. in public schools. I guess they work for less than Filipinos. Oh <deleted>...who's listening.

[LivinLOS]

well this makes sense, even because how can they control you ?

I just check my stocks in NYSE with my laptop, no Thai company no Thai stocks, It is not even working, just investing, shopping, ....in USA.

What about poker online ?

Yes, it wouldn t make sense to chase those people and it wouldn t be possible, so better say, you can do that and that s it.

These are not the guys who give problems to Thailand...

Dear god does no one bother to read or check anything before they post ??

http://legacy.phuketgazette.net/issuesanswers/details.asp?id=830 << Poker illegal

http://legacy.phuketgazette.net/issuesanswers/details.asp?id=1237 << Stocks legal

[SiggiCM]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

.

why somebody should do this?

it is a scam, it is ilagal and no need,

to work ilegal in thailand you need customers who are in thailand, money paid within thailand,

when you selling goods and ship then you need a permit for selling yes, but this can make every thai vendor

for 1000 baht a month, for online work you dont need anything, if you work outside the region of thailand

[LivinLOS]

With reference to the story above from the Chiang Mai City News, this is the first Thaivisa has heard about 'digital nomads' (or anyone else for that matter) being able to legally work on a tourist visa. We don't know if this confirmed, if it only applies to Chiang Mai or if it's nationwide.

We doubt this is the last we have heard of this story but we will try and seek further clarification regarding this matter.

/Moderating team

on a tourist Visa you are not allowed to work and no IMO can give you this answer, but

again for the last who didnt understand, they are not working in thailand, even they stay here

they are working outside thailand. At because of that, no goverment in Thailand can give a work permit

for a work what doesnt exist!

A work permit would mean they are allowed to work in Thailand for thai customers

The work is done where the person is physically located at the time it is performed.. Not in some cyber space virtual non entity..

“Doing business online is considered a type of work, so foreigners are required to have a work permit to do so.

Somkiat Baiadul, an officer at the work permit division of the Phuket Department of Employment -

See more at: http://legacy.phuketgazette.net/issuesanswers/details.asp?id=1175#sthash.8cet0UdO.dpuf

[LivinLOS]

No country is allowed to tax the income what is made outside the country only,

You clearly are miss informed..

Most developed countries tax on worldwide income.

[KamalaRider]

>Thats from the horses mouth, but in direct contradiction of every other immigration and labor office spokesperson or official statement.

No doubt it will soon be corrected in another statement saying that technically this kind of working is actually not allowed.

What they're really want to say is that this rule is not being enforced, and they are trying to rid the country of criminals and those working in jobs that Thai's could do.

If you're a digital nomad (or a millionaire playboy) it's interesting to know what the immigration and police departments deem worthy of enforcement.

The sanctimonious old codgers will continue to shout (where their ailing lungs allow) about their strict interpretation of the law and resentfully wish for the days of the 1900's when they were the only white man in town, and treated like the rare birds that they know themselves to be.

I do respectfully and humble; while doing so genuily, dare to ask an exact definition of a digital nomad?

Is it some random snipets of code who wander in the network, the so called 'angels' back in the 70' (term used in some Phd thesis at that time)?????

Or is a 'catch-all' word, used to easily define a group of human being unable to find a decent employment in their own country (too many candidates, so only the top best are selected) or in this country (too many candidates, even with top best out, so only the very best can compete)?

I do understand people such as Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckenberg or Bill Gates can, is they so choose, became digital nomads and earn billions a day working remotly; what I do not grasp is the same naming being used by Joe Smith, Mr Allcome, or a noboddy who barely get enought to buy a Chang in 7/11?

You may, if you please, P.M. and decline your qualities on the related field. Being who I am, with the qualifications I have, I rarely got any trouble to land a decent job with decent salary (6 digits a bare minimum in tbh) in the related field. Most of the so called digital nomad, SEO expert, coding guru, or whatever name; are usualy OR incompetent (at best not at the level they claim) OR lazy (unable to provide the amount of work a decent employer expect from employees) OR total fraud (sometimes the 3 at the same time).

LAst, being an old codger myself (or about, I prefer to define myself as old french fart), I found both pathetic and humoristic kids trying to explain me what life is about (they certainly did not pee where I did, and will never do so) , while on the same time trying to explain me what my work is about (digital nomad is anathema to most the specialities they claim to master). There are works that can be done remote (Sun promoted it, I believe Apple did it also at one time); but there are others that are not possible, depending too much of the local conditions of the network (and that is starter , easy to understand by layman people; obviously there is more to say about it, but it will become too much tech blahblah for that place).

So, in Thailand, the real Digital Nomad must be very very little, I would guess less than a hundred; and yes Immigration will turn a blind eye on them, because they make LOT of money to come here (and I do know it well, having the firt experience in 2003/2005 in Lopburi); here we are talking about well over 6 digits a month on a regulary basis. All the others, fighting to get a living at best in Thai standard (mean earning about 20 000) have no right , legaly AND moraly to claim for anything but the same as everyone. They get a visa allowing to do so, if there is not, then they shall move on; if they are high end residents I am quite sure LOT OF COUNTRIES will accept them .... In fact I do not even understand while they are still here, other expats do not love them, locals do not provide them with legal documentation, police want to expel them. Why are they still here??????????????

You may want to recount that figure my old codger of a friend, and also redefine what it means to be a digital nomad. You don't have to be a millionaire to be one, to sustain a house, food, a few luxuries is sufficient, I know of 4 such people myself here, and that's just who I know, so go back to the drawing board or take a nap

Nap? Wish I could, but I am at office working!

Anyway you made my point :

digital nomad , in your words, are people fighting to sustain survival (so barely a living by thai standard). Housing, few luxuries ...

Nothing here that will interest any countries in the world!

Furthermore, I am sure those people came here at first place because they were having the same kind of life at home (mean barely survival while being to lazy to improve their skills); am I right?

Last , I am still waiting for P.M. coming from one of those famed Digital Nomad, PM having his qualifications, said qualifications we would then compare with mines ...

Anyway, while it is normal to want the very best, One shall remember there is no such law written in stone; worst the only laws we all know (and in every countries, allow me to stress it out once more) seems to forbid such migration.

Why? Simply those are people looking to leave OUT THE GRID (mean pay no taxes, fully no national duty, break laws with regards to drugs, .... etc ... und so weiter ...) while searching to abuse said grid with regards to potential benefits (example, being digital nomad abroad until 65 y old, and then claim retirement benefit ) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On the other hand, well know, successful , well pay IT freelancers will not have any problems with Immigration and Police (under some conditions, such as having at least a tourist visa, doing some active and real support to locals communities such as doting a primary school with old computers ... be aware I am NOT talking tea money) ... But how many of your famed 25 y old (example) digital nomads so called big spenders are in fact fitting that bill?

One high level specialist may decide to find peace here, and so work remote from the jungle; but that high level specialist will do work in the range of 100 bucks an hour (that is the usual rate in rentacoder.com website for such an individual). Others are only drifters or tramps to use an old word from USA back in the 30'.

Being in that Industry long before they were born, or even long before their parents were born, I can swear the topic is far to be a new one. But everytime it goes to the same bottom line : Some fews are genuine, who need specific conditions to express their genius; most are lazy fraud trying to avoid their duty , duty to own country, resident country, fellow citizens, duty to their employers. The genuine ones will never ever (unless crazed governement, but it is not the case here) be bothered, they provide more than they cost; the others will be a plague for both their own country and the resident country; they will support nothing but their own 'alternate life style'.

Not believe me? Check that one, the website is owned (and being the only earned money of a digital nomad based in Bkk since 2001 ... very nomadic) http://lb-69.com.w3snoop.com/

expected earning are 35 us$ (thirty five) ???????????? Does it qualify for anything, but the name of drifter? Want any other example of those 'valued' digital nomads? I have tons ...

On the other hand, my boss (he weight millions in dollars) is always in and out of Thailand, never heard of him being bothered by Immigration.

Ok, now you didn't do your homework properly.

The site you pointed to have 7 442 UNIQUE visitors every day.

You don't have to be a genius to figure out if only with 1 % of the visitors signs up to the website, it would mean at least 2 million THB per month.

It didn't state how many regular visitors there are per day, but I assume it's 10 times or more than that.

Some people should really start to think and maybe use a calculator before uttering an opinion in matter they have absolutely no knowledge about.

I, at least, am aware of my shortcomings on the financial outcome for this type of web sites, aka. digital nomadism.

A lot of raving and ranting about being a dutyfull and obedient tax payer, what a load of horse sh7t, I played that game in my native country and got well f-d over, way and beyond.

I was working in a few other countries in the EU, living in my native land, paying taxes in the country I was working in at the moment as they were long term but it wasn't enough for my governement, I had to pay taxes twice which meant my income for four years was a minus income, because of the extortion fees called penalty fees.

Long story short, my tax governement took what I got and didn't give a sh7t about me and my family that we didn't even had food on the table.

I had done everything correct and by the book, but it didn't matter to the tax department, so now I am a digital nomad but with a company here in LOS where I pay reasonable taxes even if my work isn't sold or used in Thailand.

Before you mistrust me, look up the Swedish tax lawes and rates on their website. A couple of years ago, Sweden delayed the tax treaty between EU states and that's exactly when I got squezed.

I even got a tax registration in 4 countries in Europe but that didn't matter much to the Swedish tax depertment, I only share this to convey my utter dismay and disbelief in western countries playing by the rules at all times and to explain to you that your reality is absolutely not mine.

During my eight years in LOS, I've got the opportunity to meet and get to know quite a few of my fellow collegues and none,NONE of them, are low incomers or a plague to anyone.

Most of us are working hard and don't have time for raving and ranting on TV, although I sometimes take a break from work to comment some postings.

When I first came here, I had to start over as I couldn't continue working for my clients, contracts and legal issues behind that.

I as everyone else who starts all over from zero don't have much means, but as a professional, bit by bit I'm gaining trust and new clients, but it's not just me, a whole bunch of my collegues here in LOS have similar backgrounds or some got stiffed by their own country in divorces, legal battles with competing companies and so forth.

One good example is thePiratebay, they got prosecuted in Sweden and lost their case in court, which was really based on politics, the US told the Swedes is they didn't convict them, Sweden would be under financial attack from USA.

4 Swedish guys got caught in the game and had to pay extortinate amount of money in fines and also have jail time hanging over their heads and yes, I know one of them, don't know him very well but still.

At the time when I got screwed over, my only drive was my job and family, not to make huge sums of money.

So please don't pretend you know any of us hardworking, creative and tax paying people in the LOS working in IT (digital nomads)!

And for what's it's worth to people wanting to work here in LOS, form a company, don't trust anyone else saying otherwise, make whatever you can, pay your taxes, work the hours you want or not and lastly, get a work permit.

But do it the right way, the benefits superseeds the lack of it.

[bluecheesefan]

Thailand's tax position is that income derived more than 12 months ago is classed as capital and there are no taxes on capital. Thus, if you are domiciled in a country which only taxes income repatriated to that country when you are in residence for a specific number of days per year and you do not meet those requirements, you are free to roll up that income until such time as your physical residence of Thailand classes it as capital and thus satisfy your legal tax obligations in both countries, albeit without paying any taxes.

So hypothetically -

If I own a business in my home country - say a freelance consultant - and I am married to a Thai and therefore have a proper Visa for living in Thailand, I am not responsible for any tax as long as I am funding myself based on capital.

For instance, I own the hypothetical business, but I have already accumulated $250k in savings in my home country. I continue to accrue funds by working virtually for companies in my home country, but I am actually funding myself based on the funds I've already accumulated over 12 months before (capital). Correct?

As new funds come into my accounts in the home country, the funds age and by the time I use them, I am only dealing with capital.

[aboctok]

>Thats from the horses mouth, but in direct contradiction of every other immigration and labor office spokesperson or official statement.

No doubt it will soon be corrected in another statement saying that technically this kind of working is actually not allowed.

What they're really want to say is that this rule is not being enforced, and they are trying to rid the country of criminals and those working in jobs that Thai's could do.

If you're a digital nomad (or a millionaire playboy) it's interesting to know what the immigration and police departments deem worthy of enforcement.

The sanctimonious old codgers will continue to shout (where their ailing lungs allow) about their strict interpretation of the law and resentfully wish for the days of the 1900's when they were the only white man in town, and treated like the rare birds that they know themselves to be.

A solid Like, for recalling the good ol' 1900s.

[LivinLOS]

Thailand's tax position is that income derived more than 12 months ago is classed as capital and there are no taxes on capital. Thus, if you are domiciled in a country which only taxes income repatriated to that country when you are in residence for a specific number of days per year and you do not meet those requirements, you are free to roll up that income until such time as your physical residence of Thailand classes it as capital and thus satisfy your legal tax obligations in both countries, albeit without paying any taxes.

So hypothetically -

If I own a business in my home country - say a freelance consultant - and I am married to a Thai and therefore have a proper Visa for living in Thailand, I am not responsible for any tax as long as I am funding myself based on capital.

For instance, I own the hypothetical business, but I have already accumulated $250k in savings in my home country. I continue to accrue funds by working virtually for companies in my home country, but I am actually funding myself based on the funds I've already accumulated over 12 months before (capital). Correct?

As new funds come into my accounts in the home country, the funds age and by the time I use them, I am only dealing with capital.

That is the case yes..

If you dont bring money into the country in the year it is earned, it is no longer earnings but capital.. Hence (income) tax free..

I have always pondered if you have only one bank account.. How do you know which dollar in the account is the dollar you made this month, or the dollar you made 10 years ago ??

Luckily for me I have many accounts.. So I dont think too hard on it.

[larsjohnsson]

I am a classic example of a digital nomad. I manufacture all my goods in India. I ship everything from India worldwide. I take all currencies. All these currencies get exchanged into Thai Baht and go in my Siam Commercial. All i do is act as the conductor overseeing the orchestra from my abode in Thailand.

Unless "nomad" is legally defined as YOU being nomadic, and not your business operations being nomadic. Thailand (if there is a legal definition of nomad in Thailand) may define a nomad as someone who lives in many places, and thus excludes anyone who lives here full time.

I think the word nomad is used to define several factors, in my case.

1. Is this person taking a potential Thai job? NO

2. Is this person buying and selling goods from Thailand? NO

3. Is this persons income inland revenue? NO

4. Is this persons income out land revenue? YES

This is basically the same as someone taking savings from an overseas bank and depositing into a Thai bank to put into the Thai economy simply to stay here.

In my case i have a Thai wife and a daughter, School fees, health care, mortgage, car, and if i am luck a few soups down at the local every now and then.

He is selling and shipping worldwide. That would of course include Thailand

[bluecheesefan]

With reference to the story above from the Chiang Mai City News, this is the first Thaivisa has heard about 'digital nomads' (or anyone else for that matter) being able to legally work on a tourist visa. We don't know if this confirmed, if it only applies to Chiang Mai or if it's nationwide.

We doubt this is the last we have heard of this story but we will try and seek further clarification regarding this matter.

/Moderating team

on a tourist Visa you are not allowed to work and no IMO can give you this answer, but

again for the last who didnt understand, they are not working in thailand, even they stay here

they are working outside thailand. At because of that, no goverment in Thailand can give a work permit

for a work what doesnt exist!

A work permit would mean they are allowed to work in Thailand for thai customers

The work is done where the person is physically located at the time it is performed.. Not in some cyber space virtual non entity..

“Doing business online is considered a type of work, so foreigners are required to have a work permit to do so.

Somkiat Baiadul, an officer at the work permit division of the Phuket Department of Employment -

See more at: http://legacy.phuketgazette.net/issuesanswers/details.asp?id=1175#sthash.8cet0UdO.dpuf

The question posed was not clear enough. The response seems to indicate the officer took it as being someone being compensated in Thailand for an online presence. Not someone actually being compensated in a completely different country. Just my opinion, but it still seems unclear.

[SiggiCM]

I checked in to this about one year ago, and several conditions apply

You must be employed in your home country, and be payed by your employer in your home country, You need to get your salary in your home country and pay all taxes there.

You can not write a single line of code for a Thai company, You can not get payed by having money sent to your thai account,

But if you work for, as an example, a Swedish company, that makes home pages for other Swedish companies and you get your salary in Sweden by that Swedish company, and you pay Swedish taxes you are allow to sit here in Thailand and work on a Tourist Visa.

How (and who) established these conditions and did they put it in writing ??

you dont have to put it in writing!

law not write what is allowed, they are writing what is not allowed and definition of terms,

so when you are not working for a customer who lives in Thailand, and you not ship goods from thailand,

you can do whatever you want at your home or in public,

so how police or court can charge you for illegal working?

they have to interview your customers by police, they have to get bankstatements

and they have to show that exactly this work for this special was done within thailand,

they would need invoices stated from thailand to your customers and so on

impossible

[LivinLOS]

^^^ Seems perfectly clear..

Is earning money through online advertising, website affiliate marketing or operating a business that has only an online presence whilst staying in Thailand considered working? Would that person be required to have a “business visa”?

See more at: http://legacy.phuketgazette.net/issuesanswers/details.asp?id=1175#sthash.8cet0UdO.vA8Eriv0.dpuf

[LivinLOS]

I checked in to this about one year ago, and several conditions apply

You must be employed in your home country, and be payed by your employer in your home country, You need to get your salary in your home country and pay all taxes there.

You can not write a single line of code for a Thai company, You can not get payed by having money sent to your thai account,

But if you work for, as an example, a Swedish company, that makes home pages for other Swedish companies and you get your salary in Sweden by that Swedish company, and you pay Swedish taxes you are allow to sit here in Thailand and work on a Tourist Visa.

How (and who) established these conditions and did they put it in writing ??

you dont have to put it in writing!

law not write what is allowed, they are writing what is not allowed and definition of terms,

so when you are not working for a customer who lives in Thailand, and you not ship goods from thailand,

you can do whatever you want at your home or in public,

so how police or court can charge you for illegal working?

they have to interview your customers by police, they have to get bankstatements

and they have to show that exactly this work for this special was done within thailand,

they would need invoices stated from thailand to your customers and so on

impossible

You appear to be confusing "difficult to prosecute' with "legal"..

Secondly you might find out, Thai justice doesnt need to use the facts to prosecute.. They can simply deport you.

[Loptr]

I am a classic example of a digital nomad. I manufacture all my goods in India. I ship everything from India worldwide. I take all currencies. All these currencies get exchanged into Thai Baht and go in my Siam Commercial. All i do is act as the conductor overseeing the orchestra from my abode in Thailand.

Unless "nomad" is legally defined as YOU being nomadic, and not your business operations being nomadic. Thailand (if there is a legal definition of nomad in Thailand) may define a nomad as someone who lives in many places, and thus excludes anyone who lives here full time.

You are splitting hairs... The qualifying factor is that the foreigner is on a tourist visa... How would they track "nomads"?

[laobali]

digital nomad ????????

a nomad...long time ago....well..... perhaps but this thing....... what the hell is that ?

Someone who needs all his fingers and toes to count the money he's making - somewhere?

[rwdrwdrwd]

You may, if you please, P.M. and decline your qualities on the related field. Being who I am, with the qualifications I have, I rarely got any trouble to land a decent job with decent salary (6 digits a bare minimum in tbh) in the related field. Most of the so called digital nomad, SEO expert, coding guru, or whatever name; are usualy OR incompetent (at best not at the level they claim) OR lazy (unable to provide the amount of work a decent employer expect from employees) OR total fraud (sometimes the 3 at the same time).

Yep, all skint, lazy, incompetent fraudsters. They are definitely not earning multiples of the amount you are from the comfort of home. Definitely no scenarios where someone's skillset leads them to be in demand on a remote basis for western money.

Definitely not, that would be absurd.

Thanks for being the voice of sanity and reason and clearing all this up.

Chin chin.

Edited August 21, 2014 by rwdrwdrwd