http://legacy.phuketgazette.net/issuesanswers/details.asp?id=1532

Is uploading videos to YouTube considered work?

I have a YouTube channel showing a video diary of my travels around Thailand – promoting the country and activities here.

I am trying to understand what laws I need to be aware of in relation to my current and past activities. Is uploading videos to YouTube considered work? Does it matter if I have YouTube ads turned on or off?

I have many other videos on my channel, which I made 100 per cent outside Thailand – before my arrival. If I have ads turned on and am being paid for these past activities while I am in the Kingdom, is this considered work?

Concerned vlogger, Thailand. Thursday, September 4, 2014 9:36:54 AM

“No, it isn’t, as long as the uploading is for fun or to share on social media networks publicly for free.

However, if you turn on YouTube ads while living in Thailand, or post them in your own blog where they can collect revenue, this could be considered work.

Even if you posted videos while outside Thailand, but then activated or turned on ads related to them, this would still be considered work, as you would be making money while in the country. It means you are working while you are living in the Kingdom.

However, if you activated the ads before entering the country, but still received revenue once entering the country for your holiday, then this would not be considered as working while staying in Thailand.”

Thursday, September 4, 2014 9:36:54 AM Yaowapa Pibulpol, chief of Phuket Provincial Employment Office (PPEO). -

So interesting they have stated residual income from blogging and vlogging is fine and clear..

And as expected, any blogging done inside the country, and adds turned on inside the country, makes it need a work permit.

Would have been interesting to have asked him HOW to get a WP for this work!!

Its also interesting that he uses the justification that its illegal if you turn on adds, because thats making money.. When they have so clearly said so many times, that making money isnt a determining factor, its the performing of the action.

If you have an Adsense account outside of Thailand and you pay offshore their should be no problem. Their has never been a problem or anyone ever been court for running a blog inside Thailand but just make sure the money comes offshore and you will be fine.

BTW MY adsense account has been activated for ages and revenues always have been going to Europe.

Edited September 6, 201411 yr by MobileContent

If you have an Adsense account outside of Thailand and you pay offshore their should be no problem. Their has never been a problem or anyone ever been court for running a blog inside Thailand but just make sure the money comes offshore and you will be fine.

BTW MY adsense account has been activated for ages and revenues always have been going to Europe.

You appear to be confusing "unlikely to be caught or prosecuted' with "legal"..

The question is not which laws you can probably break, but what the law actually is.

... or maybe the question is what does the law consider that I am not doing in Thailand while I am in Thailand.

FYI, the Department of Employment is not in charge of issuing work permits. In normal circumstances, they should never even deal with Westerners.

The Ministry of Labour is the one issuing work permits and Immigration is in charge of visas.

I would therefore take what someone from DOE says about work permits and such with a grain, or even a handful, of salt.

Edited September 7, 201411 yr by nicolas18

FYI, the Department of Employment is not in charge of issuing work permits. In normal circumstances, they should never even deal with Westerners.

The Ministry of Labour is the one issuing work permits and Immigration is in charge of visas.

I would therefore take what someone from DOE says about work permits and such with a grain, or even a handful, of salt.

You should check what ministry the DOE is under.

They are under the labor ministry and part of their responsibilities is work permits.