How much should I pay a Thai driver?

For health reasons I am considering hiring a driver, I already know a Thai person that would be excellent and I know they would very much appreciate the job.

I certainly do not want to be a “cheap charley”, but I do not want to over pay either, I would like a fair deal both ways.

I am on a retirement visa, and yes I really am retired.

Questions: (1) Suggestions on what I should pay the driver for a maximum 20 hours per week? (2) Are there any legal requirements or (regulations, ie: employment regulations, taxes, my immigration status, etc?

Any help would be most appreciated.

Where do you live in relation to where you need to go? Do you supply the car? How often are your errands/trips...does he have to drive and wait on you on the pub circuit? Are the hours more or less regular and set or will he have to follow and mop up after socializing?

Where do you live in relation to where you need to go? Do you supply the car? How often are your errands/trips...does he have to drive and wait on you on the pub circuit? Are the hours more or less regular and set or will he have to follow and mop up after socializing?

And will it be normal office hours or middle in the night.

A call at 1AM...."I am at the pink cat bar and need to go home with my new friend" is more expensive than half day 9-13 service.

20 hours a week is what - 5 days x 4 hours per day?

You will not get a Driver willing to commit his time to that sort of schedule - just to hang around for the rest of the day, without income, waiting for you.

Best solution would be to talk to a local Taxi Driver, get his Mobile No. and call him - as far in advance as possible - when you need him.

Patrick

20 hours a week is what - 5 days x 4 hours per day?

You will not get a Driver willing to commit his time to that sort of schedule - just to hang around for the rest of the day, without income, waiting for you.

Best solution would be to talk to a local Taxi Driver, get his Mobile No. and call him - as far in advance as possible - when you need him.

Patrick

depends on the payment....for 7-8000 why not.

Or if outside some farmer, if you agree that there are some times when he doesn't has time.

Or a motorbike taxi guy, who is in the rest of his time motorbike taxi.

When my inlaws use a driver they pay 500bht for an 8 hour day. That is purely for his time as he drives their car and they pay for fuel.

I pay 500B a day for semi skilled labour like this.

20hrs/week will very much depend on the hours. If not regular or if late night, then you'll struggle to get anyone to commit unless you overpay.

Taxis are probably the best option. Negotiate with one a reasonable rate.

Ask him (the driver) what he wants for it.

On the info you provided I think you may be just as well off calling a taxi when you need a ride. May try that for a month and see what that costs.

OP, where abouts are you in Thailand?

This matters as wage scales do differ in certain areas.