{"id":1828,"date":"2023-03-22T12:33:17","date_gmt":"2023-03-22T05:33:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.th\/blog\/?p=1828"},"modified":"2023-03-22T13:46:27","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T06:46:27","slug":"is-it-legal-to-work-remotely-in-thailand-without-a-work-permit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.th\/blog\/is-it-legal-to-work-remotely-in-thailand-without-a-work-permit\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it legal to work remotely in Thailand without a work permit?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Imagine swapping your view of office buildings for the pristine beaches of Thailand – or indeed any other exotic location in the country. You could skip your hectic morning commute on the subway, enjoy some THB \u0e3f60 (approx USD $2) freshly-made noodles for breakfast, and get straight to work from your new home. In the evenings and on weekends, you\u2019ve got an entire city and country to explore. To top it off, you can work the same job for the same pay.<\/p>\n

While this kind of lifestyle was only restricted to digital nomads in Thailand, it\u2019s becoming more and more attainable due to the increased number of remote jobs, as accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. With that said, what is the status of remote workers in the Kingdom, and is it legal to work remotely in the country without a work permit? Pacific Prime Thailand<\/a> tells you the answer to this question and so much more in this article!<\/p>\n

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Thailand\u2019s Appeal: Low Cost of Living, Great Weather, Amazing Food, etc.<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s hardly a surprise that Thailand is one of the top locations for digital nomads and remote workers. According to the overall ranking by Nomad List<\/a>, five Thai cities feature in the top 100: #10 is Chiang Mai, #23 is Ko Pha Ngan, #30 is Bangkok, #68 is Phuket, and #98 is Krabi. But of course, these rankings are to be taken with a pinch of salt, as it depends on the kind of lifestyle and experience you\u2019re looking to get as well.<\/p>\n

That being said, Thailand is a good bet if you\u2019re looking for a relatively lower cost of living. Even in the capital Bangkok<\/a>, where things can be more expensive than the rest of the country, your money goes a long way. What\u2019s more, you can always count on sunshine, friendly locals, and great food. The country is world-famous for its cheap and delicious street eats, as well as high-end restaurants and dining scene. There\u2019s also no shortage of things to see and do.<\/p>\n

Word of warning<\/strong>: Of course, no country is without a downside. If you choose to settle in Thailand, especially in big cities like Bangkok, you should be aware of the air pollution<\/a> and traffic. Furthermore, a well-connected subway and train system isn\u2019t the country\u2019s strong suit either, and you may also struggle with tropical diseases (or food poisoning<\/a>) if you go somewhere more rural. Check out our article on the vaccinations<\/a> you\u2019ll need before you head out.<\/p>\n

Legal matters: Visas\/work Permits for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers<\/h2>\n

When it comes to digital nomad visa or freelance work permit in Thailand, there is a Smart Visa<\/a> that digital nomads and remote workers may soon be able to apply to, giving up to 4 years of stay in the Kingdom. This is currently only a proposal by the Board of Investment (BOI), which has been approved by the Centre of COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and pending Cabinet approval.<\/p>\n

Under the proposal by the BOI, those on a tourist visa would be able to transfer to a Smart Visa as long as they have:<\/p>\n