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Can I be self-employed in Thailand as a business consultant and tutor on a marital visa?

Feb 21, 2025
a day ago
Dave ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys,

Can you be self employed in Thailand?

In the uk I worked as a business consultant and part time teacher of business management. I was thinking of offering private/one to one business and English tutoring from my home or remotely, can I do that? And if so what visa would I need? I’m currently here as married to Thai wife. Don’t want to go through the hassle of setting a business up here, with all the conditions that come with that.

Thanks in advance!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The general consensus from the community is that working as a self-employed individual in Thailand is not straightforward. To work legally, you will need to obtain a work permit, which typically requires setting up a company with at least 51% Thai ownership and hiring Thai employees. While there is mention of the DTV visa, this could apply to jobs done remotely for companies outside Thailand but is not a viable option for consulting or tutoring local clients without the appropriate legal framework. Many responses emphasize the challenges and requirements of setting up a business as a foreign national in Thailand.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Robert *******
Two option do be legal without the fear to be kicked ot of Thailand.

1. Get employed by a company who will support the work permit.

2. Find a few investors, set up a company, hire some staff, get the work permit.
Bob **********
You can work remotely from Thailand with the new DTV
Vin *********
Self employed is a business.

So you have to set a business up.

....
Dave ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vin ********
self employed is a business with one person, no shares, a sole trader, In the uk it is anyway.
Vin *********
@Dave ***********
Yes.... that's what I said..... thanks for repeating it?
Dave ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vin ********
but it’s not the same in Thailand so setting up a business here is NOT the same. You have to have thai employees and Thai partners so completely different
Vin *********
@Dave ***********
correct. And it does not change what is stated.
Andy ********
In a word, no.
James ********
@Andy *******
correct ✅
Dave ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy *******
thank you Andy, that’s all I need to know 🙏
Mervyn ********
You say you don't want to go the legal route, setting up a business etc so your alternative is working illegally and being deported. Your choice as there is no other choice,
Dave ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mervyn *******
no my alternative is to forget about this idea, it was just an idea and a simple question. A one man operation can not work under the rules of setting up a company in Thailand, there are to many rules. Hence the question.

Why would you think I would want to work illegally and risk everything I’ve got here 🤷‍♂️
Mervyn ********
@Dave ***********
Because if you want to work here you have a choice, legal or illegal, there is no other choice. You say a one man operation can not work under the rules of setting up a company, i traded as a one man operation for 16 years, but i followed the rules.
Dave ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mervyn *******
how did you do that if you had to employ Thai people?
Wannikea *********
You can't interact with any Thai business or consumers in a remote work environment. You'd need a Thai registered company to do consulting here, but only in fields that aren't protected.
Peter *********
Yes - setup a Thai business (with all the required Thai staff etc and get yourself a work permit. Then sell your services
Andy ********
@Peter ********
He said he doesn't want to set up a company.
Dave ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter ********
thanks but said I didn’t want to do that in my post
Peter *********
@Dave ***********
it’s not as difficult as you think - and if your married then employee and monetary value requirements are lower.
Ticha *****************
If you don't have a lot of transaction

Cost of setting company is like 10K bath

And yearly cost of accounting(monthly )including audit for annual statement is like 10K - 15K

And 4 Thais employee (doesn't matter monthly or daily)
Dave ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ticha ****************
yes my post explained I don’t want do that but thanks
Samantha **********
DTV visa? If you already have a UK company that you could continue to run over there from here… that might be an option?
Samantha **********
For example… I own a business in UAE.

I work for that company here in Thailand.

Is that what you’re after?
Dave ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Samantha *********
I do have a uk company that I own and manage from here but i want to work here as explained, so not sure how that allows me to also work here on something different? IE private teaching
Samantha **********
@Dave ***********
You can work here FOR your UK company from here.

Is that what you mean?
Dave ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Samantha *********
my company in the uk is a supplement manufacturer, I do supply chain and finance from here. I want to do something different here ie private tutoring
Samantha **********
@Dave ***********
Right.

And if you have a business in the UK you can run that through (change the business entity… or something) you’re good.

Where do you want this business to officially live/reside?

Here or UK?

Here? No.

UK. Yes.
Samantha **********
@Dave ***********
If it all goes through your UK company DTV is the way.

If you want to trade here in Thailand directly, then the previous answers are correct.
Biff *******
You’d have to do what you said in your last sentence that you don’t want to do 😊
Andrew *********
No. Any physical work needs a work permit either for a company or owner with 51% Thai partner (unless American).

You need 4 Thai employees etc.

Remote work outside of Thailand may qualify for the DTV , but don't make long term plans around that.
Peter *******
Yes you can but you need a work permit to do it legally. Too get work permit you will need to set up a company.
Lloyd ********
Unless you set up a company, pay for that, the monthly accounting, the staff and their salaries and social payments etc
Lloyd ********
Basic answer......no.
Dave ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
lol ok was just an idea
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