What jobs are prohibited for foreigners in Thailand?

1. Labour work except labour work in fishing boats under the next category below: This refers to any manual labor jobs, such as construction work, factory work, and farm work, that are not related to fishing boats.

2. Agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry or fishery, except work requiring specialized knowledge, farm supervision, or labour work in fishing boats, particularly marine fishery: This prohibits foreigners from working in agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, or fishery unless they have specialized knowledge or are supervising a farm. However, they may work on fishing boats.

3. Bricklaying, carpentry, or other construction work: This prohibits foreigners from working in the construction industry, including jobs like bricklaying and carpentry.

4. Wood carving: This prohibits foreigners from working in wood carving, a traditional Thai craft.

5. Driving motor vehicles or vehicles which do not use machinery or mechanical devices, except piloting aircraft internationally: This prohibits foreigners from working as drivers of vehicles that do not require machinery or mechanical devices, such as bicycles or animal-drawn carts. However, they may pilot aircraft internationally.

6. Front shop sales and auction sale work: This prohibits foreigners from working in retail sales or auction sales.

7. Supervising, auditing, or giving service in accountancy, except occasional internal auditing: This prohibits foreigners from working in the field of accountancy, except for occasional internal auditing.

8. Cutting or polishing precious or semi-precious stones: This prohibits foreigners from working in the gemstone industry.

9. Haircutting, hairdressing, or beautification: This prohibits foreigners from working in the beauty industry, including jobs like haircutting and hairdressing.

10. Cloth weaving by hand: This prohibits foreigners from working in the traditional Thai craft of hand weaving.

11. Mat weaving or making utensils from reed, rattan, jute, hay, or bamboo: This prohibits foreigners from working in traditional Thai crafts like mat weaving or making utensils from natural materials.

12. Making rice paper by hand: This prohibits foreigners from working in the traditional Thai craft of making rice paper by hand.

13. Lacquer work: This prohibits foreigners from working in the traditional Thai craft of lacquer work.

14. Making Thai musical instruments: This prohibits foreigners from working in the traditional Thai craft of making musical instruments.

15. Niello work: This prohibits foreigners from working in the traditional Thai craft of niello work.

16. Goldsmith, silversmith, or gold/copper alloy smith work. Stone work: This prohibits foreigners from working in the metalworking or stoneworking industries.

17. Making Thai dolls: This prohibits foreigners from working in the traditional Thai craft of making dolls.

18. Making mattresses or quilts: This prohibits foreigners from working in the bedding industry.

19. Making alms bowls: This prohibits foreigners from working in the traditional Thai craft of making alms bowls.

20. Making silk products by hand: This prohibits foreigners from working in the traditional Thai craft of making silk products by hand.

21. Making Buddha images: This prohibits foreigners from working in the traditional Thai craft of making Buddha images.

22. Knife making: This prohibits foreigners from working in the knife-making industry.

23. Making paper or cloth umbrellas: This prohibits foreigners from working in the traditional Thai craft of making paper or cloth umbrellas.

24. Making shoes: This prohibits foreigners from working in the shoe-making industry.

25. Making hats: This prohibits foreigners from working in the hat-making industry.

26. Brokerage or agency except in international trading: This prohibits foreigners from working as brokers or agents, except in international trading.

27. Professional Civil Engineering Concerning Design and Calculation, Systemization, Analysis, Planning, Testing, Construction Supervision, or Consulting Services, Excluding Work Requiring Specialized Techniques: Foreigners are not permitted to work in civil engineering jobs that require specific skills or expertise. However, they can perform work related to civil engineering that does not require any specialized knowledge, such as office work or administrative tasks. This includes activities such as design and calculation, systemization, analysis, planning, testing, construction supervision, or consulting services. If the work requires specialized techniques, then it may only be performed by Thai citizens.
28. Professional Architectural Work Concerning Design, Drawing/Making, Cost Estimation, or Consulting Services:Foreigners are not allowed to work in professional architectural jobs that require specific skills or expertise, but they may perform work related to architecture that does not require any specialized knowledge. This includes activities such as design and drawing/making, cost estimation, or consulting services. If the work requires specialized techniques, then it may only be performed by Thai citizens.
29. Dressmaking: Foreigners are not allowed to work as dressmakers in Thailand unless they have a work permit. They may only work in this field if they have specialized knowledge or expertise in a particular area related to dressmaking. For example, they may work as fashion designers or textile specialists.
30. Pottery: Foreigners are not permitted to work as potters in Thailand unless they have a work permit. They may only work in this field if they have specialized knowledge or expertise in a particular area related to pottery, such as ceramics or kiln design.
31. Cigarette Rolling by Hand: Foreigners are not allowed to work as cigarette rollers in Thailand, except for those who have a work permit. They may only work in this field if they have specialized knowledge or expertise in a particular area related to cigarette rolling, such as tobacco processing or packaging.
32. Tour Guiding or Conducting: Foreigners are not allowed to work as tour guides or conductors in Thailand unless they have a work permit. They may only work in this field if they have specialized knowledge or expertise in a particular area related to tourism, such as history, culture, or language.
33. Hawking of Goods & Thai Typesetting by Hand: Foreigners are not allowed to work as hawkers of goods or Thai typesetting by hand in Thailand unless they have a work permit. They may only work in these fields if they have specialized knowledge or expertise in a particular area related to the goods being sold or the Thai language.
34. Unwinding and Twisting Silk by Hand: Foreigners are not allowed to work as silk unwinders or twisters in Thailand unless they have a work permit. They may only work in this field if they have specialized knowledge or expertise in a particular area related to silk production, such as sericulture or silk weaving.
35. Clerical or Secretarial Work: Foreigners are not allowed to work in clerical or secretarial jobs in Thailand unless they have a work permit. They may only work in this field if they have specialized knowledge or expertise in a particular area related to the work, such as translation or transcription.
36. Providing Legal Services or Engaging in Legal Work, Except Arbitration Work: Foreigners are not allowed to provide legal services or engage in legal work in Thailand unless they have a work permit. However, they may perform arbitration work as long as they have the necessary qualifications and certifications.

There are a variety of jobs that are prohibited for foreigners in Thailand. These restrictions are put in place to ensure that job opportunities are reserved for Thai citizens, to protect the local economy, and to maintain national security. It's important for foreign workers to abide by these restrictions and obtain the appropriate work permits if they wish to work in Thailand. However, it's also important to note that there are some exceptions to these restrictions for specialized jobs that require a certain level of skill or expertise.

Foreigners who are interested in working in Thailand should do their research and ensure that they are not violating any regulations or laws. This includes obtaining the proper visas and work permits, as well as ensuring that they are not working in any prohibited industries or positions. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in legal consequences, including fines, deportation, and possible imprisonment.

Overall, Thailand welcomes foreign visitors and workers, but it's important for them to understand and abide by the country's laws and regulations. By doing so, they can have a safe and enjoyable experience in this beautiful and vibrant country.