Working in Thailand - WP required to work legally?

**WayneS** · 8th August 2009 16:30

Three of us were hired a few months ago. Myself and one other guy are going next week to get the work permit thing as we have non-b visa and the other teacher said he didn't want a work permit and didn't need one because he was on a student visa.

From my reading, to work in Thailand, you have to have a work permit paper. Can you work from a student visa and is that easier than getting a work permit paper?

**aging one** · 8th August 2009 16:34

You cant work on a student visa. Sure its better to have a WP than not. So your school has prepared all the documentation for you>

**WayneS** · 8th August 2009 16:39

Yes, everything is set. I pay for the visa and they pay for the work permit paper as they own it. I told the guy that I thought it was a black and white thing ... to work legally you have to have a work permit paper. Period. But he's been here longer than me and his condescending attitude has pissed me off since yesterday, so I thought I would ask you guys.

**aging one** · 8th August 2009 16:42

Nope you would get in more trouble working on a student visa than just working.

Have him check this link out.

Working with a student visa

Unfortunately, there's no way to work legally when you are in Thailand on a student visa. If you get an official job with the according visa, you can also study on this visa, but not the other way around. We recommend to have a look at the discussion forums for foreigners and students in Thailand. All we know is that there are plenty of students financing at least a part of their studies by some jobs, legally or not... We recommend you to read Working with Thais and our comments on looking for a job or internship in Thailand.

**manned-rake** · 8th August 2009 16:44

^He is probably not really considering legality. Sounds like a question of convenience. He won't have to do visa runs with his student visa, just as you won't have to with your Non-B. For many teachers here, legality is not that important; what counts is the long stay visa and not doing runs.

**aging one** · 8th August 2009 16:47

Then I hope they get caught out. Guess I am a hard hearted sob.

**WayneS** · 8th August 2009 16:49

The discussion went something like this...

Dude, I don't think you can work OR be employed legally in Thailand without a work permit. No paper, no workee.

He reminded me of how long I was in country, to the amusement of the staff room and laughed. Been fuming over it since.

Thanks for letting me know....as long as I'm legal, I could give a shit less what he does.

**manned-rake** · 8th August 2009 16:51

You hope the same for the people here who top up their salaries with illegal corporate gigs? People who do a bit of private work on the side? People who work at unis and do work outside what is defined in the contract that their WP depends on and is therefore illegal? Really? Having a WP makes one job legal; any and all other paid work outside the terms of that contract is illegal and illegal is like pregnant in that there is no being "a little illegal".

**WayneS** · 8th August 2009 16:54

No, I said I don't care what HE does....I don't want to end up in some third world jail.

**Ember** · 8th August 2009 16:55

^
Spot on manned-rake.

**manned-rake** · 8th August 2009 16:56

^My questions were for AO.

And his point, your arrogant co-worker's I mean, was just that neither of you were going to jail, but he didn't have to go through the WP process.

**aging one** · 8th August 2009 17:00

I would have no sympathy for a person working on a student visa who got picked up for working full time as this guy seems to be. If you are working and have no WP I sympathize with you, but hope you can do what is necessary to get the WP. I you have a WP and are working outside of your said job I say more power to you.

Hope this is clear.

**WayneS** · 8th August 2009 17:03

From what I gathered....its the tax process and paying for the visa that I later heard him say to a friend that only an "noobie or idiot" would do.

what pisses me off, I'm legal, paid for my papers, paying taxes while this twat doesn't do all of that.

Oh well, who ever said the world was fair....thanks.

**aging one** · 8th August 2009 17:09

Wayne, How can he not pay taxes? Does your school pay you in cash?

**WayneS** · 8th August 2009 17:13

Have been paid cash until the end of this month. Then once I have my paperwork and visa I have to open a Bangkok Bank account. I'll get a pay stub just like the other teachers then. They told me my back taxes and my taxes and other stuff will be taken out from there.