Q&A Running a small business in Thailand
Apr 9th, 2008 by Lillian
I get emails asking me questions like the one above. I am honored to be asked these questions but honest.. I don’t know. So now, dear THAILAND, CHIANG MAI READERS I need your help. Please please answer this question for me !!
How difficult is it to run a small business in Thailand if you’re not married to a Thai.
Looking forward to your answers!!
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Easy if you have the right people/money behind you
Thanx Chris
I would have to say that it is very difficult…
Be aware that there is a list of occupations forbidden to foreigners, as long as your arm.
We are here to spend our foreign money, not make it. Many Thais think it strange for us to need to work to make money, we just get it off the money tree back home.
You are officially required to have a certain number of employees/partners etc.
Most give up because they just get ripped off, by the employees and the govt.
I know a few people that have set things up here with Thai people, but no one that has legitimately set anything up on their own. I have thankfully been able to work as a freelance web developer here in various capacities, but usually not entirely officially. I wouldn’t even attempt to set something legitimate here, laws are rather too often changed on a whim for my liking.
I think the best thing in Thailand is to earn your living through some web-based enterprise that exists outside of Thailand - something I have also done to various extents. It is quite remarkable how many people I have met in Thailand are doing this - and it seems that Thailand has become one of the most popular destinations for ‘location independent workers’ and internet professionals.