This article explores issues related to job searching in Thailand, current vacancies, requirements for foreign specialists, and the applicable labor legislation of the Kingdom of Thailand as of 2026.
Warning: regarding illegal employment
Since 2020, Thailand has had an emergency decree on the employment of foreign workers, which has been repeatedly amended and clarified. As of 2025–2026, the legislative norms remain strict and provide for serious liability for working without a permit.
Foreign nationals who engage in employment in Thailand without a valid work permit may be fined up to 50,000 baht, deported from the country, and banned from re-entry. In some cases, in the event of systematic violations or work in a prohibited field, criminal prosecution is possible. Similar liability is предусмотрена if a foreigner performs work that does not correspond to the type of activity specified in the work permit.
| Position | Average salary (THB/month) | In dollars | Legal employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdresser | 18,000 – 25,000 | 677.16 USD | No |
| Doctor | 60,000 – 120,000 | 2,770.20 USD | Yes |
| Translator | 30,000 – 45,000 | 1,154.25 USD | Yes |
| Programmer (Java, C++, Python) | 60,000 – 120,000 | 2,770.20 USD | Yes |
| Transfer guide | 30,000 – 40,000 | 1,077.30 USD | Yes |
| Tour guide | 35,000 – 55,000 | 1,385.10 USD | No |
| Hotel guide | 40,000 – 55,000 | 1,462.05 USD | Yes |
| Photographer | 30,000 – 50,000 | 1,231.20 USD | No |
| Dancers (go-go, pole dance, etc.) | 45,000 – 70,000 | 1,769.85 USD | Yes |
| Nanny | 18,000 – 25,000 | 677.16 USD | No |
| English teacher | 35,000 – 50,000 | 1,308.15 USD | Yes |
Thailand: professions prohibited for foreigners (current for 2026)
Thailand has an official list of professions to which access is fully or partially closed to foreign nationals. This list is regularly updated by the Thai Ministry of Labour and is aimed at protecting employment opportunities for the local population.
The latest significant changes to the list of prohibited professions were introduced in 2020–2024. As of 2026, most restrictions remain in force.
All prohibited fields can be conditionally divided into several categories.
- Types of activities prohibited for cultural and state reasons:
- work in mass media (print, radio, television);
- auction activities related to cultural heritage items;
- manufacture of images of Buddha and religious objects.
- Professions closed to foreigners in order to protect the Thai labor market.
- construction specialties;
- drivers (with the exception of aviation and international transport);
- salespersons and street trading;
- hairdressers, cosmetologists, stylists;
- jewelry and handicraft production;
- guides and tour guides;
- accountants, auditors, lawyers;
- engineers and architects without special authorization.
Legal employment in Thailand
For legal employment, a foreign citizen requires:
- a non-immigrant visa category B (Business Visa);
- a valid work permit;
- a contract with an employer registered in Thailand.
The work permit is issued by the employer and is usually granted for a period of
up to one year with mandatory annual renewal. When changing employers,
a new permit must be issued.
In practice, most employers target a salary level of 35,000–40,000 baht per month for foreign specialists; however, no fixed statutory minimum has been established.
around 12,000–15,000 baht per month. For specialists with higher education —
20,000–35,000 baht. In technical and IT fields, incomes may exceed
100,000 baht per month.
The most in-demand legal professions for foreigners:
- programmers and IT specialists;
- English teachers;
- designers;
- consultants and administrators;
- specialists of international companies.
Illegal employment in Thailand
Despite the risks, some foreigners continue to work without proper documentation.
The most common types of illegal employment:
- animators;
- guides and tour guides;
- photographers;
- private services in the beauty industry.
It is important to understand that even remote work and freelancing while being
physically present in Thailand formally require a work permit.
Where to look for a job in Thailand
The main ways to search for a job:
- international job sites;
- recommendations and personal contacts;
- social networks and professional communities;
- remote work for foreign companies.
- JobsDB Thailand — one of the largest English-language job search websites
in Thailand, widely used by local and international employers. - LinkedIn Jobs — the primary tool for finding office positions,
jobs in international companies, startups, and the IT sector. - Indeed Thailand — a job aggregator with offers for specialists
of various levels, including positions for foreigners. - Glassdoor — used for job searching and researching information
about employers, salary levels, and working conditions. - Monster Thailand — an international platform with vacancies in Thailand,
focused on qualified specialists.
Jobs in education
For foreigners planning to work in education, especially
as English teachers, there are specialized English-language resources:
- Ajarn — one of the most popular websites for finding work as an
English teacher in Thailand. - Teach Away — an international platform for teachers
working abroad. - TES — a resource for qualified teachers of international schools.
In summary, finding a job in Thailand in 2026 is possible, but requires strict compliance with immigration and labor legislation. The legal path is more complex; however, it is precisely this route that ensures safety, stability, and the absence of legal problems.
Source: https://www.mol.go.th/en/
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