Thailand is open to foreign professionals, but the government has established labour regulations to safeguard employment opportunities for Thai citizens. As a result, some occupations are reserved for locals, and foreigners are not permitted to work in these roles. This guide explains which types of jobs are restricted and what foreign workers should be aware of before seeking employment in Thailand.
Thailand’s Labour Law Framework
Foreign nationals are not allowed to work in Thailand without a valid work permit, and they are also prohibited from working in occupations classified as restricted. Likewise, employers are not permitted to hire foreigners for jobs that fall under these prohibited categories.
The main laws regulating foreign employment are the Foreign Business Act (FBA) and the Alien Employment Act. Under these laws, business activities and occupations are divided into four lists:
- List 1: Activities and jobs strictly reserved for Thai nationals
- List 2: Jobs allowed only under special conditions or international agreements
- List 3: Jobs generally prohibited but allowed for skilled or semi-skilled foreign employees
- List 4: Jobs allowed only under government-to-government agreements (MoUs)
Among these, List 1 is the most restrictive for foreign workers.
List 1: Occupations Completely Prohibited for Foreigners
Foreigners are not permitted to work in the following jobs:
- Wood carving
- Driving motor vehicles or local transport vehicles (except international pilots and forklift operators)
- Auction services
- Cutting or polishing gemstones
- Hair cutting, hair styling, or beauty services
- Hand weaving of fabrics
- Making mats or household items from natural materials such as bamboo, rattan, straw, grass, coconut leaves, wire, or similar materials
- Handmade mulberry paper production
- Lacquerware crafting
- Manufacturing Thai musical instruments
- Nielloware production
- Making gold, silver, or rose-gold ornaments
- Bronze ware crafting
- Making traditional Thai dolls
- Producing alms bowls
- Hand-made silk product manufacturing
- Creating Buddha images
- Making paper or fabric umbrellas
- Brokerage or agency services, except in international trade or investment
- Thai traditional massage
- Hand-rolled cigarette production
- Tour guide services or sightseeing operations
- Street vending or peddling
- Manual Thai-language typesetting
- Hand silk reeling and twisting
- Clerical and secretarial work
- Legal services or representation in legal proceedings, except for:
- Acting as an arbitrator
- Assisting in arbitration cases where non-Thai law applies
List 2: Restricted Jobs Allowed Only Under Special Conditions
Foreigners may only work in the following professions if permitted under international agreements or specific legal exceptions:
- Accounting, auditing, and financial control services, except for:
- Temporary internal auditing
- Work certified by professional associations under international obligations
- Civil engineering work such as consulting, planning, designing, supervising construction, inspection, and system organisation, except for:
- Engineers registered under ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA) or other treaties
- Architectural services including design, project studies, supervision, and consulting, except for:
- Architects qualified under ASEAN MRA or applicable international agreements
List 3: Jobs Allowed for Skilled or Semi-Skilled Foreign Employees
Foreigners may perform the following jobs only if they are hired by an employer and possess suitable skills:
- Agriculture, livestock farming, forestry, and fishing
- Construction-related work such as bricklaying and carpentry
- Making mattresses or quilts
- Knife production
- Shoe making
- Hat production
- Tailoring and dressmaking
- Pottery and ceramic manufacturing
List 4: Jobs Allowed Only Under Government Agreements
These jobs are normally prohibited but may be allowed if the worker enters Thailand under official agreements between governments:
- General labour work involving physical strength or simple manual tasks
- Shop sales positions, including selling goods in stores, market stalls, or roadside shops
Conclusion
Although Thailand restricts certain occupations to protect its local workforce, many industries remain open to foreign professionals who hold valid visas and work permits. If you are unsure whether a particular position is allowed for foreigners, it is recommended to seek advice from the Thai Ministry of Labour or a qualified immigration specialist.
For foreigners planning to work in Thailand, or businesses wishing to hire overseas staff, professional immigration services can help with visa applications and work permit procedures, making the employment process smoother and legally compliant.