Any advice for taking my online business with me to Thailand?

Question

I'm thinking about taking an extended stay overseas. Probably Thailand. I'm a graphic designer and I do all of my work on the computer and over the internet.

I wonder if anyone has experience with a similar situation.
Work permits, taxes, connectivity problems or any other pitfalls I should look out for?

Thanks

Answer 1

You could easily continue to work your business over the internet. Connectivity is not a problem here. Work permits require a corporation which is an animal all unto itself. Many expats work from their computer, under the radar so to speak. Keep your WEB site hosted in the US, and work from Thailand. The potential for problems is minimal, as long as you are not openly advertising in the Thai market with billboards or an open shop. Advertise locally on Craig's List or ThaiVisa.com Web sites.



Good luck, and welcome to the Land of Smiles (LOS)



*** UPDATE*** The Tourist Visa is certainly the route wan to take. I lived here in Thailand for 2 1/2 years by just going to Laos to get double entry tourist Visa's. Most any apartment you rent will have WIFI available for between 400 and 600 baht a month.



Another good place to check out Visa options and Thailand in General is Thaivisa.com. This a widely used forum about thailand and what is happening here.

Answer 2

Yes, a VISA will be a problem if you want to stay long term. You can get a job in Thailand to obtain a business VISA but you are limited to the types of jobs you can get here. They typically are only jobs that the Thai workforce cannot provide. Many people that live over here end up teaching English in a school or University. Depending on your education, you could do something like that. Otherwise, you're looking at 4 months max stay if you follow the tourist visa rules. Good luck!



http://www.thaikiks.com

Answer 3

Since your business will not be based in Thailand, you will not require a Thai work permit - a Thai work permit is only required if you are working for a Thai employer, or if you have your own Thai business which you want to legitimately work in.



Your main concern should be obtaining the correct visa. Most likely, you will have to apply for a multiple entry tourist visa, which lasts for 15 months - a visa run is required every 90 days though. There are lots of different visas, such as a marriage visa which will only require you to get a visa annually.



Anyway, this site should be of use to you:

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2637.php

http://www.guidetothailand.com/thailand-travel-information/visa.php

Answer 4

Two concerns that 1st come to mind are 1) What type of visa will you have? A tourist visa allows you to stay max 90 days within a six month period. If you intend to stay longer, do you qualify for a retirement visa (over 50 years old and 800,000 baht in the bank for the past 3 months or a monthly pension of ~60,000 baht, plus a few other requirements)? 2)How will you hook-up to the internet? If you are on tourist visa, most internet service providers won't let you sign up as they know you will be gone very soon. So you will be limited to internet cafes, hotel internet or prepaid wireless, I hear the prepaid wireless is not so great.

As for taxes you don't have to pay the Thai government as technically you are not employed in Thailand. Work permit not needed unless you plan to work for a Thai company.