Looking For a Job
It’s often easier to find a job in Bangkok if you are actually there in person. Many companies and organizations do not hire foreigners from abroad unless they can’t fill that position locally, however they may very well be interested in hiring a candidate that takes initiative and applies in person. Doing business in Bangkok still heavily depends on face-to-face interactions and getting to know other expats may be the most successful path to finding a good job.
There are no rules against seeking employment on any visa type, only against actually working or doing business. That means it’s possible to go to Bangkok on any visa type and start looking for a job. Most people opt for the simple tourist visa (see “You want to go on reconnaissance”). If you find a company interested in hiring you, the next step is to convert your visa into a Non-Immigrant ‘B’ Visa (as described in the “You have a job and need to relocate” section). To do this, you need a work permit, but to get a work permit you need a Non-Immigrant ‘B’ Visa! The solution to this dilemma is that the company who wants to employ you will write a letter stating that they intend to employ you. You can then take this letter with you (along with the other required documents for a Non-Immigrant ‘B’ Visa) to a Thai embassy or consulate outside of Thailand and apply for the visa. The closest and most convenient is the Thai Embassy in Vientienne, Laos. The embassy staff are known to be helpful and efficient. The whole process should take no more than 2-3 days including transportation from Bangkok and back again.
It’s generally up to your employer to take care of getting the work permit, but you can do so yourself if needed. Contact the Immigration Office or Ministry of Labor for detailed information. It’s probably best to get help from a reputable law firm as well. Again, your employer should take care of your work permit for you and be wary of a companies that don’t want to do this.
Useful Addresses and Contact Information
Royal Thailand Embassy Laos
Route Phonekheng
P.O. Box 128
Vientiane
Laos
Phone: +856-21 214581, +856-21 214583, +856-21 223024
+856-21 217157
Fax: +856-21 214580, +856-21 216998
Email:thaivtn@mfa.go.th
Immigration Office Bangkok
Government Center B
No. 120 Mu 3
Chaeng Watthana Soi 7
Thung Song Hong, Laksi
Bangkok 10210
Phone: 0-2141-9889, Fax: 0-2143-8228
Call center: 1178
Website: http://www.immigration.go.th
