Work reserved for Thais only - and a few for foreigners

[Gaybutton]

Have you ever wondered what jobs are restricted specifically for Thais only?
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Understanding Thailand’s 40 reserved occupations exclusively for Thai nationals

Reserved occupations are only for Thai nationals, and foreigners are generally not permitted

September 4, 2025

Although Thailand is relatively open in allowing foreigners to work through legal work visas, the law still restricts certain occupations exclusively for Thai nationals. Foreigners who do not receive specific exemptions are prohibited from engaging in these professions or roles.

According to the most recent legislation defining reserved occupations, there are 40 professions, grouped into four categories:

List 1: Twenty-seven occupations strictly prohibited to non-Thai nationals

Cutting or polishing diamonds or precious stones
Making Thai dolls
Clerical or secretarial work
Gold ornaments, silverware or pink gold-making
Driving motor vehicles, driving non-mechanically propelled carriers and driving domestic mechanically propelled carriers, except for driving international aircraft or forklifts
Silk reeling and twisting by hand
Paper or cloth umbrella making
Auctioning
Mat weaving or utensil making from reeds, rattan, hemp, straw, bamboo, bamboo pellicles, grass, chicken feathers, coconut leaf stick, fibres, wires or other materials
Alms bowl making
Cloth weaving by hand
Peddling goods
Manual typesetting of Thai characters
Making Thai musical instruments
Wood carving
Making Buddha images
Making silk products by hand
Thai massage
Lacquerware making
Cigarette rolling by hand
Being a tour guide or operating sightseeing tours
Stone inlay craftsmanship
Legal services in proceedings, except for the following occupations:
(A) Performing duties of arbitration
(B) Assisting or representing in arbitral proceedings where the law applicable to the dispute is not Thai law
Brokerage or agency work, except for international trade or investment
Mulberry paper making by hand
Nielloware making
Haircutting, hairdressing or beauty treatments

List 2: Three occupations allowed only for foreigners from countries with treaties or agreements with Thailand, or under international obligations

Engineering profession
Accounting profession
Architecture profession

List 3: Skilled or semi-skilled work permitted for non-Thais under conditions, and only when employed (eight jobs)

Hat making
Agriculture work
Mattress making
Pottery making
Shoe making
Garment making
Knife making
Bricklaying, carpentry or construction work

List 4: Manual labour permitted only for foreigners employed under an official MOU, or otherwise restricted (two jobs)

Labour work
Shop-front sales work

Foreign nationals can get more information on jobs in Thailand by visiting the Department of Employment website: https://e-service.doe.go.th/.

[Jun]

My former profession is on list 2, but working in Thailand is the last thing on my mind.

Taking holidays & investing in the stock market is too much fun to consider working.

[Gaybutton]

My former profession is on list 2, but working in Thailand is the last thing on my mind.

I notice sex work is not on the list of work restricted to Thais only. Anyone looking for a job . . . ?

[Jun]

I notice sex work is not on the list of work restricted to Thais only. Anyone looking for a job . . . ?

How many board members would find clients ?

Also, since prostitution is illegal, even in Thailand, it can't be on their list.