Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing Work Permits in Thailand. The question asked is should Thailand be changing its law regarding work authorization.

I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Pattaya Mail, that is pattayamail.com, the article is titled: Expanded Homestay seen as a booster for Thai tourist numbers. Quoting directly: "Such a move would certainly require legislation," - the thrust of this article has to do with the notion of a possible new Homestay regime which might include a visa for folks who want to stay in Thailand and like stay in someone's house for example out in the provinces. It seems to be sort of connected to these policy notions within the presumptive incoming possible Government on sort of decentralizing economic activity, providing some economic, especially in the tourism sector, some possible economic opportunities for folks out in the provinces and one of them is the notion of sort of a Homestay regime where foreign nationals can come stay in people's homes and maybe a Visa associated with that. Again, for those who are interested go check out that article in detail, but quoting directly: "Such a move would certainly require legislation. As matters stand, any "work" performed by foreigners, even domestic or voluntary duties, could be seen as a breach of the alien labour laws. Moreover, those offering homestays at present are responsible for registering the address of foreign guests on first arrival. If they don't, then the luckless tourist is sometimes fined by Immigration at a later stage when they apply for an extension of stay." 

Yeah okay, so again this notion of work, as we have discussed many times in other videos on this channel, "work" is a very broadly defined thing in Thailand. I mean voluntary activity can be viewed that way; pretty much anything can be viewed as work, as we have discussed under the definition to work here in the Kingdom. So there are many out there, especially in the expat community, who feel that perhaps amendment of Thailand's Labour laws is warranted. Now that said, I would not presume this would be happening anytime in the relatively near foreseeable future. That said, it is possible that down the line we may see amendments to Thai Law regarding work authorization and if we do, we will certainly keep you updated on this channel as that situation evolves.