Foreigners need business visas to attend meetings in Thailand

[buksida]

A recent revamp of the work permit law has made life easier for foreign investors visiting the country to do business. Since it was enacted earlier this year, the Executive Decree on Administration and Management of Employment of Foreigners means they are no longer required to obtain a work permit to attend business meetings in Thailand.

A legal peril few were likely aware of, it was in fact the case for decades that attending a meeting for even one day was deemed “work” under the law and therefore illegal without a permit.

Most foreign visitors simply ignored the law and risked arrest by entering the country on a tourist visa to participate in meetings. Arrests were rare, and people took the remote risk for granted.

Yet, in the back of their minds, there was fear and worry.

Now, attending a business meeting without fear of arrest means only obtaining a business visa – at least until immigration law fully catches up. The link between the work permit and immigration laws is that foreigners must enter Thailand on a Non-Immigrant B Business Visa to obtain a work permit.

Full article: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/ ... -meetings/

[Pleng]

Most foreign visitors simply ignored the law and risked arrest by entering the country on a tourist visa to participate in meetings. Arrests were rare, and people took the remote risk for granted.

I imagine that most visitors did not, and in fact entered the country on a visa-exempt stamp, declaring that they are attending for business purposes on their arrival card. Has there ever been clarification if this is acceptable practice or not?

[StevePIraq]

The same applies in many countries that a visa is required for work, even attending meetings or inspections so people enter on tourist visa on arrival to bypass the system. I don't believe people actually have any fear or worry in this regard.

I did the same in numerous countries and myself and others had no concerns.

[Pleng]

The same applies in many countries that a visa is required for work, even attending meetings or inspections so people enter on tourist visa on arrival to bypass the system.

But the visa exemption stamp is not the same as a visa-on-arrival, tourist or otherwise. It's a wavier of the requirement to possess a visa to enter the country.

[StevePIraq]

Ok I didn't know that. I have never had a visa exempt stamp anywhere.