When an expat recently mentioned on Hua Hin Expats he was “just helping” his Thai wife rent motorcycles, it sparked concern throughout the community and beyond, and rightly so. Renting motorbikes is classified as driving motor vehicles, one of the 27 roles strictly forbidden to foreigners – even with a work permit.
What Are the “Forbidden 27”?
Under the Foreign Employment Act (B.E. 2563) and an April 2022 Ministry of Labour notification, the following jobs are off-limits to foreigners.
- Labourer or manual worker – Any form of unskilled physical labour (construction, moving materials, etc.).
- Driving vehicles – Includes taxis, tuk-tuks, delivery vans, motorbike taxis – even if you’re the owner.
- Shopfront vending or market selling – You cannot sell goods in markets, kiosks, or storefronts, even your own.
- Tour guide or tour operator – Acting as a guide, even unpaid, is strictly for Thais only.
- Hairdresser or beauty salon worker – Haircuts, colouring, manicures, facials – all off-limits.
- Construction worker or bricklayer – You cannot do physical construction work, including small-scale DIY jobs for clients.
- Traditional Thai craftsmanship – Such as wood carving, Thai doll making, or goldsmithing.
- Making Buddha images – Includes sculpting, painting, or crafting religious icons.
- Hand-typist or data entry – Clerical jobs like typing documents, filing, or office admin.
- Thai traditional musician or performer – Playing traditional Thai instruments or performing in cultural shows.
Renting motorbikes definitely falls under a banned profession – making it illegal for foreigners to engage in any part of this business. For the full list view here
Why do These Rules on Foreign Employment in Thailand Exist and Are They Enforced?
Protect Thai jobs: Thailand is enforcing these roles to safeguard local employment and prevent displacement by foreign labour. Cheaper, or otherwise.
Consistent enforcement: From Oct 2024–June 2025, over 4,400 foreigners were arrested in restricted occupations; many more were fined, prosecuted, or deported
Stricter inspections: Ongoing coordination among Labour, Immigration & Police agencies punishes offenders and employers alike .
“But I’m Just Helping My Thai Wife…”
This is where many foreigners go wrong.
Thailand’s labour laws are clear: even helping your Thai spouse with a business in a hands-on way counts as illegal work- if the job falls under one of the 27 banned occupations. The man renting motorcycles in Hua Hin, for example, believed he was simply assisting his wife. In the eyes of Thai law, that’s still considered driving or managing a vehicle rental operation – strictly prohibited.
This applies even if:
- You’re not paid
- You don’t have your name on the business
- You have a valid work permit (for a different job)
- You’re just helping “behind the scenes”
Other Everyday Jobs Foreigners Cannot Do
Many common roles are included in the banned list, and foreigners are often surprised by what’s off-limits. Even with a visa or work permit, you CANNOT legally do the following jobs in Thailand…
🚫 Rent out or drive motorbikes or taxis
🚫 Act as a plumber, electrician, or handyman
🚫 Do gardening, landscaping, or pool cleaning
🚫 Work as a massage therapist or barber
🚫 Sell goods as a street vendor, market seller, or even online seller
🚫 Act as a tour guide or organize tours inside Thailand
🚫 Work as a secretary, office admin, or translator for Thai companies
Just because something is common doesn’t make it legal. You may see other foreigners doing these jobs-but they are either doing so illegally or at serious risk of deportation.
Minimum Salary Requirements for Foreigners (2025 Update)
Another major misunderstanding is around income. Many foreigners think that any job and any salary qualifies for a visa or work permit. That’s not true.
Thailand has official minimum monthly salary thresholds, based on your nationality, which you must meet to get or renew a visa tied to employment.
| Nationality Group | Minimum Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Western Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan | THB 50,000 |
| South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan | THB 45,000 |
| Eastern Europe, Latin America, Russia, India | THB 35,000 |
| ASEAN Countries (CLMV), Africa | THB 25,000 |
This minimum salary must be clearly reported through your employer’s monthly tax submissions (PND1), or your visa and work permit extension can be denied or cancelled.
Summary: Banned Jobs for Foreigners in Thailand
Enforcement is increasing across Thailand, and immigration officers, labour departments, and police are actively targeting foreigners involved in prohibited work. Do not assume you’ll be ignored just because others seem to get away with it.
Whether you’re helping your Thai partner, working “under the radar,” or operating with a valid work permit in the wrong role-it’s all considered illegal under Thai law.
A work permit does not give you the right to do jobs on the banned occupation list. These include motorbike rentals, gardening, plumbing, or driving-roles that might seem minor but are strictly reserved for Thai nationals.
And even if your job is legal, you still need to meet Thailand’s minimum salary requirements, which vary by nationality. Falling short can lead to denied extensions or even blacklisting.
Know the rules. Follow the law. Protect your right to live and work in Thailand the right way.