Thailand maintains a list of 40 occupations that are restricted for foreign workers, grouped into four categories based on the degree of restriction.
Among them, 27 occupations are entirely off-limits to foreigners under all circumstances, including manual labor, driving, retail sales, and traditional Thai massage.
Enforced under Thailand's Emergency Decree on Foreigners' Working Management, these restrictions aim to protect local professions.
The Ministry of Labor warns that many expats mistakenly believe a work permit grants blanket permission for any employment. In reality, work permits are job-specific and cannot override the protected occupations list.
The ministry urges both employers and foreign employees to verify that the occupation listed on a work permit precisely matches the actual job being performed.
