Thailand Visa: Do Online Workers Need Work Visa?

"Yes — in this situation, you absolutely need a work visa and a work permit.

If you work online and sell products or services to people in Thailand, you are legally considered to be engaging in business activities inside the country. This requires:

A valid work visa (usually Non-Immigrant B Visa)

A Thai work permit

In many cases, a registered Thai business or company sponsor

Why You Need One

1. Selling to Thai customers is “ local economic activity.”

Even if your primary work is online, the moment you sell goods or services to residents of Thailand, the government considers this as participating in Thailand’s economy — which requires authorization.

2. Working without a permit is illegal.

Thailand has strict labour laws. Working without a work permit, even online, can result in:

Fines

Deportation

Entry bans

Arrest in serious cases

3. Online work is treated as work if income touches Thailand.

If your business activities involve Thai clients, Thai payments, Thai marketing, Thai delivery, or any business operations inside Thailand, you cannot use a tourist, ED, or visitor visa.

When You Do NOT Need a Work Visa

You do not need a work visa only if:

You work online for foreign clients only,

Your income comes from outside Thailand,

You do not interact with Thai customers,

You do not sell products or services inside Thailand.

This would make you a remote worker — but even then, technically Thailand has no visa for standard digital nomads.

Since You Sell to Thais, You Need One of These:

1. Non-Immigrant B Visa + Work Permit

Required for anyone doing business or earning income inside Thailand.

2. Registering a Company in Thailand (if you sell regularly)

You may need to set up:

A Thai Limited Company (requires hiring Thai staff)

or

A BOI-approved company (flexible rules for tech businesses)

3. LTR Visa (if you work for a foreign company)

But this is NOT valid for selling to Thai customers — it is only for remote workers working for foreign employers.

Professional Conclusion

Because you sell products to Thai customers, you are legally required to have a work visa and work permit. Working or selling goods on any other visa type is considered illegal under Thai labour and immigration law."