BSA Law: A Reminder To Foreign Models In Thailand You Must Have A Thailand Work Permit

Foreign models wanting to work in Thailand are reminded they are now required by Thai law to apply for a Thailand work permit to legally be employed, and they must work through a legitimate modeling agency. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) May 04, 2016 - The Thai Modeling Industry and Agencies Association on its website lists the rules and regulations applying to foreigners intending to work as models in Thailand. It states that the foreigner must enter the kingdom on a Non-Immigrant B visa, which can be applied for at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad.

After arrival in Thailand the foreigner must apply for a Thailand work permit, which for modeling is the same category as actors/actresses. He or she must work through a local modeling agency that is registered with the Ministry of Commerce, and will also need to have been involved in the process of acquiring the foreigner's Non-Immigrant B visa.

The foreigner applying for the work permit must be at least 18 years of age.

Foreign models working in Thailand are required to pay Income Tax on their earnings (models from countries with a DTA with the Thai government are exempt from paying this). Commission payment to a model must include deduction of 5% Withholding Tax, with the model to be given appropriate tax documentation for each deduction. The modeling agency is also required to pay Social Security tax for the model.

Foreign models caught working without the proper Thailand work permit face a jail term of up to five years and/or a fine of between Bt2,000 and Bt100,000. An employer found to have hired illegal models could face a fine of up to Bt100,000 per model.

"The Thai government and the modeling industry are working closely together to make sure that all foreign models working in the kingdom comply with Thai labour law, immigration law and other related laws. While this is to address a problem in the past of foreign models working here illegally on tourist visas and not paying taxes, it is also with the aim of providing better job and welfare protection and security for the models themselves", said BSA Law spokesman Apisakdi Kongkangwanchoke.

BSA Law is a leading international law firm in Thailand, offering a range of legal and financial services with expertise in tax consulting, accounting and auditing, Thai labour law, corporate law, Thai law in general, contracts, property, intellectual property, insurance, investment and starting a business in Thailand.

BSA Law's Thai visa service department specializes in providing advice and assistance in obtaining a visa and/or Thailand work permit and on related matters.

About BSA Law:
For over 30 years, Bamrung Suvicha Apisakdi Law Associates (BSA Law) has focused on providing reliable legal advice and services to the Thai and foreign business community in Thailand. BSA Law seeks to provide international standards of legal services while retaining the customs of the Thai business culture.

For more information please contact:

Jim Byrne
Business Advisor, BSA Law.
Email: jim ( @ ) bsalaw dot co dot th

http://www.bsalaw.co.th

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