Do I have to have 2 employees in orden to have a work permi?

[Mayru]

I want to do a business which doesn't require to have employees at the moment maybe in the future. The nature of my business is to import and sale in the local market. I don't undersatand why I have to have at least two employees in orden to have my own work permit. My lawyer advice me to find anyone unemployed thai, make a copy of their ID card and have it signed. Bring the copies to them and they will do the rest. They said it is to justify the payment of at least two employees social security. I have to pay social security for at least two employees at the minimum salary for certain time. There is not need for me to pay a salary to these two employees. I don't understand but it sound fishy. I don't see why I have to have two employees without a need and to pay for other people social security without been my employees. If that is the thai law, Aman. My real problem is I don't know any thai willing to give me their id cards and will no create problem to me after. Please help to solve the situation.

[frankbl]

You do not seem to have experience in any business in Thailand and you are not legally well informed/advised.
You will need to set up a company and you can only own 49% of it (less than 40% is better otherwise you may be subject to more controls). Do not believe those who say that you just need nominees (they may/will come to check if those nominees are actually working or not...they should be working.....the former PM has created this situation being himself guilty of using nominees).
Actually, you will not own the company, they will set up your salary at maybe a minimum of 50,000 baht (whether you can generate the money or not is not the point, you will have to pay tax on it!). And the tax office will visit your company every two years (obviously finding some problems and more tax to pay).Not speaking of the long process to renew your working visa (they do not especially like your activity "import and sale" which is more for the thai people to do or big capital companies.)
Your lawyer won't tell you anything or does not know anything, believe me. I have had a company for 20 years in Thailand for
production and export and I have retired and closed the company two years ago (just in time. Thailand is no more friendly for small start-ups by foreigners, even no more for back-packer type tourists. Over the last two years,they have been changing immigration (visa) policies suddenly many times and often with retroactive effect, so do not believe only your lawyer (he will set up your company,that is all.) and try to get more accurate information (through this forum eventually) from other foreigners who have experience here.

[Eric]

To Mayru. Not sure if you wish to incorporate a company to do your business. If you don't incorporate your company, there is no way you can obtain a work permit. If you incorporate whether it is partnership, private limited company or joint venture, you'll need 51% local shareholders. You can check the details quite easily by going to the website. My experience was that you need to provide your organsational structures as part of the submission documents. So the part regarding employees are mandatory. How many, I am not sure. Your local shareholders can be the employees. I don't remember any work permit officials coming to my office and making a check. I have been running my business for last 3.5 years. The first year, the authority only give me a non-immigration visa for 3 months. After the 1st year, I was able to get 1 year work permit through a reliable agency whom I know quite well. If you need this agency contact details, do let me know. Good luck.

[sulasno]

I want to do a business which doesn't require to have employees at the moment maybe in the future. The nature of my business is to import and sale in the local market. I don't undersatand why I have to have at least two employees in orden to have my own work permit. My lawyer advice me to find anyone unemployed thai, make a copy of their ID card and have it signed. Bring the copies to them and they will do the rest. They said it is to justify the payment of at least two employees social security. I have to pay social security for at least two employees at the minimum salary for certain time. There is not need for me to pay a salary to these two employees. I don't understand but it sound fishy. I don't see why I have to have two employees without a need and to pay for other people social security without been my employees. If that is the thai law, Aman. My real problem is I don't know any thai willing to give me their id cards and will no create problem to me after. Please help to solve the situation.

IIRC the rule is one expat for every 6 local employees depending on the industry

minimum payment for social security is 500 baht per employee

fishy? nay, just loopholes

btw get a reliable local partner to avoid any hassles