Work Permits for photographers?

[jackcorbett 2]

I dimly remember reading somewhere that photographers working for and by themselves do not have to have a work permit. However, this flies counter to everything I've seen, heard about and read.

 

So here's the problem. Although I have no desire to open up a photography shop here in Pattaya or to earn a living with my camera I am concerned about being mistaken as a professional photographer by the authorities here thereby risking deportation. FIrst off, that Nikon D-X of mine looks like a professional camera and that is because it is. It must weigh with flash more than six pounds. And then supposing I strap that Quantum flash battery pack on my belt I'm going to be viewed as more than a casual photographer. Now suppose some of the pictures I take turn up on my web site or someone else's even though I'm not charging admission?

 

I've heard about falang bar owners being whisked out of the country merely for greeting customers entering their bar. So naturally I'm concerned about this.

 

So I have a two part question here. 1. How much of a risk am I taking here especially in the event of my taking pictures of a show, a boxing event, etc. or taking a go-go girl down to the beach for pictures ala what you might find on my web site http://www.alphapro.com especially if I should pay her for a spot on my free online manazine "The Looking Glass". And 2. If I should get a work permit so that I don't have to run this risk what would be my bottom line out of pocket annual costs for accounting and legal fees, initial setup of a corporation, etc.

 

I might also add for whatever it's worth. I do hold a corporation in the U.S. and I'm its only stock holder, president, treasurer, etc and I have been paid to shoot pictures in the U.S. ostensibly shooting for this corporation.

[torrenova 644]

One of the problems you will have regarding a work permit is that you will need to pay yourself a salary of over 65k per month I think is the minimum, perhaps have to employ some Thais, set up a company with all the other shit and sort out your VAT and taxes etc.

 

Not that easy if you are only doing a few shots here and there and not generating much in the way of income.

[pfotoguy 3]

I too am a photographer and will be taking pictures through out Thailand and SEA in general. Mostly stock stuff. I'll also be doing some stuff of the girls, but will not be selling anything in Thailand. No weddings or family portraits. I also draw a lot of attention because of what I carry sometimes. Hell it's in a large backpack on wheels I really don't anticipate any problems unless you are soliciting business in an open manner.