| Official wording | Nielloware making |
|---|---|
| In plain terms | metalware decorated with black enamel inlay (niello) |
| Group | Strictly prohibited |
| Condition | Closed to foreigners outright, in all areas of the Kingdom (Clause 2). Also closed: any occupation that another law reserves for Thai nationals. |
| Source | Notification of the Ministry of Labour RE: Prescription of the Prohibited Occupations for Foreigners (2020), English text hosted by the Department of Employment, read 28 October 2026 |
Penalties
- A foreigner doing listed work, or work outside the permit: a fine of 5,000 to 50,000 baht, then deportation; the Department of Employment also states a two-year bar on applying for a new work permit (sections 8 and 101 of the Foreigners' Working Management decree as amended in 2018, per Department of Employment statements)
- The employer: a fine of 10,000 to 100,000 baht for each foreigner; for a repeat offence up to one year in prison or 50,000 to 200,000 baht or both, and a three-year ban on employing foreigners (sections 9 and 102 as amended in 2018)
- Superseded figures still quoted online: the original 2017 decree carried up to five years' prison or 2,000 to 100,000 baht for the foreigner and 400,000 to 800,000 baht per foreigner for the employer; the 2018 amendment replaced them (not current)
Others in the same group
Wood carving, Driving motor vehicles, driving a non-mechanically propelled carrier or driving a domestic mechanically propelled carrier, except for piloting international aircraft or forklift driving, Auction, Cutting or polishing diamond or precious stones, Haircutting, perming or beauty treatment, Cloth weaving by hand, Mat weaving or utensil making from reeds, rattan, hemp, straw, bamboo, bamboo pellicle, grass, chicken feather, coconut leaf stick, fiber, wire or other materials, Mulberry paper making by hand, Lacquerware making, Making Thai musical instruments, Gold ornaments, silverware or pink gold making, Bronzeware making, Thai dolls making, Alms bowl making, Silk products making by hand, Buddha images making, Paper or cloth umbrella making, Brokerage or agency work, except brokerage or agency working in international trade or investment, Thai massage, Cigarette rolling by hand, Tour guide or sightseeing tour operation, Peddling, Manual typesetting of Thai characters, Silk reeling and twisting by hand, Clerical or secretarial work, Legal services or services in legal proceedings, except for the following occupations: (A) Performing duties of arbitration (B) Providing assistance or representation in the arbitral proceedings in the event that the law applicable to the dispute being considered by the arbitrators is not Thai law..
Full list and the jobs expats ask about: occupations closed to foreigners. Income test for your nationality: working in Thailand.