Why You Need a Medical Certificate to Work in Thailand

 If you’re planning to work in Thailand, you might have heard that you need a medical certificate to get or renew your work permit. Many people wonder why this is necessary. Simply put, Thailand has regulations to ensure that the workplace remains safe and healthy.

Under the Foreigners’ Working Management Emergency Decree, anyone who wants to work in Thailand must show that they are in good health. This means you need a medical certificate that proves you don’t have any serious health issues that could affect you or those around you at work. Specifically, the certificate must confirm that you do not have a mental illness and are free from six particular health conditions:

1. Leprosy – A chronic infectious disease that can lead to severe disfigurement.
2. Tuberculosis (TB) – A serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs.
3. Drug Addiction – Dependence on illegal or prescription drugs.
4. Alcoholism – Addiction to alcohol, which can affect work performance and safety.
5. Elephantiasis – A condition that causes severe swelling, usually in the legs or arms, due to a parasitic infection.
6. Stage 3 Syphilis – A late stage of the sexually transmitted infection syphilis, which can cause serious health issues.

To meet this requirement, your medical certificate must be issued by a hospital or a qualified clinic in Thailand, and it must be dated within one month before you submit your work permit application. This rule applies mainly to people working for companies that are not promoted by the Board of Investment (BOI).

However, if you work for a BOI-promoted company, you don’t need to worry about this. Recent updates have made it clear that employees of BOI-promoted companies are exempt from the medical certificate requirement. This change was made to make the process easier for these companies and their employees.

Applying for a work permit or visa can be confusing and stressful, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Sukhothai Inter Law , we are here to help you. Our team has years of experience helping foreigners navigate the legal requirements for working in Thailand. We are committed to making the process as simple and straightforward as possible for you.

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Sukhothai Inter Law 
17 Chan 35 Chan Road, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Phone: +662 212 6866-7
Fax: +662 213 3124
Email: it@sukhothaiinterlaw.com
Website: www.sukhothaiinterlaw.com

With over 30 years of experience in property and real estate law, Sukhothai Interlaw is your trusted partner for all legal matters in Thailand. We specialize in contracts, negotiations, payments, and escrows, ensuring that our clients have a smooth and successful experience. Let us handle your legal needs with the professionalism and care that you deserve.