Whether you’re a professional looking to make your next career move, or an employer seeking software development talent for your Thai or multinational businsess, this guide is for you. We’ve put together our insight on the Thai tech sector, essential recruitment tips and key information on the industry to help you make the right decisions.
Guide contents – read through or use the links to skip to sections:
– What makes Bangkok so attractive to software professionals and businesses?
– Video – Thailand foreign investment incentives
– Do software developers have to pay tax in Thailand?
Thailand Growth Driving IT and Tech Jobs Boom
Thailand leads the ASEAN region in the technology sector, and Bangkok is the epicentre of the growth. The result is a software development talent market that never stands still and requires businesses and employees to stay one step ahead. That’s why we’ve created this guide.
RECRUITdee – Recruitment for software developers in Bangkok
At RECRUITdee we specialise in IT and Software Development jobs in Bangkok, Thailand with a team of IT recruitment experts able to offer you insight, support and solutions.
Employers: In your industry, you need to move quickly and hire right, first time. We know every minute counts and your growth depends on thinking ahead of the curve – that’s why our service uses research, connections and an intimate knowledge of your business to help you attract, develop and retain the right talent.
Candidates: Whatever challenge you’re looking for, whether it’s a contract, permanent, retained or consultant role, we’ll take the time to understand you and your goals. This means we can match you to the right role for your ambition and the right employer for your personality.
SOFTWARE DEVELOPER JOBS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
Our recruitment specialists hire across the full range of software developer roles, including:
- Python Software Engineer
- Java Developer
- iOS Developer
- Android Developer
- Full Stack Developer
- C# Developer
- Senior Software Tester
- Ruby Software Engineer
Find your dream software developer role:
What Makes Bangkok so Attractive to software developers and Businesses?
There are a three big reasons Bangkok has become a tech employment destination over the last few years, both for businesses and software developer professionals. We’ll look at each in detail, but if you’re short on time – here are the main factors, at a glance:
– Government-led financial incentives for foreign businesses to set up in Thailand.
– Internationally competitive wages.
– Perfect location to trade with (or travel to) China, Japan, India, Australia and more.
– Buzzing capital with incredible talent, career and growth potential.
Let’s take a look at them in more detail:
The financial incentives
For software developers, the average salary in Thailand is good even when compared internationally. A Mid-Senior can expect to earn upwards of 100,000 THB a month depending on the employer, which is about £2,500 or $3,100 based on current rates. Make sure you check today’s rate.
While that may be nothing too spectacular to ex-pats in the UK and USA, remember that the cost of living in Thailand is much lower, even in Bangkok. Typical living expenses for a month are around 40,000 THB including rent for a 1-bed city-centre apartment (20,000 THB living expenses and 20,000 THB rent). Head out of town a bit and you can halve the rent to 10,000 THB. Worth noting at this point that Thai income for a software developer is not tax-free, more about that coming up.
For businesses (and good to know for software developer professionals considering Thailand as a career move), the Thai government has recently introduced a raft of financial incentives and tax reductions to set up production in the country. These have been implemented through the Board of Investment (BOI) and are having a real positive effect, which is unsurprising as extra cost-savings are available if you move your business to Thailand.
Multinational businesses are increasingly viewing Thailand as a stable location with a growing educated workforce, financial incentives and a great base from which to serve customers across the ASEAN region and beyond. The Thai package makes business sense and is creating more software development jobs with top companies every month.
Location
After touching on this in the last point, it’s worth expanding on the fact that Thailand sits in a great location for both businesses and individuals. For businesses, this stable country provides a ASEAN base from which trade and stakeholders can easily reach east to China and Japan, west to India and South to Australia, as well as being in close proximity to many other emerging markets.
For individuals, and particulary millennials with the travel bug, the same benefits apply. From Thailand you can easily reach some of the most diverse cultures and locations in the world. Long weekends can give you life-changing experiences and annual leave provides the opportunity to take in China, Japan, India and Australasia without too much of a long-haul.
Buzzing Bangkok
While the dynamic nature of Bangkok might be more of a benefit for individuals, it would be short-sighted to not see the benefit for businesses too. Aside from being in a growing, innovative city and all the ideas and opportunities that come with that, businesses need to be where exciting talent is, and Bangkok is increasingly the place to be as a professional.
With plenty of jaw-dropping city centre apartments, the nightlife, incredible food and all the shops you could need, Bangkok delivers the perfect modern city experience with a healthy dose of local culture thrown in. And when you’re burnt out after a tough week in front of the screen, you can bug out to the countryside, an island or a beach.
Good to know: Huai Khwang, Pathum Thani, Mueang Nonthaburi, Phra Khanong, Pak Kret and Ban Mueang Thai are also top places for software developer jobs in Thailand.
Thailand Foreign Investment Incentives
This short video from the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) explains the priority the government has given to increasing foreign investment in the country. The result is a healthy Thai economy that’s driven by plentyful tech jobs and multiple best-in-class employers.
Do Software Developers Have to Pay Tax in Thailand?
Yes. Income from online work, digital nomad roles and web-related jobs in Thailand is all taxable. If you’re an expat and aren’t paying tax on your Thai income in your home country, you will need to pay Personal Income Tax (PIT) in Thailand.
Also an important point for expats, if you stay in Thailand for over 180-days, you’ll be classed as a resident for tax purposes and will need to pay tax on your global income – that’s everything you earn, wherever you earn it. Although they do have an international arrangement to ensure you’re not taxed twice.
Even if you don’t have a work permit (you need a work permit to work in Thailand legally), you’re still liable for Personal Income Tax (PIT).
Thai annual Personal Income Tax (PIT) rates – 2022 (THB)
0 – 150,000 Exempt
150,001 – 300,000 5%
300,001 – 500,000 10%
500,001 – 750,000 15%
750,001 – 1,000,000 20%
1,000,001 – 2,000,000 25%
2,000,001 – 5,000,000 30%
5,000,001 and over 35%
These are correct as of the 2022 tax year. Make sure you check the latest rates.
Best places for Software Developers to Live in Bangkok
Admittedly, these are great places to live whatever your job, but they are particularly good for software talent as many of the top tech employers are based nearby:
– Sukhumvit Soi 24
– Ratchathewi
– Pratunam
– Thonburi/Wong Wian Yai
– Onnut
– Phra Khanong
– Rama 9/Ratchada
Obviously, you’ll want to know where your employer is based before signing a lease, but you won’t regret choosing one of these great areas to live, work and play.
Which Big IT Companies Have Offices in Bangkok?
Bangkok’s fertile digital ecosystem is home to an increasing number of multinational tech businesses (as well as exciting startups!), and they’re always on the lookout for software talent. Here are some of the big ones:
PropertyGuru – Asia’s leading online property destination, with over 25 million users. They have multiple online property sites, mobile apps, a sales platform, online property tracking and lots more services to sink your skills into.
Amadeus – One of the world’s top 15 software companies, with a focus on providing solutions to the travel industry.
Agoda – Another travel giant and part of the Booking Holdings family, Agoda is the largest and fastest growing hotel booking platform in Asia.
Expedia – Yep, you could be helping to provide even more globe-trotting tech through arguably one of the most well-known travel brands.
NCR – With 34,000 employees worldwide, NCR is a big deal and provides software and services to hospitality, retail, financial and technology sectors.
ExxonMobil – It’s more than just an oil company – ExxonMobil Information Technology (EMIT) is based in Bangkok, providing tech solutions to the group worldwide.
GE – GE is no new-comer to Thailand, it’s had a presence in the country since 1900 and today it provides tech and services to support our growing infrastructure. Expect to find roles in aviation, energy, transportation and healthcare.
Other employers include Google, DELL, Ericsson-Worldwide, Siemens, Cisco Systems, Seagate Technology and Motorola.
See More: The top IT companies hiring in Bangkok, Thailand
We’re fortunate enough to have strong relationships with many of the leading tech businesses in Bangkok – for advice on your next career move or to discover the roles we have available, get in touch with one of our team.
Why RECRUITdee?
– Global reach, local expertise
– Access to exclusive talent
– Full range of recruitment services
– We attract, retain and develop staff
– International experience
– More than a provider, we’re your recruitment partner
As a professional in the software development industry, you understand the value of creating solutions for data-proven user needs. That’s what you do for a living. At RECRUITdee, we do the same. Our IT and Tech recruitment team have their finger on the pulse of the industry, not just in Bangkok, but around the world. Whether you’re looking for software development jobs or need to hire IT talent, we’ll take the time to fully understand your needs and requirements.
Trusted by Developers and Tech Businesses in Bangkok, Thailand
When your industry moves at the speed of light – literally – you need a recruitment partner that works with you to keep you moving forward. Whether you’re a developer or a company of thousands, the RECRUITdee team is an extention of your own and our combination of western expertise and local knowledge ensures you achieve the outcome you need.
From multinational corporations to disruptive startups – consultant support to in-house team members – we’re the go-to recruitment agency for software development jobs and talent, and we’re here for the whole journey. We’ll make sure your current goal is achieved, but we’ll also ensure you get the most sustainable solution for long-term success.
We Share Your Passion
We understand the needs of tech companies and the talent that work in this ever-expanding area. Expansion, new projects, new applications and new career moves are constant, and at RECRUITdee we make success happen for organisations and professionals in Bangkok and beyond.
Whether you need to hire or are looking for your next move, get in touch online or call us on 02-258-3880 or our international number +66 2-258-3880.