Directory · Household & FamilyMaids, nannies & drivers: domestic staff in Thailand.
Hiring a maid, nanny, cook or driver in Thailand — through an agency or directly — and how to do it legally, fairly and safely.
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01What this is & why you'd need it
Affordable household help is one of the quiet upsides of expat life in Thailand: part-time or live-in maids, nannies and child-carers, cooks, and personal drivers. Agencies screen and place staff (and handle replacements); many families also hire directly by referral. Either way there are real responsibilities — vetting, fair pay, and the legal point that employing a foreign (e.g. Burmese) worker requires correct work authorisation. Getting the basics right protects both you and the person working in your home.
02What to look for
- An agency that screens, reference-checks and offers a replacement guarantee
- Clarity on whether staff are Thai or migrant, and that migrant staff are legally authorised to work
- A written agreement covering duties, hours, days off and pay
- Realistic, fair pay rather than the rock-bottom rate (it correlates with reliability)
03Questions to ask before you commit
Q. How do you vet and reference-check candidates, and what's your replacement policy?
Q. If the worker is a migrant, do they have valid work authorisation?
Q. What are the standard hours, days off and overtime expectations?
Q. Is there an agency placement fee, and is it one-off or ongoing?
Red flags
Walk away if you see…
- No vetting, no references, no written terms
- Placing migrant workers with no valid work permit (the liability can fall on you)
- Withholding the worker's documents or pay as 'security'
- Pay so low it signals churn, desperation or an exploitative arrangement
What it typically costs
Wages vary widely by role, hours, live-in vs part-time, and language ability; drivers and English-speaking nannies cost more than general cleaning help. Agencies add a placement fee. Budget for fair pay plus, where relevant, the proper work-authorisation costs — under-paying tends to cost more in turnover.
Frequently asked
Agency or hire directly?Agencies cost more but screen candidates and replace a bad fit — useful when you're new and have no referral network. Direct hire by trusted referral is common and cheaper once you're settled. Either way, agree duties, hours and pay in writing.
Is it legal to employ household staff?Employing Thai household staff is straightforward. Employing a foreign national (e.g. a migrant worker) requires correct work authorisation — and the legal responsibility can extend to you as the employer. Confirm status before hiring and keep it properly documented.
What's fair pay and treatment?Pay at or above the going rate for the role and hours, give proper days off, and put the arrangement in writing. Fair treatment isn't only ethical — it's what keeps good, long-term help. This aligns with treating the people in your home with genuine respect.
Find the home to match
Line up your services, then explore areas and listings across Thailand.
General information only — not legal, financial, medical or tax advice. We never take paid placement. Verify any provider's credentials, fees and terms directly before committing.