Thai freelance services contract — create it online, completely
A freelance services contract (จ้างทำของ) is an agreement in which the contractor agrees to complete a specified piece of work and the client agrees to pay for that completed result (Section 587, Thai Civil and Commercial Code). Unlike an employment contract, it focuses on the finished result rather than an employer-employee relationship or supervisory control. Kontrax lets you draft a freelance contract from a Thai-lawyer-written template with clear scope and copyright terms, and e-sign it online.
What Thai law requires
Thai law sets key points on form, copyright, and tax for freelance services contracts. Here is what both sides must know:
CCC Section 587
A hire-of-work contract is one where the contractor agrees to complete a specified piece of work and the client agrees to pay for that completed result. Unlike employment, it focuses on the finished result and involves no supervisory authority. The law imposes no required form — an oral agreement is binding — but it should be put in writing covering scope, payment milestones, revisions, and delivery.
Copyright Act B.E. 2537 (1994), Section 10
For work created under a commission, copyright belongs to the client unless the client and contractor agree otherwise — so the contract should always spell out copyright ownership clearly.
Withholding tax
A client that is a registered company must withhold tax on service or hire-of-work payments, generally at 3% — check the exact rate and procedure with a tax professional.
What a Thai freelance services contract must contain
A well-drafted freelance contract should cover at least the following, completely and clearly:
- Scope of work and deliverables
- Timeline and delivery deadlines
- Fee amount and payment instalments
- Number of revision rounds
- Copyright and intellectual property
- Confidentiality
- Termination and its effects
- Liability for late or defective work
Create your freelance contract online with Kontrax
- Draft from a freelance-contract template written by Thai lawyers, covering every clause above
- Both parties e-sign with legal effect under the Electronic Transactions Act B.E. 2544 (2001), with signer identity verification
- Signed documents are sealed with a cryptographic hash so any later tampering is detectable
- A dedicated template variant is available for clients that are registered companies
- Amend the contract when scope changes, with delivery-deadline reminders
Sign up free and create your first contract today
Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of hiring a freelancer without a written contract?
Even though a hire-of-work contract has no mandatory form, without a written agreement it becomes much harder to prove the agreed scope, payment instalments, or copyright ownership if a dispute arises. A written contract is the key evidence when either side fails to perform as agreed.
Who owns the copyright in freelance work?
Under Copyright Act B.E. 2537 (1994) Section 10, copyright in commissioned work belongs to the client unless the client and contractor agree otherwise — so the contract should state copyright ownership explicitly.
How should payment instalments be split?
A common approach is to collect a deposit before starting, then split the remainder across instalments tied to progress or delivered milestones. This reduces risk for both the contractor, who needs working capital, and the client, who wants to see progress before paying in full.
What can I do if a client refuses to pay?
A signed contract is key evidence for legal action to recover unpaid fees. In Kontrax, signed documents keep signing evidence and an audit trail of every action, which supports your claim if legal action becomes necessary.
How does a freelance contract differ from an employment contract?
A freelance (hire-of-work) contract focuses on the finished result, with the contractor working independently and not under the client's supervision. An employment contract, by contrast, places the employee under the employer's supervision and grants labour-law protections such as severance pay and leave — rights a freelancer does not have.
Other contract types
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice for any specific case. Consult a qualified lawyer about your situation.