Freelance contracts: the five clauses that matter
You do not need a lawyer to write one — but without these five clauses you have nothing to stand on
2 min read
Plenty of Thai freelancers work off chat messages. Under Thai law that can count as evidence — but evidence is not the problem. The problem is that both sides understood the job differently from the start.
1. Scope and deliverables
Write a list, not a paragraph. "Logo design" is too broad. "One primary logo, files in AI, PNG and SVG, plus a two-page guide to colour and clear space" is something nobody can argue about.
More important still: write down what is not included. For example, "does not cover business cards or shopfront signage."
2. Number of revision rounds
State a number. Two or three is standard, and say what an extra round costs.
Define what "one round" means, too: all feedback collected and sent once, not ten separate messages.
3. Payment terms
For a new client, a 30–50% deposit before starting is normal and you should ask for it. Long projects should be split by milestone, not by calendar.
Also state how many days after delivery payment is due. "Within 7 days of approval" is clearer than "on completion".
4. When copyright transfers
Under the Thai Copyright Act, the creator owns the work automatically unless agreed otherwise.
Write plainly that copyright transfers to the client on full payment. That clause protects you directly if the final instalment never arrives.
5. Cancellation
If the client stops mid-project, what do you get? Normally: work completed to date, plus a non-refundable deposit.
On tax
State whether the price includes VAT, and that the client will withhold 3% at source. A contract figure that says nothing about this causes misunderstandings constantly.
This is a general overview, not legal advice. Have a lawyer review high-value contracts.
Does a chat count as a contract?
It does. Under Thai law an agreement does not always have to be on paper, and electronic messages are admissible as evidence under the Electronic Transactions Act.
But a two-hundred-message thread does not say what was agreed. The simplest fix: after the call, send one summary message — scope, price, deadline, revision rounds — and ask them to reply "confirmed".
That single message is a workable contract.
Electronic signatures
For larger projects, a PDF signed with an electronic signature is legally valid in Thailand. You do not need to print, sign and scan.
Where to keep it
Do not keep it only in the chat app. Accounts get suspended and devices get replaced; people really do lose their history. Email the summary to yourself as well, every time.