I am looking for chef work in thailand.what are the best steps to take?

Assuming experience and qualifications are not an issue, as mentioned in previous responses there are always possibilities with hotels and restaurants, mainly due to the other skills sets you also posses as a chef, not just the ability to create an edible masterpiece. Thai National skill sets are getting higher all the time, and with the main criteria for getting a work permit in Thailand is to fill a position that the company is unable to fill with a Thai national. I'd tailer your resume to give additional weight towards management and organization. There is a good chance you'll have much more experience at a higher level.

There isn't a huge turnaround of jobs in this area, so patience and persistence will be needed. It's also an advantage if you speak some Thai (if you don't already, nows a good time to start).

Apart form the obvious hotels and restaurants avenue, have you also considered working on private super yachts. There are several that are based in Thailand year round and many other that spend several months of the year here. It might not fit your original plans but it's something you really should look into. The industry is growing and there is fairly good turn around of staff (no matter how big a super yacht is they do get smaller the longer you stay on them). Benefits are very good, Pay is extremely good and tax free if the yacht is registered outside of Thailand. (sailing experience not an issue).

I know quite a few people who did this type of work for a few years in order to buy a house back home (mortgage free). The money is that good!

Worth looking into - there are several specific Yacht Crew recruitment sites (just search for Yacht Crew).

If you really want to stay on land, I'd also plan ahead by looking for new property developments, there are new hotels going up all the time in Thailand (many of which are part of larger hotel chains). The head offices of these chains will not be involved with staffing but they may be able to get you one step closer to the person that does.

There are also Human Recourse Agencies you can register with, some specialize in placing foreign nations. But as you know many of the best positions in your industry don't make it to a job board.

Get networking, good luck and happy hunting.

With the proper credentials and experience you are in one of the few professions that is fairly easy to find work as a non-Thai National here in Thailand. Since I don't have any experience in your field I can't say which would be the best steps to take. I do see ads in the Bangkok Post quite often looking for western chefs and sous chefs mostly in European restaurants and in the better hotels. Below is a job website that is affiliated with the Bangkok Post, have a look there or other job websites, or maybe just come over and see what you can find, good luck:
http://www.jobjob.co.th/th/

you can sign up with Ajam.com or look in jobsdb.com for an idea of salary and conditions.
If you want a permanent job you will need a Visa, otherwise get a temporary job and do the Visa run every 3 months across the border then return.
If you want to be in a beautiful part of Thailand, pick Phuket, Koh Samui or an island and ask around for work.
I have a tour guide in Phuket who can get you work if you want to email me.