Mr. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, revealed that following news of foreign workers assaulting a delivery rider, and observations that the attackers were working in an occupation reserved for Thai citizens, the Minister of Labour has expressed concern. The Minister has ordered the Department of Employment to dispatch officers from the Samut Prakan Provincial Employment Office to urgently investigate the incident. If it is found that the foreign workers were not working according to their permits or were working in occupations reserved for Thai citizens, strict legal action will be taken to prevent this from affecting the employment opportunities of Thai citizens. The Director-General has instructed all provincial employment offices nationwide and the Bangkok Metropolitan Employment Offices (Areas 1-10) to inspect the employment of foreign workers who are allegedly taking jobs away from Thai citizens, as well as those working illegally without work permits. Any violations will be dealt with decisively. He emphasized that foreign workers in Thailand must respect the law, possess valid identification documents and work permits, and not work in occupations reserved for Thai citizens.

“Foreign nationals working without a work permit or working outside their authorized occupations are subject to a fine of 5,000 to 50,000 baht and deportation to their country of origin, as well as a ban on applying for a work permit for 2 years from the date of the penalty. Employers/establishments that hire foreign nationals without work permits or allow foreign nationals to work outside their authorized occupations are subject to a fine of 10,000 to 100,000 baht per foreign national hired. For repeat offenses, the penalty is imprisonment for up to 1 year or a fine of 50,000 to 200,000 baht per foreign national hired, and a ban on hiring foreign nationals for 3 years,” said the Director-General of the Department of Employment.

If you witness any foreign nationals illegally working, please report it to the Central Employment Registration and Job Seeker Protection Division, Department of Employment. Ministry of Labour Building, 4th Floor, Tel. 02-3541-729. Provincial Employment Offices nationwide, Bangkok Metropolitan Area Employment Offices (Areas 1-10). Ministry of Labour Hotline: Tel. 1506, press 2 for the Department of Employment.

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