Mr. Pichet Thongphan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, revealed that following news reports of foreigners operating businesses as nominees and illegally competing with Thais in various areas, including car rental shops, tour operators, and barbershops in tourist attractions and major commercial areas, which have impacted local businesses, he has not been complacent. He has ordered officials to inspect foreign workers. The Department of Employment is working closely with relevant agencies to strictly inspect foreign workers who are taking Thai jobs, including illegal foreign workers without work permits. This includes inspecting establishments in every province nationwide, including Bangkok and its vicinity, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, and Pattaya, which are key occupational and industrial hubs, as well as key commercial and economic centers with a large foreign workforce. This is to ensure that foreign workers' employment is in compliance with the law and does not impact Thai employment opportunities.

Foreigners entering Thailand must respect the law. Foreign workers must possess proper identification documents and work permits, and must work within their legal rights. Also, comply with the legal conditions specified in the Ministry of Labor's announcement regarding 40 prohibited jobs for foreigners. Foreigners who work without a work permit or work outside of their rights are subject to a fine of 5,000 to 50,000 baht, deportation to their country of origin, and a ban on applying for a work permit for two years from the date of the penalty. Employers or businesses that employ foreigners without work permits or allow foreigners to work outside of their rights are subject to a fine of 10,000 to 100,000 baht per foreigner employed. Repeat offenders are subject to imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of 50,000 to 200,000 baht per foreigner employed, and a ban on employing foreigners for three years.

If you encounter foreign workers illegally working, you can report the incident at Central Employment Registration and Jobseeker Protection Division, Tel. 02-354-1729, Provincial Employment Offices in all provinces, Bangkok Employment Offices, Areas 1-10, or the Ministry of Labor Hotline, Tel. 1506, press 2, Department of Employment.

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