On February 11, 2025, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour, assigned officers from the special task force “Trai Thep Phithak” to inspect the work of illegal foreign workers and human trafficking in Bangkok. The investigations uncovered 21 foreign workers in jobs reserved for Thai people. This integrated search followed the inspection plan of the project to inspect employment, employment conditions, forced labour or services, and the use of child labour in the worst form among foreign workers, which focused on protecting Thais whose jobs were taken by foreign workers, foreign workers working without permission, including monitoring human trafficking in the workforce by suppressing, arresting, and prosecuting foreign workers and employers and businesses that violate the law.
“Currently, the Ministry of Labour is in the process of granting an exemption to Cambodian and Myanmar workers whose employers have submitted their list of names by February 13, 2025. The exemption will allow the workers to temporarily stay in Thailand and be allowed to work for 6 months in order to complete all procedures. As for Laotian and Vietnamese workers who have been permitted to work until February 13, 2025, they will be granted an exemption to temporarily stay in Thailand for 3 months in order for their employers to submit their list of foreign worker requirements and to complete the prescribed procedures. Therefore, employers are requested to expedite the process as announced by the Ministry of Labour. We would like to emphasize that the “Trai Thep Phithak” task force is serious and will be more strict nationwide, especially regarding the work of foreign workers in the country, as it is related to the internal security of Thailand. We would like to assure the public that we will provide protection and care for the occupations of Thais while ensuring that foreign workers working in the country comply with the law,” said Mr. Phiphat.
Mr. Pichet Thongphan, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General, said that the inspection of foreign workers by the Trai Thep Phithak taskforce is in accordance with the policy of Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour, who takes this issue very seriously. This is because Thai employers have complained via the Ministry of Labour’s 1506 hotline that foreign workers have taken jobs from Thais in many areas. The Minister of Labour has, therefore, emphasized to the task force that the primary focus of the investigation should be on the occupation of Thais. After February 13, stricter investigations will be conducted into foreigners who do not have work permits and who illegally enter the country. From the operations conducted over the past 2 months, the main occupations that foreigners have been found to be taking from Thais are beauticians, followed by shopkeepers.
Mr. Pichet continued that from the inspection of foreign workers today, the first location was Hathai Mit Fresh Market on Hathai Rat Road, Khlong Sam Wa District. Foreign workers were found to have broken the law, with six people occupying jobs reserved for Thai people, comprising 4 Cambodians, 1 Myanmar, and 1 Laos national. All of them had passports and valid work permits, but they worked in front of the store, which is work outside of what is allowed by law. Officers sent them to Nimit Mai Metropolitan Police Station for legal proceedings. At the second location, at The Platinum Fashion Mall, Pratunam, Ratchathewi District, 15 foreign workers were found to have broken the law, occupying jobs reserved for Thais and working in front of the store, which is work outside of what is allowed by law. There were 13 Myanmar nationals, 1 Laos, and 1 Cambodian national. Officers sent them to Phaya Thai Metropolitan Police Station for legal proceedings.
“Foreigners who work without a work permit or work beyond their rights will be fined between 5,000 and 50,000 Baht and deported. Employers who hire foreigners without a work permit or allow foreigners to work beyond their rights will be fined between 10,000 and 100,000 Baht per foreigner employed. If the offense is repeated, they will be imprisoned for not more than 1 year or fined between 50,000 and 200,000 Baht, or both, and will be prohibited from hiring foreigners for 3 years. If anyone finds any clues about wrongdoing by foreign workers in the country, you can report it to the Ministry of Labour’s hotline at 1506 or to the Trai Thep Phithak task force, Ministry of Labour, Mitmaitri Road, Din Daeng District, Bangkok 10400, so that legal action can be taken,” said Mr. Pichet.
