thai labour ministry

Thai Labour Ministry Orders Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Foreign Workers

ByJustpaste.in

BANGKOK — The Labour Ministry has ordered a sweeping nationwide crackdown on illegal foreign workers following a high-profile raid on a childcare facility in Koh Phangan that resulted in the arrest of nine Thai and foreign suspects.

Moroccan and Myanmar Nationals Arrested for Illegal Work at Phuket Restaurant

Labour Minister Julapun Amornvivat said on Friday, May 1, 2026, that military officers, administrative officials, Koh Phangan police and Koh Phangan Immigration Police jointly inspected a childcare facility in the district, uncovering offences under laws governing the work of foreign nationals. The operation led to the arrest of nine suspects, though the minister did not specify their nationalities or the exact nature of the violations.

Upon receiving the report, Julapun said he acted without delay, immediately assigning the director-general of the Department of Employment to send officials from the Surat Thani Provincial Employment Office to the area to verify the facts. “If foreign workers are found to be working outside the scope of their permits or working without permits, legal action will be taken strictly,” he warned.

The minister also ordered the Department of Employment to tighten checks on foreign nationals working across Thailand, instructing central and regional agencies to coordinate with all sectors and carry out proactive blanket inspections nationwide. The goal is to ensure serious oversight, control and prosecution of offenders, alongside public communication to build understanding among employers, establishments and foreign workers entering Thailand to work so that they comply with the law.

Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, said his department had received the minister’s instructions and had ordered provincial employment offices nationwide and Bangkok Employment Offices Areas 1 to 10 to inspect foreign nationals whose work does not match what they have been permitted to do, including those without work permits entirely. If offences are found, the law will be enforced decisively.

The department will also increase scrutiny when considering the issuance of work permits to foreign workers in nationality groups that require security monitoring, and has assigned officials to integrate cooperation with relevant agencies to inspect, arrest and take legal action against illegal foreign workers more intensively in target areas.

Somchai outlined the penalties for violations. Foreign nationals who work without a work permit or outside their permitted rights face fines of 5,000 to 50,000 baht and will be sent back to their country of origin. They are also prohibited from applying for a work permit for two years from the date they are penalised. Employers or establishments that hire foreign nationals without work permits, or allow them to work beyond their permitted rights, face fines of 10,000 to 100,000 baht per foreign national hired. If the offence is repeated, they are liable to imprisonment for up to one year, or a fine of 50,000 to 200,000 baht per foreign national hired, and are barred from employing foreign nationals for three years.

The crackdown comes amid growing concern about illegal foreign workers across Thailand, from tourism hubs like Koh Phangan to industrial estates and agricultural areas. While Thailand relies on legal foreign labour to fill gaps in its workforce, the influx of undocumented workers has raised security and economic concerns, particularly when foreign nationals take jobs reserved for Thais or engage in criminal activity.

The department has encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity. Tip-offs can be made to the Central Employment Registration and Job Seekers Protection Division, Department of Employment, on the 4th floor of the Ministry of Labour building, by telephone at 0 2354 1729, through provincial employment offices nationwide, Bangkok Employment Offices Areas 1 to 10, or via the Department of Employment hotline at 1506, press 2.

Thailand Clamps Down on Short-Term Study Visas to Prevent Illegal Work

For the nine suspects arrested in Koh Phangan, the raid was the end of the line. For the thousands of other foreign workers operating in the shadows across Thailand, the message is clear: the Labour Ministry is watching, and the days of working without a permit may be numbered. The crackdown has begun, and no sector is exempt. From childcare facilities to construction sites, from restaurants to factories, the inspectors are coming. Whether they will find a trickle or a flood of violations remains to be seen, but the warning is unmistakable: comply, or face deportation and a ban from returning. Thailand’s labour market is tightening, and the door is swinging shut on those who thought the rules did not apply to them.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    ‘Do you teach humanity?’ CM Sohail grills cop

    ByJustpaste.in

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi confronted a police officer after his security staff were stopped at the Supreme Court gate on Tuesday. The incident occurred when an Islamabad police officer asked members of the chief minister’s security team to have their bags checked before entering the premises. The staff initially attempted to proceed without getting the bags scanned. The police officer stopped them and insisted that the security check be completed. The exchange between the police officer and the chief minister’s staff turned into a verbal argument. The situation caught the attention of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who turned back after noticing the dispute. Afridi then spoke directly to the police officer. During the conversation, the chief minister questioned whether police personnel were taught humanity during their training. The police officer maintained that the security staff were required to have their bags checked. Following the officer’s insistence, the chief minister’s staff eventually complied and had their bags scanned. The incident took place amid heightened security arrangements at the Supreme Court. Security personnel routinely check visitors, staff and belongings before allowing entry into sensitive government premises. The brief confrontation ended after the required security screening was completed.

  • | |

    Bilawal vows to fight alleged poll rigging in AJK

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), without naming the party directly, of relying on electoral manipulation to gain power and warned that his party would resist any attempt to rig the upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Addressing a PPP workers’ convention in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal said the large turnout at the gathering showed that his party was heading towards victory in the August 2 elections. He urged party workers to remain active and mobilise voters, expressing confidence that the “arrow” — the PPP’s electoral symbol — would emerge victorious. Bilawal alleged that certain political groups had historically benefited from manipulated elections and now believed they could use the same tactics in AJK. He said the people of Kashmir would not allow such efforts to succeed and that PPP workers and voters would stand against any attempt to undermine the electoral process. Referring to his party’s political rivals, Bilawal claimed that their rise to power had often followed controversial election processes. He said the PPP had repeatedly faced electoral challenges but continued to win public support despite what he described as unfair political practices. The PPP chairman also raised allegations of rigging in the constituency of senior party leader Chaudhry Yasin. He claimed that polling agents and workers had reported irregularities at around 30 polling stations, alleging that the stations were occupied and votes were unlawfully cast. Bilawal said he had evidence regarding the alleged irregularities and called on the Election Commission to order immediate re-polling at the affected polling stations if it had no involvement in the alleged misconduct. He maintained that the PPP would accept defeat if voters rejected the party through a transparent and fair election. However, he said the party would not accept what he called a “stolen election” and would continue to challenge any result that emerged through alleged manipulation. Bilawal also pledged to fight for the restoration of what he described as the “stolen seats” of Kashmir and promised to pursue the rights of the people through democratic and constitutional means. He said the PPP wanted to secure ownership and political rights for the people of AJK through the power of the ballot rather than through armed struggle. He urged voters to support the party’s electoral campaign and vowed that the PPP would continue its efforts to raise the Kashmir issue at the international level. Bilawal said the Bhutto family and the PPP had worked for three generations to highlight the Kashmir cause globally, adding that his party would continue to advocate for the rights and aspirations of the people of the region through political and diplomatic channels.

  • | |

    Dar, Iran FM reaffirm diplomatic cooperation

    ByJustpaste.in

    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting peace through diplomacy. During the meeting, the two foreign ministers reviewed the evolving regional situation, particularly rising tensions in the Middle East. They discussed recent developments affecting regional security and agreed that continued dialogue, restraint and diplomatic engagement remain the most effective path toward achieving lasting peace and stability. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining close and friendly relations with Iran. He stressed the importance of avoiding further escalation and called on all parties to resolve differences through peaceful negotiations. He also highlighted the need to build upon the understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in June 2026, which aimed to encourage diplomatic engagement and reduce regional tensions. The Pakistani foreign minister expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region and said cooperation among neighbouring countries is essential to preserve peace, protect economic interests and ensure regional stability. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and promote constructive dialogue. He thanked Pakistan for its continued support in regional peace initiatives and acknowledged Islamabad’s role in facilitating the safe return of Iranian fishermen and crew members, including individuals whose vessels had been intercepted during recent regional tensions. Both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination and regular consultations on regional and international issues of mutual interest. They reiterated their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation for peace, security and prosperity in the region. The meeting took place as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate. Recent military exchanges have increased concerns about wider instability in the Middle East, with continued air strikes and retaliatory actions raising fears of a broader regional conflict. The situation has also affected key international shipping routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, increasing concerns over global energy supplies and international trade. The uncertainty has contributed to higher oil prices and renewed fears about the impact on the global economy. In recent days, US President Donald Trump warned of stronger military action against Iran following attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Iranian officials, however, have continued to reject the accusations and have criticised recent US policies, including proposals concerning frozen Iranian assets. Against this backdrop, Pakistan has continued to advocate dialogue and diplomacy as the only sustainable solution to regional disputes. Pakistani officials maintain that peaceful engagement remains essential to preventing further escalation and ensuring long-term stability across the Middle East.

  • Thailand’s Co-payment Scheme Falls Short Of 30 Million Participant Target

    ByJustpaste.in

    BANGKOK, Thailand — Registration for the Thai government’s “Thais Help Thais Plus 60/40” co-payment scheme has concluded with more than 26 million applicants, falling approximately four million short of the program’s 30 million participant target, according to official statements from government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek. Thai Citizens Use Shoes To Reserve Places In Bank Queues The […]

  • | |

    Carson Daly shuts down The Voice exit rumors with …

    ByJustpaste.in

    Carson Daly has officially put an end to speculation about his future on The Voice, assuring fans that he is not leaving the long-running singing competition after 15 years. Rumors about Daly’s departure began circulating after NBC announced a new version of the hit series, The Voice: Celebrity. The upcoming spin-off will feature actress and television personality Keke Palmer as host, leading many viewers to believe Daly was stepping away from the franchise. However, the veteran TV host quickly addressed the reports through a message shared on Instagram.  “Many today have asked if I am leaving The Voice. Nope,” Daly wrote, making it clear that he has no plans to exit the original show. The 53-year-old television personality explained that NBC is simply experimenting with two different formats. The traditional version of The Voice will continue to air during the fall, while the celebrity edition is scheduled for the spring. “We are gonna try out these two formats this fall/spring and see how it goes. Hopefully, this clears up any confusion,” Daly added in his post.  Daly also praised Keke Palmer, saying she is the perfect choice to host the celebrity spin-off. While Palmer will front the new series, Daly will continue hosting the original The Voice, a role he has held since the show’s debut in 2011. In addition, he will remain involved behind the scenes as a producer for the celebrity version.  The announcement comes as NBC looks to refresh the franchise with a new concept featuring celebrity contestants instead of aspiring singers. The celebrity edition will include actors, musicians, athletes, comedians, influencers, and other well-known personalities competing for the title, while the classic version will continue showcasing undiscovered vocal talent.  Fans were relieved after Daly’s clarification, with many taking to social media to celebrate the news. Having hosted the show for more than 30 seasons, Daly has become one of its most recognizable faces, known for guiding contestants through emotional moments and keeping the competition running smoothly. His reassurance also ends days of online speculation that suggested he was stepping away because of scheduling demands. Instead, Daly confirmed that he remains committed to the original series and is excited to see how the two-format approach performs with audiences.  For now, viewers can expect to see Carson Daly exactly where they have for the past 15 years—hosting The Voice while helping the franchise enter an exciting new chapter with its upcoming celebrity spin-off. 

  • Flood Death Toll Climbs to 162 in Southern Thailand as Relief Operations Accelerate

    ByJustpaste.in

    BANGKOK – The Emergency Flood Situation Operations Center (EOC) reported on November 29 that severe flooding across eight southern provinces has claimed 162 lives, with Songkhla province suffering the heaviest loss at 126 fatalities. While authorities confirmed that water levels and rainfall are finally receding, the scale of the disaster continues to strain essential services, […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *