Foreign ministry lifts travel alerts for parts of Thailand, 3 other countries

Thailand is intensifying efforts to curb illegal foreign work and enforce employment regulations, with a particular focus on jobs traditionally held by Thai nationals. Deputy government spokesperson Captain Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn announced on September 4 that government agencies are being tasked with conducting proactive inspections and penalizing employers, businesses, and workers who violate labor laws.

The government has issued stern warnings to employers, prohibiting the hiring or utilization of foreigners without proper work permits or those working outside their legally permitted occupations. Instances cited by the government include Thai massage services, barbering, beauty treatments, and vehicle driving, which foreign workers are not authorized to perform under the Emergency Decree on the Management of Foreign Workers (B.E. 2560).

Violations of these regulations can result in severe penalties for businesses. Companies found hiring foreigners without valid work permits or allowing them to work outside their designated roles face fines ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 baht per foreign worker. Repeat offenders may face up to one year of imprisonment, fines between 50,000 and 200,000 baht per worker, or both imprisonment and a fine. Businesses that repeatedly breach these rules could be barred from hiring foreign workers for a period of three years.

Foreign workers caught working without authorization or performing jobs outside their permitted scope will be fined between 5,000 and 50,000 baht. Upon paying the fine, these individuals will be deported from Thailand and barred from applying for a work permit for two years. Captain Patdarasm emphasized the government's commitment to establishing fair employment standards and combating human trafficking while safeguarding jobs reserved for Thai nationals.

The Ministry of Labour, in collaboration with other agencies, is conducting regular spot checks at businesses across the country, and legal action will be taken against any identified violations.

In the 2026 fiscal year, officials have inspected over 74,000 businesses employing foreign workers nationwide, uncovering more than 1,700 cases where foreigners were working in occupations reserved for Thai nationals, according to the government. Inspections will continue to enforce work permit rules and restrictions on jobs designated for Thai nationals.

Related news highlights allegations of corruption involving Thai officials related to foreign workers, and incidents in Phuket and Chonburi where migrant workers were found violating Thai immigration laws.