Thailand to get tough on foreigners working without work permits, employers also targeted

BANGKOK:-- Thailand has introduced new laws aimed at controlling the amount of migrant workers in the country, as well as foreigners who work in Thailand illegally.

Under the new laws, which have now come into effect, people who employ foreign workers illegally will also face tougher punishments, with employers set to face fines of between 400,000 – 800,000 THB for each foreigner they employ illegally.

Foreigners found working without a work permit face fines of between 2,000 - 100,000 THB or imprisonment of a maximum of 5 years.

Foreigners who engage in work different to that which is registered in their work permit will be fined up to 100,000 THB.

Under Thai law, some foreigners are prohibited from working in certain professions such as manual work, agriculture and secretarial work. In total there are 39 occupations prohibited to foreigners.

Meanwhile, the new laws will also help to protect the rights of migrant workers in Thailand.

Any employer found to be violating the rights of a migrant worker or who withholds important documents from the worker will face fines up to a maximum of 100,000 THB.

The new penalties were published in the Royal Gazette in a document dated 22 June 2017.