Pathum thani: "Chulaphan" orders inspection of construction site in Pathum Thani, finds 114 foreign workers without work permits, emphasizes that "foreigners" must have work permits. Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, Minister of Labour, revealed that the Ministry of Labour prioritizes the systematic management of foreign workers to ensure employers and businesses have sufficient labor to operate their operations without negatively impacting the employment of Thai citizens. This includes ensuring foreign workers can enter the employment system legally, receive their rightful protection, and simultaneously enforcing laws against illegal foreign workers and those working illegally for various employers. The Department of Employment has been tasked with continuously monitoring the employment of foreign workers and strictly enforcing the law.

According to Thai News Agency, on June 11, 2026, the Ministry of Labour, through the Department of Employment, dispatched officers from the Central Employment Registration and Job Seeker Protection Division, in collaboration with the Pathum Thani Provincial Employment Office, Pathum Thani Immigration Office, Pathum Thani Provincial Internal Security Operations Command, and the Military Intelligence Unit of the 1st Army Area Command, to inspect a construction site in Khlong Nueng Subdistrict, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province. This action followed a tip-off about illegal employment of foreign workers. The inspection revealed 114 foreign workers in violation of the law: 85 Chinese nationals, 27 Myanmar nationals, and 2 Cambodian nationals. All were working without work permits and residing in the Kingdom without permission. One employer was also found to be in violation. All offenders were charged and taken into custody for prosecution at Khlong Luang Police Station.

Mr. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, stated that foreign workers entering Thailand must have work permits and comply with the law. Violators face fines of 5,000 to 50,000 baht and deportation to their country of origin, and will be ineligible to apply for a new work permit for two years. Employers or establishments that hire foreign workers without permits or allow them to work outside of their authorized scope face fines of 10,000 to 100,000 baht per foreign worker employed. Repeat offenders face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of 50,000 to 200,000 baht per foreign worker employed, and a three-year ban on hiring foreign workers.

The Department of Employment requests the cooperation of the public. If you witness any illegal employment of foreign workers or have any information related to it, please report it to the Central Employment Registration and Job Seeker Protection Division at 02-354-1729, or to any provincial employment office, the Bangkok Metropolitan Employment Offices (Areas 1-10), or the Department of Employment hotline at 1506, press 2.