Bangkok: The Teachers Council of Thailand is urgently investigating an illegal international school after discovering it employed teachers without licenses. Following a joint police and Department of Employment inspection of an illegal international school in the Prawet area of Bangkok, it was discovered that the school lacked the necessary licenses and employed numerous foreigners-approximately 10 in total-including individuals of various nationalities such as Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and Nigerian. These individuals were arrested for legal proceedings.

According to Thai News Agency, Associate Professor Dr. Amolwan Veerathammo, Secretary-General of the Teachers Council of Thailand, stated that according to the Teachers and Educational Personnel Council Act B.E. 2546 (2003), the teaching profession, school administrators, educational administrators, and other educational personnel (educational supervisors) are regulated professions, and no one is allowed to practice a regulated profession without permission from the Teachers Council of Thailand, as stipulated in Section 43. Furthermore, Section 46 prohibits anyone from misleading others into believing they have the right or are ready to practice a profession without permission from the Teachers Council of Thailand, and prohibits educational institutions from employing unlicensed individuals to practice regulated professions unless authorized by the Teachers Council of Thailand. Anyone violating Section 43 is subject to imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both. Anyone violating S ection 46 is subject to imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both.

In this case, the Teachers Council of Thailand is urgently investigating the facts with the relevant agencies to determine whether the school allowed individuals without teaching licenses to practice the teaching profession, which is a regulated profession. If it was found that unlicensed individuals were allowed to practice a regulated profession in the school, this would constitute practicing a regulated profession without permission from the Teachers Council, and the school employing unlicensed individuals is considered an offense punishable by imprisonment, a fine, or both. The Teachers Council will pursue legal action against the offenders.