The government has instructed security forces to cooperate with provincial employment offices to intensify border checks, monitor, and prevent illegal migrant labor entry. It emphasizes that employers and employees must strictly follow the law, and any illegal work will be prosecuted decisively.
On 18 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Airin Panrit, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, stated that following reports of many migrant workers from neighboring countries illegally entering to work in Thailand, the government ordered security forces to integrate efforts with provincial employment offices near border areas to monitor, inspect, prevent, and block migrant workers from entering to work illegally. Officials have been instructed to rigorously inspect migrant workers and workplaces locally to prevent illegal employment. Those found working illegally will face strict legal action.
"Foreigners working without a work permit or beyond their authorized rights face fines ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 baht and will be deported to their home country. They are also banned from applying for a work permit for two years from the date of penalty. Employers or businesses hiring foreigners without work permits or allowing work beyond permitted rights face fines from 10,000 to 100,000 baht per illegal worker. Repeat offenses may result in imprisonment of up to one year or fines between 50,000 and 200,000 baht per worker, plus a three-year ban on hiring foreigners."
Ms. Airin further stated that the government requests businesses to strictly comply with the law to protect Thai workers' rights and establish a standardized employment system. The public can report illegal migrant labor employment to the Central Employment Registration and Job Protection Division at 02 354 1729, the Bangkok Employment Offices in areas 1–10, all provincial employment offices, or the Ministry of Labor hotline at 1506 press 2, Department of Employment.