The government warns employers across the country not to hire or employ foreign workers without permits in occupations reserved for Thai nationals, emphasizing that such acts are illegal and carry heavy penalties for both employers and workers.
On 4 September 2026, Second Lieutenant Phatdarasmi Thongsaluaykorn, Deputy Spokesperson of the Office of the Prime Minister, stated that the government prioritizes managing foreign labor within the legal system. It has directed relevant agencies to proactively enforce laws strictly against businesses, employers, and foreign workers who violate legal regulations.
The government warns employers, businesses, and the general public to refrain strictly from hiring or using foreign workers without work permits or for work beyond their legal rights, such as traditional Thai massage, hairdressing, beauty services, and vehicle driving. These actions violate the Foreign Workers Administration Act B.E. 2560 (2017).
Second Lieutenant Phatdarasmi said that employers or businesses hiring foreign workers without permits or allowing them to work beyond their authorized rights face fines ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 baht per foreign worker. Repeat offenses may result in imprisonment up to one year or fines between 50,000 and 200,000 baht per foreign worker, or both. Additionally, they will be banned from hiring foreign workers for three years.
Foreign workers working without permits or beyond their authorized rights face fines from 5,000 to 50,000 baht. After paying fines, they will be deported and banned from applying for work permits for two years.
The Deputy Spokesperson emphasized that the government aims to establish proper and fair labor standards to prevent human trafficking and protect occupations reserved for Thai nationals. The Ministry of Labor, together with relevant agencies, conducts ongoing random inspections of businesses. Violations are prosecuted without exceptions. In fiscal year 2026, over 74,000 businesses employing foreign workers nationwide were inspected, revealing more than 1,700 foreign workers occupying jobs reserved for Thais.