The Department of Fisheries warns employers to urgently renew work permits and Seabooks for foreign workers of three nationalities before 11 December 2026 to extend their working period and prevent labor shortages in the fisheries sector.
On 15 Nov 2026, Pin Sak Suraswadi, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, stated that following the Cabinet's resolution on 11 Nov 2025 allowing foreign workers from Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam to work until 11 Dec 2026, the authorization period is nearing expiration. This could impact production and the national economy. To prevent labor shortages and support continuous business operations, the Cabinet on 14 July 2026 approved measures permitting these foreign workers to remain and work in Thailand until 11 Dec 2027. The Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Labour have issued two official announcements published in the Royal Gazette to enforce this resolution.
Therefore, the Department of Fisheries is informing employers and fisheries operators with foreign workers from Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam whose work permits expire on 11 Dec 2026 to promptly apply for permit renewals. If employers wish these workers to continue on fishing vessels, they must submit the renewed work permit or legally accepted alternative documents along with required paperwork under the Prime Minister's Office announcement regarding issuance of Seabooks under fisheries law to the Department of Fisheries. This will extend the work period until 11 Dec 2027, allowing workers to legally continue working on fishing vessels without disrupting fisheries operations. If the work permit expires, the Seabook will also immediately lose its validity.
Employers or fisheries operators wishing to renew Seabooks can do so independently anytime and anywhere through the online Smart Seabook system, available as both Web and Mobile Applications. Required documents must comply with the Prime Minister's Office announcement on Seabook issuance under fisheries law, B.E. 2568 (2025).
The Director-General of the Department of Fisheries concluded by urging employers and operators who have not yet acted to promptly review information and prepare complete and accurate documents for foreign workers to complete work permit and Seabook renewals within the specified timeframe. For further details, inquiries can be directed to the Bangkok Fisheries Office, local provincial fisheries offices, or the Fisheries Labor Group under the Department of Fisheries' Resource Management and Policy Implementation Division.
