Will Thailand's crackdown on illegal foreign employment put millions out of work?
Thailand is moving to curb the rise of illegal employment in the country.
The move follows growing public complaints and aligns with the directive of Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn to protect local employment and enforce labour regulations more strictly. Most affected are migrant workers from neighbouring countries, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
Between October 1, 2024, and June 13, 2025, authorities inspected over 31,000 foreign workers, revealing widespread violations:
- 417 migrants were prosecuted for working in totally prohibited occupations such as street vending, barbering, massage therapy, clerical roles, and driving jobs exclusively reserved for Thais.
- 53 workers were penalised in conditionally permitted fields like construction and agriculture, where employment is only legal with prior approval.
- 696 were found working without permits as shop vendors and labourers.
Thailand classifies certain occupations as entirely or conditionally restricted to safeguard its workforce, but according to the ministry’s spokesperson, Phumipat Mueanchan, many employers bypass legal channels, and enforcement has been lax in some regions.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates 3.9 million migrant workers are legally employed in Thailand, and the country remains a major destination for regional labour.
Thai authorities are under increasing pressure to balance economic reliance on foreign workers with the protection of domestic jobs amid slowing growth and rising automation.
The Labour Ministry has vowed to step up inspections and penalise violators, including employers, while urging businesses to comply with regulations and seek formal permits when hiring foreign staff.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
