2020: Crackdown on tourists working without work permits - 50K fines and deportation awaits

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2020: Crackdown on tourists working without work permits - 50K fines and deportation awaits

 

File photo

 

Labor Minister MR Chatumongkol Sonakul said that 2020 will be a year of going after foreigners illegally working in Thailand.

 

"Mom Tao" - as he is affectionately known - will especially be targeting foreigners on tourist visas without work permits, reported Bangkok Biz News (BBN). 

 

The public has been asked to report law breakers by phoning a hotline as a four pronged approach by the authorities is promised. 

 

Jail terms and fines of up to 200,000 baht await employers while tourists caught working without the necessary paperwork could face a 50,000 baht fine and deportation. 

 

Chatumongkol's Department of Employment that issues work permits will be teaming up with the Royal Thai Police, the Immigration Bureau and the Department of Provincial Administration to flush out lawbreakers from Thailand. 

 

DoE chief Suchart Pornchaiwisetkun said that those seeking employment must have non-immigrant visas - those with tourist visas or visitors in transit can't  work in Thailand.

 

BBN mentioned male and female fashion models,football players and coaches in particular in their article.

 

The fine for working without a work permit is 5,000 to 50,000 baht plus deportation. 

 

Employers face fines of 10,000 to 100,000 baht for each illegal person they employ.

 

Prison terms await repeat offenders who are employers along with fines of 50,000 to 200,000 baht and being unable to hire workers again for three years. 

 

The public have been urged to contact the DoE to report offenders on 02 354 1729, contact ten regional offices or phone the hotline on 1506 extension 2. 

 

Source: Bangkok Biz News

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-01-06

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[steven100 20,422]

I'm amazed that this would be a big deal, as i wouldn't suspect too many foreigners on tourist visa's working in Thailand .....  maybe a few but certainly not a hundred or even 30 .....   ? 

[BobBKK 8,440]

Don't dare kick a ball 

[ChipButty 14,285]

Dont get caught cleaning your windows

[Beggar 2,399]

8 minutes ago, steven100 said:

I'm amazed that this would be a big deal, as i wouldn't suspect too many foreigners on tourist visa's working in Thailand .....  maybe a few but certainly not a hundred or even 30 .....   ? 

There are many. Some don't get paid and think this is no problem then. But it is not important if you get money or not. It is important that you do something that could be classified as work. 

[shadowofacloud 1,161]

As a happy digital professional, working remotely from TH for a few months every year*, I say: come get me!

 

It really would be a fun experience, something to write about in a few years, plus the maximum fine of 50k isn't a major issue (most likely 5-10k under the table would solve the problem anyway).

 

[*] on tourist visas, of course. If the indolent authorities came up with a proper visa+work permit scheme for digital professionals (say, 1k usd pa), they would already be a few thousand USD richer.

Edited January 6 by shadowofacloud

[bluesofa 38,743]

3 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Dont get caught cleaning your windows

George Formby would have been deported within days.

[Beggar 2,399]

2 minutes ago, shadowofacloud said:

As a happy digital professional, working remotely in TH for a few months every year, I say: come get me!

 

It really would be a fun experience, something to write about in a few years, plus the maximum fine of 50k isn't a major issue (most likely 5-10k under the table would solve the problem anyway).

Not sure if they provide internet in the deportation cell

[shadowofacloud 1,161]

1 minute ago, Beggar said:

Not sure if they provide internet in the deportation cell

A little digital detox never hurts.

[mariohh1 24]

20 minutes ago, steven100 said:

I'm amazed that this would be a big deal, as i wouldn't suspect too many foreigners on tourist visa's working in Thailand .....  maybe a few but certainly not a hundred or even 30 .....   ? 

maybe out in the sticks but here on koh phangan are at least 100

 

 

[bluesofa 38,743]

3 minutes ago, mariohh1 said:

24 minutes ago, steven100 said:

I'm amazed that this would be a big deal, as i wouldn't suspect too many foreigners on tourist visa's working in Thailand .....  maybe a few but certainly not a hundred or even 30 .....   ? 

maybe out in the sticks but here on koh phangan are at least 100

Right.....expect a SWAT team there next week.

I'm guessing you've been keeping tabs if you know there's definitely so many.

[SoilSpoil 3,268]

It the modus operandi of most schools here in Thailand. When coming from abroad, you get a tourist visa first, start working as a teacher and after probation the school will apply for work permit.

 

Wonder how Thailand will find the 'needed' foreign teachers with this new crackdown.

[fruitman 6,797]

35 minutes ago, steven100 said:

I'm amazed that this would be a big deal, as i wouldn't suspect too many foreigners on tourist visa's working in Thailand .....  maybe a few but certainly not a hundred or even 30 .....   ? 

The constantly raid chinese businesses who do something illegal here in thailand like online scamming in china or taiwan.

 

This is not about westerners i bet, they even should be happy if they want to work here so the thai can learn a lot about how to work professionally.

[shadowofacloud 1,161]

3 minutes ago, fruitman said:

so the thai can learn a lot about how to work professionally

 

 :-). I am very much impressed by your optimism, even if I don't share it.

[Cabradelmar 369]

How would this affect people doing charitable volunteer assistance for local schools and shelters?