PUBLISHED : 9 Feb 2025 at 15:39
Thailand’s Department of Employment (DoE) has initiated inspections of language schools in the Ratchada and Bang Na areas of Bangkok. This move follows the recent arrest of eight South Korean language teachers suspected of working without proper documentation.
DoE director-general Somchai Morakotsriwan stated that the department is intensifying efforts to regulate foreign labor through the “Search, Arrest, Fine, Deport” operation, prompted by public reports regarding the illegal employment of foreigners at prominent Korean language schools.
In a coordinated effort, DoE’s foreign labor inspection unit, in conjunction with Immigration Bureau police, visited schools in the specified areas to review teachers’ work permits. During these inspections, authorities did not uncover any instances of illegally employed foreign educators.
Somchai emphasized that the operation aims to safeguard job opportunities for Thai nationals.
Earlier last week, Immigration Bureau police conducted a raid on two branches of a language school located on Ratchadaphisek Road, resulting in the detention of eight South Korean nationals for teaching without valid work permits.
Somchai elaborated, stating, “Foreign nationals wishing to obtain work permits for teaching in educational institutions must enter Thailand with a non-immigrant visa and submit their applications with the necessary qualifications at one of the Bangkok Employment Office Areas or the Provincial Employment Office where their school is situated.”
Teachers discovered working without valid permits risk fines ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 baht and possible deportation. Additionally, schools employing undocumented foreign teachers may face fines from 10,000 to 100,000 baht for each violation.
Repeat offenders could see school owners facing penalties of up to a year in imprisonment and higher fines between 50,000 to 200,000 baht per illegally employed worker.
For those seeking guidance on obtaining work permits, the DoE encourages contacting the Ministry of Labour’s hotline or the DoE’s dedicated line, where English-speaking interpreters are available to assist with legal work procedures in Thailand.
