A new labor regulation which came into force on 23 June 2017 has tightened work regulations for foreign workers in Thailand (Emergency Decree on the Work of Aliens B.E. 2560). This new regulation entitles the Ministry of Interior to restrict the right of foreign workers to reside in certain areas of the Kingdom for national security reasons. In addition to significantly increasing the fines for violations compared to the former regulation, new stronger penalties have also been introduced for previously unregulated behaviour.
For example, the penalty for employing a foreign worker in a manner different to the conditions described in the work permit has been increased from THB 10,000 to THB 400,000 per foreign worker. Meanwhile, an employer that confiscates the work permit or personal documents of a foreign worker will now be subject to a six month jail sentence and a THB 100,000 fine.
While key components of the new law are already being enforced, some of the changes will only come into effect on 1st January 2018 in order to give time to employers to bring their policies into line with the new regulations.
DFDL Contributor:
Kraisorn Rueangkul
Partner
kraisorn@dfdl.com
