DOE Cracks Down on Migrants in Reserved Thai Occupations

Thairath•Politics•6d ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Employment has inspected over 800,000 migrant workers in fiscal year 2026 to prevent the usurpation of occupations reserved for Thai nationals.

•The Department of Employment inspected 888,620 migrant workers and 74,265 establishments between October 2025 and September 1, 2026.
•1,792 migrant workers were found to be usurping occupations reserved for Thais, such as Thai massage, hairdressing, and beauty services.
•Violating workers face fines of 5,000 to 50,000 Baht, deportation, and a 2-year ban on new work permits.
•Employers hiring illegal workers face fines of 10,000 to 100,000 Baht per worker, with repeat offenders facing imprisonment or higher fines.

Overview

•On September 2, 2026, Samas Patamasukon announced results of inspections conducted from October 2025 to September 1, 2026.
•The Department of Employment ordered central and regional agencies to increase strictness in inspecting migrant workers and enforcing laws against employers.
•Occupations reserved for Thai nationals include street vending, Thai massage, hairdressing, beauty services, and vehicle driving.
•The Department of Employment inspected 74,265 establishments, prosecuting 1,721, and inspected 888,620 migrant workers, prosecuting 5,330.
•The Department of Employment integrated operations with the Immigration Bureau, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, and the Internal Security Operations Command.
•Migrant workers who violate the law face fines and deportation, while employers who repeat offenses may face imprisonment not exceeding 1 year.
•Samas Patamasukon stated that the government has strict oversight measures to balance labor needs with the protection of employment opportunities for Thais.
•The Department of Employment will continue serious inspections and law enforcement to prevent illegal work that affects Thai employment opportunities.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Samas Patamasukon

"Allowing foreign workers to work in Thailand is based on the needs of the business and production sectors that still lack labor."

การอนุญาตให้แรงงานต่างด้าวเข้ามาทำงานในประเทศไทยนั้น เป็นไปตามความจำเป็นของภาคธุรกิจและภาคการผลิตที่ยังขาดแคลนแรงงาน

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Employment(กรมการจัดหางาน)ℹ️

The agency responsible for supervising foreign worker employment and enforcing laws regarding reserved occupations for Thais.

Immigration Bureau(สำนักงานตรวจคนเข้าเมือง)

An agency that integrated with the Department of Employment to inspect migrant workers nationwide.

Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division(กองบังคับการปราบปรามการค้ามนุษย์)

An agency that integrated with the Department of Employment to inspect migrant workers nationwide.

Internal Security Operations Command(กองอำนวยการรักษาความมั่นคงภายในราชอาณาจักร)ℹ️

An agency that integrated with the Department of Employment to inspect migrant workers nationwide.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration District Offices(สำนักงานเขตกรุงเทพมหานคร)

Local agencies that integrated with the Department of Employment to inspect migrant workers.

Central Employment Registration and Job Seeker Protection Division(กองทะเบียนจัดหางานกลางและคุ้มครองคนหางาน)

The division within the Department of Employment that receives reports on illegal foreign labor.

Ministry of Labour(กระทรวงแรงงาน)ℹ️

The ministry housing the Department of Employment.

Person

Samas Patamasukon(สมาสภ์ ปัทมะสุคนธ์)

The Director-General of the Department of Employment.