Immigration Police and officials from the Department of Employment raided an international school in Bangkok’s Pridi Banomyong area on 30 May, uncovering an unlicensed operation that had allegedly been running for more than five years. Authorities found the school was operating without a legal education licence and employing six foreign teachers without valid work permits.
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The operation was carried out under the direction of Pol Lt Gen Phanumas Boonyalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, alongside senior immigration officials and representatives from the Department of Employment. Officers from Immigration Division 1 worked with the Office of the Private Education Commission and the Department of Employment after receiving reports that the school was operating illegally and using foreign staff without proper authorisation.
During the inspection, officers found that the school did not hold a licence to operate under Thai law. Document checks identified six foreign nationals from the Philippines and Myanmar working as teachers without valid work permits.
All six teachers were arrested and transferred to Khlong Tan Police Station for legal proceedings. Authorities said the school had been teaching more than 100 students, all foreign nationals, from kindergarten through to secondary level.
Investigators believe the school began offering classes before obtaining legal approval and continued employing foreign teachers without securing the required work permits. Initial findings indicated the school had been operating in this manner for more than five years.
Pol Maj Gen Prasat Khemaprasit said immigration authorities have been conducting ongoing operations against unlicensed international schools in several areas. He noted that many of these schools share similar characteristics, including operating from locations hidden in difficult-to-access side streets, catering mainly to foreign students and employing foreign teachers without legal authorisation to work.
Pictures courtesy of MGR online
Authorities said the case highlights continuing concerns over compliance within the private education sector and the employment of foreign nationals. Operating an unlicensed school and employing foreign workers without permits are both violations of Thai law.
Manager Online reported that immigration officials stated that enforcement efforts against illegal international schools and foreign nationals working unlawfully will continue. Members of the public with information about suspected illegal employment involving foreign nationals are encouraged to report it through the Royal Thai Police hotline 1599 or the Immigration Bureau hotline 1178.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now MGRonline 1 June 2026