employment contract terminated early: what next?

[mhunt]

I've been working for the same Thai company for 15 years, on a series of annual contracts. My current contract was due to expire in July, but the company has announced that it's closing down permanently and cancelling staff contracts on 30 April. (This announcement came before the current coronavirus restrictions.)

 

I have a non-imm B visa and work permit, both tied to this company. When the contract is terminated on 30 April, do I have 24 hours to leave the country, or pay for a 7-day extension? Are there any other options? (I'm not married, and the government just announced a total ban on immigration, so a tourist-visa run seems out of the question.)

 

The company hasn't issued an official contract-termination letter, and they have implied that they will not be paying compensation. I understand that I could apply to the Labour Dept for compensation, but my immediate concern is about my ability to remain in the country.

 

Any advice gratefully received.

[jackdd]

- Leave Thailand if you still can

- Get a letter from your embassy (if they issue it), this will allow you to get a 30 day extension

- Beg the IO to give you a 30 day extension without an embassy letter due to the Corona breakout (Theoretically possible, but afaik nobody got one yet)

[ubonjoe]

23 minutes ago, jackdd said:

Beg the IO to give you a 30 day extension without an embassy letter due to the Corona breakout (Theoretically possible, but afaik nobody got one yet)

Not in his case. He would be asking for the extension under number 2 of the memorandum that requires a letter from an embassy under clause 2.28 of the police order.

[jackdd]

7 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Not in his case. He would be asking for the extension under number 2 of the memorandum that requires a letter from an embassy under clause 2.28 of the police order.

In the part which you quoted i was referring to number 3 of the memorandum. This doesn't require an embassy letter.

 

If OP is wondering which memorandum, we are talking about this:
https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155116-immigration-is-allowing-30-day-extensions-of-entries-memorandum-dated-1803/

[mhunt]

Thank you, so an embassy letter and 30-day extension seems like my best option.

[Isaanbiker]

5 minutes ago, mhunt said:

Thank you, so an embassy letter and 30-day extension seems like my best option.

Should you find out that they only let you go, please visit the labor department and go for severance pay.

 

         A series of annual contracts for 15 years is very similar to an ongoing employment.

 

  If you do have the right, please find out where the place at the city hall is to get a free lawyer.

 

   Best of luck!! 

 

  

[EricTh]

10 minutes ago, mhunt said:

Thank you, so an embassy letter and 30-day extension seems like my best option.

I presume you are working until 30 April and not 30 March. At that time, the situation might change but border runs is still a no-no.