Occupation lockdown: Thailand’s Labour Ministry draws the line for foreigners, 27 out, 13 in the conditions

[snoop1130]

 

The Ministry of Labour in Thailand outlined a list of 40 occupations that are off-limits for foreigners, with 27 being completely restricted and 13 permitted under certain conditions. These occupations are classified into four categories, aiming to address the shortage of local labour in areas where Thai nationals show less interest, particularly in light of the large-scale arrival of foreign workers from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.

 

Foreigners are allowed to work in specific occupations governed by bilateral agreements between Thailand and certain countries, provided they adhere to Thai laws. Within this category, there are three professions open to foreigners: accounting, engineering, and architecture.

 

For skilled or semi-skilled occupations, foreigners can only work if they are employed by an authorized employer. This category includes eight occupations, including agriculture, masonry/carpentry/construction, mattress making, knife making, shoe making, hat making, dress making, and pottery or ceramic ware making.

 

In skilled occupations, foreigners can work with the employer’s approval and enter Thailand under the Agreement between the Government of Thailand and Foreign Governments (MoU) on the Admission of Foreign Workers under the Immigration Laws. Two occupations fall into this category: sculptor and retail salesperson.

 

The Ministry of Labour emphasizes the importance of strict compliance with these regulations for both employers and foreign workers, reported KhaoSod English.

 

By Bob Scott

 

#news

Full Story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/occupation-lockdown-thailands-labour-ministry-draws-the-line-for-foreigners-27-out-13-in-the-conditions

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-06

 

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[ThailandRyan]

Shameful to discriminate against folks who are skilled at certain jobs, like Hair Styling and coloring, who have also gone to school to learn the trade.

[chalawaan]

Nothing like official xenophobia to warm the cockles of an expats heart. 

 

I'm sure this policy has many western fans, wishing their own homeland was as hateful, not realising Thailand can kick us out tomorrow if the wrong guy gets to be PM. 

[Tropicalevo]

As far as I can remember, these jobs have always been banned for foreigners.

[Dogmatix]

Thaiger that makes out that this is all new legislation which it is not.  The list of 40 reserved occupations was a Royal Decree from the early 70s that remains totally unchanged.  The exemptions are from various MOUs with neighbouring countries and an agreement with ASEAN.

[chickenslegs]

5 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

For skilled or semi-skilled occupations, foreigners can only work if they are employed by an authorized employer. This category includes ... shoe ... making.

Cobblers!

[2baht]

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

aiming to address the shortage of local labour in areas where Thai nationals show less interest,

....and there in lies the problem! I would call it lazy or complacent! How can a population of near 70 million in such a small country be short of labor??? ????

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Shameful to discriminate against folks who are skilled at certain jobs, like Hair Styling and coloring, who have also gone to school to learn the trade.

Many years ago I went to a barber shop, at the time I was married to a Thai and living in the UK

I noticed a younger guy who worked there maybe mid-thirties, sitting down and practice writing in Thai script trying to learn the language.

Talking about things he said he was sending money out every month and building a house for his future wife and family.

It was abrout 3/4 built with about 6 months more work and landscaping to do.

I asked him on what visa he was going to stay there and what what work he was going to do?

He said get a multi entry visa then later a marriage visa and open a barber shop nearby.

I asked if he had the required bank deposit required for the marriage visa.... what deposit he asked?

I then told him he wouldn't get a work permit as being a barber was a restricted profession.

To say he didn't know about any of this and his g/f hadn't said anything came as quite a shock to him.

 

 

[hotchilli]

46 minutes ago, 2baht said:

....and there in lies the problem! I would call it lazy or complacent! How can a population of near 70 million in such a small country be short of labor??? ????

30% don't work.

Unlike the below 2% the old government would have you believe.

Edited July 6, 2023 by hotchilli

[fdimike]

Strange no mention of teaching English here in Thailand.

[wazzupnow]

1 hour ago, 2baht said:

....and there in lies the problem! I would call it lazy or complacent! How can a population of near 70 million in such a small country be short of labor??? ????

it is not their fault why would they work they never got stimulated for it most young people( even up until early 40 ties) living at home with mum (who is the root off all evil ) cooking caring for them and never asks them to leave their computer why work when you are not hungry?

[tandor]

11 hours ago, chalawaan said:

Nothing like official xenophobia to warm the cockles of an expats heart. 

 

I'm sure this policy has many western fans, wishing their own homeland was as hateful, not realising Thailand can kick us out tomorrow if the wrong guy gets to be PM. 

Its always been like this.

[tandor]

6 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Cobblers!

you would need to be careful if you were a retired medical practitioner here with Marten for a surname!

[ezzra]

Get it through your heads guys, we are NOT appreciated, welcome or wanted in this country, at best, we're tolerated, and anyone thinking differently are just deluding themselves.

Edited July 6, 2023 by ezzra

[Dexxter]

1 hour ago, 2baht said:

....and there in lies the problem! I would call it lazy or complacent! How can a population of near 70 million in such a small country be short of labor??? ????

Not much different to Australia where we allow short-stay foreigners to work as fruit pickers because Australians don't want to do that work especially for the low wages offered.

[pollyog]

Interesting that the last item in the list (copied from the original article) says legal services are not permitted by foreigners, yet there are definitely foreign lawyers working here, in Bangkok, Phuket, etc.  and have been for years.  

 

Occupations completely restricted for foreigners:

1. Wood carving
   2. Motorcycle driving, excluding forklift operation
   3. Auction
   4. Gem cutting/polishing
   5. Hairdressing/beauty salon services
   6. Hand-weaving fabrics
   7. Loom weaving or manufacturing using straw, bamboo, chicken feathers, yarn, etc.
   8. Handmade paper production
   9. Traditional lacquer making
   10. Thai traditional musical instrument making
   11. Thai niello making
   12. Gold/silver/platinum smithing
   13. Stone carving
   14. Thai doll making
   15. Alms bowl making
   16. Hand-woven silk fabric production
   17. Buddha statue making
   18. Paper/fabric umbrella making
   19. Agent/broker services
   20. Thai massage
   21. Cigarette rolling
   22. Guide services
   23. Street selling
   24. Thai alphabet arranging services
   25. Silk thread spinning
   26. Secretarial services
   27. Legal services

 

[Kwaibill]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Many years ago I went to a barber shop, at the time I was married to a Thai and living in the UK

I noticed a younger guy who worked there maybe mid-thirties, sitting down and practice writing in Thai script trying to learn the language.

Talking about things he said he was sending money out every month and building a house for his future wife and family.

It was abrout 3/4 built with about 6 months more work and landscaping to do.

I asked him on what visa he was going to stay there and what what work he was going to do?

He said get a multi entry visa then later a marriage visa and open a barber shop nearby.

I asked if he had the required bank deposit required for the marriage visa.... what deposit he asked?

I then told him he wouldn't get a work permit as being a barber was a restricted profession.

To say he didn't know about any of this and his g/f hadn't said anything came as quite a shock to him.

 

 

Quite possibly she did not know this. There are surprising gaps in the average Thai’s knowledge about their own country it seems.

[2baht]

14 minutes ago, Dexxter said:

Not much different to Australia where we allow short-stay foreigners to work as fruit pickers because Australians don't want to do that work especially for the low wages offered.

Thailand is the size of New South Wales!

[hotchilli]

3 minutes ago, Kwaibill said:

Quite possibly she did not know this. There are surprising gaps in the average Thai’s knowledge about their own country it seems.

Quite possibly as you say, yet most Thai girls will have never seen a foreigner working in any salon/barber shop?

[Bim Smith]

I guess I have to cancel my interview at Home Pro now.

[Drumbuie]

49 minutes ago, Dexxter said:

Not much different to Australia where we allow short-stay foreigners to work as fruit pickers because Australians don't want to do that work especially for the low wages offered.

Or the UK where crops have been rotting in the fields, because British people don't want to do the backbreaking work of  harvesting and, post-Brexit, farmers can't use seasonal workers from the EU.  

Edited July 7, 2023 by Drumbuie

[jacko45k]

13 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Shameful to discriminate against folks who are skilled at certain jobs, like Hair Styling and coloring, who have also gone to school to learn the trade.

Seems to be more about discriminating against foreigners....

[kennw]

13 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Shameful to discriminate against folks who are skilled at certain jobs, like Hair Styling and coloring, who have also gone to school to learn the trade.

I think you miss the main point, the rules do not allow foreigners to work in areas where there are sufficient Thais able to do that type of work. 

[mrfill]

58 minutes ago, Dexxter said:

Not much different to Australia where we allow short-stay foreigners to work as fruit pickers because Australians don't want to do that work especially for the low wages offered.

UK is similar except they also do the same for nurses and doctors, a lot of whom are decamping to Australia and need replacing by others, probably from countries like Thailand, leading to shortages in those countries.

[sirineou]

3 hours ago, 2baht said:

....and there in lies the problem! I would call it lazy or complacent! How can a population of near 70 million in such a small country be short of labor??? ????

In the same way in the same way many countries with higher population densities can. There are many factors other population density that affects the labor market. 

[PB172111]

13 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Shameful to discriminate against folks who are skilled at certain jobs, like Hair Styling and coloring, who have also gone to school to learn the trade.

Why? Australia does exactly the same. If there is a shortage of labour in a certain field then it makes sense to seek international expertise.

[ikke1959]

With all that Thais it is not surprising that there are so many workers from neighbourhood countries here. O am trying to find someone to give a hand in several easy things to do as weeding, trim trees and or clean the roof, I am willing to pay 100 THB an hour but nobody respond or is interested...As the protection jobs should be abolished. If foreigners coem to work here and Thais complain there is a simple answer.. You don't want to do it. Even my foster kid is too lazy to do anything, as it not paid enough. But I told him and every body many times, there is a big difference between nothing and a little bit. It is easy to ask for things and be angry if people don't give it. It is also easy to say that foreigners are  rich, but they forget that foreigners often have low paid jobs to starter as an extra income if a student or so... Laziness will bring you now where

[phetphet]

No.2. Motorcycle driving excluding forklift operation? Never seen a two wheeled forklift.

 

No.19. Agent / Broker services. Seen a few foreign insurance brokers here.

 

No.21. Cigarette rolling. Does that include rolling splifs in all these cannabis shops?

[Grumpy one]

I came here to enjoy retirement, not work.

So this list is as useful as a bum gun with no water

[mikebell]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

To say he didn't know about any of this and his g/f hadn't said anything came as quite a shock to him.

I bet she got the house.