700+ illegal foreign workers exposed in Thailand’s reserved jobs

[snoop1130]

 

The Thai government has exposed a clandestine workforce of over 700 foreign workers engaged in professions reserved for locals over the past six months, officials declared today.

 

Government spokesperson Kharom Polpornklang disclosed that a vigorous crackdown by the Employment Department had ensnared 721 foreigners, predominantly employed as street vendors, hairdressers, drivers, and masseurs, prompted by grievances from indigenous workers.

 

The focal point of complaints revolved around provinces reliant on tourism.

 

During the initial half of fiscal 2024 (October 1 to March 18), the department meticulously inspected 25,628 enterprises nationwide, initiating legal action against 820 of them for illicitly hiring foreigners in occupations designated for Thais. Additionally, scrutiny of 306,577 foreigners led to legal measures against 1,689 individuals.

 

Of these, 721 faced charges for encroaching upon jobs reserved for Thais, with the remainder facing other violations. Notably, the majority of foreigners engaged in these jobs were discovered in Bangkok and its environs, Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai.

 

Among the apprehended, Myanmar nationals constituted the largest group, with 316 caught, trailed by Cambodians (175), Laotians (106), Indians (65), Vietnamese (42), Chinese (5), and 12 other nationalities, reported The Nation.

 

The government spokesperson emphasised that most offenders were apprehended whilst vending goods on streets, providing hairdressing services, driving, or offering massage services.

 

In related news, in a crackdown on entertainment hotspots, police in Surat Thani Province found a restaurant owned by a Russian national on Koh Pha Ngan which illegally employed three Burmese workers. During a routine inspection, officers stumbled upon the Colorful Hut eatery, owned by a Russian national. The Russian was found guilty of exploiting three Burmese workers.

 

A joint operation involving Surat Thani police, tourist police, and immigration officers swooped in on March 12, nabbing the Russian and taking him away to Koh Pha Ngan Police Station for legal proceedings.

 

In other news, a 31 year old man from Hong Kong has been apprehended in the tourist hotspot of Phuket. The arrest occurred in a car park close to the iconic Phuket Big Buddha, officially known as Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Eknakakiri, on Nakkerd Hill in the Mueang district’s Karon Subdistrict, yesterday around 5pm.

 

By Mitch Connor

Caption: Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-21

 

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[stoner]

that's it only 700+ ? it was reported last week that there was 150k thai in south korea working illegally. 

 

this is peanuts in comparison. 

[NONG CHOK]

My wifes daughter got done several months ago for employing several Cambodian females. She was given up by other shop keepers who were gullible enough to loan her money to play the Government lottery. This jobs for Thais is a total w**nk. Firstly Thais want top rates and secondly they're like rusty guns, they don't fire. I'm not condoning what my step daughter done. What about the house maids who perform their duties  plus extra services they can do, working at Hi So's homes.

Edited March 21 by NONG CHOK
typo

[ikke1959]

Thai work only for Thai people, as foreigners we have to live with that.. I don't  never any advice or do anything anymore for the Thai society.. Tooo dangerous for being caught for "illegal" work without a workpermit...Thai people don't have a clue what they are missing on other experiences, help, contact.. but alas in a closed conservative society I can live with it

[freeworld]

There probably a lot more than 700.

 

They just haven't been found and caught yet.

[norfolkandchance]

1 hour ago, NONG CHOK said:

My wifes daughter got done several months ago for employing several Cambodian females. She was given up by other shop keepers who were gullible enough to loan her money to play the Government lottery. This jobs for Thais is a total w**nk. Firstly Thais want top rates and secondly they're like rusty guns, they don't fire. I'm not condoning what my step daughter done. What about the house maids who perform their duties  plus extra services they can do, working at Hi So's homes.

There's only one 'a'.

[jonclark]

Only 700 illegals. Thats a shocking number. The Cambodians, Laotian and Myanmarese are slipping. They need to get some advice on how to add to their illegal number. 

 

Maybe Thailand could give this advice considering there are over 100,000 illegal workers in South Korea. Thais seems to be experts at working illegally in foreign countries. 

[sammieuk1]

Can you get the miscreants to work on filling potholes on the top end of Soi 88 before you boot them out cos it's a job no Thai wants to do 🤔

[fredwiggy]

They are missing the point. Who hires them? In America, the migrants get hired by rich farm and ranch owners., and some to work as maids are gardeners in their homes. If they get fined big it would slow down. First offense, second offense higher etc.

[bamnutsak]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Thai government has exposed a clandestine workforce of over 700 foreign workers engaged in professions reserved for locals over the past six months, officials declared today.

 

 

Spread out over the six-month period the total figure seems a lot lower than I would have guessed.

 

 

 

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

a vigorous crackdown by the Employment Department

 

"Vigorous". 5-5-5

 

 

 

I'd be willing to wager that they could round up 700 in one day, if they were incentivized, and were not paid off by the Thai smuggling/employment cartels.

 

[mikebell]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the department meticulously inspected 25,628 enterprises nationwide,

'Meticulously' is not a word usually employed to describe a Government department except when employed in a witch-hunt instigated by ineffectual companies jealous of the foreigners' success.

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Thai government has exposed a clandestine workforce of over 700 foreign workers engaged in professions reserved for locals over the past six months, officials declared today

How many Thai business owners have been sentenced ?

 

[brianthainess]

Meanwhile in Dubai, Japan & Korea  Thais are just there for a holiday, honest 'gov.    

[john donson]

ah these stupid outdated laws like, you can own a restaurant but not work in it... so 16th century...

[jacko45k]

On 3/22/2024 at 10:15 AM, john donson said:

ah these stupid outdated laws like, you can own a restaurant but not work in it... so 16th century...

Don't most rent the property? 

Still, cannot own it outright if not Thai. 

[ChipButty]

On 3/22/2024 at 8:48 AM, brianthainess said:

Meanwhile in Dubai, Japan & Korea  Thais are just there for a holiday, honest 'gov.    

Israel also