Golf Pro Demands Probe into Foreign Workers Replacing Thais at a Kanchanaburi Golf Course

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A professional Thai golfer has filed a formal complaint alleging that a well-known golf course in Kanchanaburi has been allowing a Myanmar national investor to employ foreign workers as caddies and masseuses—roles reserved by Thai law exclusively for Thai citizens.

The golf course, located in Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province, was reportedly leased to the Myanmar businessman around two to three years ago. At that time, the facility was employing between 100 and 150 Thai caddies. Since the lease began, however, the operator has allegedly replaced most Thai workers with Myanmar nationals, employing them as both caddies and massage therapists.

According to the complainant, all of the new foreign staff have been instructed to learn Korean, as the course primarily caters to South Korean golfers. This shift in workforce policy has reportedly eliminated the traditional queue system used for assigning caddies, which previously ensured fairness and work opportunities for local Thai caddies.

As a result, the remaining Thai caddies are now being left without work, while Myanmar staff, employed on a salaried basis, are allegedly allowed to serve multiple Korean clients in succession without regard for the original rotation system. Golfers can no longer request specific Thai caddies, further marginalising local workers.

The situation has sparked outrage among Thai employees, who argue that both the caddie and massage roles are classified as protected occupations under Thai labour law, meaning foreign nationals are legally prohibited from performing them.

Many of the affected Thai caddies are long-time employees of the golf course and now find themselves jobless and struggling to make ends meet. With little knowledge of legal channels for redress, they have turned to the media in hopes of drawing government attention to the issue.

They are urging relevant authorities to investigate whether the employment of Myanmar nationals in these positions is in violation of Thai labour regulations and to ensure fairness and job protection for Thai workers moving forward.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-05-07.