Picture courtesy of Freepik

 

A Thai company has ignited controversy by threatening an employee with cuts to overtime pay, bonuses, and salary raises for missing the New Year party. Tan Pao highlighted the incident on Facebook, revealing that the company issued a formal disciplinary warning to those absent. This warning includes deducting 50 hours of overtime pay, withholding the annual bonus, and ruling out salary raises.

 

The story quickly gained traction online, drawing a flurry of reactions. Many criticise the measure for being excessively severe and possibly infringing personal rights. Comments varied, with some suggesting the penalties reflected the company's cultural expectations, while others believed they breached Thai labour laws.

 

Several respondents saw the company’s action as unfair, urging the employee to leave. They questioned whether it was legal to deduct wages for missing a non-work event, especially since the party was on a holiday. Critics also highlighted the inconsistency of organising a mandatory event at a time when the company might deny leave requests.

 

Conversely, there were opinions suggesting adaptability to company culture is important. Some viewed the absence without prior notice as potentially warranting disciplinary measures, especially if arrangements for seating and meals were already in place.

 

However, a significant number of commenters expressed disapproval of obligatory attendance at after-hours activities, viewing it as a disregard for personal time. This sparked broader discussions about boundaries between work obligations and personal life.

 

 

Picture courtesy of Facebook/ท่านเปา

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• Thai firm faces backlash for punishing an employee absent from a party.
• Netizens argue over legality, fairness, and cultural expectations.
• Raises questions about balancing work functions and personal time.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-12-16

 

 

 

Hells bells, what's wrong with these people !

Modern slavery... Companies and businesses and school think they own the workers... They have to show up whenever they want and do as they are told... That is slavery....workers can do in their freetime as they like, and if they have to show up the company has to pay them double wages at least, but they can't force you,.....

Unbelievable. Nothing here surprises me anymore.

I suspect the Thai Labour department will have something to say about this blatant illegal  stealing of  overtime pay  !

bonus and salary increases  a bit debatable  but still despicable.

Sorry, I can't believe this is true. 
What is the name of the company?

Well, for 40 Baht an employee can get a "sick certificate" from any clinic around the corner confirming being unfit with diarrhea - problem solved.

Nevertheless it might be worthwhile to consider changing the company as slavery was officially abolished in the Land of Funny Hats and Squeeking Rubber Ducks more than 100 years ago 8-) 

I wonder why the letter is in English, is he a farang?. 

11 minutes ago, NicoBKK said:

I wonder why the letter is in English, is he a farang?. 

I wondered the same thing, too.

35 minutes ago, BerndD said:

Sorry, I can't believe this is true. 
What is the name of the company?

Are you suggesting naming and shaming?

9 minutes ago, NicoBKK said:

I wonder why the letter is in English, is he a farang?. 

All communications with the Thai companies I worked for have always been in Thai only.
Also no signatures on the letter?
Is this a troll?

11 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Are you suggesting naming and shaming?

Yes that would be good, so people could boycott them.

7 minutes ago, Roel said:

All communications with the Thai companies I worked for have always been in Thai only.
Also no signatures on the letter?
Is this a troll?

Good point as it says "Did not participate in company activities" yet new year has not come yet, or do they have the party before....

4 minutes ago, brian69 said:

Yes that would be good, so people could boycott them.

Thailand's draconian defamation laws make naming and shaming, even when justified, a very dangerous and potentially costly thing to do.

7 minutes ago, brian69 said:

Good point as it says "Did not participate in company activities" yet new year has not come yet, or do they have the party before....

 

Wasn't "New Year 2568" almost a year ago? 

 

I get confused.  I just know I was born in 2500 and that makes the math easy for me.

 

I suspect this is one of those interweb pranks.

 

22 hours ago, webfact said:

A Thai company has ignited controversy by threatening an employee with cuts to overtime pay, bonuses, and salary raises for missing the New Year party. Tan Pao highlighted the incident on Facebook, revealing that the company issued a formal disciplinary warning to those absent.

 

Disgusting behaviour of the company!

35 minutes ago, NicoBKK said:

I wonder why the letter is in English, is he a farang?. 

 

26 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

I wondered the same thing, too.

 

The original letter might have been photographed with the Google translate app. Fonts look similar.

 

What kind of community spirit can there be in such a company?

1 hour ago, Sydebolle said:

Well, for 40 Baht an employee can get a "sick certificate" from any clinic around the corner confirming being unfit with diarrhea - problem solved.

Nevertheless it might be worthwhile to consider changing the company as slavery was officially abolished in the Land of Funny Hats and Squeeking Rubber Ducks more than 100 years ago 8-) 

Diarrhea ? Is this before or after the New Year dinner?

"The beatings will continue until morale improves" sign popped into my mind

1 hour ago, NicoBKK said:

I wonder why the letter is in English, is he a farang?. 

 

Bet you it's Japanese

Read the letter.

If the employee was specifically hired to be in a position that requires attendance, then the warning is understandable.

Human Resources and Supervisory Managers are expected to attend these events as they are for the benefit of the employees. Their presence is needed.

1 hour ago, Hawaiian said:

Are you suggesting naming and shaming?

YES!

But all in all, I don't think this story is true.

The joys of working for a Thai company under Thai management. 😄

2 hours ago, NicoBKK said:

I wonder why the letter is in English, is he a farang?. 

Many foreign companies operating in Thailand have forms in English.

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

Read the letter.

If the employee was specifically hired to be in a position that requires attendance, then the warning is understandable.

Human Resources and Supervisory Managers are expected to attend these events as they are for the benefit of the employees. Their presence is needed.

Your “If” carries a hell of a weight !!!! 

On 12/16/2025 at 11:31 AM, JoePai said:

Hells bells, what's wrong with these people !

It comes down to lack of labour laws or enforcement... if companies can get away with it, they will.

3 hours ago, BerndD said:

Sorry, I can't believe this is true. 
What is the name of the company?

its fake news so no company name

Asia has a different company-culture than we are used to in the West. You might need to follow the local company-culture and rules, if you wish to work here...

How did this make news? It's not April 1st yet. 

 

By the year 2068 I'd most likely be worm food already. Lol.