I have spoken about this before but it's scandalous what poor employment rights many Thais and I guess other migrants labor. I had a friend who was fired just 3 days before due to get salary, for using phone at work. . and the employer is intending to only pay a small.part of the 25 days he worked and would not take I to account all the overtime worked which he would have been paid . So salary paid due to be 14000 baht but employer only paying 8000. These scum employers know full week they can find any excuse to get out of paying money they should pay. Worst of all is.thais can't name and shame these trash businesses fir fear of defamation legal action. I intend to go this employer and cause havoc

Funny how ‘using phone at work’ only becomes a sackable offence right before payday… payroll must be tight this month.

As a foreigner, you would be well-advised not to interfere in Thai business affairs. Thailand has a highly structured and effective Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW) that is more than capable of handling employment issues.

That is, after all, why they exist. They have significant "teeth" and are known to side heavily with employees when regulations are breached. If there is a legitimate grievance, the proper channel is through their offices, not via external interference.

Key Details on Thai Labor Protection:

• The Power of the DLPW: Labor inspectors have the legal authority to enter workplaces, demand documentation, and issue binding orders for compensation (wages, overtime, or severance).

• Ease of Access: Any employee can file a complaint directly at a local labor office or via the 1506 Hotline (Press 3). The process is designed to be accessible to workers without the initial need for expensive lawyers.

• Strict Penalties: Employers found in violation of the Labor Protection Act face serious consequences, including fines ranging from 5,000 to 200,000 THB and potential imprisonment for up to one year.

• Specialized Courts: If a dispute isn't resolved at the department level, it moves to the Labor Court, which is a specialized judicial body specifically equipped to fast-track employment cases.

Hope that helps.

1 hour ago, pixelaoffy said:

I had a friend who was fired just 3 days before due to get salary, for using phone at work.

If he knew 'playing' on his phone at work was not allowed, he got what he deserved. Same as if the boss said if you are late to work three times you will be fired. However, he should be paid all of the salary he earned.

3 hours ago, ColeBOzbourne said:

If he knew 'playing' on his phone at work was not allowed, he got what he deserved. Same as if the boss said if you are late to work three times you will be fired. However, he should be paid all of the salary he earned.

No .employers choose when it's convenient to fire someone.. that's why many write into a contract that a company can not pay someone if break some rule. Infact he used phone other times no problem. It was convenient for the employer to dismiss. This should be illegal. But hey this is Thailand

41 minutes ago, pixelaoffy said:

This should be illegal. But hey this is Thailand

It most probably is that is why your friend should contact the department of labour as recommended above

no naming and shaming of the company as that could land your friend in trouble yes T.i.T

the 'defamation' laws are insane.

7 hours ago, Nemises said:

Funny how ‘using phone at work’ only becomes a sackable offence right before payday… payroll must be tight this month.

Exactly. That's point

20 hours ago, pixelaoffy said:

I had a friend who was fired just 3 days before due to get salary, for using phone at work. .

I wished that was enforced more strictly, to be honest. How many times did I go somewhere and the employees were too busy playing with their phones to notice and serve me right away. You wouldn't get away with that in most countries!

As for docking the pay, I don't know the exact rules for that, but there's an agency that can review the employer's calculation for your friend.

15 hours ago, pixelaoffy said:

No .employers choose when it's convenient to fire someone.. that's why many write into a contract that a company can not pay someone if break some rule. Infact he used phone other times no problem. It was convenient for the employer to dismiss. This should be illegal. But hey this is Thailand

The big question is what he was using the phone for and for how long.

There is a big difference between checking a text or sending a text to let the family know you will be late and surfing the internet and SOC media.

I believe he/she was probably warned.

Asd to payment I think that will depend on where the Government watch dog determines it.

As for anyone on this site going to the boss and complaining on their behalf. I would suggest packing your bags and getting ready to leave Thailand.

Even if it was in your home country I would say that it is between the employer and employee. Anything that an outsider, be it a spouse or a parent, does is not going to make things better.

21 hours ago, pixelaoffy said:

I have spoken about this before but it's scandalous what poor employment rights many Thais and I guess other migrants labor. I had a friend who was fired just 3 days before due to get salary, for using phone at work. . and the employer is intending to only pay a small.part of the 25 days he worked and would not take I to account all the overtime worked which he would have been paid . So salary paid due to be 14000 baht but employer only paying 8000. These scum employers know full week they can find any excuse to get out of paying money they should pay. Worst of all is.thais can't name and shame these trash businesses fir fear of defamation legal action. I intend to go this employer and cause havoc

It's their own fault if they use a smartphone when it's not necessary for work. As a plant manager in Europe, I've had to make similar decisions and, after warnings, dismiss employees! It's not a Thai thing.

Seems a few on here don't get the fact that certain employers use a time convenient to their finances as to when to fire . It's common. Never dismissed during Songkran holiday when he worked throughout for the business.

Bad, cheating employers are commonly referred to as exploitative, unethical, or toxic. Other terms include predatory management, fraudulent employers, or wage thieves, often described as having an abusive, bad-faith, or "bottom-line mentality" that ignores employee rights to save money.

On 4/27/2026 at 12:52 PM, CharlieH said:

As a foreigner, you would be well-advised not to interfere in Thai business affairs. Thailand has a highly structured and effective Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW) that is more than capable of handling employment issues.

That is, after all, why they exist. They have significant "teeth" and are known to side heavily with employees when regulations are breached. If there is a legitimate grievance, the proper channel is through their offices, not via external interference.

Key Details on Thai Labor Protection:

• The Power of the DLPW: Labor inspectors have the legal authority to enter workplaces, demand documentation, and issue binding orders for compensation (wages, overtime, or severance).

• Ease of Access: Any employee can file a complaint directly at a local labor office or via the 1506 Hotline (Press 3). The process is designed to be accessible to workers without the initial need for expensive lawyers.

• Strict Penalties: Employers found in violation of the Labor Protection Act face serious consequences, including fines ranging from 5,000 to 200,000 THB and potential imprisonment for up to one year.

• Specialized Courts: If a dispute isn't resolved at the department level, it moves to the Labor Court, which is a specialized judicial body specifically equipped to fast-track employment cases.

Hope that helps.

The Ombudsman is also helpful Hotline: 1676.

Waste of time to hassle the Thai employer, waste of time, yeah, perhaps defamation.

My beef is the mandatory retirement age of 60. Due to lifelong poor income, no one has enough savings by that age to retire.

What Charlie H said, go to labor office and explain situation.

They will investigate all and make decisions.

Employee should have had at least one warning. You are paid for work and not for playing on phone.

And sometimes it can be dangerous to take a phone into working place, due to flammable gasses and liquids or disturbing radio signals of walkie talkies, communication.

People should grow up and not every time be on phones, it is bs.

Dont be an ass, if there is a Thai speaking/understanding English, then adapt your wordflow.

Take it easy and slow. After all they have to make the case for you.

Of course bringing in papers, proof is a pre. Be prepared as much as possible to calmly explain.

In my country now, you have cams which can detect if you are using, holding phone while driving.

You know consequences, so up to you to have a fine of 15000 baht each time.!

No, im not mistaken in price, actual price of fine.

Fully automatic it appears on your door mat.

47 minutes ago, pixelaoffy said:

Grammar error riddled incomprehensible junk

Considering the poor grammar and punctuation in your OP - this is a very strange comment to make about a post that I found to be both comprehensible and useful.

15 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

Considering the poor grammar and punctuation in your OP - this is a very strange comment to make about a post that I found to be both comprehensible

16 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

Considering the poor grammar and punctuation in your OP - this is a very strange comment to make about a post that I found to be both comprehensible and useful.

No it's not! You disagreed with my opinion. Go on tell the truth

20 hours ago, pixelaoffy said:

Seems a few on here don't get the fact that certain employers use a time convenient to their finances as to when to fire . It's common. Never dismissed during Songkran holiday when he worked throughout for the business.

Bad, cheating employers are commonly referred to as exploitative, unethical, or toxic. Other terms include predatory management, fraudulent employers, or wage thieves, often described as having an abusive, bad-faith, or "bottom-line mentality" that ignores employee rights to save money.

Your sophisticated comments make you seem like every employer's nightmare...beware!🤣🤣🤣

Not so much this case, but according to what I read, people now instantly have their employment terminated without any formal warning.

What happened to tolerance and civilised behaviour, with the good old days of warning letters.

It contradicts that we live in enlightened times.

 

23 hours ago, pixelaoffy said:

Been here longer than you I think . You. dont know full circumstances and you sound like the scum employers I dealt with in the UK in the 1989s. You arrogant *****

You don't know me so probably should notake assessment. You limited the post info so we don't know the full story.

The bottom line is that you going to her employer and doung a big bad wolf impression about how bad an employer and how unfair will only make them think they did right.

You were told where she or he has to go. Besides driving her there you should stay out of it.

As Tomy personal skills almost all my employees still talk to me and I was known as the boss to mediate issues

Numerous flame posts have been removed.