Phuket Work Permit Renewal - Warning!

For the last 3 years if my work permit here in Phuket finished on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday I have been allowed to renew it on the next working day afterwards.

This time my work permit expired on Tuesday 3rd January, a public holiday, and the 4th day in a row that the labour department was closed. When I went in as usual today on 4th January to renew they told me that "they have started to enforce the rules that have always been in place" and the work permit must be renewed BEFORE the weekend or public holiday on which it expires.

I went to see the registrar and plead my case but unfortunately they would give me no flexibility whatsoever and confiscated my work permit. I now have no work permit and am required to apply all over again for a new one.

So apologies to all my customers, you're going to have to wait a while until I'm allowed to do business with you again.

Ever feel like you're not wanted?