Julpun Amornvivat, Minister of Labour, said on 22 June that managing foreign workers is a key policy of the Ministry of Labour, aimed at balancing business labour demand with the protection of workers’ rights to international standards. He stressed that employers must have sufficient labour to operate effectively while foreign workers should be able to enter legal employment and receive appropriate welfare and protections. Get today's headlines by email He also highlighted strict enforcement against illegal entry and unauthorised work. The Department of Employment has been instructed to carry out nationwide inspections. Recent enforcement operations in Phuket identified a total of 69 foreign workers found to be in violation of the law. Between 17 and 18 June 2026, the Phuket Provincial Employment Office carried out intensive inspections of foreign workers and workplaces across the province. On 17 June, officers inspected a restaurant in a shopping mall in central Phuket and found one South Sudanese male working without a permit. He was informed of the charges, detained, and transferred to Thalang Police Station for legal proceedings. On 18 June, officials inspected a construction project in Cherng Talay, Thalang district, Phuket, where 68 foreign workers were discovered. The group included 56 Myanmar nationals working without authorisation or residing illegally in the Kingdom, and 12 Chinese nationals working without permits. All individuals were detained and sent to Cherng Talay Police Station for prosecution, while employers were also referred for legal action. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, said the department has instructed its central registration and worker protection division, Bangkok employment offices, and provincial employment offices nationwide to work with security agencies in conducting proactive inspections. He said the aim is to prevent illegal employment and ensure compliance with labour regulations. He also noted that on 20 June, officials participated in a coordinated operation with the Royal Thai Police and related agencies targeting foreign business operations and nominee networks in Phuket, supporting broader law enforcement efforts. The Standard reported that authorities said the combined enforcement actions are intended to strengthen compliance among employers and foreign workers while reducing illegal employment practices. The inspections form part of a wider national strategy to regulate foreign labour and ensure proper legal channels are used for employment across sectors. Picture courtesy of The Standard Related story Chinese-workers-held-in-Phuket-crackdown Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now TheStandard 23 June 2026
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