The Department of Employment (DoE) in Thailand initiated inspections of language schools in Bangkok’s Ratchada and Bang Na areas on Sunday following the arrest of eight undocumented South Korean language teachers.
Somchai Morakotsriwan, the DoE director-general, stated that the department has been rigorously inspecting foreign labor through the “Search, Arrest, Fine, Deport” operation, following public reports that foreigners were employed without proper work permits at prominent Korean language schools in the Ratchada and Bang Na districts.
In collaboration with the Immigration Bureau (IB) police, the DoE’s foreign labor inspection unit visited these schools and checked the work permits of the teachers on Sunday, confirming that no foreign teachers were employed illegally.
Mr. Somchai explained that the operation aims to protect employment opportunities for Thai nationals.
On Thursday, IB police conducted raids at two branches of a language school on Ratchadaphisek Road, resulting in the detention of eight South Korean nationals for teaching without the necessary permits.
Mr. Somchai further advised that foreigners seeking teaching positions must enter Thailand on a non-immigrant visa and are required to submit their visa applications, along with teaching credentials and other necessary documents, at either the Bangkok Employment Office Area 1-10 or the Provincial Employment Office where their school is located.
Foreign teachers found working without a valid work permit could be fined between 5,000 to 50,000 baht and face deportation. Schools employing undocumented foreign teachers could incur fines ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 baht per teacher.
For schools with repeated offenses, the owner may face up to a year in prison and/or an increased fine ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 baht per illegally employed worker.
Mr. Somchai also mentioned that foreigners needing work permits could contact the Labour Ministry’s 1506 hotline and press 2, or the DoE’s 1694 hotline for assistance. English-speaking interpreters are available to provide information and guidance on legally working in Thailand.
