On July 26, 2024, officials from the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Employment Office conducted an inspection and enforcement action at a barbecue restaurant in Bang Saphan District. The operation resulted in the detention of five Myanmar nationals—two men and three women—who were found working illegally at the establishment.
The raid, led by Aphatsara Chumthong, head of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Employment Office, and her team, including labor expert Kasama Chusuk and other staff, aimed to address violations of Thailand’s Foreign Worker Management Act of 2017 and its subsequent amendments. During the inspection, it was discovered that four of the detained workers lacked proper identification and work permits. This contravenes Article 8 of the act, which prohibits foreigners from working without authorization or beyond their permitted scope.
The authorities have charged the employer with allowing foreign workers to operate outside their legal rights, a breach of the Foreign Worker Management Act. The case has been forwarded to the Bang Saphan Police Station for legal proceedings. The foreign workers are currently under investigation, and further legal action will be taken in accordance with Thai labor laws.
Aphatsara Chumthong has emphasized that, under the Foreign Worker Management Act, foreigners working without permits or exceeding their permitted work scope face fines ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 baht and deportation. They are also barred from applying for a work permit for two years post-deportation. Employers who hire undocumented workers or allow them to work outside their authorized scope face fines between 10,000 and 100,000 baht per worker. Repeat offenders risk imprisonment for up to one year or fines between 50,000 and 200,000 baht per worker, along with a three-year ban on hiring foreign workers.
The Prachuap Khiri Khan Employment Office has urged the public to report any illegal foreign employment or unauthorized work activities. Reports can be made to the office at 032-602270.
For further information on local events and updates, residents can visit the provided links or contact through social media platforms.
Sources:
- Aphatsara Chumthong, Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Employment Office
- Kasama Chusuk, Labor Expert
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