Chinese work permit service billboards draw more criticism

Locals in the central province of Prachinburi have demanded the removal and investigation of three billboards, written in Chinese, advertising work permit application services for foreigners.

Recently, a Thai woman took to social media to share a picture of a large billboard at Huai Khwang Intersection in Bangkok, which was written in Chinese. After using a translation app, the woman discovered that the company that owned the billboard was selling passports from various countries to customers, raising questions about its legality.

Officials from the Huai Khwang District Office later found that the billboard had been installed without a permit and tax payment. As a result, the owner of the building where the billboard was displayed will be fined 5,000 baht, while the owner of the sign must pay tax worth 84,000 baht.

While the legality of the billboard remains under investigation, locals in Prachinburi province pointed out three more Chinese-language billboards along Route 304 near the Rojana Industrial Park. A picture of one billboard was shared on social media.

“This sign is along Route 304 near the Rojana Industrial Park. Recruiting foreign workers. Am I in Thailand? I should start my Chinese language lessons now. China is everywhere in Thailand.”

Channel 7 translated the messages on the billboards.

“For foreign workers in Thailand, we are the No.1 human resources group in Thailand. We offer services to workers from four countries: Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. We offer convenient, fast, and legal services which are certified by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). We have more than 19 years of experience.”

Other locals in the area emphasised that they had seen two more similar signs along the same road. Many demanded the local administrative team remove the signs and investigate their owner.

In response to the online criticism, officers from the Department of Highways removed all the signs in Chinese yesterday, July 23. However, there has been no report on whether the officers will investigate the signs’ owner and the company behind the advertising service.