Revised work permit laws for foreigners

Thailand’s rigid enforcement on Work Permits appears to be getting a reduction in penalties. Thai Visa is reporting that Thailand has updated rules regarding work permits for foreigners. Amongst the most significant of the changes is a reduction in penalties for those found working without a work permit.

According to law firm Duensing Kippen, foreigners found working without a work permit in Thailand no longer face the prospect of being sent to jail.

The report says that there are also further significant changes to the requirement for foreigners who attend meetings, seminars or sports competitions in Thailand.

Previously, foreigners attending a meeting or seminar in Thailand were required to have a work permit.

Duensing Kippen have a website where you can check the full transcript…

The general rule is that someone who is not a Thai citizen must obtain a work permit if he or she wants to work in Thailand. Recently, however, Thailand has made a few significant exceptions to this general rule, as well as, some other notable changes to the foreign work permission regimen.

Until last year Thailand regulated foreign work permissions under the Alien Workers Act (2008) (the “Act”). In 2017 the Emergency Decree on Non-Thais’ Working Management Emergency Decree, (2017) (“Decree No. 1”) repealed the Alien Workers Act (2008). Decree No. 1, however, incorporated much of the repealed Alien Workers Act’s provisions and kept in force most of the regulations issued under it.

Read their full interpretation of the revised regulations an penalties HERE.