Thai-ing up loose ends: Govt drive on illegal foreign teachers
Thailand’s Ministry of Labour has launched a major crackdown on illegal foreign teachers, targeting those working without permits or entering on tourist visas. Under stricter enforcement measures, violators now face fines between 5,000 and 50,000 baht, followed by deportation.
Schools found employing unlicenced foreign teachers won’t escape penalties either. Institutions caught violating the law will be fined 10,000 to 100,000 baht per illegal employee.
Repeat offenders risk up to one year in prison, fines of 50,000 to 200,000 baht, and a three-year ban on hiring foreign staff.
The crackdown has sparked debate among expats, educators, and locals, with many stressing the importance of proper qualifications and legal compliance.
Critics argue that unqualified teachers, particularly from Russia and Eastern Europe, have entered the workforce without university degrees or formal training, raising concerns over English proficiency and teaching quality.
“Tourist visas are not for working. These individuals take advantage of the system, damaging Thailand’s education sector.”
Some suggest even tougher requirements, calling for foreign teachers to meet Thai standards, such as passing national exams and proving at least five years of certified experience in government-funded schools in their home country.
The Ministry of Labour urges schools and individuals to comply with labour and immigration laws to maintain the integrity of Thailand’s education system, reported Pattaya Mail.
For more information on legal employment, individuals can contact the Labour hotline at 1694.
In similar news, Bang Lamung police carried out a raid in Naklua over the weekend, arresting four foreign nationals working illegally near Naklua New Market in Chon Buri province.
The targeted operation on Saturday, February 15, exposed two individuals who had been overstaying in Thailand for an astonishing six years.
The crackdown took place in Village 5, Naklua subdistrict, as authorities intensified efforts to identify illegal foreign workers. Among those arrested, two had remained in the country well beyond their permitted stay, drawing the attention of immigration officials.
Now facing legal action, the detained individuals are set for deportation to their home countries.
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