January 18, 2026, Deputy Government Spokesperson Aiyarin Phanrit disclosed about the public concern regarding illegal entry of migrant workers from the neighboring countries that the Government has directed the security agencies to work in an integrated manner with border provincial labor offices to monitor, surveil, prevent, and intercept these illegal migrant workers. Relevant officials are also ordered to conduct strict on-site inspections of migrant workers and local workplaces to prevent illegal employment. Any violation found will result in uncompromising legal actions.

Migrant workers with no work permit or who do not work within the scope of permission are subject to a fine ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 Baht. They will also be deported and are prohibited from applying for a new work permit for 2 years from the date of penalty. Employers/workplaces that hire illegal migrant workers or allow them to work beyond the scope of permission are subject to a fine of 10,000 to 100,000 Baht per foreign worker they hire. Repeating offense will result in an imprisonment of up to 1 year or a fine of 50,000 to 200,000 Baht per foreign worker. They will also be prohibited from hiring migrant workers for 3 years.

The Government would like to seek cooperation from employers/workplaces to strictly abide by the law to protect the rights of Thai labors and to standardize the country’s employment system. Those who encounter a case of illegal migrant worker employment may report to the Central Employment Registration and Jobseeker Protection Division at 02-354-1729; Bangkok Employment Offices Area 1–10; provincial employment offices across the country; or via Ministry of Labor Hotline at 1506, press 2 for the Department of Employment.