Restrictions on employment of foreign workers
in ThailandTrade barrier summary
Domestic workers are given preference over overseas staff in Thailand’s domestic labour market. Regulation on the Criteria to Permit Employment of Foreign Workers B.E.2547 (2004), enforced by the Foreign Workers Administration Office (Ministry of Labour), states that applications for work permits by foreign staff may only be approved when a job posting cannot be filled by a Thai worker.
A permit may be approved when doing so involves the transfer of large funds or investment into Thailand, if it results in the employment of Thai citizens or in the creation of jobs that rely on new technology and expertise that will benefit the Thai economy.
Further to this, the maximum number of foreign workers permitted in a business is ten, except under certain circumstances or with special permission. Each foreign worker must have a paid-up capital of at least 2 million baht. If the business is not registered in Thailand, this increases to 3 million baht.
Sectors affected
- All sectors
Resolved
No
Date reported
29 April 2020
Last updated
17 December 2020
Public ID
PID-Y9L4X9
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