According to a press release from the Thai Ministry of Labour, more than 100,000 foreign workers, including Myanmar nationals, have been arrested within 36 days of the 120-day plan to crack down on illegal workers in Thailand. This plan, which ran from June 5 to July 11, led to the arrest of 108,875 undocumented workers in various factories, workplaces, and business sites during this 36-day period.
The Thai Department of Employment, Immigration Department, police, and other agencies announced the arrests, which took place in locations such as shops in Huai Khwang, Bangkok, factories in Bangkok, coconut factories in Ratchaburi, restaurants in Udon Thani, and construction sites in Chachoengsao. Among those arrested were 80,913 Myanmar nationals, 16,507 Cambodian workers, 7,804 Laotian workers, 104 Vietnamese workers, and 3,547 workers from other countries.
Thai authorities stated they will take action against 473 Myanmar workers, 101 Laotian workers, 74 Cambodian workers, 14 Vietnamese workers, and 64 other foreign workers. Foreign workers without proper documentation or work permits, as well as those working in unauthorized jobs, will face fines ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 baht. They will also be deported and banned from working in Thailand for two years.
Employers found hiring undocumented workers will be fined 10,000 to 100,000 baht per worker. Repeat offenders will face up to one year in prison, fines ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 baht, and will be banned from hiring migrant workers for three years, according to a statement from the Thai Department of Labour, based on information from Thai news sources.
