On Monday (June 23), Thanapong Oncharoen, Phuket Provincial Labour Welfare and Protection Officer, chaired the second meeting of the working group responsible for inspecting foreign workers and ensuring employer compliance.
The meeting, held at the Phuket Provincial Employment Office, focused on tightening controls and improving the management system for migrant labour in the province.
As of May 25, 2025, Phuket also had 15,233 foreign nationals holding valid work permits. These included 14,460 temporary workers, 517 workers under investment promotion programs, and 250 minority workers.
Authorities have been actively inspecting workplaces to crack down on illegal employment. Between May and June this year, inspections targeted 2,850 establishments and 25,940 migrant workers.
Of these, 2,293 businesses and 20,060 workers were checked.
The inspections led to the prosecution of nine employers and 48 foreign workers found to be in violation of labour laws.
Despite the challenges posed by the monsoon season, officials confirmed that routine inspections have continued without interruption. The meeting also reviewed ongoing operational issues and agreed to strengthen cooperation by adding more government agencies to the working group, including the Phuket Provincial Local Government, the Public Health Office and the Social Development and Human Security Office.
Phuket authorities also highlighted the need for closer monitoring of Cambodian workers in the province, following recent concerns about illegal border crossings and unauthorized employment.
Officials stressed that the aim is to ensure systematic, lawful and fair management of foreign labour in line with national policy.