BANGKOK, Thailand – Labour Minister Julapun Amornvivat has ordered legal action against an unlicensed company accused of deceiving Thai job seekers into traveling to Ireland with false promises of employment after 20 people in Chiang Rai province filed complaints with the Department of Employment (DOE). The victims reportedly paid 290,000 to 350,000 baht each before discovering the employment contracts were fraudulent. Julapun instructed the DOE to collect evidence, file complaints with police, and expand the investigation. Officials estimate that more than 60 people may have been affected, with total losses exceeding 21 million baht. He also directed officials to assist the victims while legal proceedings move forward.
Officials said the company was registered only for tourist visa services and was not licensed to recruit workers for overseas jobs. The agency allegedly used fraudulent employment contracts and arranged for victims to travel on tourist visas, which cannot legally be used for employment. The offenses carry penalties including imprisonment and fines under Thailand’s Employment and Job Seeker Protection Act. The ministry urged anyone seeking overseas employment to verify that recruitment companies are properly licensed before transferring money or signing agreements. A list of authorized agencies is available at doe.go.th/ipd. Those seeking assistance can contact the Central Employment Registration and Job Seeker Protection Division at 02-248-4792 or 02-245-6763, any provincial employment office, Bangkok Employment Offices Areas 1-10, or the Department of Employment Hotline 1506, press 2. (NNT)
