Foreigner Sparks Outrage for Doing Thai-Only Job in Phuket. A recent video showing a foreigner doing the work of a masseur at a spa in Phuket has ignited a storm of controversy across Thailand, highlighting a sensitive issue around employment laws reserved for Thai nationals. ASEAN NOW

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A recent video showing a foreigner doing the work of a masseur at a spa in Phuket has ignited a storm of controversy across Thailand, highlighting a sensitive issue around employment laws reserved for Thai nationals.

 

Captured on a bustling street in Patong, the video portrays a foreign man engaging in duties that many argue should be strictly off-limits to expatriates under Thai law. This footage, widely circulated on social media, has drawn a torrent of criticism and calls for enforcement of existing regulations.

 

Thailand's Emergency Decree on Foreigners' Work Management, enacted in 2017, clearly stipulates that certain occupations are exclusively for Thais.

 

This includes roles deeply embedded in Thai culture, like traditional masseurs, woodcarvers, street vendors, and several others. Such restrictions aim to preserve what is often referred to as "Thai wisdom" and protect employment for local citizens.

 

The viral video has led to an outpouring of reactions online. Critics of the foreign masseur argue that allowing non-nationals to step into these roles undermines the integrity and economic prospects of local Thai workers.

One concerned netizen remarked that, "This sets a dangerous precedent if left unchecke, soon Thai traditions might face gradual dilution."

 

However, some locals suggest there is a deeper issue at play. The challenge of enticing Thai nationals to fill these traditional roles has been spotlighted, with business owners facing hurdles due to high demands for wages and specific working conditions from Thai candidates.

 

An observer noted, "It's not just about foreigners taking jobs—it's also about the evolving aspirations of our own workforce."

 

Statistics from last year underline this issue; the Employment Department uncovered 721 instances of foreigners engaged in prohibited professions, encompassing tasks from vending to hairdressing.

 

The law enforces strict penalties for such violations. Foreigners caught working in these roles can face fines up to 50,000 Thai Baht (approximately £1,100) and deportation.

 

Employers risk far heftier consequences, including fines reaching 200,000 Thai Baht (around £4,500), potential imprisonment, and a three-year prohibition from hiring foreign workers, reported The Nation.

 

-- 2025-02-06