BANGKOK — Immigration authorities arrested eight South Korean nationals for teaching without work permits during a coordinated raid on two branches of a Korean language school in Bangkok on February 6, 2025.
The operation, led by Immigration Bureau 1 Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Prasart Khemaprasit, targeted locations on Ratchadaphisek Road and in a prominent Bang Na shopping mall. The raids were conducted in collaboration with the Department of Employment as part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal foreign workers.
Authorities found the suspects — six men and two women — teaching Thai students in fully equipped classrooms. Most of the teachers had entered Thailand under the 90-day visa exemption program, while others were in the country through marriage to Thai nationals. None possessed valid work permits.
The school’s Thai owner, identified only as Ms. Wipha, allegedly hired the South Koreans to conduct both online and in-person classes. Teachers reportedly earned 200 baht per hour for online classes and 350 baht for in-person instruction, with payments made in cash and via bank transfers. One teacher had been working illegally for over a year.
All eight teachers were charged with working without permits, while Ms. Wipha faces charges of illegally employing foreign workers. The offenses fall under the Emergency Decree on the Management of Foreign Workers’ Employment B.E. 2560 and its amendments.
“This successful operation resulted from public tip-offs and strong interagency cooperation,” said Pol. Maj. Gen. Prasart. He encouraged citizens to report similar cases through the Immigration Bureau’s hotline at 1178.
The raids are part of a broader enforcement initiative ordered by Immigration Bureau Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonyalak to crack down on illegal foreign workers throughout Thailand.
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