Can I change my employer in Thailand while staying in a different province and what are the visa implications?

Sep 4, 2020
4 years ago
Marc ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello to all here:-)

Change Employer…

Do anyone have any experiences by changing an employer from a province to another province as during this time we can't go abroad to an Thai Embassy?

I'm employed until 30. September (have valid Non B Visa and valid work permit) with a good hotel management company (based Phang-Nga Provice) but laid out due to Covid. Now I found a new employer (beverage business) in Bangkok, who want to employ me from 1. October.

Basically easy situation, and new company HR had meeting with labor office in Bangkok, but government said they can't do as Immigration in Phang nga not follow up correctly, and I have to leave the country!!! I guess this person is not strong enough or experienced. Reason why I'm kindly ask for some support here

Following was the plan of them: I was at Immigration Phang Nga to cancel my visa (21 days before) for 22nd September, we had all necessary documents from old company, but they denied. Old employer should cancel WP on 22ndSeptember after Visa canceled (Stamp for 22nd) and on same day I have to be in Bangkok for new Visa and work permit… all need to happen within one day?

Both companies are 100% legal, even new company employ over 20 expats. Does anyone has similar experiences?

Is it possible to add the new company as a second employer, and after a month move out the old employer? And Non B Visa is not effected? Valid until January 2021

It makes me feel crazy, as I stay over 12 years in this country and never did something wrong.

Thanks fo any advice
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is facing challenges in changing employers in Thailand due to immigration office regulations when moving from Phang-Nga to Bangkok, amid restrictions on travel to embassies due to Covid-19. The current employer is terminating their contract, and the user has found a new job but is unsure how to proceed with visa cancellations and reapplications under the circumstances. The community discussion includes insights on potential methods to handle the transition legally, despite previous experience suggesting difficulties due to the involvement of different immigration offices.
Benjamin ******
Good question. *NORMALLY* you're right, you would cancel your existing extension of stay, leave Thailand (generally Laos or Malaysia), apply for a new Non-B visa, and re-enter. Laos and Malaysia is now closed.

Another option is *IF* the two companies are willing to work together, and *IF* the immigration office is supportive, you can cancel your existing extension of stay based on employment with one company, and then turn around and apply for another extension of stay for the new company at the same day. This requires extensive coordination between the two companies. I never heard it being successful across different immigration offices, especially when there's a large distance between the two offices.

I'll see what others say though.
Robert *******
the way it worked was never a problem, Immigration did not see the importance to change the laws due to covid
Marc ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
Thank you for you kind reply... exactly the point that the Immigration offices not work together🙈 I’m in good with the old company and they are willing to support me...
Benjamin ******
@Marc *****
Let's see what
@Robert ******
have to say about this
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