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What should I do if I haven't been paid after leaving a job in Thailand without a work permit?
Thailand labor lawscomplaint Ministry of Laborwork permit regulationsnon-O visa issuesexpat employment advice
May 29, 2025
a year ago
Matthew **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI am leaving an employer that I have worked for for two weeks. I expect they will not pay me, as they have proven themselves to be impressively dishonest. Has anyone here ever had success filing a complaint with the Ministry of Labor? Any advice would be appreciated.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user expresses concern over not getting paid from an employer after working only two weeks and considers filing a complaint with the Ministry of Labor. However, there are several stipulations discussed in the comments, including the importance of having a work permit and the potential legal risks involved in filing a complaint without one. Many commenters suggest that pursuing the complaint may not be worth it and that it's better to move on, given the legal complexities and the short duration of employment.
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Scott ***********
Let’s think this through for just a bit. Given that you’re no longer working there (or soon to be unemployed) it doesn’t hurt to wait a short while and consider your options. If you’re wanting to file a complaint out of anger or feeling taken advantage of think twice. Give it some time before taking action and ask yourself if it will be worth the energy and possible pitfalls of either suing or filing a complaint. You’re technically not allowed to be working because you need a B visa and a work permit. An O visa doesn’t automatically grant you the right to take on employment. So, maybe it’s better, as others have said, to just walk away. Maybe you decide to pursue this further. Ultimately the choice is yours but consider all angles before acting.
Willem ****
No workpermit. Be carefull. Walk away and forget about it. Complain and not having a workpermit could bring you in serious trouble.
Jesper *******
You can't work in thailand even holding a nonO (marriage) you still need to apply for a work permit....looks like you had been taken for a ride when u make the mistake of starting work without a work permit you can't do anything even if they don't pay u....costly mistake
Anna **********
Absolutely, you can complain to Labour Department. Better with a lawyer of course, but can try by yourself
Danny *******
Forget it and move on. There is no justice in Thailand for this sort of thing.
Kool *******
Do you have a work permit? If not then you were working illegally and no one will do anything for you.
Jesper *******
Did you started work with proper work permit and using the correct visa in the first place?
Matthew **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jesper ******
We didn’t start the process yet.Graham ******
@Matthew *********
No work permit and you want to complain to the government? You'll be the one locked up.Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
James ******
Most pay by the month and you have to work a month
Gabriel ********
In most cases the ministry of labor finds in favor of the employee-no law suit is necessary generally, just the threat of one from the ministry results in payment…having said that, it’s very very unlikely that you will have a tenable job to return to after your 2 week break
Matthew **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gabriel *******
I am walking away from this job. These people are terrible!Gabriel ********
@Mat****
then go talk to the ministry, they’ll force the payment in all likelihoodMatthew **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gabriel *******
I just looked up the process. I will file. I don’t expect results, but it’s worth a try.Reply to
Matthew **********
Reply
Paul ********
Two weeks pay I wouldn't bother,
X *************
Filing a complaint with the labor ministry is different than suing. The issue is you may needed guidance from a lawyer to do it. I hope you get suitable advice rather than people telling you to take it without lube
Jay ********
Brother had problems
Move on with your life
Seriously not worth pursuing
You will be advised to get a lawyer
Then the real fun begins 🙈🙉🙊
Move on with your life
Seriously not worth pursuing
You will be advised to get a lawyer
Then the real fun begins 🙈🙉🙊
Patrick ********
Fingers crossed for you. I don't have a lot of confidence in the Law here if it's a dispute with That's and Foreigners.
Colin **********
You don't mention what your visa arrangements are or if you have a work permit, these will nolonger apply, and you will be on overstay unless you take action to cover yourself.
Matthew **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Colin *********
I’m on a non o. Married to a Thai.Colin **********
Ok I think you need to cancel your work permit.
Matthew **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Colin *********
We didn’t start the process of the work permit at the job yet. I expect I’m not going to get paid. I just want to file the complaint and see if that helps a little.Colin **********
@Matthew *********
unless your fluent in Thai I think it would be an uphill struggle, with little chance of success. If you get a lawyer you probably end of spending money without any. return. Just take your wife away for a while and relax.Reply to
Colin **********
Reply
Jeremy ********
Hope and prayers to you…
Reply to
Jeremy ********
Reply
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