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What should I do if my employer refuses to cancel my work permit on the last day of my job in Thailand?

Work Permit Cancellation Visa Issues Teacher Employment in Thailand Nakhon Pathom Thai Immigration Laws Expat Advice

Jan 15, 2026

4 months ago

Jamie *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi guys. This is my situation. I've worked as a teacher here for many years and never really had any issues here before about cancelling visas when leaving a job. Anyhow my last working day is the 30 th January.  I have a letter stating that. Signed and stamped by the school. However my boss refuses to cancel the WP on the 30 th. She says she will do it on the 3 rd. 

I spent 4 hours at the labour department yesterday trying to sort this out. The labour department agreed that I was in the right and several officials called my boss telling her that she was wrong and had to comply with thai laws and do it on the 30 th.  Unfortunately my boss was rude to staff and before anyone asks no I've done nothing to warrant this. 

Her reaction to me wanting not wanting to renew my contract was to serve me notice papers within 30 working days the very same day. I currently live and work in Nakhon Pathom  province. Unlike Bangkok the visa can't be cancelled in advance and this immigration give no 7 days rejection application stamp. I have asked them several times and staff at the labour department also asked them for me. I don't know why but they don't do it. 

The labour department told me just to walk in school in the 30 th and then leave the country the same day. Then go cancel everything on the 3 rd of February. Then I wouldn't be detained for overstay as I'll have a new 60 day stamp. I will be fined though right? For everyday my visa is not cancelled ?  I have a new teaching position in Bangkok and that's why I need the visa stamped cancelled along with the WP. I know once I leave it will automatically cancel. 

I'm still waiting for answers at the labour department but any advice from the forum would be highly appreciated. They won't let me do it myself as they said I can't because it's done online.  My boss told them she expects me to work to 6 o clock that day .  I work for a language school so we work in the evenings. Immigration told the labour department I'm not expected to work the whole entire day as I have the right to cancel the WP and visa and leave the country. The labour department requested ages change the letter stating the last day as the 3 rd but she will not. 

It's obviously a stressful situation to be in. My contract was up on the 15 th February and I had every intention of completing it. Any advice would be highly appreciated.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An expat teacher in Thailand faces difficulties as their employer refuses to cancel their work permit (WP) on the last working day, despite the Labour Department stating this is legally required. The teacher is advised to follow the Labour Department's advice to leave the country on the last day with a new visa stamp rather than amending the termination date requested by their employer. Community responses express empathy, suggest following official guidance, and caution about the procedures related to work permits and immigration.

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Justin ********

Sounds like Shane English School

3 months ago

Derek *****

Just do as the labour dept recommended and leave on the 30th. I’ve left several jobs with work permits over the past decade and I never canceled one WP. No issues but maybe I’m just lucky. If the new job is a different province, then I’d say there’s no issues. It’s not worth losing hair over the stress. Edit - reach out to Thai Visa Centre for their professional advice.

3 months ago

Garrett ***********

Hate seeing things like this. Some of these people are so immature and unprofessional.

3 months ago

Mike *******

After following those steps, maybe your embassy could help. Reporting it to the Thai embassy as well. Put all of them along with your current boss in an email.

Then maybe asking your new job to change your start date, letting them know of this current situation. Lastly, do what was advised.

3 months ago

Garrett ***********

@Mike ******

There are no Thai embassies in Thailand...

3 months ago

Reply to

Garrett ***********

Ron ****

I believe you need to visit your local immigration with that letter from school and your passport on the 30th, get your visa canceled, then leave the country on the same day. It's the job of the employer to cancel your WP. they have 2 weeks to do that or they get fined AFAIK. Quite often though, they don't cancel the WP in months since the teacher left. You'll need your WP canceled before you apply for a new one with the new school.

3 months ago

Jamie *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ron ***

yes they said wp needs to be cancelled by the employer only and only then will they stamp it cancelled. The labour department told her and me she doesn't have 15 days. It has to be done on the last working day. Luckily it's due to expire on the 15 th February anyway but still must be cancelled. So I can continue working.

3 months ago

Ron ****

@Jamie ******

okay, seems different province, different rules I guess.

3 months ago

Jamie *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Immigration won't cancel the visa until she cancels the wp

3 months ago

Reply to

Jamie *******

Dave *******

It's funny how the bad actor in these situations is always a woman. Always.

Is that because there aren't many men in managerial positions in Thai education? Or is it about time we started talking about Toxic Feminity in Thai culture?

3 months ago

Jim *******

@Dave ******

You have no idea. Thai women are stronger than NATO pact.

Respected (as being females, mothers) by all of the males.

When The Economist reported (2015) that in America, female employees reached 50% of the work force, that was laughable. Thai females have been like that for centuries.

University students and graduates in Thai are 75% females.

Us, foreingers , Western, can not fathom that fact.

3 months ago

Dave *********

@Jim ******

for every person who parrots what you say there are ten who, from experience, say “no, Thai women tend to be catty and vindictive”. This isn’t strength we’re seeing, but it is very common.

3 months ago

Jim *******

@Dave ********

Home violence in Thai. It does exist but it is the men who end up bruised and with black eye.

3 months ago

Dave *******

@Jim ******

i would never marry a southeast Asian woman. A tight ###### is small compensation for spending your life being treated like a b####

3 months ago

Reply to

Dave *******

Ellen *************

I’m so sorry you’re going through this! Ugh! I hope you don’t lose any money on the deal but sometimes things get so bad like this that we are happy to lose the money to get the hell away from the drama. I think that’s part of how it works, the manipulation. Kudos to you for taking all the steps and continuing to show up for yourself! Here’s to a comfier situation in the next round! Congrats on the new job! 🥂

4 months ago

Jamie *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellen ************

thankyou for your kind words

4 months ago

Reply to

Jamie *******

Maii *****

Feel for you. U could be the most pure, kind person u will STILL cop the tricky maliciousness...Too much rudeness, nastiness, trickery to make life more difficult for another. LoWIQ!

I'm dealing w a similar women she's an utter disgrace. My story is worse🤣🤢🤠

4 months ago

Jamie *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Maii ****

thankyou for your response. Wishing you all the best in your situation. I think it's important to stand up for yourself when you know you are in the right.

3 months ago

Maii *****

@Jamie ******

*****

% i told the consulate how shes treating me and my Thai mum..they agreed and directed me to DOPA! so let's see! I too believe in sticking up to bored bullies who think they r the smartest! Ive noticed Thai women in "positions" are majority this behaviour and manner! Zero ethics, Zero following correct t path and laws, seem to play their own game and talk poorly to the one requiring assistance! I can't deal w that behaviour i have standards, morals, ethics! And I'm educated with manners!

3 months ago

Reply to

Maii *****

John **********

It sounds like the information from the Labour Department is good advice. I don't think you can cancel your extension of stay without the paperwork from them showing the work permit is cancelled and leaving the country doesn't cancel it. Although if you don't have a re-entry permit you can't re-enter the country with it either.

4 months ago

Jamie *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

it does automatically cancel it and I can re enter. That much I know but to continue working here I need it cancelled and not doing it on time can result in fines. I understand what you mean though I wouldn't be able to renter on that visa and also it would still need to be stamped cancelled at immigration.

4 months ago

John **********

@Jamie ******

it cancels it from a border immigration perspective but not from an immigration office perspective as you signed a bit of paper confirming that you would inform them of any change in circumstances. You shouldn't incur a fine or anything but you will likely have problems with your next work visa if you don't go and cancel it

4 months ago

Jamie *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

yes I know that is why I'm trying to get it cancelled.

4 months ago

Reply to

Jamie *******

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