Who Owns a Cancelled Work Permit in Thailand, and What Should I Do If My Employer Withholds My Salary?

Apr 5, 2020
5 years ago
Danae ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
When a work permit is cancelled, who owns it? My previous job is withholding my salary unless I give them the expired work permit, which I cannot do because the school is in another city and we cannot travel between cities now.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The ownership of a work permit upon cancellation seems to be a point of contention. Generally, while the employer provides documentation for obtaining a work permit, once employment is terminated, the permit is considered the individual's document. It's advised to contact the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare to address issues regarding salary withholding by the previous employer. Additionally, despite the permit being in question, it is mandatory to return it to the Ministry of Labor as part of the cancellation process.
Robert *******
The work permit is not a Thai Souvenir you can take home.

You have to turn it in at the Ministry of Labor where you got it.

Your ex employer will be fined as he did not instruct you correctly how to handle the Thai documents.
Benjamin ******
Work permits isn't visa advice, so I'm closing comments. My advice still stands, contact the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare on Tuesday and file a dispute. They are fair to foreigners. Monday, tomorrow, is a holiday and will not be open.

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Commenting closed.
Benjamin ******
However, if your extension of stay has already been cancelled, you are currently on overstay and should leave Thailand as soon as possible.
Danae ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No, the extension based on the letter from the embassy.

I'm not concerned about the visa. I'm concerned about them withholding my salary unless I give them my expired work permit (which I believe is my property)
Danae ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
I have the extension, the immigration part is fine for now
John *******
Send it by kerry
Benjamin ******
You own the work permit. I suggest contacting the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare on Tuesday about this. They are extremely fair in my experience.

Their website is

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Robert *******
@Jeremy *******
NOPE. the Foreigner owns the work permit
Robert *******
Your previous Employer provided a lot of documents so YOU could get a Work Permit. As soon as you stop working you hand in that work permit and get it cancelled at the Ministry of Labor.

You can not go to another school and start working.
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