Thailand will punish immigrants with a fine of up to 100,000 baht for restricted jobs, with China and the elderly accounting for more than half.

MR. Suchart Chomklin, Thai Labor Minister, recently urged a crackdown on immigrants in Thailand who work in jobs reserved for Thai citizens.

Mr. Suchart revealed that Thai Prime Minister General Prayut was particularly worried that the professional jobs of Thai citizens would be taken away by foreigners. As a result, the Prime Minister directed strict enforcement of laws prohibiting migrants from engaging in unauthorized work.

After an inspection of a total of 196,402 migrant workers, about 600 workers were found to be engaged in restricted work. Among the workers engaged in these jobs, 264 are Burmese, 187 are Laotians, 121 are Cambodians, 39 are Vietnamese, 51 are Indians, and 28 are from other ethnic groups.

The inspection also identified the occupations that immigrants would most like to pursue, such as street vendors, barbers, public transport drivers and massage parlor jobs.

Mr Suchart also said employers were required to pay up to 100,000 baht per immigrant for jobs originally reserved for the country's citizens.

For any repeat offender, the fee may rise to 200,000 baht. In addition, employers will be prohibited from employing peasant workers for three years. In addition, Mr. Suchart said people in restricted jobs would face fines ranging from 5000 baht to 50,000 baht.

According to Chotikasathien Pairoj, director general of the employment department, immigrants are not allowed to work in 27 jobs reserved for Thais, such as public transport drivers, wood carvers, barbers, secretarial jobs and litigation service providers.