Bangkok: The Administrative Court has officially revoked the license for foreign pilots, emphasizing that "Thai people have opportunities first." The Supreme Administrative Court nullified a Ministry of Labor announcement that previously permitted foreign pilots to conduct domestic flights, declaring the announcement unlawful due to its negative impact on Thai citizens' employment prospects.
According to Thai News Agency, this legal decision originated from a lawsuit initiated by the Thai Pilots Association and its president against the Ministry of Labor. The conflict arose after a private aviation company sought approval to employ foreign aircraft operators on a temporary wet lease basis for domestic flights. The court determined that this permission did not satisfy the special conditions outlined in the 2017 Foreign Workers Management Act, which allows exemptions solely for issues of national security, economic necessity, or public disasters.
The court's judgment highlighted that the Ministry of Labor's announcement represented an improper use of discretion, failing to genuinely benefit the public. The ruling mandates the immediate withdrawal of the announcement, thereby safeguarding the career opportunities of Thai pilots and reinforcing the prioritization of Thai workers' rights over private business interests.