Bangkok: "Supamas" reveals that the Ministry of Higher Education is preparing to discuss and strictly inspect foreign students who use study visas to work illegally.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry of Higher Education is set to meet with the Immigration Bureau on April 23 to establish stringent guidelines for inspecting foreign students using study visas to work illegally in Thailand. Educational institutions found complicit in such activities will face strict legal actions.
On April 22, 2025, Ms. Supamas Isaraphakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), disclosed an investigation into reports of Chinese nationals acquiring student visas to work at construction sites in Thailand. Some universities are suspected of involvement. Ms. Supamas has instructed the MHESI to send inquiries to Lamphun Buddhist College, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU), and three privately-owned universities with Chinese shareholders. These institutions must provide detailed information on Chinese students, including their fields of study, duration of study, and visa specifics, to the MHESI within one week. Concurrently, the MHESI will collaborate with the Immigration Bureau (IB). Ms. Suchada Sang Thanathip, Secretary to the MHESI Minister, will represent the ministry in discussions with the IB on April 23 at the MHESI to formulate guidelines for stricter monitoring of foreign students suspected of using student visas as a guise for illegal employment.
Ms. Supamas emphasized that the upcoming discussions with the Immigration Bureau aim to integrate data between the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the IB to systematically monitor the status and activities of international students. Educational institutions found to be negligent or complicit in misuse of student status will face severe legal and regulatory consequences.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has reiterated its commitment to swiftly addressing the issue to uphold the credibility of Thailand's higher education system and prevent its misuse as a channel for illegal employment. The ministry will expedite the establishment of a central database for international students in Thailand, accessible to relevant agencies, and will review policies and measures for accepting international students to enhance stringency in the future.