Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing a new e-Work Permit system that's coming online and yeah, it's causing a bit of consternation here amongst folks who have to deal with it. To be clear, what we're talking about is merely one component of the process of getting both Business Visa and Work Permit status here in Thailand, if you are looking to work here in Thailand. 

Quoting directly from a recent article in the Pattaya Mail, that is pattayamail.com, the article is titled: Thailand extends grace period for employers struggling with the new e-WorkPermit system. Quoting directly: "The Department of Employment (DOE) is granting leniency to employers who are still unfamiliar with the newly launched e-WorkPermit system, allowing them to continue submitting paper applications until January 28, 2026."

Well, how nice of them! They're just moving us all to this e-system that we don't really want; it is difficult to use. My gals here in the office - there's about four of them that are full-time dealing with just the components of Work Permits. I have got two gals in addition to them, that only deal with matters pertaining to Social Security for our clients here in the office. Again we deal with Work Permits on a regular basis. It's a complex system on the best of days and as I discussed in another video made contemporaneously with this one, digitization doesn't make anything easier or in my opinion much of anything better, definitely from an efficiency standpoint. That said, quoting further: "Pichet Thongphan, Director-General of the DOE (that is the Department of Employment), said the Department has received feedback from employers encountering difficulties in submitting Work Permit applications for migrant workers through the e-WorkPermit system, which came into effect on October 3, 2025. The issues include both technical glitches and a lack of familiarity with the new platform." Look, as I will discuss in another video contemporaneously with this one being made, look nothing gets easier with digitization. 

Now, the thing is taking away from this video is if you are a foreign national and you are looking to work in Thailand, there is a difference between "oh did you take a phone call one time from abroad that pertained to some work you're doing or consulting on or something abroad?" Things abroad are things abroad. But you know when you know if you're working in Thailand. If you need to work in Thailand, you need a Work Permit; I have discussed this at length. You need work authorization in order to work in Thailand and Business Visas often act as a platform for that and Work Permit can be issued piggybacking if you will or sort of as an addendum on to that Business Visa. 

Those who feel themselves a bit overwhelmed by the overall system, it may not be a terrible idea to contact a legal professional, gain some insight guidance into how best to proceed.