Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has introduced new, stricter regulations for medical certificates issued to migrant workers, following a significant rise in the number of foreign labourers entering the country.
According to Dr. Akom Praditsuwan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS), the number of registered migrant workers has increased sharply from 3.3 million in 2024 to about 4.08 million in 2025. While this surge reflects Thailand’s strong economic performance and growing demand for labour, officials have raised concerns over potential public health risks, particularly the spread of infectious diseases.
To address these concerns, the DHSS has ordered a thorough inspection of private healthcare facilities that issue medical certificates to migrant workers. Any facility found providing false or inaccurate certificates—especially without carrying out proper medical examinations—will face strict penalties under the Hospitals Act 1998. Violators could be sentenced to up to two years in prison, fined up to 40,000 baht, or face both punishments.
The ministry has also established a dedicated task force to monitor compliance and ensure that private clinics adhere to the law. Clinics providing medical examinations for migrant workers must now seek official authorization from the DHSS or local public health offices. These examinations must follow the guidelines laid out in the Standard for Health Examination of Migrant Workers 2024, which sets minimum medical and procedural requirements.
Additionally, any private healthcare provider intending to conduct off-site health checks must notify the DHSS or local health offices at least 10 days before the examination date using an approved form. If a migrant worker is diagnosed with a prohibited or communicable disease, the healthcare facility is legally required to report the case to relevant authorities without delay, in line with the Immigration Act and the Communicable Diseases Act.
Failure to comply with these new rules could result in further penalties, including fines of up to 20,000 baht, imprisonment of up to one year, and even temporary closure of the offending facility.
This move underlines the Thai government’s commitment to balancing economic growth with public health protection. It aims to ensure that the growing number of migrant workers contributing to Thailand’s development does not compromise national safety or medical integrity.
As migrant labour continues to be a vital part of Thailand’s economy—particularly in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture—the government’s decision to tighten regulations on medical certification is seen as an important step toward promoting transparency, safety, and public confidence in the nation’s health system.