1. Foreign NGOs intending to operate in Thailand must comply with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare’s Regulations of B.E. 2541 (1998) which was promulgated on 9 June 1998.

2. Operations of foreign NGOs, as defined by the above-mentioned Regulations, include establishing offices in Thailand, posting foreign personnel to Thailand, giving financial assistance, holding meetings, seminars and exhibitions, donating equipment as well as providing academic and technological support to Thai government agencies, state enterprises, Thai NGOs, individuals or any jurisdical personality.

3. Permission for foreign NGOs to operate in Thailand is granted by the Committee on Foreign NGOs, which is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. In granting permission to foreign NGOs, the Committee will take into consideration the following factors : Thailand’s national economic and social development policies; national security; Thailand’s relations with other countries; policies and goals of foreign NGOs concerned; as well as views and suggestions of Thai agencies concerned.

4. Foreign NGOs intending to operate in Thailand must be non-profit and non-political organizations. Their policies must be compatible with Thailand’s development and national security policies.

5. Foreign NGOs intending to operate in Thailand must seek permission by applying in writing to the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign NGOs and submit their requests through the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. They must also submit the following information :

5.1 In case of establishing offices in Thailand or posting foreign personnel to Thailand. Concerned foreign NGOs must submit information on the purposes of such offices, policies and projects of the concerned NGOs, as well as budget details and funding sources;

5.2 In case of foreign NGOs giving assistance to Thai entities. The Thai entities concerned should apply for permission, giving information on the purposes and project details of the assistance received;

5.3 In case of foreign NGOs holding meetings or seminars in Thailand. Concerned foreign NGOs must provide information on the purposes of the meetings / seminars, list of panelists / speakers and participants, as well as titles and programmes of the meetings / seminars;

5.4 In case of foreign NGOs giving assistance to Thai entities in organizing meetings or seminars in Thailand. The Thai entities concerned should also apply for permission;

5.5 Applications for holding such meetings or seminars must be submitted to the Committee not less than 30 days before the beginning of such meetings or seminars.

6. Should the foreign NGOs which are granted permission to operate in Thailand breach or not comply with the above-mentioned Regulations, or should the Committee deem their activities not beneficial to Thailand, or detrimental to public safety and good public morals, or harmful to Thailand’s national security or Thailand’s relations with other countries, the Committee may give official warning in writing to the concerned NGOs. Should the breach or non-compliance with the Regulations persist, or should the offence be serious, the Committee is empowered to suspend or terminate, partly or entirely, the activities of the NGOs concerned.

Further information can be obtained directly from the Alien Occupational Control Division, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, tel. 617-6584, fax. 617-6585.