The decree presented by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam still had a few points of concern, including unclear information about where workers would reside. Unlike the previous law that stated workers must reside on their employers’ premises, the new decree did not make any such stipulation, Sansern said.

Prescribed punishments also did not seem to match violations, he added, with some, such as those for employing foreign workers in other jobs than registered, being too harsh.

The decree, which entails heavy fines for undocumented foreign workers and their employers, previously sparked a panic and reportedly prompted tens of thousands of foreign workers to flee Thailand.

As a result in July, the government delayed implementing four sections of the decree for six months until next month to give both workers and their employers more time to get work permits.