Cabinet Approves Draft Bills Expanding Thai Labor Court Jurisdiction to Criminal Cases, Excluding Human Trafficking

Cabinet Approves Draft Bills Expanding Thai Labor Court Jurisdiction to Criminal Cases, Excluding Human Trafficking

On August 25, 2026, the Cabinet of Thailand (the “Cabinet“) has approved two draft acts, reviewed by the Office of the Council of State and proposed by the Office of the Judiciary:

1. The Draft Act on the Establishment of Labor Courts and Labor Court Procedure (No. ..), B.E. …. (the “Draft Labor Court Act“); and
2. The Draft Human Trafficking Procedure Act (No. ..), B.E. …. (the “Draft Human Trafficking Act“).

Background

• Criminal liability under labor law has distinct characteristics that differ from general criminal liability under the Criminal Code or other statutes. At present, however, the Labor Court’s jurisdiction is limited to labor disputes and does not extend to criminal cases arising under labor-related laws. This limitation is inconsistent with the fundamental principle underlying labor adjudication—namely, that such cases should be heard by judges with specialized knowledge, expertise, and genuine understanding of labor issues.
• Under the current system, the civil aspects of a labor case are heard in the Labor Court while the related criminal aspects are heard in other Courts of Justice. This bifurcated process results in the following:
  • It increases the burden on litigants, who must pursue proceedings in two separate courts;
  • It requires judges and litigants to spend additional time re-examining evidence for the criminal proceedings, even though most of the relevant facts already appear in the Labor Court case file; and
  • It creates a risk that judicial discretion in sentencing for criminal labor cases will vary from court to court.
• The Draft Human Trafficking Act expressly excludes human trafficking cases from the jurisdiction of the Labor Court, even where such cases involve elements of forced labor or services. Because human trafficking offenses are severe, carry substantial penalties, and may be connected to other criminal offenses, the Human Trafficking Procedure Act, B.E. 2559 (2016), is being amended concurrently with the Draft Labor Court Act to prohibit the Labor Court from accepting cases involving charges under the law on the prevention and suppression of human trafficking.

Key Changes

1. Draft Labor Court Act

The Draft Labor Court Act amends the Act on the Establishment of the Labor Court and Labor Procedure, B.E. 2522 (1979), to expand the Labor Court’s jurisdiction to include criminal labor cases. Previously, the Labor Court’s jurisdiction covered labor cases only, expressly excluding criminal matters. The key changes are as follows:

1.1 Expanded criminal jurisdiction The Labor Court will have jurisdiction to try and adjudicate criminal cases involving offenses under the following labor-related laws:

• The law on homeworkers’ protection;
• The law on labor protection;
• The law on labor protection in sea fishery work;
• The law on employment and job-seeker protection;
• The law on the management of foreign workers’ employment;
• The law on social security;
• The law on occupational safety, health, and working environment;
• The law on workmen’s compensation;
• The law on maritime labor;
• The law on state enterprise labor relations;
• The law on labor relations; and
• Other laws as prescribed by Royal Decree.

Cases falling within the jurisdiction of the Juvenile and Family Court remain excluded from the jurisdiction of the Labor Court.

1.2 Joinder of offenses Where a single act constitutes multiple offenses and at least one falls within the Labor Court’s jurisdiction, the Labor Court has authority to try and adjudicate the related offenses as well. Where multiple interconnected acts are involved, the Labor Court may either adjudicate them jointly or transfer the case to a competent court, having primary regard to convenience and the interests of justice.

1.3 Applicable procedure For criminal proceedings before the Labor Court, the Draft Labor Court Act provides that the Criminal Procedure Code, or the law on the establishment of Magistrate Courts and criminal procedure therein, shall apply, as applicable. The Criminal Procedure Code shall likewise apply to proceedings at both the appellate and Supreme Court levels.

1.4 Procedural rule-making authority The Chief Judge of the Central Labor Court has the authority to issue procedural regulations governing criminal proceedings, subject to the approval of the President of the Supreme Court. Such regulations must not conflict with the Criminal Procedure Code or diminish a defendant’s right to a defense below the standard prescribed by law. Where necessary, the Labor Court may also appoint another court of first instance to carry out procedural acts on its behalf, excluding the final adjudication of the dispute.

1.5 Composition of the bench The composition of the judicial panel authorized to try criminal cases shall conform to the law on the Organization of the Courts of Justice.

1.6 Transitional provision Criminal cases pending before the effective date of the Draft Labor Court Act shall remain under the jurisdiction of the original court until final judgment.

2. Draft Human Trafficking Act

The Draft Human Trafficking Act amends the Human Trafficking Procedure Act, B.E. 2559 (2016). Under the current law, the Intellectual Property and International Trade Court and the Central Bankruptcy Court are prohibited from accepting cases involving charges under the law on the prevention and suppression of human trafficking. The Draft Human Trafficking Act adds the Labor Court to this list, thereby also prohibiting the Labor Court from accepting such cases.

Key Takeaways

• The principal objective of this legislative reform is to allow criminal cases arising under labor law to be brought directly before courts with specialized expertise in labor matters. Under the current framework, the civil and criminal aspects of a labor dispute must be handled separately in different courts. This reform is intended to promote greater continuity in the assessment of the underlying facts and the nuances of the employment relationship, while reducing the procedural burden on litigants.
• At the same time, these amendments prohibit the Labor Court from hearing human trafficking cases—even those involving forced labor—thereby keeping these high-severity offenses within the jurisdiction of the general criminal courts.

Author: Panisa Suwanmatajarn, Managing Partner.

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