Almost 300,000 security guards are uncertain about their employment status after a law was approved that may force them out of their jobs.
After the law came into effect on March 5, many security guards and security guard service operators, cried foul over new regulations that require security guards to apply for operating licences.
Under the law, everyone applying for a job as a security guard must pass a training course and register with the Royal Thai Police. They must achieve a Mathayom 3, or Grade 9, basic education. Those with criminal records must have been released from prison for more than three years.
The act also says security service providers must be registered companies.
The law is seen as forcing many guards out of employment because many haven't been educated to Grade 9 level.
Tanapol Polyiam, secretary-general of the Security Business Federation, said the law could force 280,000 out of 400,000 security guards nationwide who did not complete Grade 9 out of their jobs.
He argued the law does not seem to improve the standard of Thai security guards in any way because some young people with the required education level may not be as responsible as someone in their 40s with a lower education level. Responsibility is an important quality of a security guard, he added.
Khundech Yokkaew, a security guard who has a Prathom 2 or Grade 2 education, said it is difficult to find security guards that have completed Grade 9 or, indeed, find Grade 9 students who wanted to forge a career as a security guard.
"They [who have completed Grade 9 or higher] think that security guard jobs are not a worthy job so they decide to apply for other jobs," Mr Khundech said.
He also said that forcing applicants or current security guards to go through a training course places a burden on possible and current guards.
"The cost is high and most of them do not have enough money for the course. Also, it seems to be a waste of time. People want to start the job right away."
Yuttana Jaisupap, a security guard who finished school at Grade 9, said many people who did not finish Grade 9 apply to be security guards.
"After this act is enforced, the country will face a serious lack of security guards," he said.
And Anuwat Krasaechai, a security guard who holds a vocational certificate, said the act will limit the opportunities for people with low education levels.
"A degree is not necessary for security guards. They only need to be able to read and write. Their responsibilities can be taught outside of classrooms."
The new law has prompted security business operators to submit a petition to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asking him to postpone the enforcement of it.
The act has already been enforced, so it cannot be postponed, the government said.
However, Gen Prayut said he promised that current security guards will not be forgotten. He had assigned the Labour Ministry and the Royal Thai Police as well as relevant agencies to look into the matter of easing enforcement during the transition period.
However, the sponsor of the law defends the educational requirement.
According to the National Legislative Assembly committee vetting the law, the main reason for the requirement is to recruit security guards who have suitable knowledge and are up-to-date with current affairs as current forms of crime change regularly, the requirement will help security guards be more effective.
The committee said the law aims to boost security guard standards, make the job a worthy profession and give guards the ability to help authorities prevent crime.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd claimed there are many security businesses and standards among them vary. Security businesses have a close relationship with the public and security guards play a role in ensuring peace.
"Protecting people's lives and property is a large responsibility. Therefore, it is necessary to have consistent standards and strengthen the capabilities of security guards in order to benefit the customers and society," Maj Gen Sansern said.
But security guard service operators argued the law will have a negative impact on the industry and lead to a shortage of security guards.
This is due to the fact that licence fees are about 1,000 baht each. An applicant must also pay approximately 2,000–6,000 baht for a training course, Mr Tanapol said.
This would also put a huge burden on applicants who might not have enough money and they might decide not to apply for guard jobs.
The requirement that security guard applicants who have been imprisoned must have been released for more than three years is also a problem. Presently, about 10,000 Thai security guards are former inmates released from jail less than three years ago, Mr Tanapol said.
This number does not include recently released inmates applying for guard jobs.
Watchrapol Budmongkol, president of the Security Services Association of Thailand, said education was not the most important requirement for the job. The applicants only need to be able to read and write. If the applicants have a higher education level they can get a better job.
