You've handed in your notice. Now what?

Seven things need handling between giving notice and your last working day in Thailand. The two most commonly missed are your work permit and visa — an extension of stay granted on the basis of your job ends once immigration is notified — and your service certificate, which you are entitled to however you left. Work through the checklist below.

Checklist after giving notice

Tick as you go — nothing is saved, so closing the page starts it over

0 of 7 done

1.Keep a copy of the letter and proof it was received
Photograph the signed acknowledgement or save the reply email. If the date you gave notice is ever disputed, this is the only evidence you will have — and it is the step people skip most often.
2.Sort out your work permit and visa before your last day
Your work permit ends with the employment, and your employer must notify the Department of Employment within 15 days. Separately, an extension of stay granted on the basis of that job terminates once immigration is notified of the resignation — there is no general statutory grace period, so do not assume you have one. Plan your next visa step before your last working day, not after.
3.Ask for a service certificate
Section 585 of the Civil and Commercial Code entitles you to one regardless of whether you resigned or were dismissed, and regardless of how the relationship ended. Ask before your last day — chasing it afterwards is much harder.
4.Check what has been deducted from your final pay
Section 76 of the Labour Protection Act sets out an exhaustive list of permitted deductions. Anything outside that list is unlawful and carries criminal penalties. If a line item is unclear, ask for the explanation in writing.
5.Register for unemployment benefit within 30 days
If you contributed to social security for at least 6 months within the 15 months before leaving, resignation attracts 30% of wages for up to 90 days, payable from the 8th day. Dismissal pays more. Register within 30 days of becoming unemployed. Rates change by ministerial announcement — confirm the current figures at sso.go.th.
6.Hand over your work and return property in writing
Produce a handover document and a signed list of returned equipment. This is the single most common source of post-resignation disputes, and a countersigned list ends the argument before it starts.
7.Settle accrued annual leave before you go
Whether unused annual leave must be paid out on resignation is genuinely unsettled — reputable firms disagree. Check your company's rules and agree the figure with HR in writing before your last day rather than after it.

General information, not legal advice. Social security figures change by announcement — verify against official sources before relying on them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my work permit when I resign in Thailand?

It ends with the employment. Your employer must notify the Department of Employment within 15 days. Changing employer needs a notification form rather than a new application, but the permit does not transfer on its own outside BOI-to-BOI moves.

How long can I stay in Thailand after resigning?

An extension of stay granted on the basis of your employment terminates once immigration is notified of the resignation. There is no general statutory 7-day grace period — the 7-day stamp people talk about is discretionary. Plan your next step before your last working day.

Am I entitled to a reference letter if I resigned?

Yes. Section 585 of the Civil and Commercial Code gives you a right to a service certificate regardless of how the employment ended.

Can my employer withhold my final salary?

No. Section 76 of the Labour Protection Act lists the permitted deductions exhaustively, and improper deduction carries criminal penalties. A dispute over handover is not a lawful reason to withhold wages.

Carry on here

Work out your last working day from your pay cycle Write another resignation letter