On August 9, 2021, Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin met with presidents of four taxi associations, including Mr. Panlop Chayinthhu, President of the Suvarnabhumi Taxi Coordinating Association, Mr. Sadis Chaithieng, President of the Thai Public Taxi Association, Mr. Anuwat Yawut, President of the Electric Vehicle Taxi Association, and Mr. Boonserm Sompong, President of the Public Taxi Drivers Association, to discuss becoming an insured person under Section 40 in terms of assistance, remedies and benefits, including skill development. Assistant to the Labour Minister Mr. Surachai Chaitrakulthong, the Ministry of Labour’s Advisor, Mrs. Thiwalrat Angkinan, the Ministry of Labour’s Spokesperson (on politics) Mrs. Thienrat Navamawat, Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol, and the Ministry of Labour’s executives also joined the occasion at the Chatumongkol Room, 6th floor, Ministry of Labour. The presidents of the associations submitted a request for assistance from the Labour Minister on four issues, including the request for small taxi operators to receive compensation of 5,000 Baht, bringing taxi occupations into informal workers, increase options for small taxi operators in the social security system under Section 39, and setting up a working group to study and implement the objectives.
Mr. Suchart said that the government led by Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha has foreseen the hardships and cares for people in independent professions such as taxi drivers, street hawkers, motorcycle taxi drivers, tricycle drivers, including night time professions, such as waitresses, singers, and musicians, who have been affected by the lockdown measures in the highest control areas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, he encourages such professions to apply as an insured person under Section 40 to help remedy them from the impact of COVID-19, giving 5,000 Baht per person without leaving anyone behind.
Mr. Panlop Chayinthhu, President of the Suvarnabhumi Taxi Coordinating Association, said that today, taxi drivers from the four associations were very touched that Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha and Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin can help solve problems and give opportunities for elderly workers like them, to under for Section 40 to receive compensation from the government. The government has also provided rice, dry foods, canned fish, and masks to help alleviate suffering. When they have no income, at least they still have food.
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Division of Public Relations
9 August 2021
