Friday, March 6, 2026, at 10.00 hours – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, presided over the opening ceremony and presented awards for the Outstanding Working Women on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026 at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel, Bangkok. Also in attendance were Ms. Bubpha Rueangsud, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Captain Saroj Khomkhai, Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, Mr. Krirkrai Nasamoyon, Legal Advisor, Mr. Nattawut Phatprayoon, Labour Academic Advisor, executives of the Ministry of Labour, and representatives from government agencies, the private sector, labour organisations, employers, employees, and relevant networks, with over 400 participants attending the event. Ms. Trinuch stated that the role of Thai women today is widely recognised, with women playing important roles across all sectors, including as leaders, executives, and practitioners in the public, state, and private sectors. According to a UN Women report, Thailand has a high proportion of female executives, with women holding 24% of CEO/Managing Director positions, while Thai women rank first in the world for representation as Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) at approximately 43%. Overall, women account for 32% of senior leadership positions, reflecting their strong role in driving the economy. This aligns with the global concept of “womenomics”, which recognises women as a key force in economic growth.
The Labour Minister stated that Thailand currently has a workforce of over 39 million people, of which 18 million are women, representing nearly half of the total labour force. This clearly demonstrates that women are a core driving force of the national economy. The Ministry of Labour, therefore, places importance on improving the quality of life for women workers by strengthening legal protections, including the Labour Protection Act (No. 9), B.E. 2568 (2025), which came into force on December 7, 2025. The law extends maternity leave to up to 120 days, provides an additional 15 days of leave when a child is ill, allows spouses to take 15 days of paternity leave, and prohibits employers from dismissing or unfairly transferring employees due to pregnancy. These measures reflect the government’s strong commitment to ensuring that women workers receive protection and a good quality of life in line with international standards.
Ms. Trinuch added that the Ministry of Labour has adopted policies focused on “enhancing transparency, addressing labour shortages, strengthening labour rights, and developing digital skills”. These policies aim to ensure that women workers have job security, fair protection, appropriate income, and equal access to skills development and employment opportunities. The Ministry of Labour also promotes work–life balance, particularly by supporting women in their role as mothers, which is vital for nurturing and developing children and youth into a strong foundation for a high-quality society in the future.
“I would like to extend my congratulations to all 33 Outstanding Working Women who have received awards for International Women’s Day 2026. This recognition is a highly honourable achievement, reflecting your dedication, perseverance, and continuous self-development, resulting in tangible contributions that benefit the labour sector, the economy, society, and the environment. You serve as role models and an inspiration to women across the country, joining as a vital force in driving the nation towards stable and sustainable development,” the Minister of Labour said.
Captain Saroj Khomkhai, Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, added that this event aims to raise awareness across all sectors of the importance of women workers and to promote fair and equal employment rights. It seeks to ensure that women are recognised, able to work happily, and enjoy a good quality of life. The network of Outstanding Working Women will serve as a mechanism to expand the concept of equality into workplaces nationwide, promoting environments that are safe, free from discrimination, and supportive of women’s development. The event also featured an exhibition showcasing the backgrounds and achievements of the award recipients, the sale of products from the Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre (formerly), and products from informal sector women workers and self-employed entrepreneurs. There were also information booths on digital and artificial intelligence skills training programmes by the Department of Skill Development, as well as free basic health check-ups and cervical and breast cancer screening services provided by hospitals under the Social Security Office network.
