September 3, 2025 – Mr. Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, Labour Minister, presented the 6th ASEAN-OSHNET Awards for Outstanding Enterprises in Occupational Health and Safety, and officially opened the 12th ASEAN-OSHNET Conference, with Thailand honoured to host this year’s event. Lt. Cdr. Saroj Khomkhai, Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, gave a report. Mr. Surasit Nitiwuttiworrak, Secretary to the Labour Minister, Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Pichet Thongphan, Inspector-General of the Ministry of Labour and Acting Director-General of the Department of Employment, Mr. Decha Pruksapatnarak, Director-General of the Department of Skill Development, Dr. Nuntachai Panyasurarit, Director of the Thailand Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (TOSH), and Ms. Kanchana Poolkaew, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General, also joined the occasion. The event was held at the Amari Bangkok Hotel.
Mr. Pingkawin said that he was honoured that Thailand has been entrusted to host this year’s ASEAN-OSHNET Conference, which also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN-OSHNET. Over the years, Thailand has played a vital role in promoting occupational safety and health standards across the region. While the world of work faces new challenges from technological, economic, and emerging risks, cooperation among member states is the key to ensuring that all workers remain safe at work.
“The challenges in occupational health and safety today cannot be solved by any single country alone. Sharing knowledge, developing common standards, and fostering research and innovation in occupational safety and health are essential foundations for ASEAN to move forward with stability and sustainability,” said Mr. Pongkawin.
The Labour Minister went on to highlight the Ministry of Labour’s safety policies, focusing on three key areas: preventing workplace accidents and occupational diseases, applying technology and innovation to risk management, and ensuring comprehensive healthcare for workers.
Regarding the ASEAN-OSHNET Awards, the Labour Minister stressed that the recognition serves as a powerful incentive for businesses across the region to prioritise occupational safety and health, with direct benefits for workers. “I congratulate all the award-winning enterprises and thank ASEAN member representatives, government agencies, private sector partners, and networks for their continued support of ASEAN-OSHNET. I am confident this conference will deliver practical outcomes that raise occupational safety and health standards while improving the quality of life for ASEAN workers.”
“Safety is not a cost but an investment. The better we protect our workers, the stronger our businesses become, and the more progress our nation will achieve. I urge all enterprises to prioritise accident and disease prevention in the workplace. This not only reduces risks but also ensures workers can perform with confidence and greater efficiency,” Mr. Pongkawin concluded.
Lt. Cdr. Saroj Khomkhai, Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, added that today’s programme featured two key activities: the ASEAN-OSHNET Excellence Awards and the ASEAN-OSHNET Best Practice Awards. Award-winning enterprises represented eight ASEAN member states, including Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. These awards recognise organisations with outstanding workplace safety standards and encourage others across the region to strengthen occupational safety and health practices. The second key activity was the 12th ASEAN-OSHNET Conference, which provided a platform for countries to exchange knowledge and innovations, which can then be applied to better protect workers and enhance their quality of life.
