July 24, 2025, 13.30 hours – Mr. Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, Minister of Labour, chaired a high-level meeting to monitor the escalating border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. The meeting was attended by Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Ms. Bubpha Rueangsud, Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, and Mr. Santi Nantasuwan, the Deputy Permanent Secretaries of Labour, Ms. Boonyavee Kwaiphan, Chief Inspector-General of the Ministry of Labour, Mr. Krirkrai Nasamoyon, Legal Advisor, Mr. Nattawu Phattharayoon, Academic Labour Advisor, and Ms. Kornjirat Phongchanthorn, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour. Mr. Pongkawin also held a meeting via video conference with the heads of government agencies in Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, and Sa Kaeo provinces, with the Ministry of Labour’s executives also attending the meeting at the Prasong Rananant meeting room, 5th floor, Ministry of Labour.
Mr. Pongkawin expressed deep concern regarding the ongoing conflict and immediately ordered the establishment of provincial war rooms to prepare for emergency labour-related responses. He issued five key directives: 1. Labour authorities in the five border provinces must monitor the situation closely and report developments continuously via the “Thailand–Cambodia Conflict Situation” Line group. 2. Provincial labour protection and employment offices must coordinate with employers of Cambodian workers to mitigate potential disputes among the migrant workforce. 3. Labour officials must maintain close coordination with local security forces throughout the situation. 4. All government personnel, including labour volunteers, must avoid entering designated risk areas. Heads of agencies under the Ministry of Labour are prohibited from traveling out of their provinces. Workers, including Cambodian nationals, should also be advised to leave risk zones. 5. Each province is instructed to set up a War Room to monitor and manage labour-related incidents. Any violent escalations must be promptly reported to the central coordination centre.
Mr. Pongkawin also assured that injured or deceased workers will receive compensation under applicable laws: If the incident occurs during work, compensation will be provided through the Workmen’s Compensation Fund. If the incident occurs outside of work, the Social Security Fund will apply. Workers who are laid off due to the situation will be eligible for unemployment benefits. Additionally, the Ministry of Labour advises Thai nationals planning to work abroad through the Department of Employment to download the SMART TOEA app to track their location and receive updates. Currently, 594,598 Cambodian workers are legally employed in Thailand, primarily in Bangkok, Chonburi, Rayong, and Nonthaburi. Meanwhile, five Thai workers are presently in Cambodia. Thai authorities are closely monitoring their safety and assessing any support they may require.
