Mr. Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, Minister of Labour, revealed that Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Acting Prime Minister, has expressed concern for the people affected by the Thai–Cambodian border situation. He therefore assigned Mr. Pongkawin, together with Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Ms. Bubpha Rueangsud, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, Lt. Cdr. Saroj Khomkhai, Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, Mrs. Marasri Jairangsi, Secretary-General of the Social Security Office, Mr. Nantachai Panyasurarit, Director of the Thailand Institute Of Occupational Safety and Health, Mr. Pichet Thongpan, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General, along with other executives and officials of the Ministry of Labour, to visit Surin Province. The delegation met with Community Security Volunteers (Chor Ror Bor) and local people affected by the situation, distributing 1,400 survival kits at Prasat Witthayakarn School, Kang Aen Subdistrict, Prasat District, Surin Province. They were welcomed by Mr. Chamnarn Chuentha, Governor of Surin, Mr. Vasan Chingchana, Deputy Governor of Surin, Mr. Sutthirot Charoenthanasak, Kamnan of Kap Choeng District, Petty Officer 1st Class Thawatch Phanthuchin, Kamnan of Prasat District, together with heads of labour-related agencies in Surin and Buriram provinces and other relevant agencies.
Upon arrival, Mr. Pongkawin inquired with the school principal whether the area had been directly affected and greeted some of the residents with concern.
Mr. Pongkawin expressed concern for the people’s well-being. He thanked the Community Security Volunteers for their dedication to safeguarding community interests, as well as all the officials for their sacrifice. He stated that the visit today aims to provide encouragement and gather direct insights into the hardships faced by the people, thereby enabling the Ministry of Labour to collect accurate information for problem-solving, planning a second round of relief measures, and delivering comprehensive assistance in the labour dimension.
“The Ministry of Labour stands ready to work with all relevant sectors, government agencies, the private sector, and civil society, to help those affected and ease the people’s suffering. The government places great importance on public safety. Regarding concerns among Cambodian workers about their safety, I assure you that all migrant workers in Thailand remain protected under Thai law without discrimination. The Ministry of Labour has already deployed its five labour leaders to investigate the situation on the ground, coordinate with employers, and ensure an accurate understanding, while urging caution to avoid conflicts between Thai and Cambodian workers,” said Mr. Pongkawin.
Before departing, Mr. Pongkawin reaffirmed that the Ministry of Labour will stand by the people. For businesses concerned about labour shortages due to Cambodian workers returning home, the Ministry is expediting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sri Lanka, which is ready to send workers, as well as exploring other sources of foreign labour.
Currently, approximately 30,000 Cambodian workers have returned to their country, but they are expected to gradually return once the situation stabilises.
