Mr. Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit visited Surin Province to distribute relief bags to people affected by unrest along the border and to drive forward comprehensive labour support measures.
On July 31, 2025, at 13.30 hours, Mr. Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, Minister of Labour, visited Surin Province to distribute relief bags to residents affected by the unrest along the Thai–Cambodian border at Surindra Rajabhat University and Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Surin Campus, in Mueang District, Surin. He was accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Labour, including Mr. Santi Nantasuwan, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, and Ms. Boonyavee Kwaiphan, Chief Inspector-General of the Ministry of Labour.
Mr. Pongkawin stated that the tense situation along the border has impacted military personnel, civilians, and workers alike. The Ministry of Labour is therefore collaborating with relevant agencies on the ground to alleviate hardship and boost morale among the people.
The relief measures include establishing a central situation monitoring centre and provincial operations centres, led by the Office of the Permanent Secretary of Labour, to collect labour-related data, monitor worker movements, and coordinate with security agencies and local networks.
The Department of Employment (DOE) is supporting the setup of mobile kitchens, facilitating the relocation of Thai workers and the repatriation of Cambodian workers, and granting leniency for workers using border passes, allowing them to continue working as usual.
The Department of Skill Development (DSD) has prepared its facilities to serve as temporary shelters and plans to collaborate with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, under the Ministry of Interior, to restore housing for people affected by the unrest. Meanwhile, the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW) has requested that employers allow affected workers to take leave without it being counted as official leave, and is monitoring labour relations closely.
The Social Security Office (SSO) has coordinated with healthcare providers in the system to offer free medical treatment to insured persons. It is expediting emergency reimbursement processes within 72 hours to ensure timely access to care.
Mr. Pongkawin added that the Ministry of Labour is also looking after insured workers who have been injured or killed. In the event of death, heirs will receive a funeral allowance of 50,000 Baht, compensation of 70 percent of wages for 10 years, and a lump-sum old-age pension with interest. Injured workers are entitled to medical expenses of up to 1,000,000 Baht, income compensation, and compensation for loss of limbs or permanent disability according to their legal entitlements.
“The Ministry of Labour’s visit to Surin was not just to hand out relief bags. We are implementing comprehensive measures to support workers in terms of health, mobility, and social security benefits, to ensure that all citizens receive the protection they deserve,” said Mr. Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit.
