On March 9, 2020, at 10.30 hours, Labour Minister M.R. Chatu Mongol Sonakul chaired the commencement of the International Women’s Day event 2020 at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel, Bangkok. He said that the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Labour Protection and Welfare organizes the International Women’s Day event annually and awards outstanding working women each year to honour model working women. The awardees are considered outstanding examples in terms of self-possession, humility, and profession. They are women who have high standards of morals and ethics, and who benefit society. Today, women play a greater role in national development than they have in the past, both at the executive and operational levels. The Ministry of Labour is aware of the importance of all working women as being an important force for creating a good society at the family level to the national level. The Ministry of Labour is committed to promoting and supporting female workers to be protected, to have equal rights and be free of discrimination, and to focus on improving female workers to have a good quality of life, stability in life as well as campaigning for cooperation with all sectors to promote the role of working women and gender equality, for working women to receive fair and equal treatment which will be an important mechanism for national development.
In this regard, the International Women’s Day event 2020 was held under the concept of “Women Workers Unite to Create Equality in Thai society.” The event aims to encourage Thai society to recognize the importance of working women, and to join in promoting labour equality. The event also had an award ceremony for Outstanding Working Women. This year, there were 114 women who submitted proposals. The Outstanding Women of 2020 was awarded in 8 categories, totaling 29 awards. The outstanding women executives’ category was awarded to Ms. Somjin Pihuek, Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand. The outstanding women practitioner’s category in the private sector field was awarded to Ms. Amphon Phophiku, Operational Officer (production) at Betagro Agro-Industry Company Limited (Pang Joe Processing Plant). The outstanding artist award went to Mrs. Pimyom Wiriyasunthornwong, and the outstanding female in mass media was awarded to Mrs. Sudruthai Lertkasem, Director of New Agencies, Department of Public Relations, for example. The Ministry of Labour was honoured by HRH Princess Soamsawali, who graciously appointed HRH Princess Aditayadornkitikhun to give the awards to the Outstanding Women Workers for 2020. In addition, the activities in the event included a talk show about working together for women workers, creating equality for Thai society, an exhibition in honour of HRH Princess Soamsawali, an exhibition honouring outstanding women workers in 2020 and a booth showcasing products made by women workers.
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Division of Public Relations
