The Ministry of Labour reported that the Labour Office in South Korea investigated the case of a Thai worker in South Korea who posted a clip claiming severe starvation, and his request to return to Thailand. It was found that the worker had terminated his contract with his employer in advance, due to plans to return to Thailand for a wedding. However, he was unable to return due to flight suspensions. Most recently, he has registered to return to Thailand on April 30 with the Royal Thai Embassy. The Ministry of Labour reported assistance for Thai workers through the EPS system that has incurred costs while waiting to return, following the conditions of the assistance fund to help job seekers abroad.
On April 21, 2020, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour Mrs. Theanrat Nawamawat spoke about the case of a Thai worker who posted a clip claiming severe starvation in South Korea. Most recently, the investigation report was received from Labour Ambassador Ms. Pinyuda Chamchansi, from the Thai Labour Office in South Korea. The report stated that the person who posted the clip was Mr. Natthaphon Putthachai, a Thai worker deployed through the EPS system, originally from Nong Khai. He entered on a re-entry basis, with the employer DAWONDOJANGGONGEOP at PARDAL DAEGU BUK GU. The contract was scheduled to end on May 1, 2020 but was terminated by the employee in advance because he had plans to return for a wedding in Thailand. He submitted a request for various benefits, such as travel insurance, deposit for terminating employment (Taejgeum), the difference in contract fees from the employer and Kook Min Yeon Geum’s money, which is already complete. However, he was unable to return due to the suspension of flights to Thailand causing him to cancel the ticket multiple times, whereby incurring fees to cancel plane tickets. He has most recently registered to return to Thailand by April 30, 2020, with the Royal Thai Embassy already.
Mrs. Theanrat said that in terms of initial assistance, the Ministry of Labour by the Labour Office in South Korea has followed up to aid Thai workers through the EPS system, for those that face daily expenses while waiting to travel back. The assistance follows the terms of the assistance fund to help job seekers abroad. The Labour Office has coordinated with the Thai embassy in South Korea, opening registrations for those in need to return to Thailand to request a special flight back.
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Division of Public Relations
21 April 2020
