January 13, 2026, 14.30 hours – Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, welcomed Ms. Dena Brownlow, Political Counsellor of the Embassy of the United States of America in Thailand, and her delegation, on the occasion of a courtesy visit and official discussions on the labour situation in Thailand. Also attending were Mr. Sakdinart Sontisakyothin, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Wichit Intaracharoen, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Employment, along with executives of the Ministry of Labour and relevant agencies. The meeting was held in the Permanent Secretary’s Reception Room, on the 7th Floor of the Ministry of Labour Building.
Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, stated that, on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, he was delighted to welcome Ms. Dena Brownlow, Political Counsellor of the U.S. Embassy in Thailand, and her delegation on this visit. Thailand and the United States have long enjoyed close and friendly relations. The Ministry of Labour, as the principal agency responsible for workforce development, employment promotion, social security provision, labour protection, and the prevention and resolution of issues relating to victims of labour trafficking and forced labour or services, both domestically and internationally, continues to strengthen mechanisms and improve legislation to ensure that Thai and migrant workers receive their rightful entitlements and legal protection in accordance with labour laws, the principles of decent work for all, and internationally recognised employment standards. The Ministry of Labour stands ready to work closely to further strengthen labour relations between the two countries.
Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong also addressed the situation of Cambodian workers, which is currently of concern to the United States. In this regard, the Ministry of Labour is in discussions with security agencies, the private sector, and relevant government bodies to identify appropriate approaches to ease the situation. As for Myanmar refugees fleeing conflict along the border, existing practices remain in place, allowing them to work, although current numbers remain limited. In this respect, the Ministry of Labour will continue to develop skills training to ensure the availability of a quality workforce.
The Permanent Secretary of Labour further addressed the issue of scam operations, noting that this is a global problem. Thailand attaches great importance to, and is serious about, suppressing such activities, screening cases, and assisting workers deceived by scam networks. The Ministry of Labour expressed its appreciation to the United States for its cooperation in efforts to eliminate scam centres.
“I would like to reaffirm that the Ministry of Labour will endeavour to respond as fully as possible to the proposals from the United States, taking into account the legal framework and practices consistent with international standards and domestic circumstances. The Ministry of Labour will ensure equal care and protection for migrant workers of all nationalities,” said the Permanent Secretary of Labour.
Ms. Dena Brownlow, Political Counsellor of the Embassy of the United States of America in Thailand, expressed her appreciation to the Ministry of Labour for the warm welcome and for today’s discussions on the labour situation in Thailand. She also commended the Ministry of Labour for organising Job Expo Thailand 2026, a major job fair that promotes employment opportunities nationwide for Thai people. In addition, she thanked the Ministry of Labour for its continued support in providing information for the United States’ annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The discussions today aimed to further strengthen labour relations between the two countries.
