The Labour Minister welcomed President of the Thai Pilots Association to discuss the problem of oversupply of pilots after hundreds of graduating pilots have become unemployed.
On September 11, 2019, Labour Minister M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul welcomed President of the Thai Pilots Association Captain Sanong Yingcharoen, Vice President Captain Sittidech Muangsin and committee on courtesy call and visit to discuss the issue of unemployed Thai pilot graduates. The discussion took place at the Labor Minister’s meeting room, 6th floor, Ministry of Labour. The President of the Thai Pilots Association said that at present, the cumulative unemployment rate of newly graduated Thai pilots is as high as 600 people, as the trend in employment of pilots has increased in the past. However, in the past 3 years, there has been a problem with unemployment of new graduates, partly from employment of foreign pilots, which may be against the Occupations and Professions Prohibited for Foreign Workers B.E. 2522, which aims to reserve the careers as pilots for Thai people.
Currently there are 113 foreign workers working as pilot from 13 companies;12 have business licenses and 101 have BOI work permits.
The Labour Minister acknowledged and assigned agencies under the Ministry of Labour to help publicize vocational guidance for students who are deciding to study aviation and related fields and share information that the market demand is already saturated. This is due to a large population of personnel, whereby most have not been recruited. Therefore, parents should recommend their children to study in other fields that are in line with the market’s needs. The Labour Minister has instructed cooperation with various agencies involved in tightening the entry of foreign pilots following to law, to help solve the problem of oversupply of Thai pilots in the future.
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Division of Public Relations/
News by Chaninthorn Phettab/
Photos by Sompob Silbut/
11 September 2019
