December 22, 2025, 10.30 hours local time in the Republic of Korea – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, together with Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Somchai Maruksriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Director-General of the Department of Skills Development, Mr. Sakdinart Sontisakyothin, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Somchat Supharee, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Skills Development, Ms. Sirirat Srichat, Labour Attaché, and the delegation, held discussions with Mr. Yang Seungyong, executive of the Korea Automobile Repair & Inspection Federation, to promote employment opportunities for Thai workers in automobile repair workshops in the Republic of Korea and to strengthen relations between Thailand’s Ministry of Labour and Korean agencies involved in employing Thai workers. Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, said that this visit followed information that the Republic of Korea is facing labour shortages in automobile repair workshops, particularly in vehicle paint and auto body repair technicians, and that employers wish to hire Thai workers due to their capabilities and skills. This represents a valuable opportunity to open a new labour market sector for Thai workers in […]
December 21, 2025,10.30 hours local time in the Republic of Korea – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, together with Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Somchai Maruksriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Director-General of the Department of Skills Development, Mr. Sakdinart Sontisakyothin, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Somchat Supharee, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Skills Development, Ms. Sirirat Srichat, Labour Attaché, and the delegation visited a company under the KT&F Group in Gyeonggi Province. They held discussions with Mr. Namin Choi, Chairman of KT&F, and Ms. Prapai Soi, an executive of KT&F and its affiliated companies. KT&F and its affiliated companies operate businesses that produce ready-to-eat Thai food products, such as Isan and Chinese sausages, meatballs, and Thai desserts, including khanom chan, as well as import Thai products for retail and wholesale distribution in the Republic of Korea. In addition, the group operates agricultural businesses that cultivate crops and vegetables using innovative farming systems. The discussions focused on the employment of Thai workers and opportunities to further expand the Thai labour market in the Republic of Korea. […]
December 17, 2025 – Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, led a delegation of the Ministry of Labour’s executives to Songkhla Province to inspect the “Repair, Rebuild, and Restore Wellbeing, Creating Jobs” activities organised by the Songkhla Skill Development Institute 12. Attending the visit were Mr. Pichet Thongphan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, and Acting Sub-Lieutenant Somsak Prommadam, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General. During the visit, the Permanent Secretary encouraged those affected by the southern floods and reaffirmed that the Ministry of Labour stands alongside the people at all times and will not stop working until all workers can return to everyday lives and livelihoods. The visit took place at Wat Khok Saman Khun, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, stated that the “Repair, Rebuild, and Restore Wellbeing, Creating Jobs” initiative originated from the severe flooding in the southern region in November, which caused widespread hardship, particularly for independent workers who suffered immediate losses of work tools and income. The Ministry of Labour recognises this hardship and upholds the principle of never abandoning Thai people in any situation. Accordingly, […]
Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, held a press briefing after a joint meeting with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, and relevant agencies on integrated assistance, relief, and rehabilitation for flood victims in the South, held at the Ministry of Finance. She stated that the Prime Minister had issued urgent instructions following the flooding, ordering a rapid assessment of damage and the impact on affected establishments and employees. Initial data indicate that over 10,000 establishments and approximately 200,000 employees have been affected. The Prime Minister directed all agencies to accelerate every possible project that can provide the fastest relief and support. For the Ministry of Labour, immediate assistance includes income compensation for insured employees under the Social Security scheme. Through the enhanced benefits programme for unemployment due to force majeure caused by natural disaster, the Social Security Fund will provide 50% of daily wages, for days employees are unable to work, for a period of up to 6 months. This measure aims to provide quick relief and mitigate immediate hardship before moving into the reconstruction and recovery phase. The Minister of Labour added that, for insured persons requiring […]
November 25, 2025 – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, released an overview of the flooding situation in the southern region based on reports from agencies under the Ministry of Labour. According to these reports, 12 provinces, 105 districts, 632 sub-districts, 4,523 villages, and 740,405 households have been affected, with 1,966,843 people suffering hardships. Flooding remains ongoing in 10 provinces: Surat Thani, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. There have been 17 deaths, including one insured person under Section 40, 2 uninsured individuals, and the remaining cases are under verification. A total of 22,988 establishments and 309,368 employees have been affected, of which 10,797 establishments and 205,783 employees are covered by the Social Security system. Ms. Trinuch added that initial relief measures have already been deployed. She has ordered all agencies under the Ministry of Labour, referred to as the “Five Tigers of Labour”, to mobilise forces and assist the provinces, including evacuation efforts and transporting affected people to shelters. Additionally, the Ministry of Labour, through the Department of Skill Development, has instructed all Skill Development Institutes and Offices in affected provinces to set […]
November 24, 2025 – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, officially launched the national policy “Thais Must Have Jobs”, initiating a significant operation to address unemployment, one of the most critical issues affecting the stability of Thai people. The Ministry of Labour has set a target of securing over 150,000 jobs within 4 months, through cross-sector collaboration and a new, nationwide employment service model covering every province. Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, stated that the issue of Thais having “no job” is more than just lost income. It is not merely an economic figure, but a sign of social vulnerability. Unemployment means a loss of income and stability. It can lead to numerous problems, such as family issues, social violence, drug problems, and even exploitation by scam networks that have become a global threat. Without work, people lose opportunity and hope, making them more vulnerable to crime. Therefore, what people need is not just employment figures, but security in life, which the Ministry of Labour must deliver. Ms. Trinuch Thienthong added that “Thais Must Have Jobs” is not a slogan but a responsibility that all sectors must collectively pursue […]
November 21, 2025 – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, presided over the opening of a seminar on “Benefits of the Skill Development Fund under the Skill Development Promotion Act B.E. 2545 and its Amendments” for Fiscal Year 2026. The report was delivered by Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour and Acting Director-General of the Department of Skills Development. Attending the event were the Minister’s working group, Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Santi Nantasuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Krirkrai Nasamoyon, Legal Advisor, Mr. Nattawut Phatprayoon, Labour Academic Advisor, senior executives of the Ministry of Labour and the Department of Skill Development, business representatives, and 500 seminar participants. The event took place in Makkhawan Rangsan Room, 3rd floor, The Royal Thai Army Club. Ms. Trinuch revealed that the seminar on the benefits of the Skill Development Fund under the Skill Development Promotion Act B.E. 2545 and its Amendments, for Fiscal Year 2026, was organised to ensure that establishments in the Bangkok area understand the benefits of the Skill Development Fund and the processes for promoting skill development under the Act. The seminar […]
November 20, 2025, 15.00 hours – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, together with Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Somchai Maruksriwan, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General and Acting Deputy-Director of the Department of Employment, Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour and Acting Director-General of the Department of Skills Development, and senior ministry executives, visited the headquarters of Minor International Public Company Limited, one of the leading restaurant and fast-food service operators in the Asia-Pacific region, and owner of several well-known hotel and food brands worldwide. Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, thanked the executives of Minor Group for their support for the “Have a Job, Have Income, Have Education” project over the past 10 years. The programme has enabled financially disadvantaged students to work while studying and receive scholarships, with 6,000 students having joined to date. In 2026, the target is to bring 800 students into the programme. She also expressed appreciation for Minor’s focus on people, adding, “Our role is to find jobs for people and find people for jobs. I personally came today because I want to hear directly from a […]
November 17, 2025 – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, delivered policy directives to executives and personnel of the Department of Employment, both at central and regional levels, at the Thian Atchakul Conference Room. She reiterated the mission of securing employment for Thai people under the concept “Thais Must Have Jobs”, with the target of identifying 150,000 job positions within 4 months. Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, stated that one of the major national issues directly linked to the Ministry of Labour is that many people in the country “do not have jobs”, or simply put, are unemployed. Unemployment means having no income and no financial security, which can lead to family problems, social issues, drug problems, and even exposure to global scam networks. Unemployed people can easily become victims of these scams simply because they are desperate for work. Therefore, to effectively drive the “Thais Must Have Jobs” policy, it is essential to create a collaborative mechanism among the public, private, and education sectors to balance the labour market. This will be achieved through the Employment Service Centres for Thais, operating across four dimensions. Ms. Trinuch added that […]
November 7, 2025, 08.00 hours – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, presided over a merit-making and alms-offering ceremony dedicated as a royal merit to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, on the occasion marking the 15th day (the Panrasamawan) since her passing, to express mourning and profound gratitude for her boundless compassion. The ceremony was attended by Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kacharak, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, as well as senior executives, civil servants, and Ministry of Labour personnel. The occasion was held at the Child Development Promotion Centre for the Ministry of Labour and Personnel, and at the courtyard in front of the Phra Phutthasuthidhammapobit Pavilion. During the ceremony, monks were invited to chant Buddhist scriptures and perform the merit-making rites. A ceremonial altar was arranged, featuring the official portrait of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, as a tribute of loyalty and deep mourning befitting her honour. After the monastic ceremony concluded, Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, together with senior executives, civil servants, and officials from the Ministry of Labour, offered alms of rice and dried goods to 10 monks as a […]
Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, spoke about the policy to expand overseas markets for Thai workers to over 50,000 positions within four months, in line with the Quick Big Win policy to create income and new opportunities for Thai people. It emphasizes the promotion of quality labour markets, up-skilling / re-skilling development, and technology transfer back to Thailand. For Israel, one of the three countries receiving the largest number of Thai workers, the Overseas Thai Workers Administration Division, Department of Employment, has been instructed to prepare a workers’ training plan for Fiscal Year 2026 (October – November 2025). This is part of the project to develop the potential of Thai workers according to labour market needs in Israel. A total of 8 training batches will be organised, with 1,650 workers participating. All of them will gradually travel to Israel between October 31, 2025, and November 23, 2025. The Minister of Labour said that from Fiscal Year 2022 – 2026, as of October 31, 2025, a total of 41,440 Thai workers have been authorised to work in Israel: 32,490 in agriculture, 6,437 in construction, 556 in industry, 1,898 in services, […]
October 26, 2025, 10.00 hours – Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, assigned Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, to preside over the Royal Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony of the Ministry of Labour for the year 2025. This ceremony was held on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua graciously granting royal robes to the Ministry of Labour for presentation to the Buddhist monks who have completed their three-month Lent retreat at Wat Kuhasawan Worawihan, Mueang District, Phatthalung Province. The offering was made as an act of royal merit in honour of His Majesty the King, as well as a gesture of loyalty to the monarchy through support for Buddhism and royal temples, while preserving Thailand’s long-standing religious and cultural traditions. Attending the ceremony were Mr. Santi Nantasuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Somchai Maruksriwan, the Ministry of Labour’s Chief Inspector-General, Ms. Bunyawee Khaipan, Ms. Kanchana Poolkaew, and Sub-Lt. Somsak Promdam, and Mr. Sibmuenchai Phothisin, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-Generals, Mr. Krirkrai Nasamoyon, Legal Advisor, and Mr. Nattawut Phatprayoon, Labour Academic Advisor. They were joined by senior executives, civil servants, […]
October 23, 2025, 16.45 hours, Free Zone Office Building, Suvarnabhumi Airport – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, together with senior executives from the Ministry of Labour, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Dr Alona Fisher-Kamm, Ambassador of Israel to Thailand, attended the ceremony to receive the body of Mr. Sonthaya Akkrasri, a Thai worker who lost his life in Israel during the Israel–Hamas conflict, after being held hostage since October 2023. Upon arrival at the Free Zone area in Suvarnabhumi Airport, Ms. Trinuch, along with her delegation, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Dr Alona Fisher-Kamm, Ambassador of Israel to Thailand, entered the Suvarnabhumi Airport cargo terminal to receive the remains. The Labour Minister and her team laid a wreath in tribute and observed a one-minute silence to pay their respects. The atmosphere was deeply sorrowful as officials and attendees honoured the late Thai worker before his body was taken by vehicle to be reunited with his family in Nong Bua Lamphu Province. Ms. Trinuch stated, “Today is another day of sorrow, losing one of our fellow Thai workers who went abroad seeking […]
October 6, 2025, at 10.00 hours – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, presided over a press conference announcing the launch of the “e-WorkPermit” system, part of the Outsourcing Service Project for producing work permits and providing application and employment notification services for foreign workers. Joining the event were Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Pichet Thongphan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, Lt. Cdr. Saroj Khomkhai, Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, Ms. Bunyawee Khaipan, Second Lieutenant Somsak Promdam, Mr. Sibmuenchai Phothisin, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-Generals, and other senior executives. The event took place at the press conference room, 5th floor, Ministry of Labour. Ms. Trinuch announced that the Ministry of Labour has developed the “e-WorkPermit” electronic work permit system to provide round-the-clock online service (24 hours a day). The system covers every step of the process, from submitting applications, checking status, and receiving approvals to obtaining the work permit, without the need for in-person contact with officials. This initiative aligns with the government’s digital transformation policy to elevate public service efficiency. The “e-WorkPermit” system is a key component of the Outsourcing […]
August 22, 2025, 09.00 hours – Mr. Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit, Minister of Labour, presided over a ceremony to deliver remarks of encouragement and support to the Thai youth delegation competing in the 14th ASEAN Skills Competition, prior to their departure on August 23, 2025, to the Philippines. Attending the event were Mr. Surasit Nitiwuttiworrak, Secretary to the Labour Minister, Ms. Bubpha Rueangsud, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Decha Pruksapatnarak, Director-General of the Department of Skill Development, along with senior executives from the Ministry of Labour. The event was held at the Chatumongkol Room, 6th Floor, Ministry of Labour Building. The ASEAN Skills Competition is an agreement among ASEAN Member States, whereby each country hosts the event in rotation every two years. The aim is to develop human resources and strengthen cooperation in vocational skills, ensuring competitiveness in the face of advancing technologies and alignment with international standards. The competition provides young people with the opportunity to advance as skilled professionals in the labour market, thereby enhancing the nation’s productivity and service capacity in the future. This year marks the 14th ASEAN Skills […]
September 27, 2025 – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, presided over the opening ceremony of the Job Fair Zone at the Thailand–China Cooperation Expo 2025. Also in attendance were Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Wichit Intaracharoen, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Employment, and senior executives from the Ministry of Labour. Dr Phot Aramwattananon, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Mr Viboon Supakrapongkul, Vice Chairman, extended a warm welcome. The event was jointly organised through a landmark collaboration between the Ministry of Labour, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Thai–Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and the Chinese Enterprises Association in Thailand, and was held at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi Province. Ms. Trinuch Thienthong stated that this Job Fair was particularly significant as it marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China. The main objective, she noted, was to provide a platform linking high-quality employment opportunities with leading employers from both countries. “This is not merely about job placement, but about elevating the exchange of skilled talent to […]
