Mr. Santi Nantasuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, in his capacity as spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour, provided an update on assistance to Thai workers following the attack on the Thai cargo vessel Mayuree Naree near the Strait of Hormuz on the morning of March 11. According to a report from the labour attaché at the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the vessel had 23 crew members, most of whom were Thai nationals. The crew was forced to abandon the ship and board lifeboats. Twenty crew members were rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman and safely brought ashore at Khasab, where they are currently staying at accommodation arranged by the company. The Royal Thai Embassy in Muscat is coordinating with the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs to arrange an official visit. The remaining three crew members are still missing and are believed to be either on board the vessel or in the engine room. Thai and Omani authorities are continuing urgent search-and-rescue operations. The labour office has been coordinating closely with the Royal Thai Embassy in Muscat to ensure […]
March 10, 2026, 13.30 hours – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, assigned Mr. Pichet Thongphan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, to represent the Ministry of Labour in welcoming and facilitating Thai workers affected by unrest in the Middle East. A total of 10 workers returned from Bahrain and arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Samut Prakan Province. This marks the second group of returnees from Bahrain, following the first group of 1 worker who returned on March 6, bringing the total to 11 workers to date. Mr. Pichet Thongphan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, stated that currently 11 Thai workers have returned from Bahrain, and a further 9 workers are expected to arrive on March 11, 2026, also from Bahrain. In addition, Thai workers in Iran are awaiting flights home, with nearly 1,000 having expressed their intention to return to Thailand. The Ministry of Labour will continue to provide advance notice of flight arrangements. “As soon as workers arrive in Thailand, the Ministry of Labour will ensure that they receive their entitled benefits and provide guidance on submitting claims […]
March 9, 2026 – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, together with Mr. Pichet Thongphan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, spoke following a meeting with the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB), comprising the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Thai Bankers’ Association. The private sector had called for urgent solutions to the shortage of foreign workers, particularly Cambodian workers in the industrial, construction, and agricultural sectors, to prevent impacts on the country’s competitiveness. Ms. Trinuch stated that she had listened to the concerns and fully understood the potential impacts raised by the private sector. The Ministry of Labour reaffirmed five key measures as follows: The meeting served as a platform for the private sector to share concerns, challenges, and recommendations. The principle for managing Cambodian workers in Thailand is that no new Cambodian workers will be admitted into the country; only those who already hold valid work permits will be managed. All Cambodian workers in Thailand must be properly registered and have a clearly identified employer responsible for them. All measures must not affect national security, and must be coordinated closely […]
Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, addressed the situation of rising tensions in the Middle East, stating that she has instructed Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, is to establish a war room to monitor the situation and coordinate assistance for Thai workers in the region. The war room, located on the 5th floor of the Ministry of Labour, will operate 24 hours a day and be ready to provide support should the situation escalate to the point of evacuation. The Minister of Labour stated that evacuation is the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and if directed by the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Labour stands ready to support the mission. All actions will depend on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ assessment of the level of risk and whether evacuation is necessary. At present, labour offices have been instructed to closely monitor the situation and be prepared to assist and relocate Thai workers to safe areas if they are affected. Regarding the deployment of Thai workers overseas, Ms. Trinuch stated that initial discussions have been held with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on temporarily suspending […]
February 23, 2026 – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, held a press conference announcing the Outstanding Working Women Awards on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026. Joining the event were Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Ms. Bubpha Rueangsud, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Pichet Thongphan and Mr. Sibmuenchai Phothisin, Inspector-Generals of the Ministry of Labour, Mr. Krirkrai Nasamoyon, Legal Advisor, Mr. Seksit Sawanyathipat, Assistant Permanent Secretary of Labour, and executives of the Ministry of Labour. During the event, 33 Outstanding Working Women for 2026 were introduced as role models from various fields, including Suvara Tawichasri, Governor of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (Outstanding Female State Enterprise Executive), Patimoh Sadiyamu, Governor of Pattani Province (Outstanding Female Government Executive), Maleewan Jameena, Outstanding Female Artist, Sompratana Nawong, owner of the “Ejan” page (Outstanding Female Media Professional), Nattakanya Saengpho, Outstanding Female Private Sector Executive, and Naree Samratnakul, Outstanding Female Private Sector Practitioner. The awards aim to honour their achievements and inspire women across the country. The Labour Minister stated that the Ministry of Labour places importance on creating “decent work […]
February 20, 2026, 10.00 hours – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, chaired the Management of Foreign Workers Policy Committee Meeting 2/2026. Attending the meeting were Ms. Bubpha Rueangsud, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Somchai Maruksriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, executives of the Ministry of Labour, and representatives from relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Health, Internal Security Operations Command, National Security Council, and the Thai Chamber of Commerce. The meeting was held at the Thian Atchakul Meeting Room, on the 10th Floor of the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour Building. Following the meeting, Ms. Trinuch stated that the committee had approved the extension of the deadline for resolving issues related to work permit applications, in accordance with the Cabinet resolution of November 11, 2025, particularly regarding the submission of health insurance documents, medical examinations, and payment of the 900-Baht work permit fee. The original deadline of February 24, 2026, for workers of Lao, Myanmar, and Vietnamese nationalities has now been extended to March 31, 2026, to prevent these workers from […]
February 18, 2026, 10.00 hours – Mrs. Luisa Ragher, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union to Thailand, together with her delegation, paid a courtesy call on Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, to discuss avenues for cooperation to advance labour relations between Thailand and the European Union. Also present were Mr. Santi Nantasuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Sakdinart Sontisakyothin, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Mongkol Songkhram, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Employment, Mr. Surasit Srikaew, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, and relevant officials. The meeting took place at the Chatumongkol Meeting Room, 6th Floor, Ministry of Labour Building, where the delegation was welcomed. Following the meeting, Ms. Trinuch stated that although the government is currently in a caretaker period, the Ministry of Labour continues to carry out its duties fully and consistently, prioritising key labour policies and urgent issues in five main areas: 1. Addressing labour shortages by accelerating labour MOUs with foreign countries to fill gaps, as well as registering migrant workers in accordance with Cabinet resolutions. 2. […]
Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, disclosed details regarding the collapse of a dome roof structure at the Metropolitan Electricity Authority Training and Electrical Skills Testing Centre (Bang Phli), Soi National Housing Authority Bang Phli, Bang Sao Thong Sub-district, Bang Sao Thong District, Samut Prakan Province, which resulted in four workers being injured while on duty. She stated that reports from the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare confirmed that the building belongs to S.R.N. Sivakarn Limited Partnership, and that all injured persons are employees of the company. The incident occurred while the employees were carrying out their duties. She has therefore instructed the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare to assign safety inspectors from the Samut Prakan Provincial Office of Labour Protection and Welfare and the Occupational Safety Centre, Area 10, to urgently conduct an in-depth investigation into the cause of the accident. The Labour Minister stated that over the past three months, there have been multiple work-related accidents, reflecting underlying issues in workplace safety standards, which fall under the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare’s responsibility. The Department must carry […]
Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, disclosed that Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, expressed her deepest condolences over the crane accident that collapsed onto a train on the Krung Thep Aphiwat–Ubon Ratchathani route. She has therefore instructed the Social Security Office to verify insured persons who were killed or injured, in order to provide assistance and compensation benefits as quickly as possible. This also includes relief for insured persons affected by the bomb attacks in the three southern border provinces. Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, spoke about the assistance and compensation provided to insured persons who were killed or injured in the crane collapse on a train in Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. On behalf of the Ministry of Labour, he stated that he had instructed the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Social Security Office to conduct on-site inspections and verify information on the insured persons who were killed or injured. A total of 208 passengers were travelling on the train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station to Ubon Ratchathani. Of these, 66 passengers were injured, including 12 insured persons. There were 32 fatalities, of […]
January 12, 2026, 09.30 hours – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, assigned Mr. Somchai Maruksriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, to preside over the opening ceremony and deliver remarks to Thai workers participating in the Thai Workforce Capacity Development Programme in line with the needs of the Israeli labour market, Fiscal Year 2026, Batch 7. On this occasion, Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, assigned Mr. Sakdinart Sontisakyothin, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour, to attend the ceremony. The event was held at the Pre-Departure Training Centre for Overseas Employment, on the 11th Floor of the Social Security Office Area 3 Building, Ministry of Labour, Bangkok. For this training session, organised by the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour, the objective is to enhance essential skills and prepare Thai workers before their departure to work in the State of Israel. The training focuses on practical skills, including basic Hebrew language, agricultural work, the use of modern agricultural tools and techniques, and daily life and adaptation overseas. The training programme is scheduled for three days, from January 12–14, 2026, with a total of 400 trainees […]
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, […]
December 15, 2025, 11.00 hours – Mr. Tsutomu Kurihara, President of Daikin Industries (Thailand) Ltd., together with his delegation, paid a courtesy visit to Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour. Also in attendance were Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Lt. Cdr. Saroj Khomkhai, Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, Mr. Prasit Patangkharo, Department Inspector-General, Mr. Cherdsak Ounkham, Chonburi Provincial Labour Protection and Welfare Officer, and relevant officials. The meeting was held in the Chatmongkol Room on the 6th Floor of the Ministry of Labour Building. Ms. Trinuch said she has continuously monitored the situation and expressed her satisfaction that all parties were able to negotiate and reach a mutually agreed-upon agreement smoothly. She thanked the company for its policy of prioritising harmonious coexistence among all parties, particularly during the current challenging economic conditions. The company’s attentiveness to and care for its workforce is commendable. She noted that the Ministry of Labour had been deeply concerned about the incident and therefore instructed the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare to closely and continuously monitor the situation to ensure that the resolution process proceeded smoothly, […]
Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, revealed that an earthquake with an epicentre off the eastern coast of Aomori Prefecture occurred yesterday (December 8, 2025) at approximately 23.15 hours local time in Japan (two hours ahead of Thailand), registering a magnitude of 7.2. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning of up to 3 metres along the coasts of Aomori, Iwate, and Hokkaido, and waves of approximately 1 metre along the coasts of Miyagi and Fukushima. Residents in these areas were advised not to approach coastal areas or river mouths until the warning was lifted. On December 9, 2025, at 02.30 hours, Japanese authorities ordered the evacuation of 114,092 people from the affected areas. Upon learning of the incident, the Labour Minister said she became deeply concerned about Thai workers in Japan and therefore instructed the Labour Attaché (Labour Affairs) and the Office of Labour Affairs in Japan to closely monitor the situation and continuously issue alerts to Thai workers through various communication channels, to ensure their maximum safety. Preliminary reports from Ms. Paravee Nakpipat, Labour Attaché (Labour Affairs) at the Office of Labour Affairs in Japan, indicate that […]
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 […]
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 24, 2025 – Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, stated that following the road subsidence incident in front of Vajira Hospital, the Ministry of Labour is deeply concerned about the safety of citizens, particularly within the construction sector, which remains a significant cause of accidents. He explained that he had instructed the Bangkok Social Security Office, Area 1, and the Bangkok Labour Protection and Welfare Office, Area 8, both of which are responsible for the affected zone, as well as the Occupational Safety Centre, Region 11, to coordinate with relevant agencies and conduct an on-site inspection. Initial findings confirmed that no insured persons were injured or killed in the incident. Regarding the safety of the construction project, investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident. Mr. Samat further added that in terms of occupational safety, the Ministry of Labour has also been working in close coordination with relevant agencies to inspect the safety of the electric railway construction project. As this will become a significant public transport route, it represents a high-risk area that must be closely monitored and controlled to prevent hazards that […]
