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 […]
Friday, March 6, 2026, at 10.00 hours – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, presided over the opening ceremony and presented awards for the Outstanding Working Women on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026 at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel, Bangkok. Also in attendance were Ms. Bubpha Rueangsud, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Captain Saroj Khomkhai, Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, Mr. Krirkrai Nasamoyon, Legal Advisor, Mr. Nattawut Phatprayoon, Labour Academic Advisor, executives of the Ministry of Labour, and representatives from government agencies, the private sector, labour organisations, employers, employees, and relevant networks, with over 400 participants attending the event. Ms. Trinuch stated that the role of Thai women today is widely recognised, with women playing important roles across all sectors, including as leaders, executives, and practitioners in the public, state, and private sectors. According to a UN Women report, Thailand has a high proportion of female executives, with women holding 24% of CEO/Managing Director positions, while Thai women rank first in the world for representation as Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) at approximately 43%. Overall, women account for 32% of senior leadership positions, reflecting their […]
Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, has expressed concern for Thai workers in Israel amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with indications that the conflict may intensify and expand, potentially affecting their safety and welfare. Ms. Trinuch stated that she has instructed the Labour Offices at the Royal Thai Embassies in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Tel Aviv, Israel, to monitor the situation and prepare to assist Thai workers closely should it escalate and affect them. “At present, the labour offices have coordinated with Thai workers to increase caution in their travel and remain in constant contact with Thai worker groups. If the situation escalates to the point where evacuation becomes necessary, it can be carried out immediately,” Ms. Trinuch said, adding that Thai workers have also been advised to closely follow updates from the Royal Thai Embassy in Tehran, the Labour Office in Abu Dhabi, and relevant Iranian authorities. Thai workers in Iran who require assistance may contact the Labour Office at the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi via telephone at (+971) 2557 6833, or the Royal Thai Embassy in Tehran at (+98) 912 500 7933 […]
Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, revealed that the kidney disease situation in Thailand in 2025 has become increasingly serious, with over 1.12 million people diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). There have been 800,000 new cases recorded. At present, approximately 17.6 per cent of the Thai population suffers from chronic kidney disease, most of whom are patients with diabetes and hypertension. For insured persons under the Social Security system, the Minister has issued a policy directing the Social Security Office to ensure that insured persons suffering from kidney disease receive treatment in accordance with international standards and that their treatment rights are no less than other healthcare entitlements. The benefits must also cover four main forms of kidney replacement therapy, namely: Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD), Haemodialysis (HD), kidney transplantation, and palliative care. The Labour Minister stated that kidney disease treatment benefits under Sections 33 and 39 cover insured persons, allowing them to access treatment at all stages free of charge. For haemodialysis treatment, benefits are provided at up to 1,500 Baht per session, not exceeding 4,500 Baht per week or […]
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 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 that she has instructed the Social Security Office to accelerate the payment of unemployment compensation to insured persons, with all provincial offices mobilising staff and extending working hours from 06.00–20.30 to fast-track the consideration and approval of payment orders. According to operational figures from January 5, 2026, to February 12, 2026, the Social Security Office has paid unemployment benefits to 337,594 claimants, totaling over 940.17 million Baht transferred to insured persons’ bank accounts. In addition, the Social Security Office has been instructed to urgently resolve issues across all IT systems in order to facilitate services and alleviate hardship for insured persons as quickly as possible. Most recently, the Secretary-General of the Social Security Office reported that unemployment benefit disbursements can now be expedited for more than 35,000 claimants per day. “To safeguard their rights, insured persons may continue to register through the Department of Employment’s website (e-Service) as usual. They can also check the status of unemployment benefit approval via the Department of Employment’s unemployment registration system, the SSO Plus application, as well as through […]
February 3, 2026, local time in Dubai – Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, together with Ms. Nipa Nirandernut, Consul-General in Dubai, Ms. Sadudee Kittisuwann, Director of the Bureau of International Cooperation Coordination, Ms. Alisa Supap, Minister-Counsellor (Labour) at the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and the accompanying delegation, attended the World Government Summit 2026 at Madinat Jumeirah Hotel, United Arab Emirates. The World Government Summit 2026 brought together global leaders, innovators, and changemakers who share a common commitment to building governments that respond to humanity’s highest aspirations. The summit opened with visionary perspectives on the future of governance, as global challenges become increasingly complex and interconnected. During the official opening ceremony, Mr. Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the United Arab Emirates and Chairman of the World Governments Summit, stated that as humanity transcends its limits, governments must abandon their attachment to the past. This era represents a critical historical turning point. If the entire age of the universe were compressed into one year, humanity would have emerged only in the […]
February 1, 2026, local time in Dubai – Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, together with Ms. Nipa Nirandernut, Consul-General in Dubai, Ms. Sadudee Kittisuwann, Director of the Bureau of International Cooperation Coordination, Ms. Alisa Supap, Minister-Counsellor (Labour) at the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and the accompanying delegation, held a bilateral meeting with Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation of the United Arab Emirates and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates. During the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of Labour discussed approaches to jointly consider renewing the bilateral labour Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries, which has expired. The Thai delegation proposed reserving consideration of the protocol on domestic workers for separate discussion, to allow the MOU to proceed without delay. The UAE delegation raised no objections and additionally proposed implementing other forms of cooperation in parallel. Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, further stated that the UAE’s demand for foreign labour is 50,000 workers […]
Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, addressed reports that 12 million Baht from the Social Security Office’s administrative budget was used to renovate the cafeteria at Social Security Office Area 3, located within the Ministry of Labour compound. She stated that the matter dates back to 2018 and had already gone through the approval process for both the budget and construction. Nevertheless, she has requested the Social Security Office to compile and submit a complete summary of the facts directly to the Minister within 24 hours. The Labour Minister said that what concerns her even more is the potential impact on the confidence of over 24.5 million insured persons who are questioning the Social Security Office. Every Baht and Satang in the Social Security Fund comes from monthly wage deductions from workers, set aside to provide life security for insured persons, covering them from birth, illness, death, disability, unemployment, child welfare, through to old-age pensions that serve as security in later life. These funds belong to the insured persons, not to the Social Security Office. Any use of the funds must therefore be correct, transparent, and fully auditable. […]
January 21, 2026 – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, together with Mr. Somchat Supharee, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Skills Development, took part in a vocational training activity under the delivery restaurant course, featuring Koy See Mee and Khao Tang Na Tang. This course forms part of the GIG WORKER project of the Department of Skill Development, Ministry of Labour, held at the Modern Woman Cooking School. The Labour Minister stated that she places great importance on creating equal opportunities, particularly in enabling vulnerable groups, informal workers, older persons, and those affected by various circumstances to access vocational training. Culinary training is one of the key approaches to developing workforce skills that align with current and future labour market demands, especially in the service and tourism industries. These skills can be developed into either a primary occupation or supplementary work, generating income for individuals and their families. On this occasion, she and the Department of Skill Development’s executives participated in vocational training activities under the Project to Enhance Skills of Freelance Workers and Specific Target Groups to Increase Employment Opportunities (Gig Worker). The project aims to develop occupational […]
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 […]
Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, disclosed that she has instructed the Labour Section at the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to closely monitor and take care of Thai workers in Iran. Initial assessments indicate that 38 Thai workers remain safe amid the ongoing protests against the government, and coordination is underway should evacuation become necessary. Ms. Trinuch further stated that the Labour Section has issued advisories to Thai workers to exercise increased caution when travelling, to avoid areas where protests are taking place, and to refrain from participating in any anti-government demonstrations for safety reasons. Thai workers have also been advised to closely follow updates from the Royal Thai Embassy in Tehran, the Labour Section in Abu Dhabi, as well as announcements from Iranian authorities. At present, there have been no reports of Thai workers being involved in or affected by the unrest. Should Thai workers in Iran require assistance, they may contact the Labour Section at the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi via WhatsApp, either through Thai labour group leaders or company interpreters, or by calling (+971) 2557 6833, or contact the Royal […]
