Following the implementation and advancement of policies to enhance benefits under Social Security Section 40, including amendments to the Royal Decree prescribing criteria and contribution rates, types of benefits, as well as criteria and conditions for entitlement to benefits for insured persons (No. 5) B.E. 2568 (2025), to align with present social conditions and the needs of self-employed workers amid changing circumstances since October 2025, Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, announced the successful outcome of these efforts. As a result, over 505,000 insured persons under Section 40 are now receiving immediate benefits. At present, Social Security under Section 40 for self-employed workers offers three main options: Option 1 (contribution of 70 Baht/month), covers for illness, disability, and death; Option 2 (contribution of 100 Baht/month), adds old-age benefits (lump-sum gratuity); Option 3 (contribution of 300 Baht/month), adds old-age benefits (pension) and child allowance. Ms. Trinuch stated that, in order to strengthen security and improve the quality of life of insured persons under Section 40 by enhancing benefits without increasing contributions, the Ministry of Labour, through the Social Security Office, has expanded benefits across several areas. These include income compensation for […]
Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, spoke about concerns over the declining birth rate, which is a challenge faced by many countries worldwide. If no action is taken, Thailand will be among the 23 countries most severely affected by this issue by 2100. A significant decline in population will have a major impact on national economic systems in the future. The Ministry of Labour has pushed forward the Labour Protection Act (No. 9) B.E. 2568 (2025), which came into force on December 7. This represents a significant upgrade and reform of Thailand’s labour law. The amendment increases maternity leave from 98 days to 120 days, and requires employers to pay wages during maternity leave at the normal working-day rate for up to 60 days. In addition, the law allows childcare leave for a sick child, granting an additional 15 days of leave in cases where a child is ill, disabled, or has special needs, with wage compensation at 50%. Spouses are also permitted to take paternity leave to support their wives during childbirth, for the first time under Thai law, granting 15 days of paid leave at full pay. The […]
On January 9, 2026, at the 10th floor of the Social Security Office Area 3 Building, Ministry of Labour, Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, met and spoke with the first group of Thai workers prior to their departure to work in Singapore and Taiwan. The Thai Overseas Employment Association and the Employers’ Association for the Promotion of Thai Workers supported 120 free-flight job positions for employment in Singapore and Taiwan under the “Fly Free, Get a Job” programme. Ms. Trinuch said that this programme is a special initiative presented by the Ministry of Labour as a New Year gift to Thai people wishing to work overseas, at no cost. The Ministry coordinated with both associations to provide air tickets and waive personal expenses, including Overseas Employment Assistance Fund membership fees, at no cost. Eligible applicants must be Thai nationals aged 20–43, able to communicate in English, and hold a vocational diploma (Higher Vocational Certificate) or a bachelor’s degree. The Minister of Labour provided further details: For Singapore, the positions are in the production line, open to all genders, with a salary of 36,000 Baht per month, and employers will […]
The Ministry of Labour, through the Department of Employment, has announced its readiness to organise “JOB EXPO THAILAND 2026”, the largest job fair of the year, under the key message “every job position fits every lifestyle: Thais must have jobs”, to be held from January 16-18, 2026, from 10.00 – 19.00, at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Halls 5–6. The event will feature over 500,000 domestic and overseas job vacancies, along with activities to enhance knowledge and understanding, upskill, provide vocational training, and offer comprehensive job application support. It will also bring together fashion, food, art, entertainment, and engaging workshops in one place. Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, revealed that Thailand currently has over 40 million workers in the labour system. Yet, there remains a significant number of unemployed people and workers whose jobs do not match their skills or capabilities. This is particularly evident as the labour market transitions amid global economic conditions, technological change, and new industrial structures. Many employers still require workers with specific skills, while some workers lack access to suitable job opportunities. This gap represents a key challenge in Thailand’s current labour market. The […]
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, travelled to Sa Kaeo Province to encourage residents in four districts affected by the Thai–Cambodian border clashes at the province’s evacuation centres. The Labour Minister said that she has been closely monitoring the situation since the outbreak of the clashes and has been deeply concerned for people in all provinces bordering Cambodia. In this regard, she visited Sa Kaeo Province to offer support and encouragement, expressing confidence that the situation will improve in the near future. Ms. Trinuch added that, to demonstrate solidarity among civil servants and employees under the Ministry of Labour, she has instructed the Permanent Secretary of Labour to organise blood donation drives to build an emergency blood reserve amid the ongoing conflict. Reports indicate that many hospitals located along the Thai–Cambodian border, in almost every province, are facing critical blood shortages, and that in the event of further escalation, there may be insufficient blood supplies to care for both military personnel and civilians. Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, stated that he has assigned Ms. Bubpha Rueangsud, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, to organise a blood donation […]
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 30, 2025, 17.00 hours – Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, joined a meeting with business operators, the Provincial Chamber of Commerce, and the business sector of Songkhla Province to monitor the impact of flooding in the area. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and attended by Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Professor Emeritus Borwornsak Uwanno, Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Aekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Parador Prisananantakul, Minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, Mrs. Suphajee Suthumpun, Minister of Commerce, Mr. Sakda Wichiansilp, Deputy Minister of the Interior, along with government agencies and private-sector representatives in the area. The meeting was held at Burisri Phu Hotel, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. The purpose of the meeting was to hear directly from the private sector regarding the impacts of the disaster, in order to determine recovery measures through integrated cooperation among all sectors, including military, police, civil service, and administrative authorities, so that affected citizens receive assistance as quickly as possible and Hat Yai can be restored to […]
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 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 […]
Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, revealed that there have been increasing reports of Thai nationals being deceived into travelling abroad for work, particularly to neighbouring countries, under the pretext of “online jobs with high income and no required skills.” However, upon arrival, many are forced to work for scam syndicates or online fraud networks, with some having their passports confiscated, being detained, or even physically assaulted. In response, the Ministry of Labour has taken the matter seriously. It is coordinating with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and national security authorities, to assist and protect Thai workers who have fallen victim to such schemes. The Ministry of Labour is also intensifying its public awareness campaigns nationwide to ensure people are informed and to prevent further victims. The Minister of Labour added that individuals who wish to work overseas should carefully verify job details, employers, and recruitment agencies, ensuring that they are officially licensed by the Department of Employment. She cautioned against believing job advertisements on social media or trusting individuals falsely claiming to be recruiters. For verification and information, workers can contact the Ministry of Labour Hotline […]
October 15, 2025 at 13.00 hours – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, together with M.L. Kraksiwat Kasemsri, Chief Advisor to the Minister (Foreign Affairs), Ms. Bunnada Supiyaphan, Political Spokesperson of the Ministry of Labour, and Mr. Pichet Thongphan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, visited the foreign workers’ work permit production centre and presented work permits to foreign business professionals working in Thailand. The event took place at the IT Square building, Laksi District, Bangkok. Ms. Trinuch, Minister of Labour, stated that she attaches great importance to addressing labour shortages in the business sector to ensure the continuity of business operations. The management of migrant workers remains one of her key policy priorities, particularly through the development of modern, convenient, rapid, transparent, and verifiable administrative processes. Today’s visit marked the presentation of work permits to foreign professionals who applied via the e-WorkPermit system, under the “Outsourcing Service Project for the Production of Work Permits and the Provision of Application and Notification Services for Migrant Workers”. The system officially launched nationwide on October 13, 2025, through the website eworkpermit.doe.go.th. Since the launch, a total of 18,563 users have registered in […]
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 24, 2025, at 18.00 hours – His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen graciously granted a Royal Audience at Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, Dusit Palace, to Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, together with members of the Cabinet newly appointed by Royal Command, for the purpose of taking the Oath of Allegiance prior to assuming their official duties. It was announced in the Royal Gazette that Ms. Trinuch Thienthong has been appointed Minister of Labour. Earlier, at 15.00 hours, Ms. Trinuch Thienthong joined fellow Cabinet members for an official group photograph on the lawn in front of the Thai Khu Fah Building.
