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 […]
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 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 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 […]
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 30, 2025, 09.00 hours – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, led executives and officials of the Ministry of Labour in a solemn ceremony to pay tribute and express profound remembrance of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, in recognition of Her Majesty’s boundless grace, devotion, and lifelong dedication to the wellbeing and happiness of the Thai people. The ceremony took place in the courtyard in front of the Phra Phutthasuddhithammabophit Pavilion, located at the Ministry of Labour Building. Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, stated that to express the Ministry’s highest respect and mourning, all central and provincial Ministry of Labour offices have been instructed to lower the national flag to half-mast for 30 days, from October 25 to November 23, 2025. In addition, all personnel are encouraged to wear mourning attire for one year, from October 25, 2025, to October 24, 2026, as a gesture of unity and respect. The Labour Minister, together with senior executives, officials, and staff of the Ministry of Labour, also paid homage before the portrait of Her Majesty The Queen Mother, recited a royal eulogy, and observed 93 seconds of silence […]
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 […]
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 23, 2025 – Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, presided over the opening of the seminar to formulate operational guidelines and the annual action plan for the Ministry of Labour for the fiscal year 2026. Ms. Warunee Langkapin, Director of the Strategy and Planning Division, delivered the report. The seminar was attended by senior executives, heads of government agencies under the Ministry of Labour, both at central and regional levels, as well as labour attachés abroad. A total of 700 participants attended in person at the Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor, The Emerald Hotel, Ratchadaphisek Road, Din Daeng District, Bangkok, while over 500 participants joined via electronic conferencing. Mr. Samat Pattamasukon stated that the Ministry of Labour plays a highly significant role in driving Thailand’s economy. In progressing towards becoming an “Economic Ministry,” it is necessary to formulate policies and operational guidelines that are concrete, practical, effective, transparent, and accountable, both at the central and regional levels. This seminar therefore served as a platform to link operations between central and regional agencies, enabling the action plan […]
September 23, 2025 – Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, presided over the opening of the seminar to formulate operational guidelines and the annual action plan for the Ministry of Labour for the fiscal year 2026. Ms. Warunee Langkapin, Director of the Strategy and Planning Division, delivered the report. The seminar was attended by senior executives, heads of government agencies under the Ministry of Labour, both at central and regional levels, as well as labour attachés abroad. A total of 700 participants attended in person at the Grand Ballroom, 3rd Floor, The Emerald Hotel, Ratchadaphisek Road, Din Daeng District, Bangkok, while over 500 participants joined via electronic conferencing. Mr. Samat Pattamasukon stated that the Ministry of Labour plays a highly significant role in driving Thailand’s economy. In progressing towards becoming an “Economic Ministry,” it is necessary to formulate policies and operational guidelines that are concrete, practical, effective, transparent, and accountable, both at the central and regional levels. This seminar therefore served as a platform to link operations between central and regional agencies, enabling the action plan […]
September 23, 2025, at 06.30 hours – Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, presided over the homage-paying ceremony to the sacred symbols of the Ministry of Labour, including Phra Phuttha Sutthithammabophit, Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, the Chai Mongkhon Guardian Spirit Shrine, and the Brahma Deity Shrine. The ceremony was held on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the founding of the Ministry of Labour. Attending the ceremony were Mr. Santi Nantasuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Ms. Bunyawee Khaipan, the Ministry of Labour’s Chief Inspector-General, Ms. Kanchana Poolkaew, Second Lieutenant Somsak Promdam, Ms. Jirapa Boonrat, Mr. Sibmuenchai Phothisin, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-Generals, Mr. Krirkrai Nasamoyon, Legal Advisor, Mr. Nattawut Phatprayoon, Labour Academic Advisor, Mr. Sakdinart Sontisakyothin, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour, together with senior executives, civil servants, and officials of the Ministry of Labour. The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Labour premises. Following this, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour presided over the Buddhist chanting ceremony, offering breakfast to ten monks to make merit for former executives, civil servants, and officials of the […]
July 23, 2025, 15.00 hours local time in Malaysia – Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, Permanent Secretary of Labour, assigned Mr. Sakdinart Sonthisakyotin, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour, along with Mr. Komes Piyaphan, Inspector-General of the Department of Skill Development, Ms. Tharinee Limchularat, Labour Counsellor at the Royal Thai Embassy in Malaysia, and their delegation, to hold bilateral discussions with Dr. Hebat Hisham bin Mohd. Yusoff, Undersecretary of the Immigration Affairs Division, Ministry of Home Affairs of Malaysia. The key agenda included proposals to increase the quota for hiring Thai workers, the sharing of labour statistics, and discussions to reduce fees and ease work permit conditions, especially for Thai workers from Thailand’s five southern border provinces. Mr. Sakdinart Sonthisakyotin, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour, stated that he had been entrusted by the Permanent Secretary of Labour to represent the Ministry in advancing bilateral labour cooperation. He proposed that the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs consider increasing the quota for Thai workers in critical sectors, citing mutual economic and social stability benefits, particularly for border regions. The Thai delegation also requested access to data on legally employed Thai workers […]
July 17, 2025, 10.30 hours – Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, Permanent Secretary of Labour, assigned Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, to preside over the opening ceremony of “JOB FAIR 2025 @ Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.” The event featured a report delivered by Ms. Weeraya Rattananit, Inspector-General of the Department of Employment. It was attended by executives and heads of government agencies under the Ministry of Labour in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, held at The Hall, 2nd Floor, Ayutthaya City Park Shopping Center, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. Mr. Samat stated that the Ministry of Labour, through the Department of Employment, organized JOB FAIR 2025 @ Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya as a proactive initiative to promote employment for all target groups, including students, job seekers, military personnel nearing discharge, and senior citizens, by matching them with jobs aligned with their knowledge, skills, and aptitudes. The initiative also aims to reduce unemployment and address labour shortages among businesses, employers, and establishments in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and nearby provinces. Mr. Samat further emphasized that the JOB FAIR 2025 reflects a strong commitment to advancing the 20-Year National Strategy (2018–2037) […]
June 23, 2025, 20.00 hours – Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, Permanent Secretary of Labour, together with Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, Labour, and Mr. Sakdinart Sonthisakyotin, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour, and accompanying officials, welcomed and extended encouragement to 22 Thai workers who were employed by Chemo Aharon Ltd. in Israel. These workers, engaged in the industrial sector under two-year contracts, were part of a short-term project that has now concluded, leading to their return to Thailand. The Permanent Secretary stated that these workers were originally scheduled to return to Thailand on June 16, 2025, but due to the unusual and unstable situation, their return was delayed. The company, Chemo Aharon Ltd., arranged return flights and covered all expenses for the workers, including airfare, visa fees, meals, and ground transportation to Amman Airport. This group of workers departed on June 23, 2025, at 01.00 hours via Royal Jordanian flight RJ650 and transited through Doha Airport on Qatar Airways flight QR828, arriving in Thailand today (June 23) at 19.20 hours. “Just moments ago, I received a report that […]
June 23, 2025 – Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, Permanent Secretary of Labour, addressed the current situation of Thai workers in Israel amid the ongoing unrest in the Middle East. His remarks followed his chairing of the 3rd Meeting (2025) of the Coordination and Assistance Centre for Monitoring the Unrest in the State of Israel, held at the Prasong Rananan Meeting Room, 5th Floor, Ministry of Labour. He stated that, in light of the escalating tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Iran, the Ministry of Labour is closely monitoring developments under the directive of Prime Minister Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The Ministry’s highest priority is to ensure the complete safety (100%) of all Thai workers in affected areas. The Ministry of Labour, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the armed forces, is jointly monitoring the situation. If any severe or undesirable incidents occur, Thai authorities stand fully prepared to repatriate Thai nationals immediately. At present, reports from the Labour Attaché at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, and at the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as well as other related agencies, confirm […]
June 20, 2025 – Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, Permanent Secretary of Labour, announced that the Ministry of Labour has established a Coordination and Assistance Centre to monitor the situation of unrest in the State of Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The center was created to provide close protection and support for Thai workers in at-risk areas, and Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, has been appointed as the Director of the Centre. According to reports from the Labour Attaché in Tel Aviv, there have been no reports of Thai nationals being injured or killed in the latest incidents. Nonetheless, the Ministry of Labour has proactively implemented measures to ensure Thai workers can immediately access emergency support if unforeseen events occur. One of the key measures is encouraging all Thai workers in Israel and Iran to install the “SMART TOEA” application on their mobile phones (available on both Android and iOS systems). Users are asked to grant location access so that the Ministry of Labour can track workers’ locations in real-time, which will enable rapid response and evacuation in case of emergencies. At present, seven Thai workers […]
