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 […]
On 31 January 2026 (2569), local time in Dubai, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wannapong Khotraks, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, together with Ms. Sadudee Kittisuwan, Director of the International Cooperation Bureau; Ms. Alisa Supap, Minister Counsellor (Labour) at the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and delegation, held bilateral discussions with Mr. Hamad Faraj Hamad Dalmouk, Assistant Undersecretary for Migrant Labour Affairs, Ministry of Labour of the State of Qatar, at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. During the meeting, both sides discussed labour cooperation of mutual interest under the framework of a “Joint Committee,” which serves as an important mechanism for cooperation between the two countries. The Qatari side outlined its key strategy under Qatar National Vision 2030, which emphasizes national development and entails significant demand for foreign workers across various sectors, particularly in care services, information technology, and communications, all of which require skilled labour. In this regard, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour requested cooperation in considering appropriate wage levels for such skilled workers. The Qatari […]
January 29, 2026, at 8.00 hours – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, presided over the 100-day merit-making ceremony and an alms-giving to 10 monks and novices, dedicated as a royal merit to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, on the occasion marking 100 days since Her Majesty’s passing. The ceremony was attended by Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, senior executives of the Ministry of Labour, as well as civil servants and officials of the Ministry of Labour. The event was held at the Child Development Promotion Centre for the Ministry of Labour Personnel.
January 28, 2026, at 10.00 hours – Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, assigned, including Mr. Pichet Thongphan, Inspector-General of the Ministry of Labour, together with Mr. Sakkadinat Sontisakyothin, Assistant Permanent Secretary of Labour, senior executives of agencies under the Ministry of Labour, and Ministry of Labour volunteers, to jointly present 3,000 royal food packages to members of the public who travelled to pay their respects to the late Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother. This activity was carried out as an expression of loyalty and in continuation of the spirit of goodness, dedicated as a royal merit in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, at the Royal Kitchen, Sanam Luang.
January 27, 2026 – Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, assigned Mr. Santi Nantasuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, to preside over the opening ceremony of the “Thais Must Have Jobs @ Korat” event for 2026. Mr. Somchai Maruksriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, assigned Mr. Mongkol Songkhram, the Department of Employment’s Deputy Director-General, to deliver the event report. Mr. Banlang Witsiri, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, delivered welcoming remarks. The event was honoured by executives of the Ministry of Labour, heads of provincial offices under the Ministry of Labour in Nakhon Ratchasima, the Director of Terminal 21 Korat Shopping Centre, executives of educational institutions, teachers, lecturers, and employers. The event was held at Terminal Hall, 4th Floor, Terminal 21 Korat Shopping Centre, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Mr. Santi stated that the Ministry of Labour places great importance on promoting employment and continuously creating job opportunities. In fiscal year 2026, the Ministry of Labour has set five key policy areas to ensure Thai workers have jobs, income, and life security. These focus on driving employment policies alongside workforce […]
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 […]
January 13, 2026, 14.30 hours – Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, welcomed Ms. Dena Brownlow, Political Counsellor of the Embassy of the United States of America in Thailand, and her delegation, on the occasion of a courtesy visit and official discussions on the labour situation in Thailand. Also attending were Mr. Sakdinart Sontisakyothin, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Wichit Intaracharoen, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Employment, along with executives of the Ministry of Labour and relevant agencies. The meeting was held in the Permanent Secretary’s Reception Room, on the 7th Floor of the Ministry of Labour Building. Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, stated that, on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, he was delighted to welcome Ms. Dena Brownlow, Political Counsellor of the U.S. Embassy in Thailand, and her delegation on this visit. Thailand and the United States have long enjoyed close and friendly relations. The Ministry of Labour, as the principal agency responsible for workforce development, employment promotion, social security provision, labour protection, and the prevention and resolution of issues relating to victims of labour trafficking and […]
January 10, 2026, 09.00 hours – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, presided over the National Children’s Day event of the Ministry of Labour for 2026, and delivered remarks to children and youth. Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of Labour, presented the event report. Executives, civil servants, officials of the Ministry of Labour, parents and guardians, schoolchildren, residents of the Din Daeng Flat community, children of workers, and representatives from establishments attended the event in large numbers at the ground-floor hall of the Ministry of Labour building on Mit Maitri Road, Din Daeng District, Bangkok. Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, said that she was delighted to join the Ministry of Labour’s National Children’s Day event for 2026 and welcomed the children, youth, parents, and employers who attended the activities. This year, the government announced the National Children’s Day slogan for 2026 as “Love Thailand, Care for the World”, aimed at nurturing children and youth to grow into high-quality citizens who take pride in being Thai, while also recognising their role as responsible global citizens with awareness of social and environmental responsibilities. The Labour Minister added that 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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 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, […]
