Close to 30,000 Thai workers sent to work abroad in first half of fiscal 2023

[webfact]

 

by Namo Vananupong

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Almost 30,000 Thai workers have been sent to fill overseas positions in various countries during the first 6 months of fiscal 2023.

 

Their earnings have resulted in more than 100 billion baht of remittances to Thailand. For the month of May, the government aims to sent another 1,400 workers abroad.

 

Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed his appreciation for the work of all agencies that were relevant to the exportation of Thai workers during the first 6 months of fiscal year 2023 (October 2022-March 2023).

 

He indicated the Department of Employment authorized overseas work for 29,395 Thai workers during the period and facilitated the transfer of 120 billion baht of their income back to Thailand through the Bank of Thailand system.

 

The prime minister noted the labor sector was an important mechanism in driving the economy. Aside from sending remittances back to Thailand, the overseas workers bring back knowledge and technology they became familiarized with abroad and this contributes to national development. Gen. Prayut asserted the government is ready to support lawful overseas employment of quality Thai workers.

 

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the government is committed to supporting the potential of Thai workers. He said another 1,400 workers will be sent overseas this month. For 2023, Thailand has a target to send 11,300 workers to 3 primary destinations that include the Republic of Korea, Israel and Japan. In the first 3 months of 2023, Thailand has already sent over 3,637 workers to the three countries.

 

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230505080035008

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2023-05-05

 

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[jacko45k]

Must be a global demand for sitting around and hiding while playing with a phone!

[ThailandRyan]

Were they Government employee's sent overseas to work? If they were Thais that went over seas to work many more than likely did so not at the behest of the government but went to do jobs where the money paid was more and they could send it home. Were these workers not hired by employers outside of the country who then obtained there visas for them.  I find it hard to believe that the government could just send somebody carte blanche without a valid visa or permit given by the country they went to.  Why would the department of labor be involved with allowing workers to leave the country.  Does Thailand have contracts with foreign governments and corporations to obtain employees from Thailand? If thats the case then I can see where the Department of labor would be involved.  One wonders what the required level of education the folks being sent overseas must have if as the PM says:

1 hour ago, webfact said:

the overseas workers bring back knowledge and technology they became familiarized with abroad and this contributes to national development.

I don't think picking strawberries in South Korea of in the EU desires knowledge and technology.  Just my humble and honest opinion.

[Geoffggi]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

BANGKOK (NNT) - Almost 30,000 Thai workers have been sent to fill overseas positions in various countries during the first 6 months of fiscal 2023.

No wonder the hotel industry is struggling to find suitable staff ..............LOL

[mfd101]

Basically factory fodder. That at least is my Thai-Khmer family's experience. Poor wages, long hours and contracted for 3 years with no variation.

 

Indentured servitude.

[mrfill]

'Sent to work abroad'

Which doesn't sound at all like trafficking.

[GinBoy2]

9 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Must be a global demand for sitting around and hiding while playing with a phone!

Curiously when they go overseas they work hard.

 

Every summer we get an influx for hotels and supermarkets.

 

My wife and the other resident Thai ladies try to take them under their wing while they are here.

 

I see them in my local Safeway, and unlike their counterparts in Thailand they work their ass**s off

[ozz1]

That's a lot of massages

[Graemej100]

What does "sent to work" imply?

[StayinThailand2much]

Aren’t they needed here, considering all the staff shortages?

[Maybole]

I would like to learn what proportion of the Thai government's income depends on money sent back from overseas, including remittances from foreign spouses.

[BayArea]

53 minutes ago, Maybole said:

I would like to learn what proportion of the Thai government's income depends on money sent back from overseas, including remittances from foreign spouses.

Thailand Remittances - April 2023 Data - 1996-2022 Historical - May Forecast - Chart (tradingeconomics.com)

[jacko45k]

12 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

Curiously when they go overseas they work hard

I do not know whether the selection process weeds them out, the better remuneration is an incentive, or it is simply a factor of the types who pursue overseas employment. We had a few Thais in Saudi, they were lacking compared to the Filipinos in both English skills, work experience and hard working. These were males of course and that is likely a factor.... 

[mikebell]

On 5/5/2023 at 8:13 AM, webfact said:

the overseas workers bring back knowledge and technology they became familiarized with abroad and this contributes to national development.

What a shame members of the Thai Government don't practice this, instead of endlessly renewing the feudal system.