Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

 

Labour groups in Thailand have raised concerns that over 10,000 jobs could be at risk after a foreign company won a major contract to build oil production platforms. The Confederation of Thai Labour Development (CTLD) has announced plans to petition the Ministry of Labour, citing potential widespread job losses for skilled Thai workers.

 

The project, known as Bundle 4, is organised by PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) and involves multiple platforms with a total value in the tens of billions of baht. The construction requires highly skilled labour over an extended period. CTLD claims the tender process contained conditions favouring foreign bidders, with a Chinese firm securing the contract. This, they say, means much of the work will be carried out in China with Chinese labour, displacing Thai workers and contractors.

 

Mr Manat Kosol, President of CTLD, warned that this could have broad impacts across Thailand’s petroleum platform and gas pipeline construction industry. He said: “If Thai firms had won, it would have eased potential job losses. Now, a large number of Thai subcontractors, suppliers and skilled workers face unemployment.” He stressed the risk of losing a generation of highly skilled Thai labour, potentially harming the country’s long-term competitiveness.

 

CTLD plans to take action on 25 September 2025, at 10:00, when over 50 members will visit the Ministry of Labour. They will submit a petition to Ms Treenuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, via Mr Samasp Patamasukon, Acting Permanent Secretary. The group will seek measures to protect Thai workers and prevent foreign firms from moving work abroad. They will also request coordination with the Ministry of Energy regarding the tender process.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Over 10,000 skilled Thai workers could lose jobs after a foreign company wins a major oil platform contract.

• Labour leaders allege tender conditions favoured foreign bidders and call for government action.

• A petition will be submitted to the Ministry of Labour tomorrow to protect local employment.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-09-25

 

 

 

 

 

100% transparent I'm sure with absolutely no corruption involved. China building anything anywhere involves corruption and shody workmanship.

3 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

100% transparent I'm sure with absolutely no corruption involved. China building anything anywhere involves corruption and shody workmanship.

Thailand wants more tofu-dreg construction.

34 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Chinese Win in Oil Platform

 

involves multiple platforms

I hope these Chinese built structures don't fall down in heavy weather, lots of cyclones circling at times. 

 

The recent earthquake and Bangkok building collapse should makes us wary. 

 

25 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

100% transparent I'm sure with absolutely no corruption involved. China building anything anywhere involves corruption and shody workmanship.

 

Quite correct, I hope Thailand has a multitude of qualified structural engineers to over see what the Chinese are up to as many times China have been proven to produce shoddy workmanship if left to their own work standards.

 requires highly skilled labour

 

This is the clue Thailand failed

3 hours ago, dinsdale said:

China building anything anywhere involves corruption and shody workmanship.

 

Correct.

Selling more of Thailand to China.

25 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Selling more of Thailand to China.

 

Nothing to sell, what they vcan't get for free.

6 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

 

Quite correct, I hope Thailand has a multitude of qualified structural engineers to over see what the Chinese are up to as many times China have been proven to produce shoddy workmanship if left to their own work standards.

only when building things not in China. Structures in China are made quite well. I do not think it is about shoddy Chinese workers. It is about Thailands ability to make everything into a scam by using bribery so there is less quality and more profit. I am sure Thailand has some excellent structural engineers. The more qualified tey are, the more you have to pay to get them to pass inspections. 

1 hour ago, thesetat said:

only when building things not in China. Structures in China are made quite well.

I am shocked to see the many videos uploaded by chinese people showing crumbling new build apartments and buildings they have gone into debt purchasing that are now basically worthless.

On 9/25/2025 at 5:16 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

I hope these Chinese built structures don't fall down in heavy weather, lots of cyclones circling at times. 

 

The recent earthquake and Bangkok building collapse should makes us wary. 

 

and the hole in the ground at Samsen Road

On 9/24/2025 at 11:02 PM, dinsdale said:

China building anything anywhere involves corruption and shody workmanship.

 

Amen to that.