Trinuch reveals the Prime Minister prioritizes repatriating all Thais because these are high-risk areas and confirms the Ministry of Labor is ready to care for Thai workers involved.
At 11:50 a.m. on 10 Mar 2026 at the Government House, Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labor, spoke about the 15,000 baht fund to assist workers returning from the Middle East. She stated there will be funds for two groups of workers: those legally employed and those not. For legal workers, there is an established fund to support foreign workers.
When asked about the payment procedures for these worker groups, Ms. Trinuch explained that labor attachés stationed in three Middle Eastern countries coordinate continuously with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labor. They maintain lists of workers wishing to return and oversee their care after repatriation. In Thailand, the Ministry has directed the '5 labor commanders' to coordinate with workers' families to assist and facilitate those wanting to return.
Asked about additional preparations for workers wanting to return, Ms. Trinuch said the Ministry of Labor is coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Prime Minister places great importance on repatriating all Thai nationals. Currently, there are 41 people from Iran. The government has a clear policy to bring everyone back because Iran is considered a high-risk country.
Regarding the overall situation, the Ministry of Labor has identified about 1,000 workers from various countries wishing to return. Among them, fewer than 100 are from Israel. These figures pertain to workers only and do not include other Thai nationals residing in those countries.
When asked if reduced labor markets in the Middle East would prompt seeking new labor markets, Ms. Trinuch said the situation is continuously assessed. For now, the Ministry supports those who wish to continue working in Thailand by providing upskilling or reskilling opportunities to develop work skills. The Ministry is ready to arrange employment, as these workers are already listed, ensuring continuity of work. All preparations have been made.