Office of Labour Affairs in Brunei welcomed a group of high-ranking civil servants from Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Consular Affairs – led by Ms. Madurapochana Ittarong, Deputy Director General of Department of Consular Affairs, Mr. Suwat Kaewsook, Director of the Department of Consular Affairs’s Protection of Thai Nationals Aboard Division, Mr. Chawalit, Director of Office of the Election Commission’s Department of Election, Officials from Department of Consular Affairs, Mr. Keeratikorn Seubsing, Kusang-Kusom Magazine’s Editorial Board and General Manager. The Thai delegates paid an offical visit to Brunei during 23-27 April 2011.
1) On Sunday 24 April 2011, they held a friendly golf tournament and an unofficial meeting with Dato Peduka Awang Sa Bali bin Abas, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs of Brunei. During their meeting, the Deputy Director General of Department of Consular Affairs told her counterpart that during their work visit, they aimed to spread message to Thai fellows and workers living in Brunei to cast vote in the upcoming general election. This is because, she said, voter turnout is high and she hopes to maintain the momentum. They also aimed to visit Thai people and workers and expressed their appreciation to Bernie’s Immigration Office for looking after of Thai people very well. The Home Affairs Permanent Secretary said he was amazed that Thailand could hold a general election so effectively having been able to draw 40 million people to cast a ballot.
2) The group of Thai delegates met with Thai people including entrepreneurs and 60 Thai workers who came to gather at Wisma Setia building on their holiday. They gave Thai people information they need to know about voting outside the kingdom. The group of Thai delegates met with Awang Hadji Md,Zunus bin Bolhassan, acting Director-General of Brunei’s Immigration Office to exchange views on immigration problems. The Thai delegates also went to visit Mr. Chadchai Amornthap’s hydroponics vegetable and flower farm, Mr. Songkiat Pimphoon’s Manjung Workshop, Mr. Thonglai Khupamontri’s Pancar Gadong Service. Furthermore, they went to visit some 30 workers working in Muara District under government funded construction project of 1,500 residents and met with the project executives. They told the workers to keep away from alcohols and all the vices and gave them information they need to know about voting outside the kingdom. The Thai delegates also brief 20 Thai People Association Officials, including the president and the committees, at the Royal Thai Embassy in Brunei.
Mr. Anachak Sutayon, Minister Counsellor (Labour), added Ministry of Labour’s executives place importance on Thai workers’ rights to vote. Offices of Labour Affairs aboard are instructed to work with other government agencies to help giving them information they need to know about voting outside the Kingdom. Majority of Thai workers in Brunei are entitled to vote and the Offices of Labour Affairs in Brunei will work hard to ensure they will not miss out on a chance to take part in the upcoming new election. The Office of Labour Affairs in Brunei also hosted a diner to honor the Deputy Director-General, her cops, and executive director of Thai People Association on 26 April 2011.
Thai workers know and use their rights to vote
