The Labour Minister commenced the project “Happy Songkran, Happy workers” 2019, sending Thai and foreign workers home safely to join the Songkran traditions.
On April 3, 2019, Labour Minister, H.E. Police General Adul Sangsingkeo presided over the opening ceremony of the “Happy Songkran, Happy Workers” project at Sahaphat Group Industrial Estate, Sriracha, Chonburi. He said that at present, Thailand has 38.3 million workers, with over 11.5 million workers in the system, and 3.2 million migrant workers from neighbouring countries. This group of migrant workers has a similar culture and tradition to Thai people, especially the Songkran tradition. Therefore, on the Songkran Festival in 2019, the government has announced that April 12, 2019, is an extra public holiday, for a continuous holiday duration between April 12-16, 2019, totaling five days
Pol.Gen. Adul said that the Ministry of Labour was concerned for workers traveling back home during Songkran and therefore launched the “Happy Songkran, Happy Workers” project by requesting cooperation from relevant government agencies, state enterprises and employers to facilitate and educate both Thai and foreign workers to prepare to travel back home during the Songkran Festival. The Labour Minister requested cooperation for companies to allow employees to have holidays from April 12-16, 2019.
Furthermore, the Cabinet has approved the waiver for workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar who work legally in Thailand, to return to their homeland to attend the Songkran festival and return to Thailand from Apr 5 – 30, 2019, with visa fee exemptions. However, if traveling back after April 30, 2019, workers will have to pay a 2,000 Baht fee but must return to Thailand by May 31, 2019.
The ministry is also campaigning for social security insurers to exercise their annual health check and medical services. If there is a case of emergency illness or an accident during the festivities, insurers can immediately receive treatment in the nearest hospital by using only one ID card. There are health check services for workers before traveling, car and motorcycle condition inspections by technicians, and vehicle maintenance and preparation of drivers for both public buses and personal vehicles to ensure safety following the Safety Thailand policy. The Office of Labour Affairs in foreign countries were also assigned to organize activities to preserve the Songkran tradition for Thai workers as well.
The activities were arranged to allow workers to prepare before leaving in 3 areas: people ready, cars ready and minds ready. The activities promote using caution and avoiding negligence in driving safely during the holidays. In the event of an emergency, workers can contact the Ministry of Labour’s 1506 hotline, 24 hours a day.
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Division of Public Relations/
Information by Department of Labour Protection and Welfare/
Photos by Sompob Silbut/
3 April 2019/
