On May 8, 2024, at 16.00 hours, the Labour Minister, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, welcomed the Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Dr. Majed Bin Abdullah Alkassabi, and delegation, on the occasion of a courtesy call to the Labour Minister. The meeting discussed expanding labour opportunities in the tourism, and health sectors and strengthening economic relations between Thailand and Saudi Arabia. The Assistant to the Labour Minister, Mr. Siraphop Duangsodsri, the Labour Minister’s Advisor, Mr. Thanat Thaweekueakulkit, the Secretariat to the Labour Minister, Mr. Aree Krainara, from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat’s Office, performing duties for the Ministry of Labour, Mr. Phuchong Worasri, the Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Sakdinart Sonthisakyotin, and the Ministry of Labour’s executives joined in giving a welcome at the Chatumongkol Room, 6th floor, Ministry of Labour.
Mr. Phiphat said that today, he and the Ministry of Labour’s executives were pleased to have the opportunity to welcome the Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Dr. Majed Bin Abdullah Alkassabi and the delegation who paid a courtesy call to him on their official visit to Thailand. Over 100 people traveled to Thailand. Since Thailand and Saudi Arabia restored relations on January 25, 2022, he is pleased to see many opportunities for both Thai and Saudi Arabian investors, including opportunities for Thai workers to travel to work in Saudi Arabia. He thanked the Minister for giving Thai workers the opportunity to work in Saudi Arabia and hoped that Thailand would be able to send more skilled Thai workers there.
Mr. Phiphat added that, at present, most Thai workers living in Saudi Arabia work as chefs. They are ready to send Thai workers to work in other fields. The Ministry of Labour will expedite plans to upgrade worker skill standards to be in line with the career fields that Saudi Arabian employers are in demand for, especially tourism and health, which require skilled workers. It is a new form of employment that has arisen as a new opportunity for Thai workers, and the government wishes to encourage skilled Thai workers to travel to Saudi Arabia to work.
H.E. Dr. Majed Bin Abdullah Alkassabi said that today, he thanked the Thai Labour Minister for the opportunity to meet and discuss ways to strengthen the economic relationship between Thailand and Saudi Arabia, which is linked to job opportunities for Thai workers in new fields. Thai workers are ready and have good skills. They are internationally recognized for their skill sets. He reiterated that Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to this topic and is ready to cooperate with Thailand. They will send personnel for training, especially in the tourism sector.
