On December 4, 2024, Mr. Aree Krainara, Secretary to the Minister of Labour, announced that Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn had instructed ministry executives to mobilize efforts across eight southern provinces affected by severe flooding. Mr. Aree was assigned to Nakhon Si Thammarat, where he and his team delivered 570 survival kits at two locations: Moo 1, Koh Thuat Subdistrict (325 kits) and Moo 3, Koh Thuat Subdistrict (245 kits). Additionally, another 100 kits will be distributed tomorrow to informal workers and self-employed individuals impacted by the floods, bringing the total assistance to over 700 kits.
Mr. Aree emphasized that the Labour Minister had directed him to focus on aiding informal workers, freelancers, and residents severely affected by the disaster in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, also appointed Ms. Boonyavee Khaiwan, Labour Ministry Inspector-General, and other officials to join the efforts. The team received warm support from local labour offices, community leaders, and residents. Executives from the Labour Ministry are stationed in affected areas, including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Satun, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, from December 4–7, providing immediate aid and post-flood recovery. Key assistance measures include: Reducing and deferring contributions for insured employees in flood-damaged businesses. Allowing insured workers unable to work due to flooding to claim unemployment benefits for force majeure cases. Enabling online unemployment registration through the Department of Employment’s website. Encouraging employers to permit workers impacted by floods to take leave without penalization. Post-flood recovery efforts are underway in some areas, with technical teams from the Department of Skill Development deployed to repair electrical appliances, housing, motorcycles, and small agricultural machinery. The ministry is also seeking budgetary support to implement employment recovery projects for affected residents, ensuring a swift return to normal livelihoods.
“The Ministry of Labour is deeply concerned for our southern communities suffering from this disaster,” said Mr. Aree. “As floodwaters recede, we will deploy the ‘Chiang Rai Model’ to assist residents in resuming their occupations and returning to normalcy. For assistance, contact the Labour Ministry hotline at 1506.”
