Thai Workers Abroad: Economic Impact and Challenges

Bangkok: Amidst ongoing reports of labor scams, one significant aspect of Thai workers abroad is the substantial remittances they generate, totaling nearly 300 billion baht in 2025. According to Thai News Agency, Banjong Chutphimai, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Thai Employers' Association for the Promotion of Labor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the KTC Skills Testing Center in Lam Luk Ka, noted that this figure could potentially reach 500 billion baht when informal spending is considered. This financial flow bypasses government projects and directly benefits rural families, bolstering the grassroots economy. The primary countries hosting Thai workers include Taiwan, South Korea, and Israel. Taiwan employs approximately 70,000 legal workers, South Korea has nearly 200,000 Thai workers, and Israel offers high-income opportunities in agriculture and construction with minimum wages reaching up to 75,000 baht per month. However, these opportunities come with risks, as scams remain prevalen t. Some workers have lost substantial amounts of money, such as 350,000 baht, without even beginning their travel. Despite the existence of five legal channels for working abroad, some workers fall prey to fraudulent schemes. These channels include the Department of Employment, licensed recruitment agencies, intra-company transfers, government-to-government projects, and independent travel with a legitimate employment contract. Recruitment through social media is not legitimate. Illegal migrant workers, or "ghost workers," present another challenge. This is driven by employers seeking low-cost labor, the high cost of legal systems, and workers' urgency to travel. This situation perpetuates a negative image of Thai workers globally. Australia is emerging as a new opportunity, especially in aged care careers, with a demand for specialized skills and a minimum IELTS score of 5.0. This highlights the importance of skills and language proficiency for modern workers. Discipline is crucial for workers abroad, as highlighted by a case where a QC engineer earning 180,000 baht per month was sent home for excessive drinking. Workers must maintain discipline, avoid drugs, gambling, and manage household budgets to improve their lives and those of their families. An innovative proposal is to use employment contracts as collateral for low-interest loans, potentially helping workers avoid informal debt and creating a sustainable system. This concept could significantly improve the financial stability of Thai workers abroad. The contribution of Thai workers abroad is not just about individual livelihoods but also a substantial economic power at the national level. The real challenge is ensuring that these workers can work legally, safely, and with dignity, leading to stability for families and the country.