Southern Thailand may become special employment zone

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Bangkok (VNA/NNT) - The former secretary-general of Thailand’s Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) and special representative of the government is preparing to propose that the southernmost provinces be promoted a special employment zone in order to allow foreign workers to be part of the region’s workforce. 

Panu Uthairat, special representative of the government, called a meeting with the SBPAC and labour-related agencies to discuss ways to ease labor shortages which are affecting the region’s economy. The former SBPAC secretary-general on November 2 met with local officials, Islamic spiritual leaders and business operators to share their views and suggestions for the economic direction of the three southern border provinces. 

Now that Narathiwat is one of the Special Economic Zones; relevant sectors are of the opinion that the Deep South should also be a special employment zone in which restrictions and requirements for labour acquisition differ from other areas to pave the way for foreign worker imports. Relevant bodies have been instructed to work out new requirements for foreign workman recruitment that suit individual industries.-VNA/NNT