Thai labour and defence ministries sign MoU to support job positions for army conscripts post-discharge

Somchai Maruksriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, said this will involve 33,665 vacant positions.

On 20 March 2025 (Thursday), Thailand's Minister of Labour Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and General Nattapol Nakphanit, Deputy Minister of Defence, co-chaired the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the promotion of employment for conscripts between the following entities: 

1. Department of Employment,
2. Department of Skill Development,
3. Ministry of Defence,
4. Thai Chamber of Commerce, and
5. Board of Trade of Thailand.

Per a press release by the Ministry of Labour, Minister Phiphat shared that the Ministry of Labour has implemented policies in line with the government’s policy under the leadership of Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra, aiming to ensure that all groups of people have jobs, particularly conscripts. Once discharged, they should be promoted to have appropriate careers, incomes and benefits. 

"The Ministry of Labour, therefore, provides job placement services both domestically and internationally, along with career counselling, readiness assessments, training, and skill development to ensure that they receive quality employment, appropriate compensation, and social security rights."

To support the integration of soldiers into the workforce, various industries — including manufacturing, automotive, logistics, service, security, engineering, craftsmanship, retail, and food businesses — are actively seeking their skills.

In response, the Ministry of Labour has launched free training programmes in key fields such as automotive mechanics, electrical work, welding, business administration, online marketing, and foreign languages.

These initiatives aim to enhance soldiers' competitiveness, equipping them with the expertise needed to drive economic growth and become a vital force in the nation’s development.

Somchai Maruksriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment commented that the MoU signing will involve 33,665 vacant positions to support military conscripts after discharge.

The event was attended by the following leaders: 

1. Aree Krainara, the Secretariat to the Labour Minister
2. Phuchong Worasri, assigned to the Office of the Prime Minister and currently serving at the Ministry of Labour,
3. Pairoj Chotikasathien, Chairman of the Advisory Board to the Minister of Labour,
4. Air Chief Marshal Athikun Kongmee, Advisor to the Minister on Illegal Worker Management,
5. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, the Permanent Secretary of Labour,
6. General Sanitchanok Sangchan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence,
7. Samat Pattamasukon, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour,
8. Nattawut Phattharayoon, Roi Et Provincial Employment Officer and Acting Academic Labour Advisor,
9. Kornjirat Phongchanthorn, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour,
10. Sakdinart Sonthisakyotin, Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of Labour,
11. Executives from the Ministry of Labour,
12. Thai Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber of Commerce, and
13. Executives from the armed forces

In addition, the event had 11 companies promoting job vacancies, consisting of

• Minor International Public Company,
• Home Product Center Public Company,
• Thai Smile Bus Company,
• PTG Energy Public Company,
• Charoen Pokphand Group Company,
• SF Corporation Public Company,
• ASM Management Security Company,
• Big C Supercenter Public Company,
• Central Restaurants Group Company,
• C.J. Express Group Company, and
• Unicorn Public Company.

READ MORE: Thailand, Macao to work closer on creating job opportunities for Thai workers in Macao 

Lead image / Ministry of Labour