Thailand sent over 100,000 workers abroad last year, which brought in almost 300 billion baht in remittances, according to the Department of Employment.
Director-general, Pairoj Chotikasathien, said demand for both skilled and semi-skilled Thai workers in many industries has increased.
From the start of last year to March this year, Thailand sent 113,186 workers abroad, 88,164 of whom departed last year, while 25,022 departed between January and March this year, according to the department. Most workers were bound for Taiwan, followed by South Korea, Israel, Japan and Malaysia.
Collectively, these workers sent back 299 billion baht in remittances, which were processed via the Bank of Thailand.
The department is aiming to send about 50,000 more workers in the 2023 fiscal year. It will continue to court agricultural businesses in Israel, heavy industries in Japan, and the construction and manufacturing sectors in South Korea, Mr Pairoj said.
The department will also seek to send out-workers to other markets beyond the regular ones to fill seasonal agricultural jobs in South Korea, construction jobs in Israel, and hospitality and health businesses in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Surasak Krungphlee, 49, a Rayong resident who was employed by Hyundai Heavy Industries, said he enjoyed working as a welder in South Korea, as he received a monthly salary of around 100,000 baht under a one-year contract, which can be renewed.
Another worker, Sarawut, a 26-year-old Sakon Nakhon native, said he received 26,000 baht a month working for a steel bar manufacturer in Taiwan.
He decided to work abroad in the hope of paying off his debt to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives.