Thai nationals will be able to work in Saudi Arabia as icy relations continue to thaw between the two kingdoms.
Agreements between the Thai labor ministry and Saudi human resources ministry, approved yesterday by Thailand’s cabinet, are the latest sign of rekindling ties a month after Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha paid a diplomatic visit to Riyadh.
The agreements include provisions protecting the migrant Thai workers’ welfare and rights while in Saudi Arabia. More than 450,000 Thais worked abroad, legally or illegally, according to 2020 data.
Thai government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said both parties agreed to ensure there are legitimate employment processes and hold job brokers in both nations accountable for any wrongdoing.
That means the Thai labor ministry must check the workers being hired, making sure they have appropriate training and no criminal records. It will also be responsible for travel to and from Saudi Arabia.
The approval follows the first direct Saudi flight in 32 years on Monday.
Prayuth’s visit helped unlock a three-decade freeze in inter-realm relations over stolen jewels and an ugly spate of murders that began in 1989.
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