On February 18, 2025, a meeting to review labor-related issues was held at the Labor Office meeting room in Prachuap Khiri Khan. The meeting, led by Governor Sittichai Sawatsan, included discussions on workforce status and anti-human trafficking efforts in the province. This session also marked the 5th meeting of the provincial labor officials and the 3rd meeting of the provincial human trafficking prevention committee.
The meeting featured key personnel, including Thanaporn Suwannano, an inspector from the Department of Welfare and Labor Protection, and representatives from various government agencies affiliated with the Ministry of Labor. Agencies such as the Prachuap Khiri Khan Labor Office, the Social Welfare and Labor Protection Office, the Employment Office, the Institute for Labor Skill Development, and the Social Security Office all provided updates on their ongoing projects and labor conditions.
As of December 2024, the province had a total population of 551,769. The provincial statistics office reported that the labor force, defined as people aged 15 years and above, consisted of 278,381 people. Of this number, 275,119 were employed, which constitutes an impressive 98.93% employment rate. There were 3,262 unemployed individuals, making up 1.17% of the labor force.
An overview of labor shortages based on a survey of 132 businesses in Prachuap Khiri Khan revealed key sectors struggling with workforce demands. The highest labor requirements were found in wholesale and retail trade, vehicle repair services (33 businesses), manufacturing (18 businesses), hospitality and food services (23 businesses), construction (14 businesses), and education (3 businesses).
In terms of sector distribution, the workforce in the province was broken down as follows: 83,600 people worked in agriculture, 34,157 in tourism and services, and 157,363 in industry. Among these, foreign workers contributed to these sectors, with 23,308 in agriculture, 3,149 in tourism and services, and 2,708 in industrial jobs.
The provincial labor authorities have also been actively engaged in anti-human trafficking initiatives, continuing to monitor businesses for illegal use of foreign workers. Additionally, the province has launched a volunteer program aimed at raising awareness about drug abuse among workers. This initiative has seen efforts to educate workers in 208 establishments and 229 informal sector workers between October 1, 2024, and February 10, 2025.
Governor Sittichai Sawatsan emphasized that the province has requested financial support from the Narcotics Control Bureau in the southern region for anti-drug education programs. The goal is to train a network of 480 community members in four sessions, creating a stronger anti-drug advocacy network and promoting community involvement in crime prevention initiatives across the province.
