BANGKOK, Jan 6 (TNA) – More than 50,000 employees have been left jobless in the past year, according to the latest figures released by Thailand's Labour Welfare and Protection Department.

Amporn Nitisiri, department director-general, revealed Monday that 689 workplaces had closed their operations since January 1, 2008, leaving 55,549 workers unemployed.

The number of shutdown businesses had increased by 70 from the previous week.

She said 357 workplaces with a workforce of 204,264 are likely to be shut down soon. Most are in the electronics, automotive, textile, and tourism industries.

Provinces where the largest number of employees have been left jobless include Pathum Thani, Samut Prakarn, Bangkok, Ayudhaya, and Tak respectively.

Provinces where most employees are expected to be made redundant include Chonburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakarn, Cha Choeng Sao, and Nakhon Ratchasima. (TNA)