Dreaming of S Korea, Taiwan

South Korea is the most popular country for Thais dreaming of working abroad, but Taiwan is the place where the largest number go to seek their fortune, according to the Department of Employment (DOE).

And these travelling workers send their money home, as much as Bt63 billion last year.

DOE chief Pichai Expitakdamrong said 477,821 Thais registered their intention to work abroad between 2005 to 2007. For 31.25 per cent of them, South Korea topped the favoured list, followed by Taiwan at 30.37 per cent and Japan at 5.74 per cent.

The department gave the green light to 462,430 workers, or 96.7 per cent of the number registered, he said.

Working abroad

Taiwan required (and the department allowed) 171,923 Thai workers while the department permitted only 43,976 Thais to work in South Korea, Pichai said.

Most wishing to work aboard were from Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum and Nong Khai. Pichai urged labourers to think hard before deciding on foreign employment, not just doing so beฌcause they saw others doing it.

Pichai said sending Thai workers aboard benefits the Thai economy because these workers send money back home - Bt63 billion last year, according to a Bank of Thailand report.

Labour Minister Phaithoon Kaeothong said sending Thais to work in South Korea was done by the DOE, which required quality workers who passed Korean language tests. Since fewer Thai workers passed the tests than the quota, only a small number of applicants could go.

Taiwan on the other hand was not too strict on workers' language skills and, as employment was done by the private sector, the number of Thais allowed to go there was higher, he added.