Brighter employment figures proof of recovery, claims govt

Thailand’s economy shows sign of recovery, following a dip in unemployment to its lowest level since the start of Covid-19 pandemic.

Deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Saturday the number of people unemployed in July had fallen once again and set another marker in the country’s recovery from both the Covid-19 pandemic and an economic slump.

Based on National Statistical Office figures, of the 40 million people in the workforce, 514,000 are currently seeking employment.

The number dropped from 580,000 in June, while the highest recorded rate of unemployment was 870,000, or 2.25% of the work force, in the third quarter of 2021.

The number of working hours per week in July also increased, indicating that workers salary levels were normalising, added Ms Traisuree.

The number of people working 35-49 hours per week stood at 26.8 million, an…