On May 10, 2025, Mr. Tanee Sangrat, Ambassador of Thailand to the ROK, joined Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour, Mr. Boonsung Tapchaiyuth, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, and Mrs. Sirirat Srichat, Labour Attaché, at the Lemongrass Thai restaurant in Gangnam. The purpose was to visit and discuss the promotion and care of Thai workers in South Korea, as well as to inquire about their living conditions.

The discussion covered key issues such as the situation of Thai workers in South Korea, promotion of legal employment, and the importance of workforce skill development. Additionally, drug-related matter among Thai workers had been addressed, noting that currently over 500 Thai workers are imprisoned in South Korea on drug-related charges.

Lemongrass Thai restaurant serves as an example of legal employment of Thai workers in South Korea. At present, it has 13 branches and employs approximately 50 staff members, of whom 40 hold E-7 visas. Some have brought their spouses to live with them.

The Minister of Labour and the Ambassador emphasised the importance of promoting legal employment and developing the skills of Thai workers to improve their quality of life and increase income for Thai workers abroad. The remittances sent back to Thailand currently account for approximately 2% of the country's GDP, or around 400 billion baht.