Currently, although Thailand has over 2.28 million registered persons with disabilities, with more than 807,333 of them in the working age, only 196,852 individuals, or 24.38%, are employed (latest data from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in 2025). This data reflects the gap in Thai society, where many persons with disabilities lack stable income. Many families with disabled members rely solely on a monthly allowance of 800 baht, which is insufficient for living expenses. This often leads to the perception of persons with disabilities as a "burden," when in reality, they are merely overlooked and lack opportunities to prove their potential.

Amid these challenges, various organizations in Thai society have begun to rise up to support and create opportunities for persons with disabilities to move forward confidently. One notable organization that has been continuously working in this area is CRC Thai Watsadu Co., Ltd., part of Central Retail, which operates a retail business for construction materials and home decor under the Thai Watsadu and BNB Home brands. They not only provide career opportunities but also restore "value" to the lives of persons with disabilities through the ‘Thai Watsadu Side by Side, Creating Happiness’ project, aiming for every disabled person to have equal employment opportunities and stand proudly in society.

Thai Watsadu and BNB Home with a Model to Assist Persons with Disabilities: The Mahatai Foundation in Chonburi Province

One profession that has proven to truly open doors for persons with disabilities is customer service at the Contact Center. With appropriate environmental adjustments and equipment installations, persons with physical disabilities can work at full capacity. CRC Thai Watsadu Co., Ltd. has laid the foundation for employing persons with disabilities since 2014 by supporting the CRC Thai Watsadu Contact Center Training course and collaborating with the Mahatai Foundation to establish a “Contact Center Vocational Training Center” in 2015 at the Mahatai Foundation in Chonburi Province. From a small project that started with only 15 disabled trainees, it has expanded to employ over 35 disabled individuals as customer service representatives between 2016 and 2020, leading to the official opening of the “Contact Center Customer Service Center Supporting Employment Projects for Persons with Disabilities” by Thai Watsadu in 2021, which can now accommodate up to 70 positions. As of 2025, over 63 persons with disabilities have been employed as “permanent staff” with salaries, bonuses, and benefits equivalent to regular employees.

From a Disabled Child Without Arms in the Countryside to a Contact Center Employee and Discovering Life's Value

Nes - Thanyarat Ma-uay, a Contact Center employee at Thai Watsadu, is a clear example of the power of “opportunity.” She was born without arms and grew up with her beloved grandmother, whom she calls “Mom.” Despite their impoverished and aging living conditions, her grandmother never abandoned her, raising her with unwavering love and support. Nes wanted to repay her grandmother's kindness and sought an “opportunity” that would allow her to truly move forward, and eventually, she received that opportunity from Thai Watsadu.

“In the past, I believed I had no value, just a disabled child in the countryside who was a burden to my grandmother. But today, everything has changed. Being given the opportunity to work as a customer service representative at the Thai Watsadu Contact Center has greatly improved my life and my grandmother's. I have income, bonuses, and I can send money for my grandmother to use. She is happy to see me standing on my own, without worrying about what the future holds. What impresses me the most is not just the income, but the acceptance from my colleagues who see me as a team member, not just a disabled person. It makes me feel that my life has value, and I want to do my best in this job. Thank you, Thai Watsadu, for giving opportunities to persons with disabilities, believing in my potential. Even without arms, I can prove my capabilities here by using my feet to type on the computer just like anyone with arms.” Nes shared with a smile.

Voices from Organizations Driving Employment Creation for Persons with Disabilities

Mr. Thanawat Jirangkhapath, Managing Director of CRC Thai Watsadu Co., Ltd., part of Central Retail, stated, “This project is not just about creating jobs; it’s about enhancing quality of life. Thai Watsadu has always believed that every person with a disability has potential. If given the opportunity, training, and a suitable working environment, they can perform just as well as anyone else. Thai Watsadu started this project in 2014 in collaboration with the Mahatai Foundation, allowing persons with disabilities to serve customers, answer questions, and provide advice via phone regarding products and services under the Thai Watsadu, BNB Home, Autowin, and WeFix brands within Central Retail. The results from training and actual work have proven that they possess knowledge and are ready to serve customers effectively, just like regular individuals.”

“Today, all persons with disabilities working at the Thai Watsadu Contact Center not only receive equal salaries, bonuses, and benefits, but most importantly, they can take care of their families, creating smiles and pride for their households. We will continue to uphold our mission of ‘Thai Watsadu Side by Side, Creating Happiness’ while advancing our business alongside sustainable social contributions.”

Meanwhile, Professor Manop Iamsaad from the Mahatai Foundation for the Development of Persons with Disabilities shared about this collaboration, stating, “The real problem is not physical disabilities, but attitudes and opportunities. Many persons with disabilities hesitate to enter the labor market because they feel they cannot compete with able-bodied individuals, even though they have enough potential to work just like anyone else; they simply lack the opportunity to prove themselves. Therefore, what we are trying to push for is to create a support system for the labor market for persons with disabilities in the long term, so they can have stable income and relieve the burden of their families through their own efforts. This is the ultimate form of providing true opportunities.”

In addition to employing persons with disabilities as customer service representatives at the Contact Center under Section 33, Thai Watsadu also supports persons with disabilities in creating careers under Section 35 by granting space within Thai Watsadu for selling lottery tickets, with over 107 disabled individuals already granted concessions. Furthermore, Thai Watsadu has installed donation boxes in 88 branches nationwide from June to December 2025 for seven months, inviting customers and the public to contribute funds to support education, vocational training, digital skills training, and the procurement of assistive devices for persons with disabilities. The donations will be handed over to the Mahatai Foundation for the Development of Persons with Disabilities to carry out beneficial activities and enhance the quality of life for persons with disabilities.

Join us in watching the audio reflections of “Nong Nes - Thanyarat Ma-uay” and her fellow employees at the Thai Watsadu Contact Center (Mahatai Foundation, Chonburi Province) on our Youtube channel: Thaiwatsadu, and Facebook: Thai Watsadu today. For persons with disabilities interested in working as customer service representatives at the Contact Center and seeking opportunities to join Thai Watsadu, please contact the Human Resources Department at 081-371-8307.