28/08/2025
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤, 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐔𝐍𝐇𝐂𝐑
Bangkok, 26 August 2025 — Thailand has approved new measures allowing refugees from Myanmar who have been living in temporary shelters along the border for decades to work legally in the country, a policy shift welcomed by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) as a “turning point” in refugee protection and self-reliance.
The Cabinet on Tuesday endorsed two draft announcements: one from the Ministry of Interior granting permission for refugees to live outside designated controlled areas, and another from the Ministry of Labour authorizing them to take up employment under special arrangements. The government estimates that about 42,000 work permits could be made available under the scheme.
According to the Ministry of Labour, Thailand currently hosts 77,718 displaced persons from Myanmar in nine temporary shelters (as of 15 August 2025). Many have lived there for decades, with around 47 percent of the population born inside the camps. Until now, they have been almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid, which has dwindled in recent years due to global funding cuts.
“This resolution will enable refugees to work legally in the country and contribute meaningfully to the Thai economy,” UNHCR said in a statement. “Recognizing the protracted situation of some 81,000 forcibly displaced people hosted in temporary shelters along the Thai-Myanmar border, this policy shift marks a major step forward.”
Tammi Sharpe, UNHCR’s Representative in Thailand, described the move as transformative:
“For too long, protracted exile felt like an unending wait. Today marks a turning point. With this policy shift, Thailand transforms hosting refugees into an engine of growth – for refugees, for host communities and for the nation as a whole.”
She added that by unlocking the potential of long-staying refugees, Thailand was not only upholding humanitarian principles but also making a strategic investment in its own future. “Refugees will now be able to support themselves and their families, stimulate local economies through increased consumption, and promote job creation, contributing to national GDP growth and economic resilience.”
The new framework requires refugees to apply for permission to leave their camps, undergo health checks, and register for either social security or health insurance. Work permits will be valid for one year, with the first permit exempt from fees. Employment is open in all sectors except those legally restricted to foreigners.
Adisorn Kirdmongkol, coordinator of the Migrant Working Group (MWG), welcomed the Cabinet decision but cautioned that the system must remain flexible. He argued that refugees who already have employers should be allowed to register directly, rather than being rematched through government channels, which could add costs and delays.
UNHCR said the resolution comes at a critical moment, as millions of displaced people worldwide risk losing life-saving assistance due to funding shortfalls. “If fully implemented, Thailand’s policy will set a new regional benchmark for a sustainable, rights-based refugee solution,” the agency stated, adding that it stands ready to support the government in rolling out the program alongside other partners.
This is a translation of original Thai article https://transbordernews.in.th/home/?p=43647
