World

Thailand extends work permits for migrant workers from Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam

The extension of work permits will allow the foreign workers to complete the necessary legal procedures while helping businesses maintain a stable workforce as many sectors of the Thai economy continue to rely heavily on foreign labour.

Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai Cabinet on July 14 approved an extension of work permits for about 770,000 migrant workers from Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam in order to ensure an adequate workforce for the manufacturing and services sectors and sustain economic activity.

Phatdarasmi Thongsaluaykorn, Deputy Spokesperson of the Thai Prime Minister's Office, announced that the decision was made following a proposal by the Ministry of Labour. The Cabinet also approved two draft announcements submitted by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labour, allowing the foreign workers to continue residing and working legally in Thailand.

This resolution continues measures approved by the Cabinet in November 2025, which set guidelines for managing foreign workers from Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

The original measures were set to expire on December 11, 2026. However, some foreign workers cannot meet the conditions within the set timeframe. Without this extension, their legal status would be affected, impacting government labour management and business operations. Therefore, extending the permission to stay and work is necessary to maintain effective and continuous foreign labour management.

Thai Government data show that as of June 30, around 770,000 migrant workers were eligible under the policy. The extension of work permits will allow them to complete the necessary legal procedures while helping businesses maintain a stable workforce as many sectors of the Thai economy continue to rely heavily on foreign labour.

Alongside the decision, the Cabinet also approved a draft announcement by the Ministry of Interior permitting foreign nationals to remain in Thailand under special circumstances, as well as another by the Ministry of Labour authorising foreign nationals to continue working in specified cases, ensuring the consistent implementation of the new regulations.

The Thai Government tasked the Ministry of Labour with stepping up public communications to businesses, employers and migrant workers on the eligibility criteria, procedures and implementation timeline for the new measures, facilitating compliance and strengthening the management of foreign workers./.

VNA
#Thailand #migrant workers #Thai workforce #foreign workers in Thailand Thailand
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Thailand, Malaysia launch new Sadao border checkpoint

Thailand, Malaysia launch new Sadao border checkpoint

The new Sadao Border Checkpoint, located in the Sadao Special Economic Development Zone, is Thailand's busiest land crossing by trade value, handling more than 471.5 billion THB (14 billion USD) in annual imports and exports and serving more than 6 million cross-border travellers each year.

See more

Malaysia steps up drive to build world-class startup ecosystem

Malaysia steps up drive to build world-class startup ecosystem

For KL20 2026, four new priority areas have been added, aligning with Malaysia's 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030), which seeks to increase economic complexity, strengthen high-value industries and expand domestic production of value-added goods and services.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (front, right) and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing (front, left) at their meeting in Bangkok on August 6, 2026 (Photo: Kyodo/VNA)

Thailand, Myanmar jointly tackle cross-border pollution

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin described the TOR signing as an important milestone in bilateral environmental cooperation, saying it would enhance water resource management, protect ecosystems and improve life quality for those living in border areas.

Thailand, Japan deepen cooperation in smart agriculture

Thailand, Japan deepen cooperation in smart agriculture

The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in smart agriculture through the application of automation, the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced technologies and innovation, while promoting the use of modern agricultural machinery and expanding workforce training. The initiatives aim to boost productivity, reduce costs and help the agricultural sector cope with labour shortages and the impacts of climate change.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (left) and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing (centre) at the official welcome ceremony for the latter in Bangkok on August 6, 2026. (Photo: Kyodo/VNA)

Thailand, Myanmar promote economic, space technology cooperation

At the Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum in Bangkok, attended by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, President Min Aung Hlaing and more than 700 representatives from government agencies, businesses and the business communities of both countries, the two leaders outlined orientations for boosting economic cooperation and expanding bilateral ties.

At least four killed in Philippines landslides

At least four killed in Philippines landslides

Philippine authorities said four days of heavy rain on the island of Luzon have triggered multiple landslides. In Benguet province, a hillside collapsed onto a small restaurant on August 6, burying three employees working in the kitchen.

Thai rice exports decline nearly 19% in first half of 2026

Thai rice exports decline nearly 19% in first half of 2026

DFT Director-General Arada Fuangthong attributed the decline to abundant global rice supplies, which have intensified price competition. In addition, conflicts in the Middle East disrupted Thai rice exports to Iraq – one of its key markets – from March.

Buildings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Illustrative photo: AFP/VNA)

Malaysia businesses thrive on AI boom

Nineteen Malaysian companies enter Forbes Asia’s 2026 list of the 200 best companies with annual revenues of less than 1 billion USD, more than double the number from the previous year.

An electric vehicle on display at an auto exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in June 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Malaysia considers levy on EV sales to fund public charging infrastructure

Speaking during a question-and-answer session in the Senate on August 5, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Johari Abdul Ghani said the proposal followed the government's loss of 3.3 billion MYR (825 million USD) in tax revenue through incentives for imported EVs, while investment in public charging infrastructure had fallen short of expectations.

Drought-hit farmland in Cibarusa, Bekasi, Indonesia. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Indonesia takes drastic measures to respond to strong El Niño

Under its response plan for agriculture and forestry, Indonesia is stepping up forest and peatland fire prevention and firefighting, deploying weather modification technology, improving irrigation systems, putting boreholes into operation, distributing drought-resistant crop varieties, and expanding agricultural insurance. These measures aim to mitigate the impact of drought on rice, palm oil and coffee production.

Goods are loaded at a port in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Thailand's exports to US, Europe surge in fiscal 2026

Data from the Thailand Customs Department show that the country's total international trade reached approximately 21.4 trillion THB (660 billion USD) during the period, approaching the 22 trillion THB recorded for the whole of the previous fiscal year.

Malaysia, Thailand step up efforts to restore seafood trade

Malaysia, Thailand step up efforts to restore seafood trade

The inspections focus on biosecurity measures at farms, production systems, and related documentation, including laboratory analyses of chemical residues and the use of prohibited substances. Authorities are also assessing farms, hatcheries, laboratories and border inspection facilities in both countries.

Indonesia steps up response to forest fires

Indonesia steps up response to forest fires

Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is preparing to deploy two water-bombing helicopters to accelerate firefighting efforts in the Mount Bromo area. Ground crews are continuing to battle the flames, although many fire hotspots remain in steep, hard-to-reach locations.