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

Indonesia shifts strategy to combat online gambling

Indonesia shifts strategy to combat online gambling

Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid announced on July 14 that the new strategy marks a shift from focusing primarily on blocking gambling websites to a more comprehensive approach targeting the entire criminal ecosystem.

Passengers at the international airport in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand adjusts visa policy to balance tourism and security

The adjustments aim to ensure that entry facilitation measures for foreign visitors reflect current circumstances while closing security loopholes, preventing misuse, and reducing overlapping entitlements under the principle of “one country, one entitlement”.

​Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadew (Photo: VNA)

S&P retains Indonesia's BBB credit rating with stable outlook

According to S&P, Indonesia's economic fundamentals remain solid thanks to prudent fiscal and monetary policies, political stability, relatively low public debt compared with other countries in the same rating category, and positive medium-term growth prospects.

A port in Singapore. The country's GDP expanded by 5.7% year-on-year in the April–June period, easing from the 6.3% growth recorded in the first quarter (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Singapore's economic growth slows amid Middle East conflict

Singapore's core inflation remained unchanged at 1.4% in May from the previous month. However, economists warned that persistently high energy prices could continue to push up production and transportation costs, as well as the prices of imported goods, posing risks to the country's economic growth outlook.

Thailand dismantles online gambling ring linked to World Cup 2026

Thailand dismantles online gambling ring linked to World Cup 2026

The bureau’s investigation targeted the "All Game 248" gambling website, which allegedly accepted bets on the FIFA World Cup 2026 and had been operating for about 18 months. During the operation, codenamed "All Game End Game," authorities arrested 12 suspects, including a former local politician, and the seizure of assets worth more than 13 million THB (418,000 USD).

The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Photo:VNA)

Four key risks cloud Malaysia's economic outlook in H2 2026

The report identified prolonged global supply chain disruptions, a stronger US dollar, rising political uncertainty ahead of a possible early general election, and the proposed expansion of the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI as the key risks.

Passengers wait to handle procedures at Nugah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia. (Photo: VNA)

Indonesia tightens visa-free entry policy

Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said the move forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen immigration management through digitalisation and enhanced screening of foreign nationals upon entry.

Malaysia propels semiconductor industry

Malaysia propels semiconductor industry

Speaking at a seminar in Kuala Lumpur on July 13, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said Malaysia's electrical and electronics (E&E) exports rose 39.7% year-on-year to 382.9 billion MYR (95.7 billion USD) in the first five months of 2026, or 48.2% of the country's total exports.

Officials at the closing sitting of the 10th Lao NA's first extraordinary session on July 10, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Laos adopts coordinated steps to propel economic growth

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, addressing the first extraordinary session of the 10th Lao National Assembly from July 6-10, said the push is designed to hit the economic growth targets and macroeconomic benchmarks approved by the legislature.

Indonesia launches campaign to protect endangered rainforest elephants

Indonesia launches campaign to protect endangered rainforest elephants

Conservation groups classify the Sumatran elephant as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, while Bornean elephant populations have declined sharply because of deforestation, habitat fragmentation and increasing human-wildlife conflict.

The scence of the fire. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Massive pub fire in Thailand kills at least 27 people

Video footage shared online by emergency responders shows a huge blaze raging and plumes coming out of the front door of the Na Ladprao pub in the northern part of the Thai capital. Many people were seen trying to flee as dense black smoke billowed into the sky. Rescue said the fire was reported around midnight.