On the Temporary Exemption Allowing Cambodian, Laotian, and Myanmar Migrant Workers to Return to Their Home Countries for the 2025 Songkran Festival
The Cabinet Resolution on March 18, 2025 approved a temporary exemption, as proposed by the Ministry of Labor (รง.), allowing Cambodian, Laotian, and Myanmar migrant workers to return to their home countries to celebrate the 2025 Songkran Festival (B.E. 2568). The details are as follows:
1. Contents of the Exemption Measure
Approval has been granted for migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar to return home between April 1 and May 15, 2025, with the following measures:
- The Ministry of Interior (MoI) will issue an official announcement waiving the requirement to apply for a Re-Entry Permit, in accordance with Section 39 of the 1979 Immigration Act.
- The Immigration Bureau, under the National Police, will oversee entry and exit procedures at border checkpoints, stamping exit and re-entry approvals in passports or equivalent travel documents. All fees will be waived.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will notify Thai embassies in the workers’ home countries to coordinate relevant procedures.
2. Responsibilities of Government Agencie
- All relevant government agencies must cooperate in implementing and publicizing this measure.
- Officials must ensure that no government personnel abuse their authority for personal gain.
3. Key Points of the Measure
- Eligible migrant workers may freely leave and re-enter Thailand between April 1 and May 15, 2025, without applying for a new permit.
- If a worker returns after May 15, 2025, their stay permit will be automatically void, even if they still have remaining legal stay duration. They will need to reapply for a work permit under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Employment Cooperation.
- Migrant workers who do not wish to follow this exemption policy or plan to return to Thailand after May 15, 2025 must apply for a re-entry permit before departure.
4. Impact of the Measure
- It is estimated that approximately 110,000 migrant workers will benefit from this measure, leading to a government revenue loss of about 100 million THB (from waived re-entry permit fees of 1,000 THB per person).
- This policy will help reduce financial burdens for low-income migrant workers.
- It will mitigate the risk of irregular cross-border movements while also promoting cultural traditions and strengthening labor relations between Thailand and its neighboring countries.
This decision aims to facilitate migrant workers’ return home for the Songkran Festival while ensuring legal compliance and preventing any misconduct or illicit profiteering.
