March 11, 2025 – Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour, shared good news for migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar working in Thailand. The Foreign Workers’ Policy Committee (FWPC) meeting no. 3/2025 resolved to allow workers from the 3 nationalities to return to their country to participate in the Songkran festivities without having to pay a fee for a re-entry permit. Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, the Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Somchai Maruksriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, the Ministry of Labour’s executives and representatives from related agencies attended the meeting at the Prof. Nikom Chandrawithu Meeting Room, 5th floor, Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, Ministry of Labour Building.
Mr. Phiphat said the meeting resolved to support labour relations between Thailand and neighboring countries. It aims to help reduce the cost burden for migrant workers who want to travel back to visit their families and join the Songkran festival this year.
He said, “Migrant workers are a key force in the Thai economy. This relaxation is considered to provide appropriate rights and benefits so that the workers can return to work in Thailand with better morale.”
Grace period: April 1 to May 15, 2025.
Details of the relaxation measures are as follows:
– Cambodian, Laotian, and Myanmar workers who have valid work permits can travel out and return to Thailand without having to apply for a Re-Entry Permit.
– Grace period: April 1 to May 15, 2025.
– If workers return to Thailand after May 15, 2025, they will not receive the exemption and must apply for permission again as per the usual process.
Mr. Somchai Maruksriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, emphasized workers should not overstay the specified period. In order for migrant workers to receive their rights correctly, the Department of Employment will publicize this guideline further and ask for the cooperation of workers to return within the specified period so that their work status in Thailand will not be affected.
“We want all workers to have a good opportunity to go home to their families during Songkran and return to work as usual. Please follow the news from the relevant agencies to comply with the conditions correctly,” Mr. Somchai concluded.
