Thailand expects the first group of Sri Lankan workers to arrive within one to two months, with around 10,000 people earmarked for an initial scheme focused on the construction industry.
Labour Minister Julapun Amornvivat said the move would help address shortages in jobs that are difficult to fill with Thai workers, while testing where Sri Lankan workers' skills are best suited in the Thai economy.
Speaking at the Rama Gardens Hotel on 10 September 2026, Julapun said the Cabinet had already approved the framework for a labour cooperation memorandum of understanding and a government-to-government employment agreement with Sri Lanka.
The MOU is due to be signed on 14 September. Once that is completed, Thailand can immediately begin the process of bringing in workers from Sri Lanka, he said.
First intake aimed at construction
Julapun said the MOU itself does not set a numerical limit, but the government has set an initial target of roughly 10,000 workers.
The pilot intake will allow officials to assess which industries best match the workers' skills and where they could replace foreign workers whose numbers may have declined in recent years.
Construction has been identified as the main initial sector because Sri Lankan workers already have experience in the industry in several countries, the minister said.
Checks and monitoring promised
Julapun said Thailand continued to need overseas workers, according to discussions with private businesses, but that the country must remain careful over security, safety and conduct.
He said Sri Lankan workers had been employed in a number of countries without Thailand receiving negative reports about them. He added that they could help drive the economy without causing problems for Thai workers.
Nevertheless, Julapun said scrutiny, monitoring and supervision by the Department of Employment and other state agencies would need to be strict after workers arrive, to maintain order.
He said the scheme should not normally create difficulties for Thai workers because some types of employment remain hard to fill locally. Jobs remain open to Thai workers who need work, he added, but foreign labour is necessary to meet demand in certain areas of the economy.
Picture courtesy of Khoasod
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11 September 2026
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