Cabinet allows foreign migrant workers to return homes to celebrate Songkran festival during April 5-30

By Thai PBS

 

 

Migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia who are legally working in Thailand and hold “pink cards” will be able to return to their home countries to celebrate the Songkran festival during April 5-30 without being charged exit fees on the condition that they must return to Thailand within April 30.

 

Colonel Athisit Chainuwat, assistant spokesman of the Prime Minister’s Office, said that the reprieve which was endorsed by the cabinet on Tuesday was intended to allow the legal migrant workers as well as their dependents who are not over 18 years of age to celebrate Songkran festival in their home countries and will be exempted from paying departure fees which are normally charged when travelling out of the country.

 

The cabinet also agreed to extend the registration period for foreign migrant workers from the three neighbouring countries to June 30 instead of March 31 as there are still about 880,000 workers who are yet to be registered.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/cabinet-allows-foreign-migrant-workers-return-homes-celebrate-songkran-festival-april-5-30/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2018-03-28

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

to celebrate Songkran festival in their home countries

nonsense; songkran is a festival celebrating the traditional Thai New Year

Doesn’t Myanmar have the same celebration?


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20 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

nonsense; songkran is a festival celebrating the traditional Thai New Year

Nonsense!. The Songkran festival is enjoyed by several countries in Asia.

 

Songkran is a term derived from the Sanskrit word, saṅkrānti (or, more specifically, meṣa saṅkrānti)^{[clarification needed]} and used to refer to the traditional New Year celebrated in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, parts of northeast India, parts of Vietnam and Xishuangbanna, China.^[2][3] It begins when the sun transits the constellation of Aries, the first astrological sign in the Zodiac, as reckoned by sidereal astrology.^[4] It is related to the equivalent Hindu calendar-based New Year festivals in most parts of South Asia which are collectively referred to as Mesha Sankranti..wiki.

37 minutes ago, webfact said:

without being charged exit fees on the condition that they must return to Thailand within April 30

 

The graciousness of the Thai is truly unrivalled.

1 minute ago, Darcula said:

 

The graciousness of the Thai is truly unrivalled.

That's why we live here isn't it?

Songkran in Thailand now running for 25 days, that could be a vote catcher. 

Anyway no votes from the migrant workers,but I guess those from Myanmar,Laos, Cambodia do not pay 1900 baht re entry fee, any info on that one?

Quote

Cabinet allows foreign migrant workers to return homes to celebrate Songkran festival during April 5-30

 

I'm sure all employers, famous for their benevolence and fair treatment of migrants, will fully support this. 

 

Let's face it, history has taught us that they'll be lucky to get 25 hours, let alone 25 days

6 hours ago, YetAnother said:

nonsense; songkran is a festival celebrating the traditional Thai New Year