Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The Department of Employment has proposed a temporary extension allowing approximately 47,000 Cambodian workers along the Thai-Cambodian border to remain and work in Thailand until border checkpoints reopen.

 

Mr. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, announced on 5 July, that a joint meeting was held with representatives from security agencies including the Royal Thai Army, Navy, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and the National Security Council to address issues faced by Cambodian workers holding temporary border passes who are currently unable to return home or re-enter Thailand due to border closures.

 

“All agencies agreed in principle to temporarily allow this group of Cambodian workers to continue residing and working in Thailand, provided they report to the Immigration Bureau every 30 days,” said Mr. Somchai. “This is an interim measure until the border checkpoints reopen. Once the borders open, the workers will be required to exit Thailand within seven days.”

 

The proposal will be submitted to the Foreign Workers Management Policy Committee for approval, followed by consideration by the Cabinet in the near future. Meanwhile, security agencies will manage the situation to ensure peace and order.

 

Mr. Somchai highlighted that employers continue to require Cambodian labourers for agricultural work year-round, particularly for seasonal fruit harvesting such as longan, durian, and mangosteen. Normally, work permits allow a 90-day employment period. Currently, approximately 7,000 to 8,000 of the 47,000 workers have work permits expiring soon, making the temporary extension necessary.

 

This measure aims to ease the burden on both workers and employers while maintaining orderly labour management amid ongoing border restrictions.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-07-06

 

 

 

Just shows how dependent Thailand is on foreign workers (doing the work that Thais refuse to do).