Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand planning to return home for the upcoming Songkran holiday in April have been cautioned about potential difficulties when re-entering Thailand.
While the Thai government has announced that entry and exit visas will not be required during this period, activists assisting Myanmar workers fear they may face restrictions upon leaving Myanmar after the festival.
Thailand’s Songrakn New Year festival period coincides with Thingyan New Year celebrations in Myanmar.
Ko Ye Min, founder of the Myanmar Humanitarian Alliance Centre (MHAC), stated that the return period coincides with the junta’s intensified efforts to recruit young people for military service. The regime has also imposed stricter controls on those attempting to leave the country, raising concerns about potential obstacles for returning workers. Reports indicate that military recruitment efforts have been taking place at border checkpoints.
“Going back may be easy, but returning to Thailand afterward will be much harder. Some may be arrested at border gates, while others risk being reported by informants in their hometowns,” Ko Ye Min said.
Additionally, there are reports that the junta is planning to reduce the number of workers permitted to travel abroad for employment while tightening inspections of those seeking to re-enter Thailand.
Young men eligible for military conscription have been subjected to intense scrutiny at Yangon International Airport, facing rigorous inspections and demands for bribes from junta officials. Many have been denied permission to leave, forcing them to seek alternative routes at border crossings, which remain difficult to access.
“I have my visa and all necessary documents, but I’m too afraid to go through the airport. Many are being stopped and prevented from leaving. If I can’t go, I’ll lose all my travel expenses. I’m searching for a legal way to exit through the border, but it’s not easy. Once you return, it’s best not to come back again,” said a young man from Yangon.
Thailand’s Ministry of Labor announced on 11 March that migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos will be permitted to return to their home countries between 1 April and 15 May without needing entry and exit visas.
Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn described the policy as a Songkran gift intended to facilitate travel and reduce costs for workers.
However, U Khaing Gyi, director of the AAC Alliance, cautioned that the visa-free policy does not guarantee smooth re-entry. He urged workers to carefully assess the risks before returning home.
“Two-thirds of Myanmar workers in Thailand have visas expiring on 13 February next year. If they leave to save a small amount on re-entry fees but are then blocked from returning, it would be disastrous. The junta could prevent their re-entry due to visa expiration,” U Khaing Gyi said.
According to data from Thai authorities, approximately five million Myanmar nationals are residing in Thailand in 2025. Some have already arranged travel back to Myanmar for the Thingyan festival, purchasing tickets or renting private vehicles in preparation.
