Migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos employed in Thailand will be allowed to return to their home countries without the need for a visa stamp for exit and re-entry during the 45-day Songkran (Thai New Year) festival, from 1 April to 15 May the Thai Labour Ministry announced on 11 March.
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn described the exemption as a Songkran gift aimed at facilitating travel and reducing expenses for migrant workers during the festive season.
According to migrant worker assistance groups in Thailand, the waiver applies to those holding a non-L-A (legalized labour) visa, regardless of whether they have a passport or a Certificate of Identity (CI). However, it does not apply to those who have recently applied for a pink card (work permit) and have not yet received it, only appearing on the name list.
Migrant workers who return home but overstay beyond the 15 May deadline will be required to apply for a re-entry visa stamp.
Despite the visa stamp waiver, many Myanmar migrant workers are reluctant to return home due to ongoing political instability and uncertainty about re-entry into Thailand.
“This is something the Thai government does almost every year. But given the situation in Myanmar, we can’t go back. Even if they covered the bus fare, no one would return. Normally, hundreds of thousands of Myanmar workers would take this opportunity to visit home, but this year, the exemption doesn’t mean much to them,” said U Khaing Gyi of the Aid Alliance Committee (AAC), which assists migrant workers in Thailand.
He also warned that workers should carefully consider the risks before leaving Thailand, as they might face difficulties in returning.
“Almost two-thirds of the migrant workers in Thailand had their visas expire around 13 February. If you go back to Myanmar just to save about 1,000 baht, what will you do if you’re not allowed to return? That’s a real concern. There’s also the possibility that Thai authorities could collaborate with Myanmar’s junta to prevent workers from re-entering Thailand due to visa expiration. This situation is different from previous years,” he said.
Typically, migrant workers in Thailand must have their passports or CIs stamped upon exiting and re-entering the country. With this exemption, those stamps are no longer required during the Songkran period.
Meanwhile, many Myanmar workers whose work permits expired on 13 February have submitted their names for renewal, but the process remains stalled. According to migrant worker support groups, the delay is due to ongoing negotiations between the Myanmar junta and the Thai government.
Discussions were reportedly held on 11 March between Thai authorities and Myanmar’s junta regarding work permit extensions. However, neither side has issued an official statement on the outcome of these talks, leaving migrant workers uncertain about their status.
