Bangkok: “Pongkawin” leads the meeting of the National Economic and Social Development Board, approving measures to take care of Cambodian workers, reducing the impact on the business sector and border employers. Mr. Pongkawin Juangroongruangkit, Minister of Labor, revealed that according to the Cabinet resolution on July 1, 2025, the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Interior agreed to consider implementing relaxation measures to allow Cambodian aliens affected by the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border to stay in the Kingdom and work appropriately with the current situation. Today (July 8, 2025), a meeting of the Alien Employment Policy Management Committee (ALMPC) was held to determine guidelines and measures for managing the work of the said group of alien workers.
According to Thai News Agency, the meeting agreed on the relaxation guidelines for Cambodian foreign workers holding a Border Pass, whether valid or expired, who have been granted permission to work in Thailand under Section 64 of the Alien Employment Management Act B.E. 2560 and amendments, and permission to reside in border areas where permission has expired. The temporary stay in the Kingdom for work will be extended for another 6 months or until the border checkpoint reopens, including exemption from fines for staying in the Kingdom beyond the specified period. Workers can submit a work permit application along with supporting documents as per the guidelines set by the Department of Employment by paying a 100 baht application fee and a 225 baht work permit fee. Permission to work is granted for 90 days at a time, and in cases where permission to stay has expired but the work permit is still valid, the work permit remains valid until it expires.
Additionally, Cambodian workers are allowed to change and add up to three employers within the province where they are permitted to work. Aliens must report to immigration officials every 30 days, with the first report due by July 30, 2025. When the border situation returns to normal, foreigners can stay for another seven days to prepare to travel outside the Kingdom. These guidelines will be effective from June 7, 2025, onwards.
The meeting was attended by key figures including Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyudh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labor, Mr. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, and executives from the Ministry of Labor. Representatives from relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Public Health, National Security Council, Internal Security Operations Command, and private sector agencies were also present at the Prof. Nikom Chandrawithu Meeting Room, 5th floor, Ministry of Labor Building.
Mr. Somchai Morakotsriwan stated that following this meeting, the Department of Employment will submit the meeting results for the Cabinet to consider and approve. The foreign workers will receive the relaxation only when the Cabinet approves and both the announcements of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labor come into effect. Employers, business establishments, and Cambodian foreign workers included in the relaxation measures are urged to complete the procedures within the specified time frame. For further inquiries, individuals can contact the provincial employment office, the Ministry of Labor hotline at 1506 (press 2 for the Department of Employment), or the Department of Employment hotline at 1694.