Although the Thai Ministry of Labor has officially permitted Myanmar migrant workers to return home without visa restrictions during the Songkran holiday, many remain unable to travel, according to reports from Myanmar migrants in Thailand.
On March 11, the Thai government’s Foreign Workers Management Policy Committee announced that migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos could return home without visa re-entry restrictions during the holiday period.
Despite this relaxation, many Myanmar workers are hesitant to return due to ongoing political instability in Myanmar and Thailand’s strict work permit inspections.
A young Myanmar worker expressed concern, saying, “Even if Thailand allows us to return, we still have to fear Min Aung Hlaing’s military conscription law once we reach Myanmar. We don’t know how things will turn out. Most of us don’t dare to go back.”
Additionally, the Myanmar labor office announced in mid-March that returning workers would need to reapply for their OWIC (Overseas Worker Identification Card) upon departure, making it difficult for them to return home.
Thailand’s visa exemption policy applies only from April 1 to May 15. Workers who return after this period will have to undergo standard visa procedures.
Many workers also fear losing their jobs if they fail to return to Thailand on time, as employers may replace them.
“Of course, we want to go home. But what if we can’t return to work? We don’t trust the system. So we’re not going back,” said a young Myanmar migrant woman.
Labor rights advocates are urging migrant workers to carefully consider their travel plans.
Recently, Myanmar’s military junta imposed new restrictions on the number of overseas work permits issued per country, further limiting job opportunities for migrant workers.
Since the military coup, worsening political and economic conditions have driven a mass exodus of Myanmar youth seeking work abroad, particularly in Thailand, throughout 2024.
