BANGKOK, Thailand – The Cabinet has approved a one-year extension of work permits for eligible workers from Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam to help maintain an adequate labor supply and reduce the risk of labor shortages. Under the resolution, workers whose permits are valid through December 11, 2026, may continue working in Thailand until December 11, 2027, provided they complete the procedures required by the Department of Employment. Labor Minister Julapun Amornvivat said the extension covers about 770,000 workers under a Cabinet resolution issued on November 11, 2025. He said many have not yet obtained passports or equivalent travel documents, preventing them from completing immigration requirements before the July 31, 2026, deadline.
Workers seeking the extension must apply before their current permits expire and obtain passports or equivalent travel documents, along with the required visa endorsement, within the prescribed period. While awaiting permanent Smart Card work permits, applicants will receive temporary work permits that serve as proof of legal employment until biometric registration and card issuance are completed. The new measures will take effect after the relevant notifications are issued by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labour. Employers and workers can obtain additional information from employment offices nationwide or by calling the Department of Employment hotline at 1506 and pressing 2. (NNT)
