BANGKOK, Thailand – The Cabinet has approved a temporary extension allowing Cambodian nationals working under the “Border Pass” system to legally remain in Thai border provinces for up to six additional months. The decision, announced after the July 22 Cabinet meeting, addresses disruptions caused by ongoing unrest along the Thai–Cambodian border, which has prevented many workers from exiting and re-entering the country to renew their legal status. Without the extension, thousands risked overstaying and becoming undocumented, creating legal and labor shortages in key local industries.
The measure applies to Cambodian nationals with valid or expired border passes who were previously authorized under Section 64 of the 2017 Royal Decree on the Management of Employment of Foreign Workers. Workers will be allowed to stay from June 7, 2025, until either the end of the six-month period or the return to normal border operations, whichever comes first. During this time, those who have overstayed due to movement restrictions will be exempt from standard penalties.
Workers must apply for electronic work permits through the Ministry of Labour, with permits issued in three-month intervals. The application and permit fees are set at 100 and 225 baht, respectively. To continue working, applicants must submit an extension request within 30 days of their previous application. Health checks at public hospitals are required, along with proof of registration with the Social Security Fund or purchase of approved public health insurance, depending on the nature of their employment.
The Cabinet also relaxed employment restrictions under Section 14 of the 2008 Alien Workers Act. Cambodian workers can now legally continue working in border provinces in roles such as general labor and domestic work, and may register up to three employers, an update from the previous one-employer limit. These interim rules will remain in place while the formal Section 64 announcement is pending.
All eligible workers must report to immigration officers by July 30, 2025, and continue doing so every 30 days, within a seven-day window. Once cross-border movement returns to normal, workers will have a seven-day grace period to leave the country. (NNT)
