BANGKOK, Thailand – Cambodian workers in Thailand’s eastern border provinces who are unable to go home because of strict border controls are now being granted a waiver by the Ministry of Interior, allowing them to remain in Thailand.
The Royal Gazette website has publicized an announcement about a special waiver on the prohibition of entry of aliens into the Kingdom of Thailand, effective for Cambodian nationals who have been permitted for humanitarian reasons by the Cabinet resolution of July 22, 2025 to work in the Kingdom.
Acknowledging the strict border closure and the inability of many Cambodian nationals to return home, Cambodian migrant workers who worked in the border area but whose work terms have terminated or whose permits have expired may remain inside the Kingdom for 6 months from the date of the waiver’s announcement in the Royal Gazette or until the border restrictions between Thailand and Cambodia are sufficiently lifted.
The waiver is only valid for Cambodian workers who hold a border pass and were previously authorized for seasonal or daily employment. To make use of the waiver, said workers must report to their respective immigration checkpoint within 15 days of the waiver’s announcement and subsequently report to the checkpoint every 30 days.
Those who act in severe violation of the law, leave their permissible area of stay, or fail to proceed in accordance with the required steps concerning the waiver will immediately lose their right to the waiver. The waiver will also terminate once the border is re-opened. Under all of these cases, a migrant worker no longer able to benefit from the waiver will be given 7 days to make preparations to go home. (NNT)
