The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on 26 August 2025 welcomed a new resolution by the Thai government that would allow long-staying refugees from Myanmar to work legally in Thailand.

Speaking on 27 August, Government Spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub referred to the decision made by the Cabinet on 26 August approving the Ministry of Labor’s proposal on employment of forcibly displaced foreign nationals in temporary shelters along the Thai-Myanmar border. This will allow the refugees to be legally employed in Thailand, significantly contributing to the development of the Thai economy.

Some 81,000 forcibly displaced people are hosted in temporary shelters along the Thai-Myanmar border, where many have been living in the camps for decades, according to UNHCR.

The UNHCR’s Representative in Thailand, Tammi Sharpe, described the Thai government’s decision as a major “turning point.” She said that it would not only help refugees support themselves but also benefit local economies and strengthen Thailand’s long-term growth.

“By unlocking the potential of these individuals, Thailand is not only upholding humanitarian principles but also making a strategic investment in its own future,” Ms. Sharpe said.

Although the new resolution covers a limited number, the UN agency said it would continue to advocate for wider refugee inclusion - offering support to the Thai government in rolling out the new measures. The move comes at a time when aid budgets for displaced people worldwide are facing severe cuts. The UN agency believes that Thailand’s move could set a regional precedent for sustainable, rights-based refugee policies – and serve as a model for countries facing similar challenges, UNHCR said. 

Mr. Jirayu pointed out that, the Thai government has constantly been providing humanitarian assistance to forcibly displaced people who fled the conflicts in Myanmar. However, financial contributions from international and non-governmental organizations have dwindled, resulting in the increasing burden of the Government in taking care of these refugees. 

In this regard, the Cabinet had given approval to grant special permission for this group of refugees to stay and work in the country, so that they could support themselves and their families. This will also ease the Government's financial burden, strengthen the country’s economic development, promote human rights, and address labor shortages.

As of 15 August 2025, there were a total of nine temporary shelters for Myanmar displaced people, located in Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi provinces. These shelters accommodated a total of 77,718 refugees, of whom 42,601 were of working age.