New Thai labour law gives Myanmar refugees a second chance

After 19 years of confinement, a new chapter of freedom has begun for thousands of people from Myanmar who have fled to Thailand. On October 1, 2025, the Thai government granted one-year work permits to over 40,000 people, allowing them to work outside their border shelters for the first time in nearly two decades. The landmark decision not only transforms refugee lives but also addresses a critical labour shortage in key Thai industries, triggered by the recent departure of Cambodian workers because of armed border clashes.