Bangkok: The NBTC is considering a policy adjustment to permit Cambodian workers with valid or expired permits to continue working in Thailand. Under the current regulations, if the situation is deemed normal, these workers are required to exit Thailand within 14 days. The Burapha Force has reported that 212,766 individuals have been granted entry at the Thai-Cambodian border checkpoint.
According to Thai News Agency, Rear Admiral Surasan Kongsiri, Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, and Ms. Maratee Nalita Andamo, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided a statement following the meeting of the Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Administration Center (TBSA) on July 7, 2025. Rear Admiral Surasan noted that the National Security Council (NSC) meeting on July 4 authorized the NCPO to address the border tensions, with a focus on avoiding military force and combating transnational crime groups.
Furthermore, the CCSA has implemented specific measures for border crossing, allowing certain groups such as local residents, students, and those with humanitarian needs, like patients, to pass through the checkpoints. These measures have facilitated significant movement between June 7 and July 7, 2025, with 212,766 individuals entering Thailand and 206,100 leaving, as reported by the Burapha Force. The Suranaree Force recorded 2,454 movements, with figures varying based on border tensions.
Rear Admiral Surasan also discussed support measures for entrepreneurs affected by the importation of foreign workers. The Ministry of Labor, through the Department of Employment, agreed on July 4 to consider granting special permissions for foreign workers with valid or expired permits to remain in Thailand without fees until the border normalizes. Once reopened, workers must exit within 14 days, with provisions for 90-day work permits, renewable every 90 days. Workers can change employers up to three times within their permitted province.
The outcomes of the recent meeting will be reviewed by the Foreign Workers Management Policy Committee (FWMC) on July 8, before being presented to the Cabinet next week. If approved, the measures will be retroactively effective from June 7.
Ms. Maratee addressed recent social media reports concerning a letter from Cambodia's Permanent Representative to the UN, indicating an intention to take the Thai-Cambodian border issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructed Thailand's Permanent Representative to the UN to clarify Thailand's stance, based on international law and human rights, to the UN Secretary-General. This clarification is intended for inclusion in the UN General Assembly documentation, highlighting Thailand's proactive response to the matter.