Story perspectives

Thailand Expands Permit, 5,500 Myanmar Refugees Gain Legal Jobs

6/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Over 5,500 Myanmar refugees secured legal jobs after Thailand eased employment restrictions last year.
Thailand now permits roughly 80,000 Myanmar refugees to work legally along the border.
The shift followed President Donald Trump’s aid cuts and labor shortages from clashes with Cambodia.
UNHCR’s Raouf Mazou said the model—issuing identity cards, mandating minimum-wage pay with health coverage—could be replicated, with 10,000-20,000 more refugees expected to work next year despite movement limits.

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Story summary

Over 5,500 Myanmar refugees secured legal jobs after Thailand eased employment restrictions last year.
Thailand now permits roughly 80,000 Myanmar refugees to work legally along the border.
The shift followed President Donald Trump’s aid cuts and labor shortages from clashes with Cambodia.
UNHCR’s Raouf Mazou said the model—issuing identity cards, mandating minimum-wage pay with health coverage—could be replicated, with 10,000-20,000 more refugees expected to work next year despite movement limits.