Thailand wants migrant workers

[Gaybutton]

Thailand now has a serious labor shortage due to the dispute with Cambodia and Cambodian strongman Hun Sen's threat to seize homes and lands of Cambodians who remain in Thailand.

Cambodians were a major labor force in Thailand. Thailand is trying to make up for the loss by recruiting laborers from other countries. However, when it comes to any kind of construction, buildings or roads, the Cambodian workers at least had experience and some skill. Nobody really knows what kind of skill levels will be coming in - or if there will be much of any kind of skill at all. Hopefully there will be sufficient training before putting these people to work.

That's the downside. The upside - maybe - will be finding a whole new set of young gents working in the bars . . .
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Govt to ramp up drive for migrants

Mulls using inmates amid labour shortage

August 28, 2025

Labour Minister Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit has confirmed the government's plan to bring in labour from other countries, in addition to its intention of importing a first batch of 10,000 Sri Lankan workers, already approved by the cabinet.

The minister said the move is aimed at minimising the risk of labour shortages and providing an urgent remedy for businesses. The expanded proposal will be fast-tracked to the cabinet this week, while the ministry is also considering mobilising Thai workers -- including conscripts, inmates with good conduct nearing release, and juveniles in correctional facilities -- to address immediate gaps.

Illegal workers who are already in the country will be registered so they are formally entered into the system, Mr Pongkawin said.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce has thrown its support behind the government's labour import plan, stressing that shortages are threatening agriculture, manufacturing, services and overall employment.

Last week, the cabinet approved measures to ease the problem, allowing employers to apply for new work permits on behalf of Cambodian, Laotian and Myanmar workers whose permits expired on Feb 13 and were not renewed, as well as for undocumented migrants who entered the country before the resolution was passed.

The cabinet also approved a pilot scheme to bring in 10,000 Sri Lankan workers under a two-year contract, extendable by another two years, to offset the loss of Cambodian workers who have already returned home.

Meanwhile, Prof Pongtep Suntikul of Thammasat University warned that Sri Lankans may not meet Thailand's labour demand profile.

Unlike Cambodians, who generally fill semi-skilled and low-skilled jobs in construction, agriculture, fisheries and services, Sri Lankans are more skilled in hospitality, hotels and personal care sectors, where Thais are still active, said the academic.

"Importing Sri Lankans will not fully replace Cambodian workers and could even compete with Thais in certain roles, given their higher costs and different skill sets from Cambodian workers," he said.

In the short term, he urged retaining Cambodians already in Thailand, enabling re-entry of those wishing to return, and tightening undocumented migrant registration with the Interior Ministry. He warned of risks from over-reliance on Cambodian, Lao and Myanmar labour, noting recruitment from other nations is difficult.

Long-term, he called for investment in technology to reduce dependence on foreign workers. He stressed Thailand must respect human rights under International Labour Organisation conventions, including the 2014 Forced Labour Protocol.

"Thailand's strength lies in its comprehensive laws and regulations on migrant labour management. The real challenge is ensuring these mechanisms are implemented rigorously," he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... r-migrants

[Jun]

If they focussed more on productivity and, for example, stopped all the pointless public construction projects, there would be less need for migrant workers.