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UNHCR welcomes Royal Thai Government resolution providing long-term refugees the right to work

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

26 August 2025

GENEVA -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today commended the Royal Thai Government's adoption of a resolution that will grant long-staying refugees from Myanmar the right to work in Thailand.

Recognizing the protracted situation of some 81,000 forcibly displaced people hosted in temporary shelters along the Thai-Myanmar border, this policy shift will enable refugees to work legally in the country and contribute meaningfully to the Thai economy. Many of these refugees have been living in the camps for decades and are entirely dependent on humanitarian aid. Around 47 per cent of the population were born in the temporary shelters.

"For too long, protracted exile felt like an unending wait," said Tammi Sharpe, UNHCR's Representative in Thailand. "Today marks a turning point. With this policy shift, Thailand transforms hosting refugees into an engine of growth - for refugees, for host communities and for the nation as a whole."

"By unlocking the potential of these individuals, Thailand is not only upholding humanitarian principles but also making a strategic investment in its own future," Sharpe added. "Refugees will now be able to support themselves and their families, stimulate local economies through increased consumption, and promote job creation, contributing to national GDP growth and economic resilience."

This resolution comes at a critical time as millions of forcibly displaced people worldwide are at risk of losing access to life-saving aid due to severe cuts in global humanitarian funding.

Building on Thailand's 50-year legacy and leadership in hosting refugees, this new policy, if fully implemented, will set a new regional benchmark for a sustainable, rights-based refugee solution that could serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges.

While this policy applies to a limited number of refugees in the country, UNHCR continues to advocate for the inclusion of all refugees.

UNHCR stands ready to support the Royal Thai Government in implementing this policy through strategic development partnerships, alongside a wide range of stakeholders with expertise in both development and refugee protection.