Thai Senator warns of losing 200,000 workers in Malaysia
Senator Chaiyong Maneerungsakul warns that over 200,000 Thai workers in Malaysia face deportation amid a strict crackdown, risking 200 billion baht in remittances.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Senator Chaiyong warns Thailand could lose over 200,000 workers in Malaysia.
- Malaysian crackdown leaves only 12,629 documented Thai workers remaining.
- Remittances worth 200 billion baht annually are at risk of disappearing.
On October 12, 2026, Senator Chaiyong Maneerungsakul addressed the critical situation concerning Thai workers in Malaysia, noting that historically over 200,000 individuals—both documented and undocumented—from Thailand's southern border provinces crossed the border to seek employment across various Malaysian states.
The majority of these workers are employed in the restaurant and Tom Yum Kung sectors, operating both as business owners and employees. Facing severe local unemployment driven by regional unrest, these workers rely on foreign employment to send back no less than 200 billion baht annually to support their impoverished families in Thailand.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
However, the operational landscape has deteriorated as the Malaysian government intensifies its crackdown on undocumented foreign labor. Because official work permits are prohibitively expensive for most Thai laborers, the number of legally registered Thai workers has plummeted to just 12,629, while unpermitted individuals are forced into hiding and face periodic arrests.
"The Malaysian government is tightening measures on workers from Thailand, especially those without work permits. Obtaining a work permit is extremely expensive, making it impossible for Thai workers to afford."
Chaiyong Maneerungsakul
Senator Chaiyong pointed out that Malaysian authorities have issued stern warnings for undocumented workers to leave the country as business inspections ramp up. Given the severe impact on Thai nationals, he urged the Thai Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate formal discussions with Malaysia to secure special work permit exemptions for residents of the five southern border provinces.
Geopolitical Context: Southern Thailand shares deep religious, linguistic, and cultural ties with Malaysia. Due to geographic proximity and high foreign labor demand in Malaysia, facilitating legal employment for Thai citizens presents lower operational costs than sending workers to distant nations. Bilateral negotiations remain essential to addressing regional unemployment and poverty sustainably.
Although the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) and political parties have previously attempted to resolve the undocumented labor issue, they have yet to receive formal responses from the central government of Malaysia, making federal-level diplomatic intervention imperative.
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment