The Interim Executive Council (IEC) of Karenni State announced on August 28 that the Thai government’s recent decision to grant legal work permits to border refugees represents a strategic policy that enhances dignity, self-reliance, and better living conditions for Myanmar refugees along the Thai-Myanmar border.
The IEC pledged to cooperate with Thai authorities across relevant sectors to improve the safety, dignity, and opportunities available to displaced communities.
The IEC also expressed gratitude to the Thai government, describing the move as “new hope and opportunity” for refugees facing increasing hardship due to the suspension of aid.
On August 26, 2025, the Thai Cabinet approved guidelines to grant legal work permits to Myanmar refugees living in border camps, including two camps that shelter Karenni refugees, following the suspension of international aid.
A resident of Karenni Refugee Camp No. 1 said that many Karenni refugees have long been forced to take up informal and unauthorized work outside the camps to cover basic living expenses. He added that Thailand’s new refugee policy has now given them renewed hope for a more secure future.
“If we get a legal work permit, some of our daily struggles will ease. Our lives depend on the work we can find. With a decent income, many things could change — starting with being able to pay for our children’s school fees,” he said.
There are nine refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, two of which are home to Karenni communities. Refugees said the Thai government’s decision to grant legal work permits marks a significant turning point in the 41-year history of the refugee crisis.
