Rising refugee numbers: Thailand demands better help at the border!

Rising refugee numbers: Thailand demands better help at the border!

On November 3, 2025, the Migration Reform Network (TMR) issued a statement on the precarious situation of migrants at the Thai-Myanmar border. According to prachatai.com, recent political developments in Myanmar have triggered a humanitarian crisis that has led to the arrival of over 1,500 refugees from more than 27 different countries. The situation calls for urgent measures to increase screening capacities and intensify cooperation with international organizations.

The current situation is worrying: refugees from nations such as India, the Philippines and Ethiopia are seeking protection and support. Over 1,000 additional people are waiting to cross the border in the region, which is severely overwhelming the local authorities - there is simply not enough capacity to handle this high number of people.

Need for action at the border

In its statement, TMR highlights the importance of providing resources, specialist staff and interpreters in Tak Province. This commitment is intended to improve the efficiency of identifying victims of human trafficking and perpetrators. To date, 747 people have been screened, including 23 victims of human trafficking who were included in the National Protection Mechanism (NRM). In addition, 680 people remain stuck in the ongoing immigration process.

To improve the situation, TMR calls for a proactive role for Thailand in international cooperation. Policy recommendations include improving screening capacity and providing adequate reflection time for potential victims of human trafficking. In addition, the creation of an integrated data and coordination system is considered necessary to avoid duplication and ensure systematic support.

Protection of human rights

Thailand has made progress in the human rights management of migrants in recent months, particularly through the legal work permit for refugees from Myanmar, which has been in effect since October 1, 2025. This development shows that the Thai government is committed to meeting the needs of the people at this critical time. Humanornot adds that cooperation with civil society organizations is of great importance in order to address the needs of migrants on site and to make humanitarian aid efficient.

Managing migration humanely is no easy task and the pressure on local authorities is constantly increasing. TMR therefore calls on Thailand and all stakeholders to step up their efforts to assist migrants in this difficult situation and create a stable, safe environment.