CNI News
6 September 2023
When Myanmar nationals in Thailand ,come to the Myanmar Embassy to make passports in person without having to make appointments, the embassy needs to release the number of people to be daily accepted, those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers told CNI News.
Although being able to apply for passports in person without having to make appointments is good for Myanmar migrant workers, there are still advantages and disadvantages, pointed out the people helping migrant workers.
" You can apply for the passport without making appointment, that is very good. But here we have to ask the department which has released that making appointment isn't needed anymore. Is it able to serve all the applicants daily? Is it able to issue slips to the applicants to come back and take the passport books in two weeks or 15 days. We have to watch it. There are several million people who have held Myanmar passports in Thailand. And there are over 600,000 Myanmar nationals whose visas will expire in November. When the people can apply for passports in person, why doesn't the embassy designate the number of people? Myanmar Embassy to Thailand should release an announcement how many passport books will be issued each day. Is it the cost in accordance with the amount designated by the existing law? They should be announced." said Ko Thar Gyi, one of the people helping the migrant workers.
In front of the Myanmar Embassy
Because the number of appointees went very few recently in the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok, the embassy has suspended making appointment starting from 2nd September, 2023.
So, those who want to apply for new passports for job and Myanmar nationals whose passports will expire on the end of June 2024 can come and make passports in person without taking appointments, released the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok.
Being able to apply for passports in person without taking appointments may be a bit difficult for Myanmar migrant workers who are working at the places that are distant from Bangkok, said U Aung Kyaw, an official from the Labor Rights Foundation, to CNI News.
" Now that those who want to apply for passports can come and perform in person without taking appointments, Myanmar migrant workers who are working at the places that are distant from Bangkok .may find it a little difficult to travel. But they don't have to wait for 6 to 9 months. In the past, the workers applied through brokers. It is a situation in which the workers don't have to pay extra money. Brokers' involvement may decline, I think. But the role of brokers will not die out at all. Several million Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand will involve with brokers, I think." said U Aung Kyaw.
Migrant workers who have registered in the name list have been allowed to stay and work until the end of September in Thailand and Myanmar authorities are performing to enable Myanmar MoU workers to renew their passports in Myawady and Kawthaung with one stop service.
