The Labor Attaché Office under the military council has announced that they will open four centers to issue Certificate of Identity (CI) books for Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand. These centers will be located at Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Surat Thani, and Chiang Mai. Starting from August 6, the centers will process CI book renewals for those whose documents are expiring within 6 months or have already expired. They will also issue new CI books in conjunction with Thailand’s pink card (TR-38) processing system. This initiative aims to provide proper documentation for the large population of Myanmar migrant workers currently residing in Thailand.
The centers will also issue Thailand-only passports and Overseas Worker Identification Cards (OWIC) to those who possess original national ID cards, household registration documents, and CI books after proper verification. According to the announcement, these CI book processing services will be suspended every Monday and on official holidays as determined by the Myanmar Embassy (Bangkok) under the military council. This documentation process is crucial for the millions of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, many of whom currently lack proper legal documentation to work and reside in the country. The establishment of these four centers represents a significant step in addressing the documentation needs of Myanmar’s migrant worker population in Thailand.
Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand require official documentation for their work permits and residency status, and the issuance of CI books will help stabilize their living conditions. However, many workers express concern about having to obtain documentation through organizations under the military council’s control. This is particularly concerning for those with anti-military council political views and activists. The process highlights the complex situation faced by Myanmar migrant workers who must balance their need for legal documentation with their political stance and safety concerns regarding interaction with military council-affiliated institutions.
