In recent days, some individuals who describe themselves as migrant worker rights activists in Thailand have urged Myanmar nationals living and working in Thailand to stay indoors after work for a period of two weeks. They have called on people to avoid going out shopping or visiting places such as restaurants, nightclubs, and similar venues.
According to reports, this campaign began on January 26. Prior to these calls, there were verbal disputes and some physical assaults between Thai nationals and Myanmar migrant workers in Samut Prakan, an area of Bangkok where many Myanmar people live. In addition, following incidents in which Thai ultra-nationalists—commonly referred to by many Myanmar people as the “mustache group”—and their associates assaulted several Myanmar migrant workers in a neighborhood of Ayutthaya, these calls for staying indoors began to emerge.
At the same time as such provocations by Thai ultra-nationalists, other incidents—such as shootings targeting police officers followed by suspects fleeing in Mae Sot, a border town with Myanmar—have coincided, leading Thai authorities to intensify inspections by police and immigration officials. As a result, Myanmar nationals found to be in violation of Thai laws and regulations have also been arrested.
Due to ongoing armed conflict, political crises, and war inside Myanmar, job opportunities have become increasingly scarce. Factors such as the enforcement of the military conscription law have led large numbers of Myanmar nationals in recent years to enter Thailand through both legal and illegal channels to live and work. On the other hand, Myanmar workers—alongside Cambodian and Lao nationals—are helping to fill labor shortages in sectors vital to Thailand’s economy, such as construction, agriculture, and low-wage service jobs in major cities.
From a practical and positive perspective, Thailand’s economy and the livelihoods of Myanmar migrant workers are mutually dependent. However, it is also evident that narratives and mobilization efforts by ultra-nationalists—framing migrant workers as sources of crime or accusing them of stealing jobs from Thai citizens—have intensified during this period, often for political gain.
Ahead of Thailand’s general election scheduled for February 8, political parties have been campaigning actively. One small political party has even stated during its campaign that, if elected, it would crack down on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Thailand that advocate for the rights of Myanmar migrant workers.
While it is natural for political parties to use popular rhetoric to win votes during election periods, statements threatening to suppress NGOs working on migrant labor rights are rare and represent an unusual form of political agitation.
Under these circumstances, leaders of the Myanmar community in Thailand should adopt approaches grounded in long-term benefits—through thoughtful policies, actions, and messaging.
Individuals with large followings on social media, celebrities, and those making popular statements should exercise caution when engaging in rhetoric or mobilization framed along nationalist lines between Thailand and Myanmar. Rather than confronting ultra-nationalist rhetoric and isolated acts of violence head-on, it would be more constructive to engage in dialogue and clarification with moderate political parties and civil society organizations, particularly as some politicians exploit nationalist extremism ahead of the general election.
Although the two-week stay-at-home campaign has been described as a non-violent effort aimed at preventing unnecessary incidents, some social media posts have framed it in ways resembling an economic boycott. In today’s era, where automatic translation of social media content is easily accessible, it cannot be assumed that comments written in Burmese are invisible to Thai social media users.
Beyond this campaign, Myanmar migrant worker advocates, as well as officials responsible for labor affairs from the National Unity Government (NUG) who are residing in Thailand, should engage directly with Thai politicians and members of parliament to explain the situation. At the same time, they should also provide clear explanations and guidance to Myanmar migrant workers regarding the current circumstances.
Due to Myanmar’s political crisis and nationwide civil war, millions of Myanmar nationals are temporarily taking refuge in Thailand. While it is true that Myanmar migrant workers provide essential labor needed by Thailand’s economy—something for which Thailand should be grateful—it is also important to recognize Thailand’s acceptance of millions of people and its humanitarian role in sheltering refugees fleeing war across the border.
At the same time, community leaders and responsible actors urgently need to work together to restrain extremist nationalist views and inflammatory mobilization. Actions and rhetoric designed to gain popularity through nationalism risk deepening divisions rather than resolving problems, and preventing such outcomes is an urgent responsibility.