The Cabinet meeting approved Thailand's endorsement of the 2nd IMRF declaration to advance protection for migrant workers. It emphasized that migration must not serve as a loophole for exploitation or human trafficking, reaffirming a balanced commitment to human rights and security.
5 May 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Lalida Pertwivatana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the Cabinet approved the draft declaration on progress from the 2nd International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) and Thailand's voluntary commitments, allowing Thai delegates to endorse and announce them at the IMRF from 5 to 8 May 2026 in New York City, USA.
The draft declaration reaffirms the principles of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), covering key issues such as respect for human rights, protection of migrants—especially women and girls—promotion of legal migration channels, safeguarding migrant workers from unfair recruitment fees, and the use of digital technology to manage borders within legal and ethical frameworks.
Thailand's voluntary commitments focus on strengthening responses to human trafficking in the context of international migration through cross-border coordination mechanisms centered on the victims, and engaging government agencies, sectors, and society in systematic prevention and resolution efforts.
Ms. Lalida added that Thailand's participation in this forum reflects its role in the international community, emphasizing balanced migration management covering humanitarian concerns, human rights, security, labor protection, and combating transnational crime. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the draft declaration and voluntary commitments are not treaties under the constitution and contain no language creating legally binding international obligations.
The government stressed that migration must not be a loophole for exploitation or human trafficking but must be a system that is safe, fair, and upholds the dignity of every individual.