Immigration
Thailand Suspends Labor Deployment to Iran and Iraq Amid Middle East Tensions
The Department of Employment has halted labor dispatches to Iran and Iraq, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges Thai nationals across the Middle East to exercise extreme caution.
On August 4, 2026, the Thai Department of Employment (DOE) announced a formal suspension of labor deployment to Iran and Iraq. This decision follows a broader security assessment regarding rising regional tensions in the Middle East. Sontaya Kalasri, spokesperson for the DOE, confirmed that the agency is continuously monitoring the situation in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Thai diplomatic missions across the region.
Simultaneously, the Department of Consular Affairs has issued a security advisory for Thai citizens residing in several Middle Eastern nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt. Authorities have advised Thai nationals currently in these areas to remain vigilant, monitor local news closely, and consider departing if they feel their safety is compromised due to the potential for localized attacks.
For travelers and residents, this situation underscores the importance of maintaining contact with the nearest Thai embassy or consulate. While the labor suspension is specific to Iran and Iraq, the broader advisory covers a wide geographic area. It remains to be confirmed how long these restrictions will remain in place and whether further countries will be added to the suspension list. Thai nationals are strongly encouraged to strictly follow all official government warnings and updates as the security landscape evolves.
Translated from Thai.
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