The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) leader’s order issued on Monday, based on Labour Minister Sirichai Disthakul’s proposal, will help promote ties with the neighbouring countries of Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia as well as boost the country’s image, the ministry’s inspector-general Theerapol Khunmuang said yesterday.

Workers who obtain their employers’ consent to go home for Songkran and return to Thailand by April 20 will not have to pay relevant fees, he said.

Those eligible are migrant workers who have already obtained their passports and work permits, as well as their children under the age of 18. Also eligible are people |who are awaiting the completion of their national identification process and are now carrying one-year pink work permits.

People can call the 1694 hotline for more information.