It is estimated there are approximately 4 million migrant workers currently in Thailand but only 1,972,504 are permitted to legally work. Out of those permitted to work 698,777 migrants entered the country legally whilst 1,273,727 migrants entered the country irregularly. Some 2-3 million more migrants entered irregularly into Thailand and have not registered at all.

Migrants are crucial for Thailand's productivity and economic growth. However, these workers are also often poorly treated by officials or employers and denied human rights and decent work conditions. Migrants still face wage deductions and unlawful salaries, dangerous and unhygienic working conditions, detention in a slave-like conditions and too frequently fall victim to human trafficking.