Influx of migrant workers returning from Thailand for KNY

With the Khmer New Year drawing near, there is a lot migrant worker movement in some provinces bordering with neighbouring countries such as Thailand. This is causing serious concern to the provincial authorities as they are also seeing an increase in Covid-19 cases which if not handled and managed properly will lead to another community outbreak.

Since early this month, more than 1,300 migrant workers have started returning to Banteay Meanchey while another more than 1,000 to 1,500 to Oddar Meanchey from Thailand. Banteay Meanchey deputy governor Ngor Mengchroun yesterday said that the increase in migrant workers returning for the Khmer New Year celebration is very noticeable.

In the first two months of this year, he added that not more than 200 migrant workers would have crossed the border from Thailand and with the celebration a month away, many are scheduled to return and managing the influx of migrant workers will be a challenge for the relevant officials.