Report Thailand Moves to Replace Fleeing Cambodians with Sri Lankan Workers

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

 

Thailand is gearing up to replace Cambodian workers, who are returning home amid border tensions, with Sri Lankan labour, according to the Labour Ministry. Labour Minister Pongkawin Jungrungreangkit noted approximately 20,000 Cambodian workers have returned, a figure far less than the 200,000 claimed by Phnom Penh.

 

The Labour Ministry is considering bringing in workers from Sri Lanka to fill the gap. This plan is still nascent and hinges on a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under preparation, Mr Pongkawin explained. The number of Sri Lankan workers that will eventually be recruited is set to depend on market requirements.

 

Dispelling rumours, Mr Pongkawin stated that a recent altercation between Thai and Cambodian workers was merely a personal squabble, not indicative of broader tensions. "This was merely a brawl between individuals, not a conflict between employers and employees, and certainly not a violation of human rights," he told the press.

 

He assured that all foreign workers in Thailand are protected equally by Thai law, underscoring the country's commitment to migrant workers' rights.

 

This clarification comes in the wake of Cambodia's Ministry of Labour calling for a boycott of Thai goods and services, claiming abuse against their workers. In response, Thailand is draughting a formal reply to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to assert that no abuses took place.

 

Furthermore, the Ministry plans to invite ILO representatives to inspect local businesses to demonstrate transparency and fairness.

 

In a separate briefing, Teerachai Phuwanatnaranubala, deputy leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, stressed the need for preparedness against the economic impact of the Thai-Cambodian dispute.

 

He urged the government to design contingency plans, focusing on the more vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, reported the Bangkok Post.

 

Mr Teerachai also called for reallocating part of the 157-billion-baht stimulus budget to address the looming labour challenges. "While the industrial sector can adjust production lines, the agricultural sector, especially fruit orchards that are dependent on migrant labour, is far more vulnerable," he warned.

 

The plan to replace Cambodian labour with Sri Lankan workers aims to minimise disruptions in key industries. The unfolding situation highlights the complex dynamics of regional labour migrations and the economic interplay between Thailand and its neighbours.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-08-01

 

 

[newbee2022]

Good luck 🙏

[AustinRacing]

Have you seen Cambodian social media posts involving burning and mocking Thai flags and the like? It’d be wise to leave if some psycho Thais decide to retaliate against Cambodians in Thailand. 

[FlorC]

So , the Thai are too lazy to work ?

Or want too much money ?

[mfd101]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

He assured that all foreign workers in Thailand are protected equally by Thai law, underscoring the country's commitment to migrant workers' rights.

Well, if you say so.

[hotchilli]

22 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Good luck 🙏

I guess Thailand has zero unemployment to fill these vacancies.

[black tabby12345]

He assured that all foreign workers in Thailand are protected equally by Thai law, underscoring the country's commitment to migrant workers' rights.

 

Does the govt pay their cost of travel to and from this kingdom?

Unlike people from the next door, new workers must come by plane; higher costs to reach here.

 

 

 

 

 

[digger70]

  .Thailand Moves to Replace Fleeing Cambodians with Sri Lankan Workers.

 

Well now ,Why don't some Thai Lazy workers fill the gap ,Yes. approximately 408,440, according to Statista are Unemployed in Thailand so there's no excuse for some to start work , But then, they want more money  or don't like to work (Lazy ) or don't like the jobs on offer. 

[Will B Good]

 

 

Pay Thais a decent living wage and you won't need any immigrant labour.....how rich do CP and Red Bull really need to be?????

 

 

[ezzra]

Out of the fire, into the frying pan, or until Thailand will start a problem with Sri Lanka.