Picture courtesy of Amarin TV

 

A staggering 50,000 Cambodian migrant workers have been reported leaving Thailand to return to their homeland, sparked by recent border clashes. The mass departure comes through a bustling checkpoint in Chanthaburi province, seeing an estimated 20,000 individuals head to Battambang, Cambodia, just today. More are expected in the coming days due to the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

 

The Baan Laem border checkpoint has witnessed a daily surge, with at least 10,000 Cambodians crossing back into their country each day. These workers, primarily employed in agriculture and construction, are responding to severe warnings from Phnom Penh.

 

Relatives back in Cambodia have cautioned them about potential denaturalisation and land confiscation if they do not return promptly due to the tensions, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

Currently, over 435,000 Cambodians earn their livelihoods in Thailand, but many are now compelled to abandon their jobs to ensure their citizenship and family lands remain secure. This mass movement highlights the strain between the neighbouring countries, causing significant upheaval in the lives of workers and their families.

 

The border conflicts have intensified, prompting this swift and massive return. Cambodian workers and their families grapple with challenging decisions, juggling their employment in Thailand with domestic pressures and threats. This scenario underscores the volatile situation at the border, leaving thousands in a state of uncertainty and flux.

 

A resolution remains elusive, and these departures signal a critical moment in the lives of many Cambodian nationals. As the situation develops, the full impact on the labour market and local economies in both nations is yet to be seen.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-08-07

 

It is clear that Cambodia is attempting to force citizens living abroad to return for military conscription, and there is a strong possibility of another invasion. Hun Sen is seeking to appeal to the United States to play a greater role in Cambodia in order to turn against China, as he lacks the means to repay the debts. He is betraying everyone just to secure the best position for himself.

 

The Chinese government should have realized by now how disastrous it is to invest massively in a country that threatens others purely for its own selfish gain. I hope President Xi will show Trump what true leadership looks like.

1 hour ago, Jone500 said:

The Chinese government should have realized by now how disastrous it is to invest massively in a country that threatens others purely for its own selfish gain.

Cambodia is no military threat to Thailand

6 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Cambodia is no military threat to Thailand

Big economic threat though if they can keep tourists too scared to visit Thailand.

15 minutes ago, captain_shane said:

Big economic threat though if they can keep tourists too scared to visit Thailand.

Thailand doesn't need help in messing up their tourist industry

7 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Cambodia is no military threat to Thailand

Just keep your head down............😉

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Relatives back in Cambodia have cautioned them about potential denaturalisation and land confiscation if they do not return promptly due to the tensions, reported Thai Newsroom.

Seems a bit far fetched.

This will affect farming within Thailand as well as the construction industry 

2 hours ago, FlorC said:

Seems a bit far fetched.

That's an understatement!!

Job opportunities for the Burmese ? 

19 minutes ago, WHansen said:

Job opportunities for the Burmese ? 

 

There are only so many....

A clear indication that Hun Sen's regime is a dictatorship like the CCP. Threatening to take away passports and take land from people who don't comply echos Khmer Rouge nonsense, which Hun Sen was a big part of... hopefully Hun Sen will end this mortal coil soon as he's a PoS.

13 hours ago, webfact said:

A staggering 50,000 Cambodian migrant workers have been reported leaving Thailand to return to their homeland, sparked by recent border clashes. The mass departure comes through a bustling checkpoint in Chanthaburi province, seeing an estimated 20,000 individuals head to Battambang, Cambodia, just today. More are expected in the coming days due to the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

Thailand reap what you sow....

2 hours ago, crazykopite said:

This will affect farming within Thailand as well as the construction industry 

The questions is whether they can get Burmese and Laotians to fill the gap?

8 minutes ago, thecyclist said:

The questions is whether they can get Burmese and Laotians to fill the gap?

I think the wife is a fairly typical Thai and she is happy to see the Cambodians go. I asked her who was going to do the work and she said, no worries, the Burmese and Laos will do it. Wonder how they will go for visa/ work permits if they need to go home every month when well away from their borders.

What 'ongoing tensions' A cease fire is in place and the two Military's are supposed to be meeting today to thrash out problems. I live in one of these red zones, there has been no fighting and people have returned back home, there is no tense atmosphere here at least.

A wave of uncertainty has swept through Cambodia, with over 200,000 migrant workers in Thailand rushing back to their homeland amid growing fears of land confiscation and loss of citizenship.

The threats, reportedly made by Senate President Hun Sen, have led to widespread panic among the workforce, with many fleeing Thailand in haste.

The most glaring evidence comes from a post shared by a Thai employer, referenced by the Facebook page "Than Pao." The post describes a Cambodian worker named "Sa," who had worked in Thailand for over ten years.

Sa revealed that the village head had been calling every day, warning that if Sa did not return home by a certain date, their land and house would be seized.

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1170532748433391&set=a-wave-of-uncertainty-has-swept-through-cambodia-with-over-200000-migrant-worker

Some are leaving after cease fire.

While some others came back.

 

 

7 hours ago, captain_shane said:

Big economic threat though if they can keep tourists too scared to visit Thailand.

 

If Thailand drains would-be visitors(due to border war), it is se!f-inflicted.

If it's true about Hun Sen threatening to revoke land rights, that will surely dissatisfy those Cambodians working in Thailand.

Wages are much higher in Thailand, can Hun Sen offer something similar?

6 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

A clear indication that Hun Sen's regime is a dictatorship like the CCP. Threatening to take away passports and take land from people who don't comply echos Khmer Rouge nonsense, which Hun Sen was a big part of... hopefully Hun Sen will end this mortal coil soon as he's a PoS.

And then what ?

16 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

A clear indication that Hun Sen's regime is a dictatorship like the CCP. Threatening to take away passports and take land from people who don't comply echos Khmer Rouge nonsense, which Hun Sen was a big part of... hopefully Hun Sen will end this mortal coil soon as he's a PoS.

No way I'd go back. I think he's gonna trap these people there. What's the point of owning land in a country where they'll steal it anyway? No way I'd go back, this is shaping up to be really bad.

On 8/8/2025 at 2:17 AM, captain_shane said:

No way I'd go back. I think he's gonna trap these people there. What's the point of owning land in a country where they'll steal it anyway? No way I'd go back, this is shaping up to be really bad.

If they don't go back he might cancel their citizenship and hence their visa to work in Thailand would be annulled.

Is it possible to cancel a citizenship if the person is a natural citizen born in the country to Cambodian parents?