August 19, 2025Aug 19 Popular Post Picture courtesy of Amarin TV Thousands of Cambodian workers have returned home amid rising tensions following clashes on the Thai-Cambodian border. In response, Thailand is bringing in Sri Lankan workers to fill the gap left by the departure of these migrants. Labour Minister Pongkawin Juangroongruangkit confirmed the cabinet’s approval of a pact to recruit from Sri Lanka, with 10,000 workers ready and 30,000 more registered to come. As the conflict continues, the Thai workforce landscape is undergoing a significant reshuffle. Thailand is also enlisting workers from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Nepal to contribute to its economic stability. Prior to this unrest, more than 520,000 Cambodians made up about 12% of Thailand’s foreign workforce, highlighting their importance in sectors ranging from agriculture to construction. The exodus of approximately 400,000 Cambodian workers prompts an urgent need for replacements, and Thailand is wasting no time in addressing the shortfall. Despite the challenges, Minister Pongkawin remains optimistic, dismissing concerns over the US tariff rate changes impacting Thai factories and employment levels. The recent reduction in tariffs to 19 percent from 36 percent is seen as a stabilising move, aligning Thailand with regional peers, reported Thai Newsroom. While the United States remains Thailand’s largest export market, accounting for 18.3% of exports valued at 2 trillion baht, there are ongoing concerns regarding tariffs on goods transshipped via Thailand from third countries. However, Thai officials have maintained confidence that these issues will not significantly impact the local labour market. With a proactive recruitment strategy, Thailand is working to ensure its economy remains robust in the face of geopolitical tensions. The swift action to secure Sri Lankan and other regional workers reflects the country’s commitment to sustaining its workforce demands and economic momentum. Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-08-20
August 20, 2025Aug 20 Popular Post So hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans are going to get on planes and fly to Thailand to work? I do not see that happening soon. And I doubt that many would choose to take a boat trip from Sri Lanka to Thailand, possibly landing in Ranong.
August 20, 2025Aug 20 Popular Post Just need to round up all those in the villages hanging around in hammocks all day to fill the gap.
August 20, 2025Aug 20 So I guess there are no workers in Laos, or Burma? Errrrr has anyone thought that Sri Lankans will not speak Thai? I mean like not a single word of Thai.. But I guess the Sri Lankans with no contacts in Thailand will make for better slaves than the Cambodians....
August 20, 2025Aug 20 These companies could also offer more pay and hire thai people who keep the money within the country instead of siphoning it out like migrants do.
August 20, 2025Aug 20 Burmese refugees , in need of $$$$ aide , many speak Thai as well as other languages , and are already here , wanting out of refugee camps to work. A better solution maybe ? I just don't see the reasoning behind Sri Lankan versus Burmese .
August 20, 2025Aug 20 8 minutes ago, CMFarang said: I just don't see the reasoning behind Sri Lankan versus Burmese . It is called Ayuthaya. Those Burmese burnt it to the ground. Cambodians attacked Thailand. Thailand could have turned Cambodia into Gaza. But they were very restrained. Israel should take note. Kind and very forgiving people the Thais.
August 20, 2025Aug 20 WHen they Sri Lankans - do they mean Indians ? Sri Lanka does not have a large population or even a large working population. Indians working illegally now will be able to sort of fit in.
August 20, 2025Aug 20 More than 30,000 workers from Sri Lanka have already registered and 10,000 will be sent to Thailand in the first stage, Labour Minister Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit told reporters, adding that it would also allow workers from Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines to apply. About 400,000 Cambodians working in Thailand have left the country during the fighting, according to the Cambodian government. Sri Lanka, which has emerged as a key source of replacement labour, saw a record 314,786 citizens leave for overseas employment in 2024, official data showed, with economic hardship pushing many to look for work overseas. The Middle East was the primary destination, and many also sought jobs in South Korea and Japan. Thailand turning to Sri Lankan workers to cope with Cambodian exodus, official says | Reuters Obviously S. Korea , Japan and the Middle East are far more attractive economically for Sri Lankans so I'm not surprised if the numbers arriving in Thailand are only in the tens of thousands. Bangladesh, Nepalese workers may be interested but would the wages in Thailand be much more than in Indonesia or the Philippines? I wouldn't have thought so. 400,000 workers is a lot to replace ( if that is the correct figure) and I wouldn't be surprised once the nationalism on both sides calms down if many want to return. It's very convenient for Cambodians to work in Thailand and much higher wages though AN poster Burma Bill wrote about various work projects starting up in Cambodia. We shall see. A drag through Thai villages nationwide could no doubt come up with a few hundred thousand unemployed youth who would benefit from a healthy lifestyle of full employment and fitness. National Service as it were!
August 20, 2025Aug 20 About 400,000 Cambodians working in Thailand....More than 30,000 workers from Sri Lanka have already registered and 10,000 will be sent to Thailand.......Man, the Thai labor department must be working overtime to issue so many work permits.
August 21, 2025Aug 21 16 hours ago, DonniePeverley said: WHen they Sri Lankans - do they mean Indians ? Sri Lanka does not have a large population or even a large working population. Indians working illegally now will be able to sort of fit in. If they mean Indians, they're going to say Indians. Sri Lankans and Indians are not the same, same way Thai and Cambodian are not the same and yeah I have no idea how they're going to get that many Sri Lankans to Thailand when Sri Lanka's working population is literally shrinking. I really see no reason why the Sri Lankan government would let that many people leave the country when they need workers themselves.
August 21, 2025Aug 21 26 minutes ago, ReedTeller said: If they mean Indians, they're going to say Indians. Sri Lankans and Indians are not the same, same way Thai and Cambodian are not the same and yeah I have no idea how they're going to get that many Sri Lankans to Thailand when Sri Lanka's working population is literally shrinking. I really see no reason why the Sri Lankan government would let that many people leave the country when they need workers themselves. If you look at this map you can see Thailand is surrounded by countries who have plenty of excess workers....Who I am sure plenty already speak pretty good Thai.... Importing workers from Sri Lanka is nonsense....
August 21, 2025Aug 21 4 hours ago, redwood1 said: If you look at this map you can see Thailand is surrounded by countries who have plenty of excess workers....Who I am sure plenty already speak pretty good Thai.... Importing workers from Sri Lanka is nonsense.... Thailand also has plenty of excess workers. Just walk into a supermarket electrical goods area.
August 21, 2025Aug 21 5 hours ago, ReedTeller said: If they mean Indians, they're going to say Indians. Sri Lankans and Indians are not the same, same way Thai and Cambodian are not the same and yeah I have no idea how they're going to get that many Sri Lankans to Thailand when Sri Lanka's working population is literally shrinking. I really see no reason why the Sri Lankan government would let that many people leave the country when they need workers themselves. Or they say Sri Lankans - but really it's going to be Indians. And we see the flood gates open to Indian workers. Pattaya was already bad enough
August 22, 2025Aug 22 17 hours ago, redwood1 said: If you look at this map you can see Thailand is surrounded by countries who have plenty of excess workers....Who I am sure plenty already speak pretty good Thai.... Importing workers from Sri Lanka is nonsense.... I have no idea why Thailand chose Sri Lanka, I understand Sri Lanka is the only other Theravada Buddhist country besides Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos but this is not some cultural event. All they need is workers and really 10,000 workers from Sri Lanka when they need workers themselves? Why would you pick workers from another "red" country instead of picking from the sea of "blue"?
August 22, 2025Aug 22 12 hours ago, DonniePeverley said: Or they say Sri Lankans - but really it's going to be Indians. And we see the flood gates open to Indian workers. Pattaya was already bad enough Sri Lankans aren't Indians. If they mean Indians, they're going to say Indians.
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