142,000 Cambodian workers return home from Thailand: official

[Alwyn]

The story by Jonathon Head on the BBC made it sound as though they were fleeing Thailand in fear for their lives.

This reporter frequently "sticks the boot" into Thailand and the Junta and the BBC should pull him out of here before he destroys their credibility

If these people are here illegally, they should be sent packing as quickly as possible. They have no right to come here and take jobs from Thais. We Farang are not permitted to undercut Thais in the workforce, so why should these people be allowed to do so?

Good riddance to them and their "good friend" BBC Reporter, Richard J Head.

That's quite a dimwitted statement. These people leaving are not only "illegal" workers but a mix of legal and illegal. They are generally doing the menial jobs Thais don't want to take on. It's a familiar thing in most countries - 100% of maids in Singapore are foreign, primarily Philipinnos thanks to their English skills. We had the same phenomenon in the UK. You seem to think that being a 'Farang' gives you some kind of status over other foreigners from the area with your "we farang" comment..... Tell that to the Russian and Chines tour guides who are undercutting Thais (illegally) or don't they count as farang in your bizarre little World?

[Thai at Heart]

May have only been a rumour....but whatever...it put the wind up 'em!

There must have been some kind of warning though.....142000 people don't just flee for nothing!

Unfortunately rumours take on a life of their own and a little more is added each time they are repeated.

The other newspaper quotes the Hon. Pres. of Thai Condominium Association as saying 80% of property workers are migrants and he estimates 300,000 illegal workers in Bkk alone. I'm presuming he's only talking about the property and construction sectors so add in factory workers etc. !

Just who is going to replace that little lot ?

Well, there might be enough Thais to fill in the vacancies IF they handed out 600 baht per day wages !

And if there are still a fair number of jobs available AFTER offerring the Thais 600 baht, then, then they can start issuing a limited number of work permits for 'foreigners'.

This is essentially the problem. Whilst they have furiously kept foreign companies out of businesses like construction and food, the so called Thai companies have been busy importing foreign labour to keep wages and costs down.

All it serves to do is reduce investment in technology (just loom at the practice's for construction), and put more on the bottom line of the company at the expense of giving higher wages to Thais.

If the market rate for a Thai is 600 baht, then the jobs should go to a Thai first. Maybe with a big of investment in equipment and technology they don't need 500 cambodians to build a building, but only 250 Thais with heavier duty equipment.

[NongKhaiKid]

Be good for Thailand to get rid of the slave labour and get some Thais in there working hard on the construction sites

its not slave labour we are talking about its a mix of underpaid, both legal and illegal workers leaving. 150K in a week is pretty serious.

Getting more and more reports of threats and rumours about what will happen if caught here after 23rd of this month. dosnt matter if the rumours are true or not the point is Cambodians cannot afford to take the chance given their recent history..

Some real immediate investigative journalism needed on this one so wont hold my breath.

If anyone thinks this is a good thing being so many so fast they are mistaken.

True both legal and illegal workers, saw a legal worker interviewed on ABC News (Aust) who had just fled back across the border. He apparently fled out of fear for his personal safety.

Wonder if anyone will ever get to the bottom of this and find out where and when the rumours started, if they are well founded or just something that has spiraled out of control ?

[tonbridgebrit]

May have only been a rumour....but whatever...it put the wind up 'em!

There must have been some kind of warning though.....142000 people don't just flee for nothing!

Unfortunately rumours take on a life of their own and a little more is added each time they are repeated.

The other newspaper quotes the Hon. Pres. of Thai Condominium Association as saying 80% of property workers are migrants and he estimates 300,000 illegal workers in Bkk alone. I'm presuming he's only talking about the property and construction sectors so add in factory workers etc. !

Just who is going to replace that little lot ?

Well, there might be enough Thais to fill in the vacancies IF they handed out 600 baht per day wages !

And if there are still a fair number of jobs available AFTER offerring the Thais 600 baht, then, then they can start issuing a limited number of work permits for 'foreigners'.

This is essentially the problem. Whilst they have furiously kept foreign companies out of businesses like construction and food, the so called Thai companies have been busy importing foreign labour to keep wages and costs down.

All it serves to do is reduce investment in technology (just loom at the practice's for construction), and put more on the bottom line of the company at the expense of giving higher wages to Thais.

If the market rate for a Thai is 600 baht, then the jobs should go to a Thai first. Maybe with a big of investment in equipment and technology they don't need 500 cambodians to build a building, but only 250 Thais with heavier duty equipment.

What is, essentially, the problem ? I agree, it's about Thai companies importing foreign cheap labour, they want to keep wages low and profits high.

Those Thai companies would much rather pay foreigners lower wages than pay Thais a higher wage.

And the talk on Thai Visa by people who reckon it's a good idea to have all the illegal workers removed, and then let them back in again (all or most of the illegal workers) as registered workers. Well, it's being said with good intentions, but people don't realise that some of the Thais would rather have the illegal workers stay as illegal workers. After all, if they are illegal workers, they are vulnerable and less likely to raise any issues about pay and conditions.

[IsaanUSA]

Im just curious if anybody has an opinion on what will happen to Cambodia now? Will a sudden influx of people cause additional economic growth in Cambodia? Will most people return to rural life and not make an impact on the economy? I'm just curious what happens when a 150,000 citizens all decide to return home at the same time.

[spidermike007]

That went well then didn't it!

200K plus with those from Myanmar and Laos I guess.

Happyness for the Thais only?

My guess is, a very temporary happiness. Beyond the superficial nationalism, they need the foreign workers. Many Thais are simply unwilling to do the kinds of jobs the Cambodians and the Burmese do, for the kind of money they earn. Not saying the Thais are lazy. But, they are selective with their work! What will these industries do without the foreign workers? Was this action, or warning unnecessary? We shall see.