Over 100,000 Cambodian migrant workers have fled Thailand in recent weeks, driven by fear following border clashes that ignited a surge of nationalism, hate speech, and sporadic violence. The mass departure has left key industries scrambling to fill labour gaps, threatening economic disruption, Thai PBS reported.

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The crisis escalated on July 24 when long-simmering tensions between Thai and Cambodian forces erupted into armed conflict. That same evening, a mob of Thais—reportedly incited by inflammatory social media posts—attacked Cambodian workers in Bangkok’s Minburi district, specifically targeting the immigrant enclave of Soi Keep Moo. Though the assailants were arrested, the assault sent shockwaves through the Cambodian community, with many workers fearing for their safety.

“Cambodians across Thailand panicked as news of the attack spread, while families back home begged them to return,” said Adisorn Kerdmongkol, coordinator of the Migrant Working Group.

Labour Shortages Hit Critical Sectors

The sudden exodus has left farms, construction sites, and restaurants struggling to find workers. Longan orchards in eastern Thailand now face a severe shortage of harvesters, with farmers warning that fruit could rot unpicked. The eastern provinces—Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat—form the backbone of Thailand’s fruit industry, generating hundreds of billions of baht annually. A slump in production could ripple through the national economy.

“We’re facing an immediate labour crisis,” said a durian farmer in Trat’s Khao Saming district. Before the border clashes in May, Thailand hosted around 500,000 Cambodian workers, many of whom specialized in agriculture.

Adisorn noted that while some industries can recruit workers from Laos or Myanmar, fruit growers rely on Cambodians with specific skills. “You can’t replace them overnight,” he stressed.

The financial strain is compounded by businesses that recently paid hefty fees to renew work permits—only for workers to flee. “One contractor renewed permits for 20 workers, but none stayed,” Adisorn said. If departures exceed 200,000, he warned, the economic impact could be severe.

Thousands of Cambodian migrant workers are rushing home from Thailand despite a ceasefire agreement between the two countries. https://t.co/aT1pgRBFXd

— Migrant Affairs (@MigrantAffairs) August 1, 2025

Workers Fear for Safety as Tensions Rise

Even in sectors like meatpacking and food processing, Cambodian workers are resigning en masse. “Employers are begging them to stay because Thais won’t take these jobs,” said a livestock industry source. “But the migrants are too scared.”

At the Ban Laem border checkpoint in Chanthaburi, an official reported that daily crossings surged from a few thousand to over 10,000 after July 24.

For Cambodian families in Thailand, life has
become precarious. Saran, a gardener in Bangkok’s Khlong Sam Wa district, said his wife and children were briefly detained by police for not carrying documents. Though released after their employer intervened, the family now lives in fear. “I used to visit friends in Soi Keep Moo, but most have fled,” Saran said.

A Battambang couple, who worked construction jobs in Thailand for eight years, said they now avoid going out alone. “I only leave home with a Thai companion,” the wife admitted.

Authorities Urge Calm Amid Rising Xenophobia

Mental health experts warn that nationalist rhetoric and sensationalist media coverage are stoking anti-Cambodian sentiment. Dr. Yongyud Wongpiromsarn, an adviser to Thailand’s Mental Health Department, urged the public to avoid misinformation. “Thailand never wanted war—it only brings suffering,” he said.

The Thai Foreign Ministry has sought to reassure Cambodians, insisting they will not be targeted. “This is a government issue, not a conflict between people,” said spokesman Nikorndej Balankura. The Cambodian Labour Ministry, however, claims workers face daily harassment, a charge Thai officials deny.

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Government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap said Thailand is easing re-entry rules and offering humanitarian support to returning workers. But Adisorn argues more must be done. “Policing attacks isn’t enough—Cambodians need active reassurance they’re safe,” he said. Until then, the exodus may continue.

-Thailand News (TN)