Nationalist fury in Thailand sparks Cambodian worker exodus – and labour crisis

Over 100,000 Cambodian migrant workers have fled Thailand in recent weeks, driven by fear after border clashes ignited a wave of patriotism, hate speech and violence in some communities.

The tipping point came on July 24, when simmering tensions between Thai and Cambodian forces escalated into armed conflict.

That evening, a group of Thais — reportedly incited by inflammatory social media posts —stormed an immigrant enclave in Bangkok’s Minburi district and violently attacked Cambodian workers living in Soi Keep Moo. The perpetrators were swiftly arrested, but the attack sent shockwaves through the Cambodian migrant community.

“Cambodians across Thailand were gripped by fear as reports of the attack spread, while relatives back home urged them to return,” said Migrant Working Group’s coordinator Adisorn Kerdmongkol.

Exodus hits Thai economy

The exodus of Cambodian workers has sparked labour shortages in multiple sectors of the Thai economy. Longan farms in the east are now short of workers to harvest crops, with many farmers concerned their fruit will be left rotting on the trees.

The eastern provinces, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat, form Thailand’s fruit basket, generating hundreds of billions of baht annually. A slump in their agricultural output would have a knock-on effect on the national economy.

“We’ve been hit by a sudden labour crisis,” said a durian farmer in Trat’s Khao Saming district.

Adisorn said that before border tensions flared in May, Thailand hosted roughly 500,000 Cambodian workers.

“The worker shortage is being felt beyond farms, with construction companies and restaurants also affected.”

He added that while some sectors can recruit migrant workers from other neighbouring countries, others had no way of filling labour gaps.

“Fruit growers in the east, for instance, rely on Cambodian workers with specialised skills,” Adisorn said. “You can’t just replace them overnight with workers from Laos and Myanmar.”

Adding to the financial strain, many businesses had just paid hefty fees to renew work permits when their workers chose to leave. “One contractor told me he had recently renewed permits for 20 workers— but none of them stayed,” Adisorn said.

He warned that if the exodus of Cambodian workers surpasses 200,000, it could severely impact the Thai economy.

Meanwhile, Cambodian workers at abattoirs and food factories in the east are handing in resignation letters, according to a source in the livestock industry.

“Employers are asking the Cambodians to stay because Thais refuse these jobs,” the source said. “But they are worried they cannot keep the workers for much longer, as the migrants are concerned about their safety.”

Before clashes erupted in July, only a few thousand Cambodians were returning daily via the Ban Laem border checkpoint in Chanthaburi, according to an official there.

“But since July 24, the number has risen to over 10,000,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Lives in limbo

For many Cambodian families in Thailand, life has changed dramatically overnight. Saran, who works as a gardener in Bangkok’s Khlong Sam Wa district, said his wife and two children were detained by police on July 28 after failing to produce documents immediately.

“We are here legally, but we don’t carry papers with us all the time,” he explained.

The trio was released after their employer arrived with their documents. “It was the first time I had ever been in a police car,” said Saran’s wife, Phana.

Although the family complies with Thai law and holds all the correct documents, Saran admits the atmosphere feels tense. “I used to cycle to Soi Keep Moo to meet friends every evening. Now, most of the Cambodians living there have gone,” he said.

A couple from Cambodia’s Battambang province said they had worked construction jobs in Thailand for the past eight years. “We were able to earn a good living and start a family,” said the wife. However, she said paranoia and fear now overshadowed their daily life.

“I don’t go out unless I’m with a Thai person, and I come straight home after errands,” she said.

Calls for calm

Mental health experts warn that growing nationalist sentiment, combined with social media sensationalism, is fuelling xenophobia against Cambodians.

“Some media outlets are amplifying the conflict in ways that stoke anger,” said Dr Yongyud Wongpiromsarn, adviser to Thailand’s Mental Health Department. “People are led to believe the situation is worse than it is, which has triggered widespread outrage.”

He advised people to be cautious when consuming news and not believe everything that is being reported.

He also urged both Thais and Cambodians not to take the conflict personally. “Thailand never wanted war; it only brings emotional, physical and economic suffering.”

Meanwhile, the Thai Foreign Ministry has repeatedly assured Cambodian nationals that they will not be targeted. “This is an issue between two governments, not two peoples,” said ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura.

The statement came after the Cambodian Labour and Vocational Training Ministry claimed that Cambodian workers in Thailand were being harassed and attacked daily.

Thai government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap joined Nikorndej in dismissing the claim. In reality, he said, Thai authorities are helping facilitate Cambodian workers’ return by waiving the need to apply again for re-entry.

“We are also offering them humanitarian support,” Jirayu said.

However, Adisorn said more must be done to reassure Cambodian migrant workers. “Policing violent attacks is not enough. Cambodians need proactive assurances that they are safe in Thailand. Until that happens, they will not have peace of mind.”