BANGKOK, Thailand – The Department of Employment has confirmed that approximately 19,000 Cambodian workers have returned to their home country amid recent regional tensions, but says the impact on Thai employers is limited to certain sectors.
Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, said that Thailand currently hosts about 500,000 Cambodian workers, and only a small portion of them—19,000 people—have crossed back into Cambodia. Reports of over 200,000 Cambodians waiting to leave Thailand include tourists, students, and undocumented individuals, not just formal laborers.
Some employers, particularly in construction and industrial sectors in provinces such as Nakhon Ratchasima and Samut Sakhon, have been affected as a number of their workers left. However, most workers reportedly informed their employers that they are leaving temporarily to check on family members and plan to return.
Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has ordered urgent measures to support affected businesses. A meeting with security agencies is scheduled this afternoon to assess the need for replacement workers and determine whether the vacancies should be filled entirely or only for specific sectors. Recommendations will be submitted to the Ministry’s policy board once finalized. (TNA)
