Impact of The Border Conflict on Bar Boys

[Jun]

Do you notice any difference in the number of Cambodian boys still working the bars? Are the numbers noticeably fewer?

I'm not in Thailand now, but I know some Cambodian boys who have gone home and some who are still in Jomtien. To get a full picture requires some visits to the bars.

[Montree]

Two Cambodian boys I know who both worked in Boyztown have made it back to Cambodia and both say they will not return. They had been in Thailand for around three years with only short visits home.

[Gaybutton]

Two Cambodian boys I know who both worked in Boyztown have made it back to Cambodia and both say they will not return.

I suspect that will be the same for many Cambodian boys, especially if Thailand continues issuing them only 7 day visas. Even if they were willing to do that, it would take most of the first day just getting to Pattaya and most of the last day getting back home. So for them it's really only 5 full days in Thailand - hardly worth it.

I have no idea how many, if any, are in Thailand on visa overstays or sneaked in and have no visa at all.

It is really sad how this conflict causes the people who can afford it the least to end up suffering the most.

[Jun]

I have no idea how many, if any, are in Thailand on visa overstays or sneaked in and have no visa at all.

It is really sad how this conflict causes the people who can afford it the least to end up suffering the most.

There are illegals and there are those with a passport full of stamps. The few I know in the latter category are now in Cambodia, but this is not a large sample size. So it may not be representative. For the ones who were already illegal, nothing has changed.

The only people benefitting from this are the generals who are stirring up trouble to try and justify the case for a strong military. However, I suspect that if Thailand had no military, there would also be no border dispute.

[Dodger]

The only people benefitting from this are the generals who are stirring up trouble to try and justify the case for a strong military. However, I suspect that if Thailand had no military, there would also be no border dispute.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[Rocket]

It’s good the post was taken down as it possibly could protect him. Social media can have negative consequences and I hope it doesn’t come to him. Not that anyone would necessarily read this board, but facebook is more likely to.

Some ugly stuff being said. Tit.

[Dodger]

According to this mornings news the conflict is coming to a close and some of the border crossings are expected to be reopening as soon as this afternoon.

I'm not a bit surprised - as keeping these borders closed was costing Thailand and Cambodia $$billions$$.

This probably means some of the Cambo Boys will be returning to the bar scene before high season.

As the world turns!

[Gaybutton]

This probably means some of the Cambo Boys will be returning to the bar scene before high season.

Unless Thailand rescinds that 7 day visa restriction, I don't foresee it being very many.

[Dodger]

Unless Thailand rescinds that 7 day visa restriction, I don't foresee it being very many.

Agree...probably just a trickle.

[Gaybutton]

Cambodian bar boys leaving Thailand are not the only ones.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thailand Faces Severe Labour Shortage as an Estimated 400,000 Cambodian Workers Flee Due To Border Tensions

By Adam Judd

August 4, 2025

Thailand is grappling with an imminent labour crisis as a mass exodus of Cambodian migrant workers, driven by escalating tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, threatens to disrupt key industries, a leading economist warned today.

Anusorn Tamajai, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Director of the Digital Economy, Investment and International Trade Research Centre (DEIIT) at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, explained the massive economic impact of the ongoing conflict. Cambodian migrant workers, who form a critical part of Thailand’s workforce, are leaving in droves, creating challenges for sectors such as agriculture, construction, food processing, and services.

Official figures indicate that approximately 500,000 Cambodian workers are legally employed in Thailand, but when undocumented workers are included, the total is estimated to be between 1 million and 1.2 million. These workers are vital to Thai businesses and contribute substantially to Cambodia’s economy, remitting an estimated 40 billion to 65 billion baht annually—equivalent to over 6.5% of Cambodia’s GDP.

The crisis intensified in late July 2025, when border tensions triggered a rapid repatriation of workers. Over a five-day period, around 400,000 Cambodian workers returned to their home country, with 150,000 departing on the first day alone. The mass exit was fueled by widespread rumours of insecurity in Thailand, amplifying fears among the migrant community.

Anusorn urged Thai authorities to address these rumours decisively and promote positive relations between Thai communities and Cambodian workers to stem the outflow. “The departure of this workforce could severely disrupt production and operations across multiple industries,” he cautioned, calling for swift action to restore confidence and stabilize the labour market.

https://thepattayanews.com/2025/08/04/t ... -tensions/