I think you might as well forget about seeing many Cambodian boys in the bars or even within Thailand on the apps for an unpredictable amount of time. Apparently the rumored threat by Hun Sen may really be true and it is forcing Cambodians to return home. And if it is true, the deadline for returning home is August 13.
However, I have seen a couple news items saying the gap may be filled by Sri Lankan boys. We'll see what happens.
Once again, those who can afford it least are the ones who always suffer most.
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Empty threat or reality? Cambodian workers flee amid fears
by THE NATION
August 7, 2025
A wave of uncertainty has swept through Cambodia, with over 200,000 migrant workers in Thailand rushing back to their homeland amid growing fears of land confiscation and loss of citizenship.
The threats, reportedly made by Senate President Hun Sen, have led to widespread panic among the workforce, with many fleeing Thailand in haste.
The most glaring evidence comes from a post shared by a Thai employer, referenced by the Facebook page "Than Pao." The post describes a Cambodian worker named "Sa," who had worked in Thailand for over ten years.
Sa revealed that the village head had been calling every day, warning that if Sa did not return home by a certain date, their land and house would be seized.
What stands out in the post is the employer’s concern, as they arranged to purchase a year's worth of medication for Sa, who suffers from a skin condition. The employer expressed uncertainty about whether Sa would ever be able to return to Thailand to work again.
The situation has become increasingly dire in recent days. At several border crossings, including the Ban Laem border in Chanthaburi, Klong Luek in Sa Kaeo, and Hat Lek in Trat, thousands of Cambodian workers, along with their families and belongings, have crowded together, waiting to cross back into Cambodia.
At the Ban Laem border alone, over 10,000 workers have been seen, with many businesses, particularly those owned by Cambodians, closing down.
Some workers have been waiting at the border since August 4, carrying heavy loads, including household appliances like refrigerators and washing machines, while they await their turn to leave Thailand.
According to surveys, 90% of the workers expressed deep concern about the threats, stating they feared losing their homes and land and being erased from Cambodia’s population registry if they failed to return by August 13.
Story and photos:
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/40053703
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Cambodian Workers in Pattaya Plead with Hun Sen to Stop Pressuring Citizens to Return Home Amid Border Tensions
by Adam Judd
August 11, 2025
August 10th, 2025: Despite a 13-point ceasefire agreement reached at the recent GBC meeting in Malaysia, ongoing unrest along the Thai-Cambodia border continues to ripple through Thailand’s economy, particularly impacting industries reliant on Cambodian labor, such as construction and manufacturing.
At a luxury housing construction site in Pong Subdistrict in Banglamung where some homes are valued at over 30 million baht, reporters spoke with Mr. Chitipat Jantong, 55, a former Royal Navy football player turned construction contractor. Mr. Chitipat, known as “Sant,” shared that his business has been severely affected as dozens of Cambodian workers abruptly left for their homeland, despite his efforts to persuade them to stay until ongoing projects were completed.
“I’ve been in the construction business for decades, and this situation has hit us hard,” Mr. Chitipat said. “Most of my workers are Cambodians because they’re skilled, easy to manage, and have a good work ethic. But after the border tensions escalated, communication from Cambodia painted a starkly different picture compared to Thailand. Workers were told their homes and land would be confiscated, their passports revoked, or that they’d face harm from Thais if they didn’t return. Some even heard there’d be no Cambodian consulate services in Thailand. This caused widespread fear, and almost all my Cambodian workers left, leaving me with only seven or eight now.”
Mr. Chitipat urged former Cambodian leader Hun Sen to prioritize his citizens’ welfare over personal interests and stop pressuring them to return home. He also called on Thai authorities to address the economic fallout and find solutions to keep businesses running, stating the mutual benefits for both nations.
Mr. Dam, a 40-year-old Cambodian construction worker who has worked in Thailand for over five years, shared his fears. “During the border clashes, I was terrified because my family lives near the Thai-Cambodia border, and I was worried about stray bullets hitting our home,” he said. “Many of my compatriots returned home after hearing they’d lose their land or houses if they stayed. Others feared attacks by Thais. I stayed because my employer asked me to help finish the work, and I need the income to pay off loans I took in Cambodia to build my house. If I go back, I’ll have no job and no way to clear my debts.” He expressed hope for peace, adding, “I don’t want war, and I want Thailand and Cambodia to reconcile.”
At a major speedboat manufacturing yard, SR Boat, in the Huai Yai Subdistrict, owner Mr. Sittikorn Pomthong, 42, known as “Young SR,” echoed similar concerns. “Over 80% of my workforce is Cambodian, but more than half have left since the unrest began, stalling production,” he said. “Relatives and village leaders in Cambodia told them to return or risk losing their land, being removed from citizen registries, or even facing harm from Thai doctors or nurses. I tried to reassure them about their safety, but it didn’t work. We’re now critically short of workers.”
Mr. Sittikorn called on both governments to resolve the issue, stressing that livelihoods must continue despite border tensions.
Mr. Ta, a 34-year-old Cambodian worker at the boat yard, chose to stay despite peers urging him to leave, citing safety concerns. “My employer has been supportive, and the Thai government respects Cambodian workers here,” he said. “I avoid watching Cambodian news because it’s stressful and makes me want to go back. I don’t want Cambodians to hate Thais or cause trouble. Thailand is still a safe place, and I hope both countries avoid further conflict.”
As businesses in Thailand grapple with labor shortages, the plight of Cambodian workers shows the broader economic and humanitarian toll of the border unrest, with calls growing for diplomatic efforts to restore stability and trust.
https://tpnnational.com/2025/08/11/camb ... -tensions/
