A senior opposition figure in Cambodia has claimed that Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand are facing growing discrimination following heightened tensions between the two countries over a border dispute.
Speaking during a broadcast of Idea Talk hosted by The Cambodia Daily on the evening of June 9, New Generation Party leader Meach Sovannara said that Cambodians working in Thailand have come under verbal abuse and bias from some Thai citizens. He stated that workers are being unfairly accused of being part of a so-called “land-stealing Khmer race.”
Mr. Meach Sovannara noted that while Cambodia has a population of approximately 17 million, only around 2 million Cambodians are currently employed in Thailand. He added that their wages are often no higher than those of factory workers back home, and many face a lack of security and full labor protections abroad.
He argued that if the Cambodian government could generate sufficient employment and guarantee comprehensive labor rights at home, most migrant workers would prefer to return. He emphasized that many leave the country only out of necessity and would choose to remain with their families if given the opportunity.
In a direct appeal to Cambodian migrants in Thailand, Mr. Meach Sovannara urged them to remain patient and avoid confrontation, stressing that any reaction to discrimination could lead to violence or job loss. He stated that resolving the border dispute is the responsibility of both governments, not individual citizens.
The warning comes as several videos have surfaced on social media, appearing to show instances of discrimination against Cambodian workers in Thailand. The footage emerged shortly after the latest surge in diplomatic friction between the two nations. Cambodian migrants lacking full legal documentation have expressed growing fear for their safety in the workplace.
However, a representative of the Bangkok-based labor rights CENTRAL, which monitors migrant working conditions in Thailand, told reporters that they have not yet received any formal complaints of discrimination from Cambodian workers. Still, the organization acknowledged that many Cambodian migrants are living in a state of constant fear, concerned that tensions may spill over into their daily lives.
According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour, there are currently around 1.2 million Cambodian nationals working in Thailand. The majority are employed in agriculture, construction, fisheries, and manufacturing.
The situation remains under close observation as authorities from both countries work to ease tensions and protect the rights of cross-border workers.
