Nearly Half a Million Cambodian Migrant Workers in Thailand Face Uncertain Future

A s border war between Thailand and Cambodia enters its second week today, and crackdown specifically targeting unregistered migrant workers from Cambodia is on the rise, Khaosod English’s Pravit Rojanaphruk spoke to Thai-based Cambodian labour right activist Ms Saing Ry about how she and the more than 400,000 migrant workers are coping and their future.

QUESTION: What is the overall current situation of Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand like? Do they feel afraid or unsafe?

Saing Ry:  I feel confused, anxious, scared, and unable to think clearly about which path to take, because the [Thai] Prime Minister has announced an indefinite postponement of the registration and renewal process for Cambodian migrant workers. Many workers’ permits will expire on 31/3/69, and there is still no clear solution.

QUESTION: Out of 407,013 Cambodian workers who hold permits, you mentioned that nearly 25%—or 103,711 people—will have their permits expire on March 31 next year. What would you like to propose to the Thai government?

Saing Ry:  I respectfully ask the Prime Minister and the Minister of Labour to please consider allowing Cambodian workers who are still working in Thailand to register and renew their permits so that we can continue working legally.

If you do not agree with my proposal, I kindly ask that you issue a clear official announcement as soon as possible stating that Thailand will no longer accept Cambodian workers. This would allow us to make the right decisions for our lives.

I also ask that you allow us to exit through normal border checkpoints, because we are disadvantaged workers with limited education and cannot travel by airplane. The cost is very high for us.

Lastly, during this postponement period, please do not allow immigration officers to arrest us. We do not want to stay illegally, but many factors have left us with no good choices.

QUESTION: What would you like to say to Thai people who view Cambodia as an enemy and may hate Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand as a result?

Saing Ry: Please do not hate us. We are human beings too. Please do not hate us because we are Cambodian.

Being a good or bad person does not depend on nationality. No matter where someone is born or what nationality they have, anyone can be good or bad—it depends on their thoughts and actions.

QUESTION: Personally, do you feel unsafe when Thai people know that you are Cambodian?

Saing Ry: Sometimes I feel safe, and sometimes I do not. I meet people who understand and people who do not. In this situation, I never imagined the border issues would escalate this far. I feel deeply saddened to see the losses on both sides every day.

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