CHONBURI, Thailand – 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.
