Bangkok: Rising border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have led to an alarming increase in attacks on Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand, who are reportedly being targeted by Thai gangs amidst the ongoing conflict.
According to Radio Free Asia, the situation has prompted Thai government and police officials to publicly denounce the violence, emphasizing that any perpetrators would face legal consequences. Despite these assurances, rights and labor activist Phil Robertson from Asia Human Rights Labour Advocates highlighted a disconnect between official statements and the reality on the ground. He noted that while authorities have pledged to protect migrant workers, there remain significant challenges in actual enforcement, leaving many Cambodians in fear for their safety.
Robertson described the attacks as brutal, with Cambodian workers, who play a crucial role in Thailand’s agricultural and construction sectors, becoming unintended victims of the cross-border conflict. The violence has instilled such fear that many migrants are fleeing or going into hiding, disrupting essential sectors like construction in Bangkok that rely heavily on Cambodian labor.
The Thai police’s failure to prosecute the attackers has further exacerbated the situation, revealing longstanding issues of impunity in the treatment of migrant workers in Thailand. Robertson pointed out that this is part of a broader problem of inadequate protection for all migrant workers in Thailand, irrespective of their nationality.
The activist called for action from both local NGOs and the international community to hold Thai authorities accountable and ensure justice for the victims. However, he expressed skepticism about the Cambodian government’s ability to support its citizens abroad, citing systemic corruption and inefficacy in its migrant management processes.
Efforts by NGOs and labor groups are ongoing to investigate the incidents and advocate for the rights of migrant workers. However, Robertson indicated that more international media attention is necessary to bring about significant change and highlight the plight of Cambodian workers in Thailand amid the current geopolitical tensions.