In Pictures

Gallery|Human Rights

In Pictures: Cambodian exodus from Thailand

Security forces appear to be deporting Cambodian migrants in what activists say is a well coordinated campaign.

More than 100,000 Cambodians have left Thailand over the past two weeks. 
By Antonio Zambardino
Published On 20 Jun 2014

More than 100,000 Cambodian migrant workers have returned from Thailand over the last two weeks following the May 22 military coup. Some have been deported by the Thai military, in what appears to be well-coordinated raids.

The Thai military denies a policy of deportation. Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee, termed claims of mass deportations, or plans to expel Cambodians as “groundless” and “rumours”.

Cambodians generally work in low-paid occupations in Thailand, with the aim of sending money home to their families.

Political unrest caused Thailand’s economy to contract in the last quarter, meaning businesses could be less reliant on migrant labourers than during previous years. As rumours swirl about violent attacks targeting foreign migrants, it remains unclear for how long the exodus will continue. 

Rumours have spread of violence against Cambodian workers.
Advertisement
Migrants wait at a police station near the Thai border before going back to Cambodia. 
Activists estimate there were between 300,000 and 400,000 Cambodians working in Thailand before the recent exodus. 
Cambodians board a truck at the behest of Thai police. 
Cambodia(***)s Interior Minister Sar Kheng said: "After the military coup in Thailand, the Thai military leaders sent illegal Cambodian migrant workers [out of the country] in a rush without informing and discussing with Cambodia." 
Eight people have died in traffic accidents linked to the exodus of Cambodian migrants, a Cambodian government official estimated. 
Advertisement
An official from Thailand(***)s military government said it plans to crackdown on what it considers illegal immigration. 
The International Organisation for Migration has expressed concerns about shelter, food and healthcare for the returning migrants. 
Some migrants have complined that Thai police are demanding bribes to allow them to travel in peace. 
In the past, authorities in Thailand turned a blind eye to undocumented migrants coming from Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos as Thai businesses depend on their cheap labour. 
Thai security forces accompany migrants to a police station. 
The army, which seized power in Thailand on May 22, has denied that a crackdown on illegal workers is taking place.
Thailand(***)s military coup follows years of political divisions between royalist establishment and the family of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The last six months of political turmoil has lead to an economic contraction in Thailand.