Thousands of Cambodian workers voluntarily cross the border in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey after Thai army General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced last week that the country planned to better regulate its workforce by providing more work opportunities for its citizens and warned illegal workers of their unwelcome status in the country.

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Deportation is not uncommon in Thailand as it is a well-known place for Cambodians to seek better work opportunities, especially among the rural poor. However, the extreme methods adopted by the Thai army have workers fleeing the country on their own.

Fear of abuse and punishment are the main drivers for the Cambodians, whether they are legal immigrants or not, to voluntarily cross over the border. Media reports of an increasing number of arrests on immigrant workers over the past days have compelled them to deliberately leave Thailand.

Reports of physical abuse have also been reported based on interviews from workers who had arrived safely home.

A number of Thai officials allegedly extort money from the workers and physically abuse them, said human rights group ADHOC coordinator Sum Chankea.

"Returnees have reported violent raids on houses where illegal immigrants are suspected of residing and incidences of the tearing-up of documentation entitling Cambodians to work legally in the country."

 "Before, a worker could be arrested and fined or deported, but now they can also be shot and killed," said Community Legal Education Center labor head Moeun Tola.

Based on official government records, some 7,500 Cambodians were deported from June 1 to 9. However, human rights groups say the actual figures may be closer to 20,000.

According to a Thai spokesperson, around 400,000 Cambodians and 1 million Myanmar workers labor in the country, including those who do not possess proper documentation to do so. He said the growing number of illegal immigrants has the government concerned and that they pose a threat to the country.

Meanwhile, the Thai government has been cooperating with the International Organization for Migration to facilitate the move of Cambodians across the border.

Banteay Meanchey governor Kor Sumsaroeun said that assistance is being given to workers who cross the border, providing them with water and packets of cooked rice. A check up is also given before the workers are escorted across the border with trucks provided by the country.

TagsThailand, coup, Junta, Cambodia, Immigrants, immigrant workers, illegal workers, labor news, World News, Human Rights, Adhoc, Sum Chankea, Poipet, Banteay Meanchey, Prayuth Chan-ocha, Kor Sumsaroeun, International Organization for Migration, Moeun Tola, Community Legal Education Center, deportation