KUALA LUMPUR - Nearly one million Cambodian nationals, including about 850,000 migrant workers, have returned from Thailand since June 2025 amid rising border tensions, reports of abuse and discrimination, and appeals from the country’s leadership.

The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) said the mass return prompted a nationwide, multi-stage government response to support returnees and facilitate their reintegration.

MLVT spokesman Sun Mesa said that between June 8 and Dec 31, 2025, approximately 950,000 Cambodians returned to the country in four phases.

Of the total, about 850,000 were migrant workers, around 60,000 were children and nearly 250,000 were aged 45 and above, he said.

Speaking in an interview with the Khmer Times during a visit to a garment factory in Kampong Speu province, Mesa said the return followed public appeals by Senate President Hun Sen and heightened attention from Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The calls urged Cambodian nationals working in Thailand to return home amid reports of violence, abuse and discrimination.

Mesa said the government has been coordinating closely with relevant ministries to assist returnees through job placement, vocational training and social support, while maintaining stability in the domestic labour market.

According to the ministry, protection and support measures were implemented in line with directives from Prime Minister Hun Manet and the Royal Government.

Between 120 and 310 personnel from the ministry, provincial departments, training institutions and child protection task forces were deployed to assist returning workers.

Six temporary reception centres were set up at major border checkpoints from June 8, including Cham Yeam in Koh Kong, Prom in Pailin, Doung and Phnom Dei in Battambang, Poipet in Banteay Meanchey and O’Smach in Oddar Meanchey.

Each centre provided seating for families with young children, drinking water, food, cooking facilities, first-aid services and mobile units from the National Employment Agency offering job-matching and vocational training information.

Mesa said the government response was carried out in stages.

During the first stage from June 8 to 24, border crossings operated under adjusted hours, allowing 99,758 people to enter Cambodia, many of whom later returned to Thailand for trade or work.

Support during this period focused on simplified entry procedures, job registration and transport back to home provinces.

The second stage, from June 25 to July 24 following the full closure of border crossings, saw 140,489 workers return, an increase of more than 40,000 from the first phase.

Measures included on-site recruitment by factories and special economic zones, government-supported transport, mobile job forums, debt rescheduling guidance and material assistance from local authorities.

The third stage, from July 25 to Aug 12, coincided with armed clashes and escalating violence along border areas, triggering a sharp surge in returns.

During this period, 773,133 people returned, particularly through the Doung checkpoint in Battambang province, with authorities intensifying crowd control, transport coordination and volunteer deployment.

Due to the high volume of arrivals, job registration efforts were scaled back to information distribution, the ministry said.