Poipet, Cambodia: More than 150,000 Cambodian workers have fled Thailand carrying their children and a few belongings to return home over fears the junta will crack down on illegal migrants, an official said today.
Tired returnees stepped off Thai police trucks and buses in the border town of Poipet in northwestern Banteay Meanchey province where they received a free meal before embarking on the final leg of their journey.
The mass exodus of labourers -- who play a key role in prominent Thai industries but often lack official work permits -- was sparked by an army warning that illegal foreign workers would be arrested and deported.
The International Organization for Migration confirmed the figure.
The main route out of the border town was packed with vehicles driving the labourers and their families to provinces across the country in an operation which will continue until midnight.
Seng Phoan, a 28-year-old construction worker who spent around two months in Thailand, was returning to the northwestern province of Battambang as part of the Cambodian army convoy.
"I decided to return because I feared arrest by the Thai army," she said during a pit stop.
"I was worried about my safety. If I can find work here I will not go back to Thailand," Seng added.
The junta has dismissed as "rumours" it was forcing Cambodian labourers out of the country after issuing a warning last week that it viewed illegal migrants as a "threat" who faced arrest and deportation.
Tired returnees stepped off Thai police trucks and buses in the border town of Poipet in northwestern Banteay Meanchey province where they received a free meal before embarking on the final leg of their journey.
The mass exodus of labourers -- who play a key role in prominent Thai industries but often lack official work permits -- was sparked by an army warning that illegal foreign workers would be arrested and deported.
The International Organization for Migration confirmed the figure.
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The main route out of the border town was packed with vehicles driving the labourers and their families to provinces across the country in an operation which will continue until midnight.
Seng Phoan, a 28-year-old construction worker who spent around two months in Thailand, was returning to the northwestern province of Battambang as part of the Cambodian army convoy.
"I decided to return because I feared arrest by the Thai army," she said during a pit stop.
"I was worried about my safety. If I can find work here I will not go back to Thailand," Seng added.
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The junta has dismissed as "rumours" it was forcing Cambodian labourers out of the country after issuing a warning last week that it viewed illegal migrants as a "threat" who faced arrest and deportation.
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