A heated diplomatic tussle between Thailand and Cambodia has thrust the spotlight on hundreds of thousands of Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand. Despite the intensified tensions, many of these workers are choosing to stay put. This geopolitical friction came to a head when Hun Sen, the Cambodian Senate President, made a fervent appeal urging his compatriots residing in Thailand to return home. With promises of job opportunities and vocational training, his call to action followed a bold 24-hour ultimatum demanding that Thailand reopen its partially closed border checkpoints, which were shuttered over security concerns. Thailand’s decision to remain unfazed by the demand led Cambodia to retaliate by halting imports of Thai fruits and vegetables via land routes, leaving goods stranded and businesses in a state of uncertainty. In a rally of solidarity on June 11, hundreds marched through the streets of Phnom Penh, with Prime Minister Hun Manet signaling at…
