Cambodia Condemns Brutality by Thai Soldiers Against Migrant Workers

PHNOM PENH (Nov. 18, 2025) — Cambodia’s Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training on Monday issued a strong condemnation of violence and sexual assault allegedly committed by Thai soldiers in black uniform against Cambodian migrant workers attempting to return home.

H.E. Heng Sour, Minister of Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training

The ministry said 13 workers were subjected to severe physical abuse, including beatings, intimidation and extortion, while one 18-year-old female worker was gang-raped by seven soldiers. The incident occurred Nov. 15 in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, near Cambodia’s Battambang border, at a time when Thai authorities had unilaterally closed the crossing.

“These inhumane acts constitute grave violations of human rights, migrant workers’ rights and women’s rights,” the ministry said, citing international conventions under the United Nations, the International Labour Organization, the International Organization for Migration and ASEAN.

Officials said Cambodia is working with relevant ministries and institutions to pursue legal measures and provide physical and psychological care to victims through Migrant Resource Centres. The ministry also urged international organizations, including the ILO, IOM, OHCHR and UN Women, to press Thailand for a transparent investigation and justice.

The statement was in the line with a broader condemnation from the Cambodian Human Rights Committee, which accused Thai armed forces of unprovoked attacks, forced displacement and ongoing detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers despite a joint declaration signed Oct. 26. The CHRC described sexual violence as “a grave crime and serious violation of human rights that must be unequivocally punished.”

Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to protecting migrant workers and called on citizens in Thailand to exercise caution and seek assistance from authorities and international partners when returning home.