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More than 120,000 Cambodians leave Thailand | More than 120,000 Cambodians leave Thailand |
(35 minutes later) | |
The number of Cambodians leaving Thailand has soared to more than 120,000 in recent days, officials say. | The number of Cambodians leaving Thailand has soared to more than 120,000 in recent days, officials say. |
Many fear Thailand's new military rulers are about to crack down on migrant workers, which Bangkok denies. | Many fear Thailand's new military rulers are about to crack down on migrant workers, which Bangkok denies. |
Cambodian authorities are now reportedly preparing to deal with the influx. | Cambodian authorities are now reportedly preparing to deal with the influx. |
The new figure is a significant proportion of the number of Cambodians in Thailand, estimated to be at least 150,000. | The new figure is a significant proportion of the number of Cambodians in Thailand, estimated to be at least 150,000. |
A huge logistics and assistance operation is now under way to help the workers get back to their hometowns and villages. | A huge logistics and assistance operation is now under way to help the workers get back to their hometowns and villages. |
At the border with Cambodia, trains are arriving from Bangkok packed with Cambodians, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in the border town of Aranyaprathet. | At the border with Cambodia, trains are arriving from Bangkok packed with Cambodians, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in the border town of Aranyaprathet. |
The workers are being transferred by the Thai army to trucks which take them over the border, he says. | The workers are being transferred by the Thai army to trucks which take them over the border, he says. |
The town of Poipet on the Cambodian side of the border is now filled with returnees. | The town of Poipet on the Cambodian side of the border is now filled with returnees. |
Cambodia, meanwhile, is scrambling to accommodate the sudden influx of returning workers. | Cambodia, meanwhile, is scrambling to accommodate the sudden influx of returning workers. |
The AFP news agency reported that almost 300 cars and military trucks have been arranged to transport workers away from Poipet. | |
Cambodia's labour minister Ith Samheng has said the government is working on a jobs creation programme. | Cambodia's labour minister Ith Samheng has said the government is working on a jobs creation programme. |
Many of those leaving are worried by warnings from the Thai government that it will take action on illegal immigrants. | Many of those leaving are worried by warnings from the Thai government that it will take action on illegal immigrants. |
There are also rumours that Cambodians will be targeted, whether they are legal or illegal, says our correspondent. | There are also rumours that Cambodians will be targeted, whether they are legal or illegal, says our correspondent. |
The Thai authorities have promised that only illegal immigrants are being singled out, and that documented workers are still welcome. | The Thai authorities have promised that only illegal immigrants are being singled out, and that documented workers are still welcome. |
Cambodians are often viewed as suspect because of support their government has given to the controversial former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. | Cambodians are often viewed as suspect because of support their government has given to the controversial former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. |
Mr Thaksin was ousted in a coup in 2006, and his sister Yingluck was similarly unseated as prime minister by the military last month. | Mr Thaksin was ousted in a coup in 2006, and his sister Yingluck was similarly unseated as prime minister by the military last month. |
Thai industry depends on the two to three million migrants who have come from neighbouring countries. | Thai industry depends on the two to three million migrants who have come from neighbouring countries. |
It is unclear whether some of the migrants are being forced to leave. | It is unclear whether some of the migrants are being forced to leave. |
Wire reports have quoted some saying they were told to to leave by Thai soldiers, and a Cambodian human rights body has accused the Thai military of "forcefully" expelling migrants. | Wire reports have quoted some saying they were told to to leave by Thai soldiers, and a Cambodian human rights body has accused the Thai military of "forcefully" expelling migrants. |
But other migrants have also been quoted as saying they decided on their own to return to Cambodia. | But other migrants have also been quoted as saying they decided on their own to return to Cambodia. |
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