“No One Told Us to Leave” – Cambodian laborers in Pattaya say they feel welcome and want to stay despite calls to return home. PATTAYA, Thailand – As political tensions rise between Thailand and Cambodia, many Cambodian laborers working in Pattaya and across Thailand have expressed a heartfelt plea: they don’t want to return home. This comes after a Facebook post on June 15, by Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen — the former Prime Minister and father of current leader Hun Manet — calling on undocumented Cambodian workers in Thailand to return voluntarily to avoid “shame and disgrace” from potential deportation. In response, Cambodian authorities have reportedly prepared over 400 buses to facilitate mass repatriation. But on the ground in Thailand, the mood is far from eager compliance. In Pattaya, Cambodian migrants form a critical backbone of the city’s informal and service-sector economy. Many are employed in physically demanding and often low-visibility jobs such as construction, kitchen work, housekeeping, cleaning, gardening, waste collection, and maintenance. Others work behind the scenes in seafood markets, small factories, and as support staff in hotels, bars, and restaurants that serve the city’s booming tourism industry. At the bustling Si Mum Mueang Market in Pathum Thani, one of the largest hubs for Cambodian workers near Bangkok, many migrants shared their reluctance to leave. “If there’s no order, I won’t go. I’ve worked here over 10 years,” said Ms. Nueng, a Cambodian laborer. “The pay is better here. Thais are kind. No one’s ever told us to leave.” Jobs, Not Politics – Migrants in Pattaya focus on work and dignity, hoping Thai-Cambodian diplomacy won’t force them out. Her words echoed the sentiment of others like Mr. Ae, who works in construction and recently moved to the market sector. “In Cambodia, there’s not enough steady work. Even if wages are similar, I get jobs more easily here,” he said. “If there’s an official order, I’ll return. But if I’m allowed to stay, I want to keep working here.” Even younger workers, like Mr. O, who only started working two years ago after turning 18, shared a similar story. “I’ve lived in Thailand since I was a kid. My mother worked here and already went back, but I stayed,” he said. “Everyone I know is here. My Thai coworkers treat me like family — they’re good people. I’ve never felt unwanted.” Despite Hun Sen’s strong words, the Thai government has not issued any formal deportation orders. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly emphasized that Thailand respects humanitarian principles and any repatriation would be handled carefully and in line with international labor laws. The situation remains fluid, with both governments under pressure to find a balanced solution that considers the legal framework and human dignity. For now, thousands of Cambodian workers in places like Pattaya are hoping for a chance to continue the lives they’ve built — quietly, respectfully, and side by side with their Thai neighbors. Backbone of the City – From kitchens to construction sites, Cambodian workers quietly power Pattaya’s economy.