Cambodia is making slow progress in its efforts to establish a consulate in Songkhla, Thailand, nearly a year after the initiative was first announced by both former Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. The move aims to enhance consular services for Cambodian citizens living and working in southern Thailand.
Chum Sounry, Secretary of State at Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, confirmed that significant steps have been taken. The Ministry has already secured a location and is currently coordinating with Thai counterparts to expedite the process of establishing the Cambodian Consulate in Songkhla province.
“I can only confirm that it is being pushed forward,” he said.
While the exact timeline for the official opening remains unclear, this effort marks a critical development in strengthening ties and improving services for the Cambodian diaspora in Thailand.
Moeun Tola, Executive Director of the Centre for Alliance of Labour and Human Rights (CENTRAL) notes that while the Cambodian embassy in Thailand, which is located in Bangkok, could handle the issues, having a local consulate would bring services closer to the people.
“We would have officials providing immediate assistance to our citizens in legal and document matters. Right now, even though the embassy can offer support, the process would be more efficient with a consulate nearby,” he said.
He also highlighted past challenges faced by Cambodians in Songkhla, such as difficulties in contacting the embassy. Many workers have raised concerns about how hard it is to reach the embassy or consulate for help. Despite these potential benefits, there are concerns about the effectiveness of such a consulate, depending on the commitment of the diplomatic staff.
“If our consular officials are truly dedicated to their work, it will certainly benefit the people. However, if they neglect their duties and focus on other agendas, such as political or business interests, it won’t make much difference whether we have a consulate or not,” Tola added.
He further explained that many Cambodian workers in Songkhla face issues such as unpaid wages or exploitation, particularly those in the fishing sector. The presence of a consulate could help address these problems more effectively.
Seng Krisna, a Cambodian construction worker who has been in Thailand for over a decade, expressed her joy at the news of a new Cambodian consulate set to open in Songkla province.
“When I heard that there will be a new consulate in Songkla, I was very happy," Krisna said. "Songkla is very far from the embassy, so if we face any problems, it’s really hard to seek help from our embassy,” said Krisna.
Although Krisna has not faced difficulties herself, as she works legally with full documentation, she understands the importance of accessible consular services. For workers in remote areas, the consulate will make a significant difference.
Krisna, who returns to Cambodia every two years, highlighted the cost and time involved in traveling back to her home country. “It’s 1,200 THB (36 USD) one way from Hat Yai, Songkla to the Cambodian border. Normally it takes 23 hours from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m.—which costs a lot of money and time to go back home,” she explained.
Songkhla, located in southern Thailand near the Gulf of Thailand, serves as a major economic hub, especially in industries like construction, seafood processing, and fisheries. Its strategic position allows the consulate to cater to the growing number of Cambodians working in these sectors, ensuring better access to services in a province that, while geographically distant, holds high economic importance.
When asked whether the new consulate would offer passport renewal services, Touch Sokhak, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, declined to provide an answer to Thai PBS World.
"Please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; they are responsible for almost everything. I’m afraid that if I tell you, it might be different from their information," Sokhak stated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, however, could not be reached for comments.
According to CENTRAL, there are about 2.2 million Cambodian workers in Thailand. In contrast, a report from the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, Thailand, states that there are 1.2 million Cambodian workers in Thailand.
Photo: Seng Krisna
