For Sorphean Nhih, Thailand has been more than just a place to work. It has become a second home. At 33 years old, she has spent nearly half her life in the bustling streets of Bangkok, far from her native Kratie province in Cambodia.
Like many other migrant workers, she came to Thailand seeking better wages and opportunities.
“I decided to come to Thailand for work because my friend told me that I could earn more here,” Sorphean said. “Back in Cambodia, I couldn’t find any work. So, I took a chance.”
That decision has resulted in 15 years of hard work and adaptation. She first arrived in Thailand in 2009, finding her way to a drinking water production plant. After that, she worked in a noodle restaurant, then in a hotel and, eventually, as a street stall vendor.
Today, Sorphean has a staff position in a small coffee shop on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, serving drinks and food to students and office workers from before dawn.
A cozy coffee shop on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road
Her workday starts at 4am and doesn’t end until 1:30pm, five days a week. Although the coffee shop is closed on weekends, Sorphean makes the most of her time by taking on additional household chores, like washing dishes, to supplement her income.
“I get paid daily. So, if I don’t work, I don’t earn anything,” she explains, stressing that, like many migrant workers in Thailand, her wage is tied to the days she works, leaving little opportunity for rest.
Despite her busy schedule, Sorphean is fortunate to share accommodation with her husband, who also works in Bangkok. His employer provides housing for the couple, saving them the cost of rent, a significant expense for many migrant workers in the city.
This has allowed them to focus on saving money, a priority for Sorphean, who cooks her own meals daily to cut down on expenses. She cooks Khmer food most of the time, because she finds it cheaper and she prefers it to eating Thai food all the time.
The staff makes a cup of Thai Tea.
Although Sorphean has lived in Thailand for more than a decade, her life has been largely focused on work, with just a little time for exploration. “I’ve been here for many years, but I haven’t explored many places,” she admits. “I always work to save money. That’s my main focus.”
For over a decade, Sorphean’s employer Chonticha Songthai, 46, has been running her coffee stall, serving her loyal early-morning customers. This is her first time hiring Cambodian staff.
Previously, all her employees were Thai. Although the wages are the same, she finds that working with her new team has brought an unexpected level of ease.
"With Thai employees, sometimes I have to keep reminding and teaching them what to do, but these two know their duties well, and they’re very hardworking," she said.
Shop owner Chonticha Songthai shares her thoughts on the performance of her Cambodian staff.
Sorphean and her co-worker both provided proper documentation when they applied for the job. The boss admitted though that, even if they had been undocumented, she would be willing to help them secure the necessary paperwork to ensure they could work legally in Thailand.
One of the significant challenges for Cambodian migrant workers is obtaining proper documentation. Full documentation requires a health check, health insurance, a visa, a pink card and a work permit.
According to a report by the Thai Ministry of Labour, between June 5th and 12th, the Thai government detained 26,189 undocumented foreign workers, 3,971 of whom were from Cambodia.
Meanwhile, data from the labour ministry of Cambodia show that there are currently 1.2 million migrants working in Thailand. Fishing, agriculture, hospitality, domestic work and manufacturing are heavily reliant on migrant workers.
Sorphean doesn’t have any plans to return to Cambodia yet, as she prefers the lifestyle and working environment in Thailand. If saves enough money, she may consider going back home.
Sorphean’s story shows the Khmer resilience and determination. Like millions of other migrant workers in Thailand, she has navigated the challenges of living in a foreign country, finding ways to adapt and survive.
For now, Thailand is her home away from home—a place where she can work towards a better future, one day at a time.
Sorphean prepares food for her customers.
