The Impacts of Cambodian Agricultural Labor Shortages in Khao Chakan District, Sa Kaeo Province, Resulting from the Thailand - Cambodia Border Conflict Situation

Abstract

This research aimed to: 1) study the situation of Cambodian agricultural labor in Khao Chakan District, Sa Kaeo Province; 2) investigate the impacts of the Cambodian agricultural labor shortage in             Khao Chakan District, Sa Kaeo Province; and 3) determine guidelines and recommendations to address the Cambodian agricultural labor shortage in Khao Chakan District, Sa Kaeo Province. Using a mixed-methods research approach, the research sample consisted of 381 agricultural entrepreneurs, including growers of rice, cassava, sugarcane, animal feed corn, rubber, oil palm, and longan. Using a multi-stage sampling method, the informants included a group of government officials, a group of community leaders, and a group of farmer representatives, totaling 12 people. The selection method used was purposive. The research instruments included questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using percentages, means, standard deviations, and content analysis.

              The research findings revealed the following: 1) The reliance on Cambodian labor was at the highest level ( = 4.80). Conflict situations were a significant intervening factor causing a sudden decrease in the labor force. The qualitative research indicated that workers returned to their home country due to safety concerns. 2) The most significant impacts were the stress and workload placed on employers ( = 4.85), as well as crop damage resulting from delayed harvesting ( = 4.79). The qualitative findings pointed out that farmers had to bear higher wage costs due to local competition for labor. 3) The most highly agreed-upon solutions were substituting human labor with agricultural machinery ( = 4.88) and establishing flexible, task-specific labor MOUs ( = 4.75). The findings suggest that government policies should adapt the management of foreign labor reliance to align with the border security context, thereby reducing structural risks for local farmers.