CLMV wages vs Thai jobs: how many work in Thailand?

“Prepare plans to receive and manage employment for workers who may have to return from Thailand. Cambodia is currently facing labour shortages across several sectors, including industry, agriculture, and construction. Some Cambodian workers may choose to return voluntarily before being deported from Thailand, where cases of discrimination and mistreatment by certain groups have been reported in some areas.”

This is seen as a clear signal of a possible labour pullback by Cambodia, forming part of a six-point retaliatory plan outlined by Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Senate and father of Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The former prime minister posted the statement on social media, warning that if Thailand continues to unilaterally close border checkpoints, Cambodia may take countermeasures, including the recall of its migrant workforce.

In an effort to provide context, Thansettakij reviewed the latest figures from Thailand’s Ministry of Labour (as of May 2025), detailing the scale of migrant workers from CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam).

The data are as follows:

1. Myanmar

• General labour: 4,300
• MOU-based recruitment: 250,000
• Investment promotion: 990
• Ethnic minorities: 4,800
• Unregistered/irregular status: 890,000
• Seasonal migrants: 5,600

2. Laos

• General labour: 289
• MOU-based recruitment: 250,000
• Investment promotion: 31
• Ethnic minorities: 238
• Renewals: 3,900
• Unregistered/irregular status: 28,000

3. Cambodia

• General labour: 656
• MOU-based recruitment: 180,000
• Investment promotion: 86
• Ethnic minorities: 256
• Renewals: 130,000
• Unregistered/irregular status: 109,000
• Seasonal migrants: 22,000

4. Vietnam

• General labour: 1,367
• MOU-based recruitment: N/A
• Investment promotion: 609
• Ethnic minorities: N/A
• Renewals: 105
• Unregistered/irregular status: 5,800
• Seasonal migrants: N/A

The Ministry clarified that the previously mentioned figures refer to migrant workers legally employed under various categories, including Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Cabinet resolutions, ethnic minority status, and seasonal cross-border workers. The data does not include undocumented or illegal migrant workers.

Minimum wage comparison among CLMV countries

A common question that arises is: what would migrant workers earn if they stayed in their home countries instead of working in Thailand, where the current minimum wage ranges from THB330–370 per day, with some provinces raising it to THB400?

Here’s how the minimum daily wage compares across CLMV countries:

• Cambodia: Approx. THB250/day or 10,000 riel (KHR)
• Vietnam: Approx. THB250/day or 10,000 dong (VND)
• Laos: Approx. THB100/day or 4,000 kip (LAK)
• Myanmar: Approx. THB101/day or 2,000 kyat (MMK)

Conclusion:

Thailand offers the highest minimum wage among CLMV countries, particularly in provinces where the rate has been raised to THB400 per day. This significant wage gap continues to serve as a major incentive for workers from neighbouring countries to seek employment in Thailand.