Thy Chenda’s Story

Seymey, also known as Thy Chenda, is a 24-year-old woman from Snoul Village, Boeung Pram Commune, Bavel District, Battambang Province.

She is married to Bonat, aged 28, and they have two young children, with Seymey currently seven months pregnant. Born into a family facing long-term economic hardship, Seymey had limited access to education, low-paying local jobs, and few opportunities due to the remote location of her home far from the city.

Because they were unable to cover daily living expenses, Seymey and her husband decided to migrate illegally to Thailand in October 2024 through brokers in Cambodia. They crossed the border through Banteay Meanchey province, hiding during the journey out of fear of being arrested by border police. In Thailand, Seymey, her husband, and their one-year-old child worked at a construction site in Pattaya. The work was physically demanding and unsafe, especially for Seymey as a pregnant woman, involving mixing cement, transporting materials, and carrying nails. Their daily income ranged from 300 to 400 baht, while women earned less than men, despite working long hours under difficult conditions.

During the period of heightened tension related to the Khmer Thai conflict, Seymey experienced discrimination and violence at the workplace. The Thai employer became hostile toward Cambodian workers and harassed Seymey due to her poor health and frequent stomach pain. Her phone was taken and thrown away by the boss, leaving her unable to contact her family in Cambodia. Seymey witnessed around 30 Cambodian workers, including 10 women, being verbally and physically abused. She and her husband were eventually dismissed from their jobs and later arrested by Thai police for lacking legal documents.

After approximately half a month in detention, Seymey and several other Cambodian workers were returned to Cambodia through the Poipet International Port in Banteay Meanchey. Her husband was not released and remains detained in Thailand, which causes her deep concern for his safety and for her family’s future. Seymey worries about how to care for her children and provide for them without her husband’s presence and income.

Since returning to Cambodia, Seymey has received support from humanitarian organizations, including Hagar and the UNHCR. The food assistance provided by UNHCR has helped meet her family’s basic needs for about one month. Seymey expressed gratitude for this support during a time of urgent need and shared her hope that her husband will be able to return home soon so they can reunite as a family and create a small livelihood to support themselves in Cambodia.