A WOMAN residing in France posted a message on her Facebook page that Thais are now being provoked and harassed by Cambodians and they should report to police if threatened, Naewna newspaper said today (Aug. 11).
The woman, who goes by the nickname Prai Phansang, said these Cambodians are not under the control of Khmer leader Hun Sen and his family with their provocations being rooted in their identity and demonstrates deep-rooted hatred Cambodians have for Thais.
The five-day Thai-Cambodian clashes have become a pressing concern for Thais who are holidaying, studying or working in France as they fear threats from Khmers with there being approximately 80,000 residing there.
She related some incidents of Thais being harassed there as follows:
Bumping and provoking while exercising
This widely circulated incident occurred at 6 p.m. yesterday when a Thai woman who was exercising near her home was deliberately bumped into by a group of three Cambodian – two women and one man.
They then asked her: “Do you know what Thais do to Cambodians?” When she replied that she didn’t, they retorted, “How could you not know? You’re Thai!”
The woman then angrily responded, “How would I know? I’m not your parents!” The group then attempted to push her, but she dodged and shouted loudly in French, “This is France. If you touch me, I will report you and prosecute you under French law. This is not your country. You must respect basic laws!”
A Frenchman nearby heard her and came to her aid, forcing the Cambodians to flee.
However, she did immediately report them to the police.
Provocations at workplace and restaurants
Many Thais in France shared similar experiences especially at workplace and public areas.
For example, a Thai working alongside a Cambodian had to put up with her colleague provoking her daily by saying things like, “I hate some soldiers, I hate some commanders.”
Then there was a Thai woman whose boyfriend took her to a restaurant called “Thai” but the owner and workers were all Cambodian. When her boyfriend told them that she is Thai and eats Thai food everyday they all looked at him but didn’t say anything about the fighting at the border. The food at this restaurant was more akin to Vietnamese than authentic Thai, thus disappointing.
Being targeted in public transportation and restaurants
A Thai woman related that while she was travelling on a train, a Cambodian couple stared at her and said in clear Khmer language, “Thailand bullies Cambodians.” However, she smiled and refused to acknowledge that she was Thai and they then backed off.
Another incident occurred in Nice when a Cambodian waiter at a Chinese restaurant asked a Thai woman whether she was Thai. When she affirmed that she was, he began provoking her but as she just smiled and stared back at him he retreated.
According to the Joshua Project, there are there are an estimated 10,000 Thais in France, a relatively small number compared to Thai communities in other countries.
Meanwhile Pilot Guides estimates that there are approximately 1.1 million Thai expatriates worldwide, with the largest numbers residing in the United States (247,000), South Korea (101,000), Australia (72,000), Taiwan (64,000), Germany (58,000), and the United Kingdom (48,000).
Most Thais in France are not there as political refugees, but rather as temporary workers with the hope of returning to Thailand. Only a small number of Thais opposed the Thai government had sought refuge there.
According to Institut National de la Statistique et des études économiques (Insee), in 2017, there were approximately 12,700 Cambodian immigrants living in France. The figure of 80,000 may include second- and third-generation descendants. The presence of a Cambodian community in France stems from France’s colonial history. and the exodus from war and the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s and 1980s.
Safety advice: If Thais in France encounter any threatening situations, immediately notify the local police (phone number 17) or contact the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris at +33 1 56 26 50 50. Try to connect with the local Thai community for assistance.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: Prai Phansang and a no war poster.
Insert: Two more no war posters. Photos: Facebook
Also read: Malaysia ready to mediate conflict in southern Thailand: Anwar
Asean observers to monitor Thai-Cambodian ceasefire
3 soldiers hurt in landmine blast while big cache found at Pumakhua
Khmers have thousands of drones to hit Thai targets
Malaysia ready to mediate conflict in southern Thailand: Anwar
Graft, bribery suspected over Chinese submarine project
‘Sell up, you plonker’ – how Sheff Wed fans united against owner
