"They felt unsafe and scared while in Thailand," Cambodian labor ministry spokesperson Sun Mesa said today.

Images provided by the Cambodian labor ministry show a large number of workers and their families arriving at the Ban Laem-Daung border crossing between Chanthaburi province in eastern Thailand and Battambang province in Cambodia. Most carried luggage and household items.

Cambodian officials say more than 750,000 Cambodian workers have left Thailand since the border conflict began on 24/7. Spokesperson Sun Mesa said there were about 1.2 million Cambodians living and working in Thailand before the conflict.

A Thai immigration officer told AFP they "could not disclose the actual number", but confirmed "many" Cambodians have returned home.

Cambodian workers at the border crossing in Battambang province on 6/8. Photo: Cambodian Labor Ministry

Cambodian workers at the border crossing in Battambang province on 6/8. Photo: Cambodian Labor Ministry

Thai media quoted the head of the Thailand-Cambodia Trade and Tourism Association as saying more than 200,000 Cambodians have returned home. The association added that about 20,000 people crossed the border on 5/8, and another 30,000 were expected today.

Fighting between Cambodia and Thailand broke out near the Ta Moan Thom temple on the morning of 24/7, and later spread to other areas along the border. This is the most serious clash between the two neighbors in over 10 years, leaving at least 43 people dead on both sides.

Cambodia and Thailand reached a ceasefire agreement on 28/7, following talks in Malaysia. Leaders of the Thai and Cambodian military regions agreed not to deploy or move additional troops along the border to enforce the ceasefire.

Cambodian defense ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said today the situation along the border with Thailand remained stable, but Cambodian forces "remain on high alert".

Thuy Lam (According to AFP)