Thailand’s deepening labour shortage roils harvest as unpicked fruits rot

Eastern Thailand is experiencing a severe labor shortage, primarily affecting fruit harvests. Growers in provinces like Chanthaburi are forced to choose which crops to pick, with some fruits, such as mangosteen and rambutan, left to rot on trees. This shortage is exacerbated by the departure of migrant workers, exemplified by a grower who lost five Cambodian workers due to disrupted border crossings following a dispute. The increased competition for available labor has led to a significant rise in daily wages, more than doubling in some instances. This situation is impacting the livelihoods of fruit farmers and the agricultural sector in the region.