This study aims to assess the impact on community livelihood of Cambodian migrant
workers returning from Thailand. Specifically, the study examines the current situation of
individual migrant workers, their families and communities in order to establish the
correlation between micro and macro livelihood variables such as income, living standard,
employment, and SME development. A mixed research method combination of quantitative
survey, focus group discussion and in-depth interview was used to collect data from 348
respondents in Moung Russey, Sangkae, Thmor Koul and Banan districts, Battambang
province, Cambodia. Data from the focus-group discussions are reported using a problem
tree, spiderweb diagram, tables and quotes, while the quantitative data is presented using
statistical tools such as mean, maximum, minimum, standard deviation, frequency, percentage,
Gini Coefficient and the Lorenz Curve. The study found both positive and negative impacts on
community livelihood from returning migrant workers. The study found that the return of
migrant workers, regardless of deportation and voluntary return, had a short-term impact or
micro level impact on individual and family livelihood rather than a long-term or macro level
impact on community livelihood. This was because the time spent by migrants back in their
communities was too short. Migrants could use their savings from both local income sources
and Thailand for the support of family livelihood. In addition, the immediate responses of the
Cambodian government's policy on migration and political reconciliation in Thailand have
given better and safer access for rural Cambodian migrant workers to return to Thailand. The
immediate result has been the reduction of the unemployment rate, the poor living standard and
the poverty rate, which are all issues to be considered at the macro level impact on community
livelihood.