Situation Calm at Thai-Cambodian Border

16 November 2009
Thai-ASEAN News Network

Trade activities at checkpoints between Thailand and Cambodia are continuing as usual amidst business operators' concern about the situation.

The border trade at Chong Sa-ngum permanent border pass in Si Sa Ket province today sees a large number of locals and tourists from both countries continuing to commute and trade.

A Thai egg trader at the border market revealed that many Cambodian traders were hesitant to cross the border since the start of the diplomatic standoff.

As a result, the sales of her goods have dropped by 50 percent during this period.

Cambodian merchants dismissed their concerns over possible closure of the Thai-Cambodian border, saying if Thailand decides to do so, they can order goods from China and Vietnam.

Chairman of Trat Provincial Chamber of Commerce, Prasert Siri, said that more than 300 fishing boats from Trat and neighboring provinces operate in Cambodia's territorial waters. Each boat can generate at least one million baht a month in revenue.

He expressed his concern that the ongoing dispute between the two countries will have an impact on the fishery business and consumers.

Meanwhile, officials from the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Chamber of Commerce have taken advantage of the tense situation between Thailand and Cambodia to promote Thai-Laotian tourism via the Chong Mek checkpoint in Sirinthorn district.

Thailand's export to Laos via the Chong Mek border pass is worth five to six billion baht a year.