The Bangkok Post
Wednesday July 23, 2008
Temple row taking its toll on trade and tourism, writes Anucha Charoenpo in Sa Kaeo
Border traders here are fretting about the effects of the deadlock in the spat over the area around the Preah Vihear temple ruins. ''If the situation doesn't improve soon, my business could suffer severely,'' said Wanchai Kiatdamrongwong, who runs an import-export firm trading with Cambodia.
Mr Wanchai is deputy chairman of the Sa Kaeo chamber of commerce.
He said business between the two countries would continue to suffer until the two governments came to an agreement on the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area on the border between Si Sa Ket province and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province.
His Cambodian customers, especially those living in Phnom Penh, would stop ordering the goods he deals in, such as fishing equipment and plastic products.
Cambodian importers would be reluctant to spend if they thought tensions along the border were escalating, Mr Wanchai said.
''Thai businessmen don't think the situation will lead to the closure of the border,'' he said.
''What we are afraid of most is the declining number of Thai and Cambodian shoppers and tourists.''
Ratree Sangrungruang, chairman of the Tourism Business Operators Association in Aranyaprathet and owner of Aran-Sri Sophon Travel, said a group of Russian tourists cancelled a trip to Cambodia yesterday morning after learning Monday's meeting between the Thai and Cambodian delegations had failed to make any progress.
''Since the Preah Vihear row escalated nearly a month ago, about 90% of my customers, mostly Thais, have cancelled trips because they were worried about their safety,'' Mrs Ratree said.
Other tour companies were encountering the same problem.
''We want the government to seek the best way out as quickly as possible,'' she said.
At Rong Klua border market, a major tourist attraction in the district, both Thai and Cambodian shop owners were unhappy with the failure of the talks.
''I had expected to see good results, but I was disappointed,''
said Jatuporn Promsiridej, who owns a shoe shop.
''My profits have now dropped by 70% since the border conflict started. I worry how much more money I will lose if the situation gets worse,'' Ms Jayuporn said
Danet Long, the Cambodian owner of a shop selling second-hand jeans, said the atmosphere in the market was quite different than in past months because the number of both Thai and Cambodian customers had dropped sharply.
''If things continue like this I will have to close the shop and return home in Kampong Cham, as I won't be able to afford the 7,000 baht a month rent,'' Mr Danet said.
Song Lot, owner of a used clothing shop, said he was in a similar position. ''I'm not really familiar with the situation. The market is quieter than normal. I want it to return to normal as soon as possible,'' he said.
Wednesday July 23, 2008
Temple row taking its toll on trade and tourism, writes Anucha Charoenpo in Sa Kaeo
Border traders here are fretting about the effects of the deadlock in the spat over the area around the Preah Vihear temple ruins. ''If the situation doesn't improve soon, my business could suffer severely,'' said Wanchai Kiatdamrongwong, who runs an import-export firm trading with Cambodia.
Mr Wanchai is deputy chairman of the Sa Kaeo chamber of commerce.
He said business between the two countries would continue to suffer until the two governments came to an agreement on the 4.6-square-kilometre disputed area on the border between Si Sa Ket province and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province.
His Cambodian customers, especially those living in Phnom Penh, would stop ordering the goods he deals in, such as fishing equipment and plastic products.
Cambodian importers would be reluctant to spend if they thought tensions along the border were escalating, Mr Wanchai said.
''Thai businessmen don't think the situation will lead to the closure of the border,'' he said.
''What we are afraid of most is the declining number of Thai and Cambodian shoppers and tourists.''
Ratree Sangrungruang, chairman of the Tourism Business Operators Association in Aranyaprathet and owner of Aran-Sri Sophon Travel, said a group of Russian tourists cancelled a trip to Cambodia yesterday morning after learning Monday's meeting between the Thai and Cambodian delegations had failed to make any progress.
''Since the Preah Vihear row escalated nearly a month ago, about 90% of my customers, mostly Thais, have cancelled trips because they were worried about their safety,'' Mrs Ratree said.
Other tour companies were encountering the same problem.
''We want the government to seek the best way out as quickly as possible,'' she said.
At Rong Klua border market, a major tourist attraction in the district, both Thai and Cambodian shop owners were unhappy with the failure of the talks.
''I had expected to see good results, but I was disappointed,''
said Jatuporn Promsiridej, who owns a shoe shop.
''My profits have now dropped by 70% since the border conflict started. I worry how much more money I will lose if the situation gets worse,'' Ms Jayuporn said
Danet Long, the Cambodian owner of a shop selling second-hand jeans, said the atmosphere in the market was quite different than in past months because the number of both Thai and Cambodian customers had dropped sharply.
''If things continue like this I will have to close the shop and return home in Kampong Cham, as I won't be able to afford the 7,000 baht a month rent,'' Mr Danet said.
Song Lot, owner of a used clothing shop, said he was in a similar position. ''I'm not really familiar with the situation. The market is quieter than normal. I want it to return to normal as soon as possible,'' he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment