Cambodia traffic steady

via CAAI

Published: 8/01/2011

Cambodia traffic not affected by political spatAir traffic between Thailand and Cambodia remains robust with no effect from the growing political tension arising from the arrest of seven Thais for allegedly trespassing onto Cambodian soil.

Executives of Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways said yesterday that they have not seen any impact from the incident.

Demand for travel between Bangkok and the two major Cambodian cities, the capital Phnom Penh and the tourist destination Siem Reap, remained strong, with little concern among tourists or business travellers about potential risks, they said.

A group including Panich Vikitsreth, a Democrat MP for Bangkok, and Veera Somkwamkid, a leading member of the People's Alliance for Democracy, were detained by Cambodian authorities on Dec 29 after they crossed the border at Khok Sung district in Sa Kaeo and entered Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province.

``I think [the border incident] is not an issue for travellers. They don't feel threatened as they see the issue is being worked out by the governments,'' said a senior executive of Thai Airways.

Both airlines reported high load factors on their flights spurred by high holiday season demand and a new visa exemption that took effect on Dec 16.

Citizens of both countries can now visit for up to 14 days without having to apply for a visa, either at the embassy, or on arrival at a border checkpoint.