Banteay Meanchey’s Cambodia-Thailand Border Closed for Business

Written by DAP NEWS -- Tuesday, 13 October 2009

(Post by CAAI News Media)

All businesses at Boeung Trakourn Cambodia-Thailand borders was closed after powerful Thai businesses interests conflicted with more humble vendors. Thailand’s area border chief decided to close the gate, not the exports or the import of Cambodian goods into Thailand, the Cambodian border chief at Boeung Trakourn in Banteay Meanchey province reported on Monday.

Banteay Meanchey Vice Governor Sar Chamrong told DAP News Cambodia that “Some Thai powerful companies were jealous of the small companies exporting and importing goods between Cambodia and Thailand.” “We met local authorities at the Cambodia-Thailand border, but the Thailand side did not reply. We sent a letter to the Thai governor to cancel the closing, but there was no result yet,” Chamrong added. Nau Yort, Beoung Trakourn Cambodian border chief, told DAP News Cambodia that the conflict is complicated, with vested Thai interests on both sides. “Since October 8, 2009 until now, all powerful and weak Thai vendors have demonstrated to demand to open the gate, and opposed on the other side to close it.”

“Because they tried to demonstrate at this region, most of the powerful vendors, especially Thai officers, did not allow the export of goods from Cambodia to their country. But some of the Thai small businessmen tried to protest the closing of the gate.”

After the gate was closed, Cambo- dian vendors were very upset, because their goods quickly spoiled, especially cassava, yams and sweet potatoes.