Thai-Cambodian clashes causing border trade contraction

BANGKOK, 27 April 2011 (NNT) – Thailand’s border trade, particularly in the northeastern region, is suffering from a series of clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops, according to Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot.

Mr Alongkorn reported that the border trade, especially at Chong Chom checkpoint in Surin and Chong Sangam checkpoint in Si Sa Ket, is being affected from the artillery exchanges of the two sides. Trade at both places accounts for 5% of the total border trade value of the kingdom.

The deputy minister continued that there has been no plan to close the aforementioned border markets so far as he believed the conflicts will be solved eventually as the chronic problems have already lasted for two to three years.

Mr Alongkorn also expressed his hope that trade relations between Thailand and Cambodia would help ease the tension off.

Trade value between the two countries last year stood at 75 billion baht, rising by 50% from the previous year while the border trade accounted for 72% of the total trade, an increase of 22%. Moreover, bilateral trade activities are anticipated to expand continuously this year.