Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Discussions ongoing to open Thai border

Discussions ongoing to open Thai border

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
The Poipet international border checkpoint in Banteay Meanchey province. Hong Menea

Discussions ongoing to open Thai border

Cambodia and Thailand have agreed on three points of an agenda related to opening additional border crossings and allowing Cambodian workers to return to work in Thailand.

A specific date for opening is to be determined pending further medical studies to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Announcement of the progress came after a meeting on December 17 between Cambodian and Thai leaders, held at the request of Thailand’s Sa Kaeo provincial administration. The meeting took place at the Ban Khao Din-Phnom Dey international border checkpoint between Sa Kaeo’s Khlong Hat district and Battambang province’s Sampov Loun district.

Banteay Meanchey provincial deputy governor Ngor Meng Chruon, who also attended the meeting, told The Post on December 17 that Cambodian and Thai authorities had tentatively agreed to allow Cambodian agricultural sector workers to enter Thailand in the morning to go to work and then return in the evening.

He added that the two sides also agreed to allow Cambodian traders to do business at Rong Kluea market in Sa Kaeo’s Aranyaprathet district. Both sides also agreed to a temporary re-opening of the Stung Bot-Ban Nong Ian international border checkpoint as another shipping lane to reduce congestion at the Poipet-Ban Khlong Luek checkpoint.

“As a result, we have agreed on one step, and now we need to continue to discuss details of the medical prevention and control measures between the two sides when crossing – and then the specific date of the opening,” he said.

According to Meng Chruon, authorities from both countries have agreed to meet again, by late December or early January, and both sides will also continue discussions by phone. Implementing the three agreements as soon as possible will benefit the people of both countries, he said.

“We will utilise all means at our disposal to reach an agreement between the provinces [of both countries] so that our compatriots may go to work in Thai territory as well as follow the sanitary and self-quarantine measures of the Ministry of Health,” Meng Chruon added.

He noted that the border had been closed by Thai authorities, and opening it would make conducting business easier for the Cambodian people.

Battambang provincial governor Nguon Rattanak told The Post on December 17 that some Cambodians had recently been crossing the border secretly through small corridors in order to work in Thailand. They crossed in the morning and returned in the evening, despite official closure of the border.

Because of this, he said it is in the interests of both sides to formalise border-crossing arrangements: people crossing illegally without proper controls increase risks of transmitting Covid-19.

The Thai side is continuing to hold internal discussions regarding health care measures and logistics for accepting workers from Cambodia, Rattanak said.

Din Puthy, president of the Cambodia Informal Economy Reinforced Association, praised both sides for agreeing to allow Cambodians to cross the border for work and business. He hopes a decision to set a specific opening date will happen soon, as any delays will cause further hardships for the people who depend on doing business at the border.

“If it continues to be closed for a long time, the livelihoods of people living along the border will be even more difficult. Immediately after the gates closed, our lives became more and more difficult, and the poor became poorer and poorer with almost nothing to eat. People of modest means are gradually falling into debt,” he said.

The Thai government announced the closure of its border with Cambodia in March. After a series of negotiations, the two countries agreed to resume bilateral trade at a number of border checkpoints, although Thailand remains under a state of emergency to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

MOST VIEWED

  • Tensions high ahead of historic Kun Khmer match up

    The long-awaited November 5 matchup between Kun Khmer legend Prum Samnang and Myanmar-Canadian boxer Dave Leduc has become the most anticipated fight of the year. The Wurkz Sena Kun Khmer promotion, which will be held at the Town Arena at Chip Mong 271 Megamall, will see six

  • Manet: Cambodia safe for travel

    Prime Minister Hun Manet acknowledged that Cambodia and China have cooperated to tackle internet scamming, fraud and other cross border crimes, but insisted that the “Kingdom of Wonders” is completely peaceful and safe. He welcomed tourists to come and explore its rich heritage. During a

  • UNESCO formally list Battambang gastronomy

    Battambang, renowned for its cultural heritage, has achieved a significant milestone as the first Cambodian municipality to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The UCCN unites nearly 300 cities prioritising creativity and cultural industries in local development plans and international cooperation. On World Cities Day,

  • Cambodia pivots to solar, wind energy

    Cambodia is planning a move towards solar and wind energy to meet its rising power demands, according to Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak. On the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week event held recently, Rottanak emphasised the urgency of diversifying Cambodia’s

  • Angkor causeway symbol of Cambodia-Japan ties

    In a historic moment marking another milestone in the 70-year-long diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Japan, King Norodom Sihamoni celebrated the formal inauguration of a causeway located to the west of the world-renowned Angkor Wat. While presiding over the November 4 ceremony, the King emphasised the

  • Manet calls for Cambodia’s railways to get back on track

    Prime Minister Hun Manet has instructed the relevant authorities to expedite studies into upgrades to the Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk railway line. He suggested that the maximum speed on the line should be increased to 80km/h, in order to expedite the transportation of