BANGKOK, Thailand – Border traders in Trat have warned that closing checkpoints with Cambodia affects Thailand far more than Cambodia, urging authorities to adopt measures similar to the COVID-19 period by allowing only cross-border goods transport.
Chatuwat Ruksahakul, Vice President of the Trat Border Trade Association and an exporter to Cambodia, questioned whether closing the border truly pressures Cambodia or simply harms Thai interests. He noted that Cambodia can produce most items domestically, with only a few Thai-branded food products that can be sourced elsewhere. Essential construction materials such as cement are also locally available.
Chatuwat emphasized that economic security should be considered alongside border security. According to trade data, Thai exports to Cambodia total 140 billion baht compared with only 30 billion baht in imports, highlighting Thailand’s heavier reliance.
He also noted that the absence of Cambodian labor has impacted consumption, especially in Trat’s agricultural sector, which relies on 70–80% Cambodian workers. While he opposed opening checkpoints solely for Japanese requests to transport industrial equipment to Koh Kong, he suggested that authorities consider reopening for goods transport only, following the model used during the pandemic. (TNA)
