Politics Cambodia Bans Thai Fruit & Agricultural Imports, Disrupting Trade in Trat

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The Cambodian government has imposed an indefinite ban on the import of Thai fruits and agricultural products through the Klong Yai border checkpoint in Trat province, beginning at noon on 14 June. The move, which came without explanation, has sparked concern and immediate disruption among Thai exporters and fruit traders.

 

At 12:00 on 14 June, customs officials at Klong Yai in Klong Yai district received an official notice from their Cambodian counterparts at Koh Kong Customs that all agricultural products, including popular Thai fruits such as rambutans, mangosteens, and particularly durians, are now strictly prohibited from entering Cambodia.

 

Trucks already in transit were instructed to unload their goods in Cambodia and return to Thailand immediately. Durians, already banned from entry, were highlighted once again as strictly forbidden.

 

Mr. Nirote Wattirangkoon, head of the Klong Yai Customs checkpoint, confirmed the order from the Cambodian side, stating that it was issued at the direction of the Cambodian government. No formal reason for the ban was provided.

 

“At this time, we have not issued an official notification to fruit exporters on the Thai side, but most operators involved in the cross-border trade are already aware of the situation,” Mr. Nirote stated.

 

The border at Had Lek, another official checkpoint in Trat, also saw a halt in trade. That crossing typically facilitates the daily export of fruits to Cambodia, excluding durians, with an estimated 30 to 40 trucks crossing each day. Each truck carries produce valued between 15,000 and 20,000 baht. The sudden halt in trade is expected to inflict considerable losses on Trat’s fruit trading sector.

 

Earlier that morning, over 10 fruit transport vehicles had queued at the Had Lek border checkpoint by 09:00, destined for Cambodia’s Cham Yeam market, where the goods were to be sorted and distributed further to Phnom Penh. Those shipments have now been abruptly halted.

 

With no timeline or rationale provided for the ban, exporters and agricultural stakeholders on the Thai side are left in limbo, as they await further clarification from the Cambodian government or diplomatic intervention to resume the crucial cross-border trade.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khasod 2025-06-15

 

 

 

[LennyW]

Bit of a shot in the foot...now Cambodia fruit traders dont have products for sale!