Border Snarl Up As Cambodians Demand Truck Payment

[george]

Border snarl up as Cambodians demand truck payment

BANGKOK: -- With no explanation, Cambodian customs officials in Poi Pet have stopped allowing Thai trucks to pass beyond their boundary by just presenting a copy of the truckregistration book.

Customs officials there yesterday demanded that the drivers present the original truckregistration book and submit a security sum of US$5,000 (Bt167,750) each.

Although the procedures are in line with customs regulations, they have long been relaxed.

For years, trucks from Thai soil could move past the Poi Pet checkpoint by just presenting a copy of the truckregistration book.

When the procedures suddenly changed, more than 150 trucks got stuck in front of the Baan Klong Luek permanent checkpoint in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district on the Thai side.

The tailback stretched back as far as 500 meters since 9 am yesterday, paralysing traffic in nearby areas.

The trucks were supposed to deliver products to Cambodia.

"We have no way to find money to post the $5,000 security sum," a truck driver complained.

Cambodia-Thailand Border Coordination Office official Leem Tek of reportedly told the drivers that some Cambodian customs officials took the move because they were unhappy with Thai officials.

"They drove to Thailand but were asked to present some documents. Upset with the treatment, they have decided to stop being lenient with Thai trucks," Leem Tek said.

Asked why the Cambodian customs officials did not inform the truck drivers in advance, he refused to give any answer and retreated to the Cambodian side.

However, at 12.30pm, Cambodian customs officials agreed to let the trucks pass the Poi Pet checkpoint with just a copy of the truckregistration book for one day only.

Although the decision quickly eased traffic congestion in front of the Ban Klong Luek checkpoint yesterday, it raised concern among the drivers about what was to come the next day.

-- The Nation 2009-09-25

[ukrules]

It seems they don't like it when another country suddenly changes border regulations on them.

[geovalin]

BKK Post quote that is is a reprisal measure.

In Thai mentality, it's normal that Thais impose very strict process to allow Cambodian (trucks) to enter in Thailand but Cambodian should allow Thai to enter without any check.

[Artisi]

In Thai mentality, it's normal that Thais impose very strict process to allow Cambodian (trucks) to enter in Thailand but Cambodian should allow Thai to enter without any check.

Of course, remember Thailand is the hub of everything and they make the rules (or so they think)

[Scott]

So the Cambodians paid attention at the big international seminar held in BKK and presided over by Immigration and Customs Officials: "How to mess up a foreigners Day"

Thailand is, among other things, the hub of double standards.

[brahmburgers]

unreasonable demands at the border? ....changing upon whims of the border guards.

I thought Thais invented that.

[Plus]

Cambodian customs officials took the move because they were unhappy with Thai officials.

"They drove to Thailand but were asked to present some documents. Upset with the treatment, they have decided to stop being lenient with Thai trucks,"

Yeah yeah, Thailand is at fault again and Cambodians are such a mature nation.

[Scott]

I think that using the word mature is an oxymoron with regard to either nation.

Now lets hope nobody loses face or there will be a real problem.

[dkstoney]

Although the procedures are in line with customs regulations, they have long been relaxed.

Just playin' hardball.

[Crushdepth]

Just shut the border for a few weeks and see how long it takes them to change their mind about the 'deposit'.

[geriatrickid]

Yeah yeah, Thailand is at fault again and Cambodians are such a mature nation.

Well, aren't the Cambodians just enforcing the regulations just as Thailand is?

If Thailand wishes to have reciprocity, perhaps it should consider negotiating an arrangement. Where does it say the Cambodians have to waive the rules for Thais? It is Thailand that has antagonized the Cambodians with the violence at the temple site and the continuing aggressive intrusions on the borders. If the relations were in a healthy state, I don't think this action would have been taken. It is a legitimate and peaceful means of expressing a nation's concern. Would you rather, the Cambodians dispatched a mob to the border to have a riot?

It takes two sides to reach an agreement and the Thais aren't necessarily in the frame of mind to play nice at this time.

[animatic]

This it seems is a warning about the nascent Nationalism, PAD was bringing back to the fore.

A shot across the bows:

'You need us, we need you, keep your social trolls in line for the good of all.'

We can screw things up if we choose, so lets all PLAY NICE....

Just another piece of the chess game they are playing.

Edited September 25, 2009 by animatic

[Scott]

Geriatrickid said: Would you rather, the Cambodians dispatched a mob to the border to have a riot?

The Cambodians, according to some, aren't advanced enough to have a mob at the border. But now we know a new place for the PAD to head. Of course, this situation is a real problem, and they aren't the best at solving those.

[imaneggspurt]

They are just playing tit for tat, ive passed through these borders many times and the thais are always stricter and more thorough than the khymers,.poi pet is the busiest one and they generally tolerate each other, but it dosent take much for one side to kick off,.hardly worthy of a newspaper headline id say,.

Edited September 25, 2009 by imaneggspurt

[webfact]

This it seems is a warning about the nascent Nationalism, PAD was bringing back to the fore.

A shot across the bows:

'You need us, we need you, keep your social trolls in line for the good of all.'

We can screw things up if we choose, so lets all PLAY NICE....

Just another piece of the chess game they are playing.

This it seems is a warning about the nascent Nationalism, PAD was bringing back to the fore.

I concur!

[brahmburgers]

a reminder of how very far away SE Asian countries are from ever getting a common currency and/or open borders. Neither of those things would be difficult, particularly the open border idea, if there was a willingness and commensurate maturity & intelligence to meet the challenge.

[Scott]

It's probably worth remembering that countries control their own borders and set the rules about who enters, who doesn't and what conditions are attached to entry. I've lived/worked in a lot of different countries and I've seen this happen on numerous occasions. It's scary and confusing for those caught in the confusion.

[Thai at Heart]

This it seems is a warning about the nascent Nationalism, PAD was bringing back to the fore.

A shot across the bows:

'You need us, we need you, keep your social trolls in line for the good of all.'

We can screw things up if we choose, so lets all PLAY NICE....

Just another piece of the chess game they are playing.

Absolutely. A very nice subtle way to get the attention of Thai business and government that someone should have a quiet word with the PAD to quieten down a bit.

I think if I remember Cambodia runs a significant trade deficit with Thailand, so this might make a few people pucker up a tiny bit and have a word in Abhisit's ear.

[TAWP]

The problem isn't that they enforced their rules, as is their right, it is that some border-honcho felt it was a loss of face that he - despite knowing about the Thai sides rules for a long time - didn't get special treatment and let through with no checks and decided to be a baby and reciprocate. Without warning or information. Only to cause problems and delays. As is their right, but still childish.

[DP25]

a reminder of how very far away SE Asian countries are from ever getting a common currency and/or open borders.

It wouldn't be in Thailand's interest to have open borders with any of it's regional neighbors save Malaysia or Singapore, just like the US doesn't want open borders with Mexico. Another 10 million people among the poorest on earth moving in would not be workable.

[Plus]

Geriatrickid, Scott, and Thai at heart, did you read the OP - there's absolutely no link between Poi Pet border troubles and Preah Vihear.

It was Thai immigration demanding paperwork from a Cambodian official who reciprocated by taking it on Thai truck drivers because he could.

And then you guys rush in with your irrelevant rants about PAD and temples and mobs.

You are just looking for ANY excuse to start, aren't you?

[geriatrickid]

Geriatrickid, Scott, and Thai at heart, did you read the OP - there's absolutely no link between Poi Pet border troubles and Preah Vihear.

It was Thai immigration demanding paperwork from a Cambodian official who reciprocated by taking it on Thai truck drivers because he could.

And then you guys rush in with your irrelevant rants about PAD and temples and mobs.

You are just looking for ANY excuse to start, aren't you?

No.

What the Nation offers is a purported quote from a Thai official speculating as to the reason for this.

What reason did Cambodia give?

I am sorry, but I do not accept articles from the Nation as the absolute truth.

Maybe the Thai officials pissed off someone. Or maybe they have been tough on the Cambodians recently to show them who's boss. Human beings can be petty and it works both ways in this case.

[007]

Well, at least the Thais can afford it, cause they have 100(?) times as much money as the Cambodians, so they are rich for Cambodian standards. (I'm always told something along this line by Thais, even ones with graduate degrees, "never mind working for a Thai salary; you still have 50x as much money as Thais, because you're from Euroland, so you're rich..."

[Plus]

What the Nation offers is a purported quote from a Thai official speculating as to the reason for this.

And how's that an excuse to start bashing PAD for an unrelated matter?

Also the article mentions that the border commission official retreated into Cambodian territory, so I assume that the source of the explanation is Cambodian.

But let's not forget The Nation and start bashing them, as well.

Why can't you stay on topic and not provoke people into defending PAD or the Nation or whatever else you decide to attack?

[Scott]

As a general rule I do read the OP. Then Plus, I rely on you to explain it to me.

[klikster]

a reminder of how very far away SE Asian countries are from ever getting a common currency and/or open borders. Neither of those things would be difficult, particularly the open border idea, if there was a willingness and commensurate maturity & intelligence to meet the challenge.

Do you mean like that N. American currency solution .. the one that Canada, Mexico and the U.S. use?

[Scott]

This is about the Cambodian/Thai border. Your comment is off-topic and dangerously close to flaming.

[Plus]

As a general rule I do read the OP. Then Plus, I rely on you to explain it to me.

Everyone has the potential to understand news articles and restrain himself from immediately posting anti-PAD rants. You just have to put a little extra effort.

And it's not only your problem, so don't despair.

[Scott]

Thanks Plus, I needed a reality check. Now I'll go back to moderating before you remind me again!

[TAWP]

As a general rule I do read the OP. Then Plus, I rely on you to explain it to me.

Then we rely on you removing our responding posts to those flaming his biased explanation...ah, the circle is complete.