Cambodian Traders Accepting Cash Only From Thais

[webfact]

Cambodian traders accepting cash only from Thais

ARANYAPRATHET, Nov 7 (TNA) -- Most Cambodian traders are now accepting cash only from their Thai counterparts as they closely monitor tensions between the two neighbouring countries after ambassadors have been recalled following the appointment of convicted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser by the Cambodian government.

Thai Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot Saturday visited the key border district of Aranyaprathet and found that border trade was still lively as more than 9,000 Cambodian traders crossed the border for trading purposes or for employment at Thai firms.

However, most of the Cambodian traders would not offer credit to Thais traders but would accept only cash.

On the contrary, the number of Thai gamblers who usually cross to the casinos in the Cambodian border town of Poi Pet, opposite Aranyaprathet--usually more than 5,000 on typical weekend day--fell sharply Saturday due to concerns over the political situation. Less than 1,000 gamblers went there on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Santi Villassakdanon, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), speaking in Pattaya resort that most Thai businessmen operating in Cambodia worry that if the situation worsens, cross-border trade could close.

Cross-border trade between the two countries now accounts for about 80 per cent of the total trade amounting to approximately Bt40 billion annually.

Governments of the two countries must quickly negotiate to settle the dispute so that the private sector would not be affected, said Mr Santi.

In the northeastern province of Buri Ram bordering Cambodia, Ratchapol Tranakyos, chairman of the Buri Ram Chamber of Commerce, said the trade and tourism businesses between the two countries had already been affected as tourists were not confident of their safety, while traders slowed their purchases.

Mr Ratchapol said attempts by the Buri Ram chamber to open a permanent border checkpoint in Ban Kruat district aimed at boosting trade and investment would now have to be delayed until diplomatic relations between the two countries are restored. (TNA)

-- TNA 2009/11/07

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[givenall]

Add-a-boy. Money talks and bull sh….t walk. I think this will show Cambodia can get all the money from Thaksin but not Thai people.

[khundon]

5000 down to 1000 gamblers, that will make them think.

A lot of traders on both sides are going to lose a lot of money, just so that Thaksin can sit at a desk again.

[awd]

I think after Abhisit is gone and the new govt in place, this all will settle down.

[brahmburgers]

I feel for the traders, particularly the 'little people' who try to make ends meet on a daily basis. Ok, not Cambodia, but at the Burmese border near where I reside, every morning at 6 a.m. they open the gates, and hundreds of Burmese women come barreling in to Mae Sai, each one pushing a cart with veges or other things. The market must have a 'first come, best position' policy, so the women are literally running hundreds of meters

with their push carts.

As for accepting only cash. That's a smart policy, when dealing with Thai businesspeople, if you can swing it. Promises are about as reliable as a paper airplane over a bonfire.

[gotlost]

I'm in Kap Choeng which is about 10 klicks from the boarder crossing. The Cambodian Market thats about 3 klicks from the boarder and the casinos on the Cambodian side, business as usual.

[Scott]

Current and former politicians, whether liked or disliked have proper names. Use them. Posts have been deleted with these abberations and quotes in posts with them as well.

[hammered]

In the short term peoplke are going to be concerned they may get caught the wrong side of a border closure. Maybe this wont affect day crossings so much but those planning multi-day stays may well reassess their plan

[dumball]

Thai traders will suffer the most as the majority by far of goods come into Cambodia , the kymer can easily switch and do buisiness with Vietnam , there is nothing life threatening of most things purchased from Thailand so if neccessary they can do without for a while .

Any way , the heat is off as Thaksin has turned down the offer , Thai government should have shown a little more patience , as all they managed was to create a storm in a teacup but lots of sour-grapes in the proccess .

[whackojacko]

Current and former politicians, whether liked or disliked have proper names. Use them. Posts have been deleted with these abberations and quotes in posts with them as well.

Dry your eyes - I meant to write Thaksin but spelt it wrong - just like you misspelt "abberations" the spelling is aberrations.

[Siripon]

I think after Abhisit is gone and the new govt in place, this all will settle down.

He's been in office nearly one year and has over 2 more to go. Getting more popular every day.

[Siripon]

Thai traders will suffer the most as the majority by far of goods come into Cambodia , the kymer can easily switch and do buisiness with Vietnam , there is nothing life threatening of most things purchased from Thailand so if neccessary they can do without for a while .

Any way , the heat is off as Thaksin has turned down the offer , Thai government should have shown a little more patience , as all they managed was to create a storm in a teacup but lots of sour-grapes in the proccess .

Thaksin accepted the offer last week. Has he turned it down now belatedly, realising the backlash?

He's made a mistake either way, the damage has been done. As the PM in charge of negotiations with Cambodia from 2001 till the coup, he should have realised that offering to consult the other side would be regarded as treachery.

Another one in the long list of blunders.

[hammered]

Thai traders will suffer the most as the majority by far of goods come into Cambodia , the kymer can easily switch and do buisiness with Vietnam , there is nothing life threatening of most things purchased from Thailand so if neccessary they can do without for a while .

Any way , the heat is off as Thaksin has turned down the offer , Thai government should have shown a little more patience , as all they managed was to create a storm in a teacup but lots of sour-grapes in the proccess .

It is very difficult to trade with Vietnam from Western Cambodia which has far better infrastructure linking it to Thailand. Border closures there will cause hardship to Cambodians in that side of the country. Hun Sen knows this and is being more concilliatory on the trade thing not wishing to see people suffer which could have political reprecussions for him.

By the way Thaksin said he had accepted the position on Thursday. Surely you are not calling him a liar.

Edited November 8, 2009 by hammered

[webfact]

PM Abhisit: Diplomatic spat with Cambodia won't affect border trade

BANGKOK, Nov 8 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday urged patriotic Thais to stand with his government, saying that the current diplomat spat with neighbouring Cambodia undertaken by his government is for the "advantage and dignity of the country" and will not mushroom to affect relations between the two peoples, especially cross-border trade.

Speaking during his weekly television and radio address, Mr. Abhisit said the problem between the two countries arose after ex-prime minister Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh traveled to Cambodia and the Khmer government appointed fugitive, ousted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as economic advisor to its government.

The Cambodian government also criticised Thai judicial system, Mr Abhisit said, and the Thai government was forced to retaliate. No country in the world would allow such criticisms.

Mr. Abhisit said he believed the negative criticism was made because the Cambodian government had received inaccurate information.

It is necessary for the present Thai government to review agreements signed by the then government of Mr. Thaksin and the Cambodian government, especially regarding overlapping maritime boundaries and the joint development of the Gulf of Thailand, since the ousted premier has now become economic advisor (to the Khmer government), Mr. Abhisit said.

He said he had advised Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen earlier not to bring his personal relation with Mr. Thaksin as the main reason in inviting the latter to stay in Cambodia as it could "hamper cooperation between the two countries."

Mr. Thaksin is a businessman and there are reports that he may have a vested interest in maritime resources, he said.

Both countries have recalled their ambassadors, and Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya said earlier he would ask the cabinet to consider revoking the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries dealing with overlapping maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Thailand.

Thailand's Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced Mr Thaksin to a two-year prison term in absentia after finding him guilty of a conflict of interest in Bangkok's Ratchadaphisek land purchase case in 2003.

Mr. Abhisit also urged Thais who travel to Cambodia for gambling to stop going there as it would send a signal to the Cambodian government to treat Thailand in a practical way and to "respect each other." (TNA)

-- TNA 2009/11/08

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[lensta]

I think after Abhisit is gone and the new govt in place, this all will settle down.

He's been in office nearly one year and has over 2 more to go. Getting more popular every day.

Getting more popular every day??? proof please!!!!

[dumball]

There was a report in The Phnom Penh Post that thaksin would not take up Cambodias offer because it would cause too many problems for Thailand , I merely wrote what I had read as I thought it was relevent to the thread .

[Siripon]

I think after Abhisit is gone and the new govt in place, this all will settle down.

He's been in office nearly one year and has over 2 more to go. Getting more popular every day.

Getting more popular every day??? proof please!!!!

Tte rice, sweetcorn and cassava price support scheme which took effect on November 1. Every farmer who registered is guaranteed a price per tonne. This is unlike previous schemes which only covered approximately 600,00 out of 5 million farmers before the quota ran out.

[brahmburgers]

Thaksin is going to need more feet, as he keeps shooting the two he's got.

Maybe the centipede is in the Shinawatra family crest.

Edited November 9, 2009 by brahmburgers

[samran]

Current and former politicians, whether liked or disliked have proper names. Use them. Posts have been deleted with these abberations and quotes in posts with them as well.

Dry your eyes - I meant to write Thaksin but spelt it wrong - just like you misspelt "abberations" the spelling is aberrations.

You mean i can't call Thaksin 'Dear Leader' any more? I've been doing that for more than 5 years now!

[Scott]

I will go through this thread again, but this time warnings will be issued. Unless you are a newbie, I doubt very much that you don't know how to spell the names of politicians in such a way that is derogatory and inflammatory.

[h90]

Current and former politicians, whether liked or disliked have proper names. Use them. Posts have been deleted with these abberations and quotes in posts with them as well.

Dry your eyes - I meant to write Thaksin but spelt it wrong - just like you misspelt "abberations" the spelling is aberrations.

You mean i can't call Thaksin 'Dear Leader' any more? I've been doing that for more than 5 years now!

Actually many people gave him many different names and never any moderator had a problem with that

[Scott]

There will be no further discussion on this issue unless you want a posting holiday. I don't know what "him" you are referring to. The same rule is used for ALL present and former politicians. The venom is equal on both sides of the red/yellow line.

[Scott]

Samran, we've been reading your posts for 5 years and I insinuation used with 'Dear Leader' is probably not very nice, but it doesn't get down to the level of referring to a bodily function in the middle of a name etc.

[samran]

Samran, we've been reading your posts for 5 years and I insinuation used with 'Dear Leader' is probably not very nice, but it doesn't get down to the level of referring to a bodily function in the middle of a name etc.

Of course, it is a cheeky comparison to Kim Jong Il

[BSJ]

FF: It seems like someone fell out of the wrong side of bed this morning!

Back to the issue at hand, if you do a little crystal balling it is possible to see Thaksin in a stronger position that ever before, well since he was convicted that is! Theoretically he can stand on the Cambodian side of the border with a big big big loud hailer and reach into Thailand, and the Thai authorities can't do a darn thing! I've simplified it a bit.....a lot! But you see what I mean, right?

Thailand can't go to war over this, they can't go to the International court, they can't get any help from Phnom Penh....obviously. Meanwhile Thaksin is sending a message to the peasants he is nearby. Like, come across the border and you can touch me and talk to me.....or for some, take a potshot at me.

I think he's one move from check in a political game of chess.

[brahmburgers]

I think he's one move from check in a political game of chess.

Perhaps you meant 'checkmate'

Anyhow, to twist your analogy 180 degrees, I'd say he's one move away from check (or checkmate) declared by his opponents.

He's fast devolving to a shrill caricature of someone who used to matter. The last time the Red shirts held a rally in downtown Chiang Rai, they attracted about 14 people, and nine of those were manning the stage and sound system. I jest not. There was someone seriously giving a speech, the 4 lane road was blocked in one direction, and the sound system blasting for blocks in all directions. In front of the loud talker were about 200 plastic chairs, all laid out in rows - all but a few were empty. If they tried a rally now, they'd get less. ....and this was in a northern region where T is supposedly very popular.

[RubbaJohnny]

perhaps forgot to pay folks for their attendance

The 500 baht a seat love in BKK did well

Seems the peaants wont to nothing for zilch these days

[Publicus]

Thai traders will suffer the most as the majority by far of goods come into Cambodia , the kymer can easily switch and do buisiness with Vietnam , there is nothing life threatening of most things purchased from Thailand so if neccessary they can do without for a while .

Any way , the heat is off as Thaksin has turned down the offer , Thai government should have shown a little more patience , as all they managed was to create a storm in a teacup but lots of sour-grapes in the proccess .

Thaksin accepted the offer last week. Has he turned it down now belatedly, realising the backlash?

He's made a mistake either way, the damage has been done. As the PM in charge of negotiations with Cambodia from 2001 till the coup, he should have realised that offering to consult the other side would be regarded as treachery.

Another one in the long list of blunders.

It's clear now Thaksin said he won't take up residence in Cambodia but will visit there. We'll see what he means by "visit".

Thaksin continues to hold the royal Cambodian appointment of economics advisor to the prime minister and to the state. We now know Thaksin is scheduled to appear Thursday in Phenom Penh to address 300 equally dismal economists. The blind leading the blind.

Always conscious of PR, there probably will be a gaggle of Isaan peasants in Phenom Penh Thursday to grovel over Thaksin in an absolute frenzy of adoration as if he were a monarch himself. Thaksin won't come and go to "visit" Cambodia Thursday quietly or missing a chance to meet with his Reds imported for the occasion courtesy of Hun Sen, along with 'admiring' Cambodians welcoming their new high ranking Cambodian government official.

[Publicus]

Thaksin visits a border market Thursday? Anyone know the odds on this on the Casino boards today?

Visits while never actually crossing the border of course.

Edited November 9, 2009 by Publicus

[Changian]

5000 down to 1000 gamblers, that will make them think.

'Them' being the wealthy Thais that own, or have large shares in, most of the casinos on the Cambodian side of the border.