Thai-Cambodia Border Close Indefinitely As Conflicts Continue

[webfact]

Thai-Cambodia Border Close as Conflicts Continue

The Army Region 2 announced last night that the Thai-Cambodian border in some areas will be shut down indefinitely.

The Thai Army Region 2 announced the closure of the Thai-Cambodian border in the areas of Sakaeo, Sisaket, Surin, Trad, and Chanthaburi provinces last night, specifically at the chong jom, prasat ta kway and prasat ta muan tom border points. Merchants there have been left in a state of uncertainty and are evacuating from the border trade area.

Currently, many stores in the Surin province and Siamrath province are closed, with many schools like the Ban Darn school in the Karb Cherng district shut down as well, with no reopening date set yet. Administrative officers are prepared to evacuate all citizens in the border areas.

Other border points remain open, but have stringent checkpoints in place.

At Poipet ยเปต) border crossing, there has been a large decline in the number of traders and workers entering the popular Rong Kluea market, with roughly 200-300 people coming through per day.

One merchant said she feels uncertain about entering the Rong Kluea market in the early morning, and would want to assess the situation before ordering new products to sell in the area.

In Trad province, the border area is experiencing a large decline in the number of people crossing over to gamble at the famous casino there. Group tours are canceling their trips as well.

For the ports exporting to Cambodia and Vietnam, specifically the Chalalai, Krittawan, and the Kalapangha port, there has been a decline in buying and selling there as well.

Meanwhile, the border at Chanthaburi seems less effected where people are still crossing to buy instant foods and other commodities.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-08

[Orac]

Now I am confused - the Army has announced closure of the borders but ppl are still crossing????

[mrdome]

Does anyone think Aran/Poipet might be affected?

[mouche]

Somebody might know about the situation around Hat Lek or Koh Kong ?

I have to go there next week ...

[hanssna]

What about flights? No problem I guess?

[Mario2008]

The border is closed in SOME areas.

The Army Region 2 announced last night that the Thai-Cambodian border in some areas will be shut down indefinitely.

The Thai Army Region 2 announced the closure of the Thai-Cambodian border in the areas of Sakaeo, Sisaket, Surin, Trad, and Chanthaburi provinces last night, specifically at the chong jom, prasat ta kway and prasat ta muan tom border points.

[donis5]

What about flights? No problem I guess?

can you try ? :-]

[backfromouterspace]

Somebody might know about the situation around Hat Lek or Koh Kong ?

I have to go there next week ...

I was there yesterday and it was fine. Quiet, no different from normal. Nothing out of the ordinary at all. No more soldiers, nothing like that.

[tomross46]

How are the Thai politicians with large investments in Cambodia going to get their money out?

[andy1308]

That's a very poor and seemingly misleading choice of headline. The ENTIRE border is CLOSED ? I think someone needs to re-word this headline pretty quickly.

[tropo]

Somebody might know about the situation around Hat Lek or Koh Kong ?

I have to go there next week ...

I would say they are closed. The list mentioned "Trad", which is Trat province, where Hat Lek is.

The nearest open border to get into Cambodia for visa runners from Bangkok and Pattaya is probably Aranyaphrathet/Poipet.

[mrdome]

The border is closed in SOME areas.

The Army Region 2 announced last night that the Thai-Cambodian border in some areas will be shut down indefinitely.

The Thai Army Region 2 announced the closure of the Thai-Cambodian border in the areas of Sakaeo, Sisaket, Surin, Trad, and Chanthaburi provinces last night, specifically at the chong jom, prasat ta kway and prasat ta muan tom border points.

I think we got that.

What are the chances of them declaring war on each other (reminds me of January 2003, when this almost happened - anyone remember that?)? Small to non-existent, I hope.

Edited February 8, 2011 by mrdome

[tropo]

I was there yesterday and it was fine. Quiet, no different from normal. Nothing out of the ordinary at all. No more soldiers, nothing like that.

This is breaking news, so the situation yesterday is irrelevant.

[Preman]

I say, - get Uncle Fester from the 'Adams Family' involved in this. He will help this situation.

He always found solutions. Much better than most of these politicians and generals.

Just stick a few light bulbs in the mouths of some of these people..... Presto!

I am not taking sides. - This applies to all countries. ...... Particularly to the UN and it's so called Security Councel.

I think that Bugs Bunny is better to watch these days! Oh, - the road runner and tasmanian devil too.

So,.... in the meantime while all of this plays out.... do not get too serious. Just have fun and watch some cartoons on TV.

These cartoons, ..... better not to watch...... we can comment..... but we cannot stop them.

[jayjay0]

The border is closed in SOME areas.

The Army Region 2 announced last night that the Thai-Cambodian border in some areas will be shut down indefinitely.

The Thai Army Region 2 announced the closure of the Thai-Cambodian border in the areas of Sakaeo, Sisaket, Surin, Trad, and Chanthaburi provinces last night, specifically at the chong jom, prasat ta kway and prasat ta muan tom border points.

I think we got that.

What are the chances of them declaring war on each other (reminds me of January 2003, when this almost happened - anyone remember that?)? Small to non-existent, I hope.

I wasent here then and have no idea of what happened.

did Thailand have groups like the Yellow Shirts actively pushing for war then?

[steven100]

The Army Region 2 announced last night that the Thai-Cambodian border in some areas will be shut down indefinitely.

Forget the border run ..

[FlyingSaucer]

SO PoiPet is the only open one still ? i planned to go there in begin of march....... bullshit.....MAKE LOVE NOT WAR...... we the people never want war, but politicians!

[sr1]

Hey guys and girls, I have plans (tickets purchased) to fly into BKK on the 16th and into Siem Reap immediately afterward. Then I have about 5 days in Southern Cambodia, and return to BKK after that. Should I stick with my plan, or immediately start changing my plans?

Thanks!

[Esther Kaufmann]

I was there yesterday and it was fine. Quiet, no different from normal. Nothing out of the ordinary at all. No more soldiers, nothing like that.

This is breaking news, so the situation yesterday is irrelevant.

I just got informed by people at the border in Had Lek that it is still open and foreigner are allowed to cross but not Thai people. Guess they don't want to lose the income from all the visa-runner's.

[oevna]

I think this article needs clarification about exactly which border crossings are closed. For those asking about Aranyaprathet/Poipet, that is in Sakaeo province, so it may be closed too.

Also, Siamrat? Is that what Thailand calls Siemriab?

[FarangGirlinKorat]

yes, title needs to be changed ASAP to to "close in some areas" or something more truthful.

If you need to go to aranyaprathet/poi pet in the near future, i would suggest calling first: 03723-1131

[mrdome]

Hey guys and girls, I have plans (tickets purchased) to fly into BKK on the 16th and into Siem Reap immediately afterward. Then I have about 5 days in Southern Cambodia, and return to BKK after that. Should I stick with my plan, or immediately start changing my plans?

Thanks!

I'd say stick with yours and I'll stick w. mine (crossing at Aran/Poipet on 20th). Angkor might be a lot less crowded and that is not a bad prospect. Cambodia cannot afford to lose the tourist $$s.

[Boater]

How are the Thai politicians with large investments in Cambodia going to get their money out?

the poipet border wont close.... the government and army generals wouldn't want to lose money in there casinos

[mrdome]

How are the Thai politicians with large investments in Cambodia going to get their money out?

the poipet border wont close.... the government and army generals wouldn't want to lose money in there casinos

Agreed. Let's hope greed saves the day and potentially lives in this case (for once).

[dude007]

Somebody might know about the situation around Hat Lek or Koh Kong ?

I have to go there next week ...

I would say they are closed. The list mentioned "Trad", which is Trat province, where Hat Lek is.

The nearest open border to get into Cambodia for visa runners from Bangkok and Pattaya is probably Aranyaphrathet/Poipet.

I just called my friend from the Cambodian Immigration Police (08-02-2011 at 12:50) and he told me that there is no problem at the Koh Khong/Hat Lek border. Business as usual. Border OPEN and no prospect that this border will ever be closed!

Only the Thai side will have along the road to Trat an increased number of check points as we know how they are afraid that one day Cambodian troops will occupy the entire Thai territory and re-gain their land as it was in former times when the Khmer Reign stretched from the Mekong Delta up to the border of Malaysia !

[Scott]

For a number of reasons, it is not feasible to change the headline.

[IanPrince99]

Actually, before the French gunship came, anything west of Mekong river should belong to Siam. This mean 60% of present day Cambodia, 5% of Vietnam, 10% of Laos as well as a touch in China. OK, since China is the big brother, Thailand will not claim that part.

[dude007]

Hey guys and girls, I have plans (tickets purchased) to fly into BKK on the 16th and into Siem Reap immediately afterward. Then I have about 5 days in Southern Cambodia, and return to BKK after that. Should I stick with my plan, or immediately start changing my plans?

Thanks!

I'd say stick with yours and I'll stick w. mine (crossing at Aran/Poipet on 20th). Angkor might be a lot less crowded and that is not a bad prospect. Cambodia cannot afford to lose the tourist $$s.

You would be surprised as it is known that the entry fees of Angkor are going into private pockets, not the Country's tresorie. Sokimex is the great beneficiary of the entry fees (but the world community is paying for the restoration)... and who cares about Sokimex in the Khmer Government apart from its cronies? For them: money enough... eventually sell one of the Lexusses in case there is a need... start with the one the housemaid is driving!

[CallumW]

I am constantly amazed by the flippant, callous and inhumane comments often posted by TV members when discussing serious issues.

For many people living within 100km of the trouble spot, myself included, this is ALREADY a life changing event, regardless of the fact that full scale conflict has yet to begin.

So next time you want to make a joke about a situation which has already cost lives, think first, would you still be joking if it was happening on your doorstep?

[mouche]

Somebody might know about the situation around Hat Lek or Koh Kong ?

I have to go there next week ...

I was there yesterday and it was fine. Quiet, no different from normal. Nothing out of the ordinary at all. No more soldiers, nothing like that.

Thank you so much for info I ll give news when I come back.