Trade, eateries suffer from border spat

Clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border, with both sides exchanging artillery fire and hundreds of thousands of people displaced, are affecting transshipment and restaurants in the area, says the private sector.

- PHUSADEE ARUNMAS KUAKUL MORNKUM

Jiraphant Asvatanakul, vice-chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the border trade and cross-border trade strategic committee, said there had been immediate effects for goods transiting from third countries to Cambodia.

These products are typically allowed to be ina free zone for up to 30 days, but ongoing conflicts are causing shipment delays. The Thai Customs Department is considering measures to address this issue.

He said the private sector is concerned about certain consumer products Cambodia has imported from China and Vietnam to replace Thai goods.

“Ifthe conflict continues for 2-3 years, Thai businesses may face increased marketing costs to reenter the Cambodian market,’ said Mr Jiraphant.