Tuesday, 10 November 2009

Cambodians stockpiling goods from Thai side amid rumors of border closure


http://www.chinaview.cn/
2009-11-10

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

BANGKOK, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Cambodians at the Thai-Cambodian border Tuesday have been stockpiling goods from the Thai side due to continued rumors of the border closure because of the diplomatic standoff of the two countries.

Though the border trade has still continued, it is discovered Cambodians bought a number of Thai goods to stockpile in Cambodia, Thai television Channel 9 reported.

Sales of instant noodles have already risen sharply for a few days, said Sombat Jeung-tra-kul, a Thai nationality, who is the president of the Thai-Cambodian traders club in Chan-ta-bu-ri province bordering Cambodia.

However, the trade situation at the Thai-Cambodian border in Si-sa-ged province of Thailand is quiet despite of the rumors.

The Thai army at this border has suggested the peoples of the two countries not be panic over the rumors.

Thailand and Cambodia have downgraded their diplomatic relations due to conflict over an appointment of ousted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor to Cambodia's government on Nov. 4.

A day after the appointment of Thaksin, the Cambodian government announced the recall of its ambassador to Thailand in a move to respond to the Thai government's recall of its ambassador to Cambodia.

Thaksin was ousted by the military coup in September 2006, in accusation of corruption, and is living in exile since then.

He returned to Thailand in February 2008 to face corruption charges, but he later fled into exile again and was convicted in absentia.

Editor: Deng Shasha

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